THE recent op-ed by Christine Flowers ("Milking the System," Oct. 12) does a disservice to breastfeeding, not only in its disputing of Sophie Currier's case, but in its attack on all breastfeeding women.

This article is an example of the extreme pressures and unnecessary obstacles many breastfeeding women face. As a physician, I have spoken to countless breastfeeding women who must overcome barriers in the hospital, at work, in their communities, even at home.

Women who choose to breastfeed do so because they want what's best for their infants, even if it means tolerating the disapproving glances and words of some.

In spite of the well-established benefits, Philadelphia's breastfeeding rate of 53 percent lags far behind the rates of the nine other largest cities.

We need to educate more people about the health benefits of breastfeeding to infants and women, and the economic benefits to society. Our culture should be going out of its way to support women who choose to breastfeed.

Esther K. Chung

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Jefferson Medical College

Visit MCC's Breastfeeding website for more information!