Netizens did not take Bette Midler's post well after telling people to "try breastfeeding," a comment that many people think was insensitive as parents are feeling the effect of a nationwide formula shortage.
Middler's tweet responded to MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle's post on Thursday about calling the system an "amazing secret oligopoly," adding that three percent of American companies control over 90 percent of the market. The post also said that restrictive regulation and heavy lobbying prohibit the sale of foreign formulas.
"TRY BREASTFEEDING!" was Middler's response, as it was free and available on-demand, as per NBC News.
Slammed online
Author and former NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue replied that she did not produce enough milk for her twins. She added that she would have chosen which one gets to eat without formula.
Another Twitter user posted that the comment is a heartless and horrible thing to say to women who cannot breastfeed.
A mom also posted that she fought to breastfeed her son, but he kept on losing weight despite her efforts and the intervention of lactation experts. She added that she had to shift to formula because it was stressful for him and her son.
A follower called the Tweet "profoundly offensive and ignorant," adding that there are countless reasons why breastfeeding is not an option for many mothers, Page Six said.
Twitter user KT8812 replied that breastfeeding has never been free and available, as everyone took breastmilk for Black and Brown kids from their mothers.
Another Twitter user said that breastfeeding has nothing to do with formula shortage. She noted that formula-feed parents need the formula, which is not enough, hence the problem.
Dr. Rebekah Diamond and other experts say that breastfeeding will not solve the formula crisis. She acknowledged that breastfeeding parents can adequately feed many babies. However, most infants will need formula feed to supplement nutrition. Health factors, limited opportunity to pump at work, and allergies prevent new parents from providing enough milk for their babies.
Midler's Response
The Wind Beneath My Wings singer, a mother herself, responded to the backlash to her tweet. She said people were piling on her former tweet and clarified that there is no shame if one cannot breastfeed. But if one can make breastmilk and is somehow convinced that her milk is not as good as a "scientifically researched product," that is something else. She continued that monopoly news is news to her.
She then offered another solution for those who cannot breastfeed "#WETNURSES," Huffpost reports.
The response also received criticism.
However, Midler also won some support. A follower said that people are flipping out that if breastfeeding is an option, it is preferable to the widely accepted scientific consensus formula.
Another fan added that they should leave Midler alone as many are manipulated daily to spend dollars on baby formula. The fan also pointed out that there are cases when women can breastfeed but think milk formula is better.
Related Article: Experts Warn Parents Against Using Homemade Milk, Gives Advice on How to Cope with Infant Formula Shortage
