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ProMoM
Media Watch
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Letter Writing Opportunity - Oprah Winfrey
Ms. Oprah Winfrey You may also cut and paste (and even edit) this info on her email form. Please make sure to include your email or phone number in the last line of this letter. Dear Ms. Winfrey: As the mother of a nursing toddler, I was very disappointed to hear that your show on parenting (May 27, 1998) presented extended breastfeeding in a negative and one-sided manner. It saddens me to think that, because toddler nursing may have been treated as something weird and abnormal, a mother might feel pressured into weaning before she and her child are ready. Americans tend to undervalue the health benefits of breastfeeding. Other cultures are much more supportive of the precious gift of mother's milk. In fact, although the idea of nursing a youngster who is walking and talking is somewhat shocking to most Americans, allowing children to wean when they themselves are ready is optimal for their physical and emotional health. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that children be breastfed for a minimum of two years, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing a child for "at least 12 months, and thereafter as long as mutually desired." Research by anthropologist Katherine Dettwyler, Ph.D., demonstrates that the "natural" age for weaning in humans would be between 2.5 and 7 years if cultural beliefs regarding the age of weaning did not take precedence. All of the scientific research that has examined the duration of breastfeeding has found that the longer a child nurses, the greater the benefits s/he derives in terms of both health and cognitive development. The fact that children continue to receive maternal antibodies as long as they nurse in and of itself attests to the value of extended breastfeeding, since a child's own immune system does not mature until 6 years of age. Breastmilk is a complete and well-balanced food, and it is better for a child than cow's milk (which is the source of many allergies and digestive problems), soft drinks, or sweetened juices. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, extended breastfeeding makes mothering easier. Children who continue to have their emotional needs met through nursing tend to be happy and confident, and nothing soothes a fractious little person faster or more effectively than nursing. I understand that while the remainder of your May 27th show stressed the importance of respecting children and being sensitive to their feelings, all seemed adamantly of the opinion that a child who is still nursing at the age of 3 is simply manipulating his/her mother. Apparently, there was no discussion of the fact that nursing a child older than 1 year is completely normal, or that children who are allowed to self-wean are generally more independent than children who were weaned according to their mother's calendar. Further, there are many reasons why an older child might nurse frequently, including an impending developmental leap, or a mother undergoing a particularly busy period. There are also gentle methods of weaning that are less emotionally disturbing to a child and mother than going "cold turkey." Certainly, extended breastfeeding is not for everyone, but a mother and child should not be forced prematurely to abandon a relationship they cherish because of societal disapproval. If mother and child are a happy nursing couple, it is our responsibility, as a society which hopes to promote healthy living, to support and encourage their breasfeeding relationship for however long it continues. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths, prejudices and misinformation about breastfeeding in general and extended breastfeeding in particular. This is why I would like to suggest that you do a show on the many benefits of breasfeeding and another on extended breastfeeding. With your considerable influence, I believe you have a tremendous opportunity to inform your viewing audience about the importance of breasfeeding to children, to mothers, to communities, and to our nation You can include individuals and groups who have considerable documentation on the benefits of breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding. La Leche League International (1-800-LA LECHE) as well as ProMoM (www.promom.org) can provide you with a wealth of information on the overwhelming benefits of breastfeeding. Members of both of these organizations, as mothers who have successfully breastfed their children despite numerous cultural obstacles (including work!), would provide excellent panelists for your show. The book "Mothering Your Nursing Toddler" by Norma Bumgarner is an excellent resource, and you might want to contact Dr. Dettwyler (Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University) about her research. Finally, Dr. William Sears and his wife, Martha, are undoubtedly the most eloquent and well-known advocates of breastfeeding and child-led weaning as critical components of attachment parenting (see "The Baby Book" by the Searses). Note that the Searses' knowledge derives not only from their professional experiences as pediatrician and board certified lactation consultant, but from parenting their eight children. As you have noted on a subsequent show, we, as a society, suffer the effects of disconnected families. Breastfeeding and child-led weaning facilitate close and nurturing relationships between mothers and children. Please seriously consider presenting the other side of the story.
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