Getting Milk to Babies: Social, Medical, Economic and Commercial Forces

Time-frame: 60
CERP: yes

Successful infant feeding is crucial to the survival of babies and the human race. Throughout history and across the world, societies have had to address alternatives to maternal breastfeeding. We will present an overview of the history of infant feeding, including the forces involved in the decline of breastfeeding and wet nursing and the rise of “scientific” infant feeding, commercial infant formulas and milk banking. We will also define and discuss milk kinship practiced in Islam, and throughout the Far East and Middle East. We will cover as well the forces and organizations involved in the rise of breastfeeding, milk sharing and milk banking over the last 2-3 decades, and the social, economic and commercial forces impacting infant feeding today. We will conclude with a discussion of how history can help us understand and influence future trends.



Naomi Bar-Yam, ACSW, PhD


Country: USA
Phone number: 617-599-2902
Email: naomi@necsi.edu
social

Publications

Rich and Creamy for Our Preemie

Having a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is difficult. It is important for every family member to be included. As children and their families read and color this book, they will learn how the NICU, other moms, and local milk banks support breastfeeding and work to make the newest family member grow healthy and strong.