As mothers across the U.S. struggle to find formula for their infants among the baby formula shortage, actress Bette Midler is trending over her lack of sensitivity. On Thursday, MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle tweeted, “The baby formula shortage reveals an amazing secret oligopoly: – 3 American companies control over 90% of the mkt – hugely restrictive regulations (thanks to big $ lobbying) prohibit foreign formulas. Name another industry/sector/product like this.”
Bette responded, “TRY BREASTFEEDING! It’s free and available on-demand.” Many people called Bette out due to the struggles women face while trying to breastfeed.” She continued, “People are piling on because of former tweet. No shame if you can’t breastfeed, but if you can & are somehow convinced that your own milk isn’t as good as a “scientifically researched product,” that’s something else again. The monopoly news is news to me, tho, no lie. #WETNURSES”
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One person tweeted, “We need to stop shaming women. For having sex. For liking sex. For getting raped. For having babies. For not having babies. For breastfeeding. For not breastfeeding. For using daycare. For not using daycare. Please, can we just let women live? Can we please just let them be?” Another person tweeted, “Bette, respectfully, this is a very bad take. I had twins. I didn’t produce enough milk for both. Without formula, I would have had to have chosen which one got to eat. To say nothing of kids that get separated from the birth mothers very young.”
The CDC reports sixty percent of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend to. This is because of numerous reasons, including; Issues with lactation and latching. Concerns about infant nutrition and weight. Mother’s concern about taking medications while breastfeeding and more. Roommates, what are your thoughts on Bette’s comments?
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