BIRTH 18:l March 1991 LETTERS 57 To the Editor: I am writing regarding the News paragraph on the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program (Birth 1990;17(3):164). I wish to add a few com- ments about why WIC reaches only a fraction of those eligible to participate. Several sources at- tribute the problem to the rising costs of food and federal funding cutbacks. There is an omission here that has to be addressed regarding the approach taken to infant nutrition by public policy makers and the general health care system in the United States. I know of an infant food with the following char- acteristics: 0 Species-specific ingredients formulated to en- sure a steady supply of the nutrients required for rapid brain growth during the first year of life ~ 0 Special additives that protect the newborn from disease and reduce the frequency of al- lergies, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract infections, asthma, middle ear infections, dental caries, hospital admissions, and mortality. 0 A manufacturing and delivery process that is safe and free from bacterial contamination. No mistakes can be made in mixing it, and the con- tainer is always clean. An environmentally conservative food that does not use up our trees and metals or fill our dumps with trash that lasts a lifetime. 0 It is provided absolutely free of charge. This wonder food is mother’s milk. In 1988 the government spent over $500 million in infant formula purchases. This is about 40 percent of the $1.6 billion U.S. formula market. In fact, the U.S. government is the largest purchaser of infant formula in the world. No wonder only half of the women and infants who qualify for WIC receive benefits. If 50 percent of bottle-feeding mothers in the WIC program breastfed for just one month, $29 million would be saved. We have people and programs in this country to help women breastfeed. Since this was the only country to vote against the World Health Organiza- tion’s International Code of Marketing of Breast- milk Substitutes, what we really need is a change in attitude and practice. Breastfeeding and bottle- feeding are not the same. Human milk and formula are not the same. One is better for business; one is better for babies. Marsha Walker, R.N., I.B.C.L.C. President, Lactation Associates 254 Conant Road Weston, MA 02193-1756 Announcement Garland Publishing is pleased to announce that work has begun on a new series, Issues in Repro- ductive Technology, edited by Helen Bequaert Holmes, Ph.D. The volumes in this ongoing series will consist of groups of original essays on timely topics along with selective bibliographies. The anthologies will be interdisciplinary and present di- verse viewpoints; “reproductive technology” is defined broadly. Issues in Reproductive Tech- nology I: An Anthology is expected to appear in late 1991. Subjects planned for this first volume are abortion, contraception, surrogate motherhood, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, and so- cial analyses of in vitro fertilization. Inquiries are welcome, as are proposals for topics for future issues and suggestions for possible essayists. Please contact: Helen Bequaert Holmes, 24 Berkshire Terrace, Amherst, MA 01002; phone 413-549-1226; FAX 413-549-6401.

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BIRTH 18:l March 1991

LETTERS

To the Editor: I am writing regarding the News paragraph on the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program (Birth 1990;17(3):164). I wish to add a few com- ments about why WIC reaches only a fraction of those eligible to participate. Several sources at- tribute the problem to the rising costs of food and federal funding cutbacks. There is an omission here that has to be addressed regarding the approach taken to infant nutrition by public policy makers and the general health care system in the United States.

I know of an infant food with the following char- acteristics:

0 Species-specific ingredients formulated to en- sure a steady supply of the nutrients required for rapid brain growth during the first year of life ~

0 Special additives that protect the newborn from disease and reduce the frequency of al- lergies, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal problems, urinary tract infections, asthma, middle ear infections, dental caries, hospital admissions, and mortality.

0 A manufacturing and delivery process that is safe and free from bacterial contamination. No mistakes can be made in mixing it, and the con- tainer is always clean. An environmentally conservative food that

does not use up our trees and metals or fill our dumps with trash that lasts a lifetime.

0 It is provided absolutely free of charge. This wonder food is mother’s milk. In 1988 the government spent over $500 million

in infant formula purchases. This is about 40 percent of the $1.6 billion U.S. formula market. In fact, the U.S. government is the largest purchaser of infant formula in the world. No wonder only half of the women and infants who qualify for WIC receive benefits. If 50 percent of bottle-feeding mothers in the WIC program breastfed for just one month, $29 million would be saved.

We have people and programs in this country to help women breastfeed. Since this was the only country to vote against the World Health Organiza- tion’s International Code of Marketing of Breast- milk Substitutes, what we really need is a change in attitude and practice. Breastfeeding and bottle- feeding are not the same. Human milk and formula are not the same. One is better for business; one is better for babies.

Marsha Walker, R . N . , I .B.C.L.C. President, Lactation Associates

254 Conant Road Weston, MA 02193-1756

Announcement Garland Publishing is pleased to announce that work has begun on a new series, Issues in Repro- ductive Technology, edited by Helen Bequaert Holmes, Ph.D. The volumes in this ongoing series will consist of groups of original essays on timely topics along with selective bibliographies. The anthologies will be interdisciplinary and present di- verse viewpoints; “reproductive technology” is defined broadly. Issues in Reproductive Tech- nology I: An Anthology is expected to appear in

late 1991. Subjects planned for this first volume are abortion, contraception, surrogate motherhood, cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, and so- cial analyses of in vitro fertilization.

Inquiries are welcome, as are proposals for topics for future issues and suggestions for possible essayists. Please contact: Helen Bequaert Holmes, 24 Berkshire Terrace, Amherst, MA 01002; phone 413-549-1226; FAX 413-549-6401.