“The Big Let Down” author Kimberly Seals Allers

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with journalist and author of the book, The Big Let Down– How Medicine, Big Business and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding.  Kimberly and I discus the role of big pharmaceutical companies and the push for baby formula in doctor’s offices and hospitals and how they undermine a woman’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed.  She also reveals shocking information like who really backs research studies and is formula FDA approved?

In this episode:

• What inspired Kimberley to write this book
• Some of the most surprising facts or experiences she came across will researching and writing this book
• The relationship of growth charts and infant formula.
• What is the subliminal roll of Infant formula in dr offices and hospitals
• The role the pharma campanies with offering free stuff to the doctors and nurses and funded studies to support their product.
• The lack of education OBs and pediatricians receive on breastfeeding
• Marketing to women even before they gave birth and the problems and fear formula companies are creating
• Is baby formula FDA approved?
• Insurance companies covering the cost breast pumps and the opposition that was met along the way to this success
• The disparity in breastfeeding among different racial and socioeconomic groups
• Places women can not find le leche support or baby friendly hospitals and suggestions for resources for these women to turn to
• The power of the celebrity
• Overly sexual message of breasts and the impact on public breastfeeding.
• Where people can find Kimberley and and what she is up to now

About Kimberly: