Advocates for Evidence-Based Health Policy Speakers
[Anecdotes] Public Lactation – Celebrity Edition
An article in today’s USA Today cites that celebrity Beyoncé Knowles has been spotted breastfeeding in public. While I tend to shun away from celebrity news on most occasions, the article surprisingly focuses on health and well-being. Therefore Beyoncé’s choice to breastfeed deserves attention from those of us in the health policy sphere.
The USA Today article also highlights a disturbing fact uncovered in the data showing that while only about their babies.
– the OB/GYN of Policy Prescriptions® – wrote about in a post from 2010.
There are “compelling implications of breastfeeding as the preferred source of infant nutrition. Breastfeeding is associated with decreased infant infections, respiratory illnesses, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and even postpartum depression…[B]reastfeeding is the natural source of infant nutrition which has sustained mankind long before formula alternatives.
“Of note is the dichotomy of developed and underdeveloped countries in regards to breastfeeding. Studies have shown that breastfeeding is more often practiced by women with lesser resources in underdeveloped countries and, ironically, by women with greater resources in developed countries.”
Obviously, Beyoncé falls into the category of “women with greater resources” in the United States. But perhaps her publicized decision to breastfeed her infant will inspire her fans and other women of color to put down the bottle and up-lift the breast.