The strange case of scientific communication on infant feeding

Key words: Infant feeding, Breast milk substitutes, Scientific method, Risk communication

The scientific research on infant feeding is a strange case of “scientific method reversal”, in which evidence of the superiority of the biological norm, breastfeeding, compared to breast milk substitutes is desperately sought. Even institutional communication focuses solely on the benefits of breastfeeding. Little or nothing is said on the risk related to not breastfeeding or to the use of breast milk substitutes, in relation to increased likelihood of developing diseases or other undesirable outcomes. Out of the ideological traps, what do new parents need? What is the best communication and information to help them make their own informed choices? And what is the role of the scientific community and the media? Media communication contribute to the social construction of phenomena much more than impact factor. There is no interest to idealize breastfeeding, but good science and good information should be made. The aim of this article is to reflect on recent scientific production on infant feeding and how it is communicated to the public and health professionals.