Facebook Flack Regarding Breastfeeding Mothers

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy of Breastfeeding
Medicine feels that the social networking website, Facebook, would be well
advised to review its policy banning photographs of breastfeeding mothers.
Such a policy perpetuates the notion that breastfeeding is an unseemly bodily
function best kept from public viewing, a misguided and antiquated concept
that has no place in contemporary society. It further perpetuates the idea
that formula feeding is normative when breastfeeding is, and should be
considered, normative infant and young child feeding. Health professionals
widely acknowledge that breastfeeding is biologically unique and appropriate
for the mother and infant.
Throughout most of history, breastfeeding, whether performed in private or
otherwise, has been regarded as a natural and wholesome aspect of daily
living. In fact, some of the greatest works of Renaissance art dealt with the
theme of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding her infant son (the Madonna Lactans).

So important is breastfeeding for the well-being of infants, mothers, and
society at large that no less than forty four states have enacted legislation
safeguarding the right of a mother to breastfeed in public. The Surgeon
General's Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding encourages "images of
breastfeeding as the normal way to feed infants in most places women and their
infants go." Facebook should certainly be considered one of those places.

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (www.bfmed.org) is a worldwide
organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support
of breastfeeding and human lactation through education, research, and
advocacy. An independent, self-sustaining, international physician
organization and the only organization of its kind, ABM's mission is to unite
members of various medical specialties through physician education, expansion
of knowledge in breastfeeding science and human lactation, facilitation of
optimal breastfeeding practices, and encouragement of the exchange of
information among organizations.

Contact: Karla Shepard Rubinger, Executive Director, Academy of Breastfeeding
Medicine, (914) 740-2100 ext. 2153, abm@bfmed.org

SOURCE Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

Karla Shepard Rubinger, Executive Director, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine,
+1-914-740-2100 ext. 2153, abm@bfmed.org