My response to Dr. Rick's response:

I'll admit my immediate reaction to Dr. Rick's response and his flippant attitude towards the benefits of b
breastfeeding was to fire back a sassy email letting him know exactly what I think about opinions, his silly radio show and his so-called breastfeeding science.

But, I didn't.  I held my fingers back and stewed on it.  After all, it is obvious he doesn't care to tout breastfeeding as the best start for Mississippi babies and I know quite well my emails don't mean much to him.

So, I waited.
And, I thought about it.  A lot.
And, if you live with me, you can attest that I've talked about it.  A lot.

I thought about my mind's recurring theme on biological norms vs. cultural norms and how Dr. Rick is all cultural norm.  I thought about how a friend always says she "wants her babies to thrive, not just survive".  I thought about my generation's hang-ups on breastfeeding and the guilt mothers carry.  I thought about how it is practically impossible to discuss the science and the facts of breastfeeding without offending a population of women.  I thought about the cultural disconnect; women know "breast is best" but "booby traps" lay claim to many breastfeeding relationships each year.

And, because everybody loves a disclaimer, women also have the option to formula feed and just like Seinfeld said, "Not that there's anything wrong with that".

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In the end, I wrote a short little email and kept my millions of links to myself.   I couldn't stay 100% sass free but trust me, it's markedly more polite than previous drafts. 

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Dr. Rick,

Thank you for your reply in regards to my query of your handling on the topic of  breastfeeding during the latest pediatric episode.  However, the American Academy of Pediatrics maintains breastfeeding is a public health issue and I believe it needs to be addressed as such, especially considering the dismal health statistics in Mississippi.  I encourage you to connect with Dr. Rebecca Saenz of the Mississippi Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic to brush up on your breastfeeding science, especially before the next show on pediatrics.

Thank you,
Laura OMML

http://www.msbfmedclinic.com/
http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/29/why-pediatricians-say-breast-feeding-is-about-public-health-not-just-lifestyle/