ProMom Media Watch
L.A. Magazine

Letter Writing Opportunity - L.A. Magazine
Here is a sample letter to the editors of L.A. Magazine. Los Angeles Magazine did a cover story on Elisabeth Shue, who is nursing her 7 month old son, Miles. It was a really nice portrayal of breastfeeding as sexy, a perspective rarely seen. The photos accompanying the article are tasteful but alluring, not what we usually see with a nursing mom. This is a 'thank you' for this positive piece. As always feel free to personalize a bit, if you can.

Los Angeles Magazine
11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, 7th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025

laletters@mindspring.com

Please make sure to include your address, email address, or phone number in the last line of this letter.

To the Editor: Three cheers for Los Angeles Magazine and its cover story on Elisabeth Shue! The portrayal of Shue as a sexy nursing mother in "Mother Superior" is a boost to nursing mothers' spirits everywhere. It's not often that readers are even told a mother is breastfeeding, and much less in the glowing terms author Nancy Griffin used to describe Shue and her son Miles.

It is odd that a society seemingly consumed with financial prosperity and safety is largely unwilling to make the investment in breastfeeding, despite its proven benefits to babies' health and cognitive development. As I am sure you are aware, the American Academy of Pediatrics has strongly recommended that women breastfeed their children for at least 12 months. This recommendation comes as a result of many studies that have demonstrated that breastfed children have lower risks of diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, ear infections, allergies, eczema, bacterial meningitis, and many other illnesses, as well as higher IQs. The list of benefits to both mother and child is extensive. Shue is an excellent role model for other mothers, since she has nursed her son Miles for 7 months and has shown no signs of stopping in the near future.

One of the goals of the United States' "Healthy People 2000" program is increasing to 50% the number of women who breastfeed their children until at least 5 to 6 months of age. Sadly, though, less than 60% of mothers are breastfeeding at the time of hospital discharge, and only about 20% are still breastfeeding their babies at 6 months. Because the media have an enormous impact on what we as a culture deem "socially acceptable," your article has tremendous potential for positive influence on the way Americans perceive breastfeeding.

Breastmilk is one of the best starts in life anyone can ever hope to provide a child, and nursing is one of the most natural acts in the world. Thank you for helping to spread this message so eloquently.

Sincerely,