An article written in the journal published by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that physicians should avoid using the term ‘natural’ when talking to new moms about breastfeeding. The authors of the article write, “we are concerned about breastfeeding promotion that praises breastfeeding as the ‘natural’ way to feed infants. This messaging plays into a powerful perspective that ‘natural’ approaches to health are better.”
Duh!!! Natural approaches are better, particularly when they get to the root of the problem, unlike prescription medications. But that’s not even the best part of the article. Here are the reasons they don’t want pediatricians to use the word ‘natural’:
- The authors think that positioning natural approaches as superior may cause patients to look at other treatments and compare them to natural alternatives. These include topics like home births, GMO foods, water fluoridation, environmental toxins, and heaven-forbid, they may question vaccinations! They can’t have patients questioning vaccines. Many physicians receive BONUSES if a high enough percent of their patients are up to date on their vaccines.
- They don’t want educated patients. Educated patients tend to question cultural authority, including the motives of big corporations who produces terrible foods, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Ignorant, uneducated patients are easier to control.
How dare patients question the almighty physician!! Now physicians are supposed to change their lingo so that they don’t appear to favor ‘natural’ approaches? How 1984.
