Why the Politics of Breastfeeding Matter

Pinter & Martin Why It Matters #6

by Gabrielle Palmer

The Politics of Breastfeeding , first published in 1988, remains a hugely important book. It exposes infant feeding as one of the most important global public health issues of our time, and describes how big business and vested interests influence the intimate relationship between mothers and their babies to the detriment of all, rich or poor, in the West or in the developing world.

In Why the Politics of Breastfeeding Matter, the central ideas of The Politics of Breastfeeding are distilled into a concise form, making it the perfect introduction to understanding the complex forces that govern what many think of as a simple choice to breastfeed or not.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2016

About the author

Gabrielle Palmer is a nutritionist and a campaigner. She was a breastfeeding counsellor in the 1970s and helped establish the UK pressure group Baby Milk Action. In the early 1980s she lived and worked as a volunteer in Mozambique. She has written, taught and campaigned on infant feeding issues, particularly the unethical marketing of baby foods.
In the 1990s she co-directed the International Breastfeeding: Practice and Policy course at The Institute of Child Health in London until she went to live in China for two years. She has worked independently for various health and development agencies, including serving as HIV and Infant Feeding Officer for UNICEF New York. She recently worked at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where she had originally studied nutrition.
She is a mother and a grandmother.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading for every person with ovaries and every person who cares about them.

[Faye Od · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and eye-opening book essentially describing how greedy or uneducated people/companies caused and are still causing the death and suffering of millions of babies worldwide. We should feel ashamed that so many horrendous events occurred so recently within our history. This is an essential read for all parents.

[Lisa Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very good introduction to breastfeeding and I found the background to how formula was introduced really interesting. Very good read for someone who doesn't know much about breastfeeding as a starting point to gaining some knowledge on the subject.

[Brónagh Ní Chuilinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why the Politics of Breastfeeding Matter by Gabrielle Palmer

Myself and my partner listened to this all in one go and are absolutely dumbfounded to learn about the epidemic of breastfeeding.

Palmer takes us on a journey and explains when baby formual began, how it has negatively impacted the world and contributed to many infant deaths but importantly how large companies bullied, manipulated and intimidated mothers into using unsanitary baby formula over the decades.

She tells us of the consequences when martyrs hold these companies like Nestlé accountable. How capitalism is prioritised over the needs and safety of the population.

She explains the biology behind breastfeeding and contraception and I’m not sure it’s entirely accurate so that’s why I’m giving the book 7/10.

Of course breastfeeding isn’t for everyone and that’s fair enough but whether you’re breastfeeding or not, or what ever gender, everyone should read this because at the end of the day we were all babies at one stage and it’s important to educate ourselves on the importance of breastfeeding as a society and the damage these massive corporations are having on the world.

[Lucia Gannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Code has saved millions of lives since it was first adopted by the WHA forty years ago. Despite this it is still relevant today as formula companies continue to circumvent the recommendations and countries fail to enact the Code substantially.
I read "The Politics of Breastfeeding," almost thirty years ago when my oldest son was four months old and I was considering weaning him on to commercial formula milk. I picked it off a shelf in a paper shop, started reading and never bought a tin of formula. It changed the course of my life and I am grateful that it did.

This short book is a synopsis of her earlier one with some additional up-to-date information. It should be mandatory reading for anyone who is involved in infant and maternal healthcare and strongly encouraged for all who have any interest in health, the environment or politics.
An accessible read that is interesting, engaging and hopeful.

[Joanna Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant extension of the Politics of Breastfeeding book. Bite sized and easy to read. Highly recommend this book for EVERYONE, breastfeeding or otherwise.

[Hannah Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one to add to the ‘compulsory reading for every member of society’ list.

[Cassi Legat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative although rather biased. It's an important look at who is really influencing policies and culture.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Part of the art of marketing is to repeat a lie so often that it becomes perceived as truth." pg 80

[Ashton Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and eye opening. Concise history of the politics of breastfeeding.

[Lies · Rating 4 out of 5]

entitlement to breastfeeding
pressures and circumstances beyond their control stop them from breastfeeding

[Lolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Breast feeding is the great equaliser: it gives a baby born into poverty a chance to be as healthy and intelligent as one born into wealth." - Gabrielle Palmer

Whilst I had an idea that the world of baby milk powder was corrupt, I did not realise just to what extent! This is mind-blowing how the corruption of companies like Nestlé have had such a huge negative impact on the health of countries.
The facts and information in this book are eye opening, and I think every woman considering feeding her baby powdered milk should read this book.
The dangers and disadvantages are a high price to pay.

This book also outlines just how important it is for mother's to be supported in breastfeeding. We have a culture of dismissing mother's needs, and in this case just handing them a bottle. This benefits no one. Having healthy babies set societies up to be healthier over all.

[Jane Wilson-Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, expert, wise and a joy to read. Tackles all the issues of infant feeding with moving stories. A much recommended condensation of the classic game-changing text by the same author 'The Politics of Breast Feeding.'The Politics of Breastfeeding: When Breasts Are Bad for Business