Milk, Money, and Madness: The Culture and Politics of Breastfeeding (Hardcover)

~ M.D., Naomi Baumslag (Author), Dia L. Michels (Author) "People like to believe that mothering is instinctual, a skill, unleashed by hormones, possessed by every female..." (more)
Key Phrases: breastmilk banks, breastmilk contamination, lactation breaks, United States, New York, Abbott Laboratories (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The latest book by pediatrics professor Baumslag and science writer Michels (A Woman's Guide to Yeast Infections, Pocket Bks., 1992) is not intended as a "how-to" manual but rather as an analysis of the medical, historical, social, economic, and political issues surrounding breastfeeding. It includes a lengthy discussion of aggressive marketing tactics by infant formula manufacturers and the international efforts taken to counteract these techniques. Strongly in favor of breastfeeding under virtually any circumstances, the authors convincingly illustrate its medical and economic benefits to mothers, infants, and the general population. Useful appendixes include, among other items, a brief directory of organizations involved in the promotion of breastfeeding, a summary of recent legislation, and a recommended reading and resources list. With its in-depth analysis of the topic, this highly readable work is a worthwhile addition to public libraries and all large health sciences collections.?Tina Neville, Univ. of South Florida at St. Petersburg Lib.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

There's nothing wishy-washy about the authors' attitude about breast-feeding versus bottle-feeding: they marshal a range of medical, economic, cultural, and psychological arguments for the proposition that "all infants would be better off if they were to receive some breastmilk," and maintain that, while infant "formula" can save lives in a limited number of specific medical situations, its routine use has highly negative public-health consequences in both industrialized nations and less-developed countries. Baumslag, a clinical pediatrics professor at Georgetown University's medical school, and science writer Michels focus on "why to" (rather than "how to" ) breast-feed in an effort to overcome what UNICEF acting executive director Dr. Richard Jolly calls in a foreword the "myths and misinformation" that cloud women's understanding of the issue. The authors survey the history of breast-feeding and its substitutes in a variety of cultures; explain the nutritional and immunological differences between breast milk and various infant "formulas" ; and examine the issue's economics, including the roles of formula manufacturers, governments, and employers of working mothers in the U.S. and around the world. A thorough analysis; includes tables, charts, and appendixes. Mary Carroll

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey Trade (November 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897894073
• ISBN-13: 978-0897894074
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #853,847 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fabulous, thought-provoking book!, December 7, 1999

By	"godeby" (Vienna, Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This book takes a historical and cultural look at breastfeeding and formula-feeding. Fact-based and well-researched, this book is full of thought-provoking information and information that is not usually made public knowledge due to politics and profit interests.

Sections cover: * Breastfeeding customs around the world * Wet nursing, surrogate feeding and healing qualities of breastmilk * Cow's milk is for cows * Artificial feeding * The global search for formula sales * Women and work

Of particular interest is the United States' historical/cultural lack of support of global breastfeeding policies and the strength given to formula companies to dictate the health of America's babies.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Education, should be requisite for teenagers, December 14, 2001

By	Tammy L. Schilling "tammyl84" (MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book should be required reading for all teenagers as part of their economics classes, their sociology classes, and their health classes. The subject matter in this book covers all of this range. Shown is the health implications for babies who are denied their mother's milk. This is especially important for those babies who are artificially fed in undeveloped countries where there is no access to clean water or sanitation. For those babies, artificial feeding is not only a substandard choice, it is a deadly one. Further, this book illustrates why the chioce to artificially feed infants is being made in more often in these countries, dealing especially with the lies the formula companies perpetuate. Readers will understand how a multibillion dollar business has been developed on the backs of babies.

Readers will also learn, probably for the first time, that the behaviour of formula companies has become so evil that there are a number of international organizations that have ongoing efforts to save babies from the deadly consequences of the formula manufacturer's lies. Many will be surprised to read of a decades old boycott, and an ethical marketing code developed by the World Health Organization, both of which have been flaunted and ignored by the formula manufacturers.

Most readers will be familiar with movies and novels that deal with drug manufacturers making deadly substances and knowingly hiding the information, even at the risk of many deaths, in order to reap the profits. Milk, Money, and Madness will detail such a story. It's all true and much more evil and insidious than anyone will ever suspect until they read the book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any one who is concerned for the welfare of, May 6, 2004

By	Susan L. (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews

I read this book before I gave birth to my first child. (I am the mother of six.)It made such an impact on me that I have been a breastfeeding advocate ever since. This book covers cross cultural aspects of breastfeeding. Beware that this book has the possibility to make a mother feel very guilty for not breastfeeding. It gives a mother infinite reasons of why human milk is what every infant is entitled to consume. I have used this book as a reference to many research projects from formula study to mother - infant bonding. Fathers should be encouraged to read this book. No man should question a mother's right to breastfeed after he reads the views put forth in this masterpiece. I agree with other reviewers that all teenagers should read this book. Future generations would benefit from current generations reading this book.