Despite a minor setback from the previously-touted link between breastfeeding and asthma, it's my extreme and unctuous pleasure to report that breastfeeding still trumps everything else because breastfeeding saves lives, dammit! Yep, the worldwide child mortality rate is the lowest, like, ever, according to UNICEF, and the world has breastfeeding mothers to thank, in large part.
So you all, and you know who you are, can pat yourselves on the back (with your free hand, of course), and say Job Well Done. Oh, and other basic health interventions also can take a bow, like measles immunizations, Vitamin A supplements, and treated bed nets (yes! kids are still dying from measles and malaria!).
So, while I think 9.7 million global child deaths is way too many for a year or any period of time at all, it's way down from what it was.
And billions of kids have breasts to thank for that. So you can go right ahead and get all sanctimonious about the part breasts play in perpetuating the species.
And the next time you're squeezing your girls, lactating or non-lactating, into two sports bras, give yourself a proud moment in front of the mirror and say to yourself:
"Tits save lives."
