8 December 2009
By Gabrielle Palmer
Pinter & Martin Ltd
ISBN-10: 190517716X
ISBN-13: 978-1905177165
Reviewed by Sharon Trotter
I am a long-term fan of Gabrielle Palmer’s work. My well-used copy of the 1993 second edition of her book is never far from my desk and I was delighted to be asked to review the third edition.
In today’s atmosphere of political correctness, it is unusual to come across an author who tells it like it is – even if this might alienate the large multinational baby milk companies. Let us not be fooled: baby milk is big business - the $ sign on the book cover acknowledges this. Breastfeeding provides the most perfect food for babies (nutritionally, psychologically and emotionally), but is not so easy to sell!
I can only give you a flavour of what this book has to offer, but I can guarantee it will have a lasting effect on any reader who takes the time to digest every word.
In the preface of the second and third editions, Gabrielle apologises for having to write another edition, but I suspect this will not be the last. The text charts the great strides taken in breastfeeding promotion, but we are left feeling that the baby milk manufacturers continue to stay one step ahead. If we fail to keep pace it will get harder to institute the sort of radical changes that will restore breastfeeding to its rightful place, namely the first and only option when it comes to infant feeding.
Gabrielle devotes a whole chapter to the World Health Organization’s International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes (the Code). This serves to frustrate the reader, who realises that its rules are constantly ignored.
If, like me, you are a passionate advocate of breastfeeding who also wants to find out more about the history of how we got to where we are today, then this book is for you. It is backed up by excellent references and resources and I believe it is a ‘must-have’ for every student midwife.
The new edition includes many pictures from previous editions, with one notable exception: an Indian mother breastfeeding her male twin (thriving on her milk) while also bottle-feeding her tiny female twin (this malnourished baby died the following day) - this was on page 271 of the 1993 edition. This picture had a profound effect on me and its exclusion may unwittingly dilute the enormity of this issue so shockingly portrayed by this one image.
Sadly, much of the mis-information surrounding breastfeeding described so effectively by Gabrielle continues, mostly unchecked. This book should serve as a warning to all of us of the dangers associated with putting profits before health.
Have you read this book? What did you think?
