EXPERT
COMMENT
University
Communications
Tel. +61 3 9925 3176
Fax +61 3 9662 2739
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
–
Expert comment on breastfeeding “myths” –
The promotion of breastfeeding is coming under fire overseas, with doubts being
raised about the evidence behind claims that breast milk is best.
An American academic, Joan Wolf, has argued that there is no substantial medical
evidence that breastfeeding is better than bottles for babies or their mothers.
Do the claims made about the benefits of breastfeeding stack up?
Are new mothers being fed breastfeeding propaganda?
Are there any risks in not breastfeeding infants?
What does the debate say about the politics of breastfeeding and feminist
ideologies around motherhood?
RMIT University’s Dr Jennifer James is an expert on breastfeeding and human
lactation.
Dr James has frequently commented on infant nutrition, strategies to support
breastfeeding and the marketing of infant formula.
She is a Lecturer and Course Coordinator in the Department of Nursing and
Midwifery at RMIT, where she teaches and coordinates the Graduate Certificate in
Midwifery, Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, Masters of Midwifery and the Graduate
Certificate in Professional Lactation Consultancy.
Dr James has acted as the consumer representative on the Advisory Panel on the
Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (APMAIF).
She is currently Vice President of the Australian Lactation Consultants' Association
and has extensive clinical experience.
Dr James is available for interview.
For interviews: RMIT University’s Dr Jennifer James, 0411 409 375.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Gosia
Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
22 July, 2009
NEWS 
