Thursday
Oct282010
A booby-trapped breastfeeding prize
Thursday, October 28, 2010
I love when great bloggers guest post for me. Today, I have a wonderful guest poster, Jill from Baby Rabies, with a post that I wish she didn't have to write and that I didn't have to share, because I wish that ridiculous things like this didn't happen. Please read Jill's story about the prize her friend Laura got for breastfeeding.
My friend Laura is one of the smartest people I know, and we’re not just talking book smart (though there are many letters behind her name to reflect the advanced degrees she’s obtained). She’s proactive and involved. She educates herself and never accepts the status quo.
She approached her recent pregnancy with the same drive to research and learn everything she could to keep herself and her baby as healthy as possible, and to set themselves up for a lifetime of healthy habits. Naturally, she was, from the very beginning, determined to make breastfeeding work.
She asked me and other friends who breastfed our children many questions, she made it clear to her OB and her other friends and family that she expected support, and she took a breastfeeding class. Her birth plan revolved around ultimately having a safe and healthy baby who would have as few obstacles to overcome while learning to breastfeed.
So far, he’s been a breastfeeding champ and so has she. Her son just turned a month old, and though they’ve been through your typical breastfeeding trials, like a delay in her milk coming in and the exhaustion that cluster feeding can bring on, they’ve worked through them all, and Laura is always happy to report that they are still going strong on the Exclusive Breastfeeding Train.
It was with this enthusiasm that she answered the lab technician at her son’s 4 week checkup last week when asked if she was formula feeding, breastfeeding or both. After she told the lab tech that she was still exclusively breastfeeding, the lab tech lit up, congratulated her and told her she got a prize.
I learned of this last Friday as we caught up over the phone. As soon as she mentioned the “breastfeeding prize pack,” my attention peaked. What on earth could they be rewarding breastfeeding mothers with? Maybe a gift certificate to a local boutique that sells nursing bras? A nice tube of nipple cream? How cool! I was intrigued and asked her what it was. The minute she started describing it, my mouth fell open…
“I got this really cute, sporty black diaper bag full of all kinds of stuff. There were Nuk bottle nipples, some breastfeeding pamphlets that look to be full of lots of information, and, oddly enough, a huge can of formula. I mean, I won’t use that… no clue why that’s in there, but the rest seems cool. Can’t believe I got a prize!” she giddily reported.
“Laura, do you remember what brand of formula it was?” I asked.
“Oh, sure. It was Good Start, I think,” she replied.
Of course it was.
It was at that moment that I had to explain Booby Traps to my best friend, and I had to let her know that she had been handed one of the worst Booby Traps I’d ever heard of- a Nestle/Gerber sponsored diaper bag filled with formula, disguised as a “prize” for a mother who has busted her ass to exclusively BREASTFEED her son for the past 4 weeks.
Laura lives in Austin, one of the most breastfeeding friendly cities I’ve ever been in. Her OB’s office was, what she would call, “super crunchy.” She never received a formula welcome kit throughout her pregnancy. She wasn’t even sent home with one from her hospital. I can’t fault her a bit for not knowing what one looked like when her son’s pediatrician’s office handed this to her.
Upon learning the truth about her “prize,” she expressed to me that she was “embarrassed.” She prides herself on seeing through these sorts of tactics. She refuses dinner with, and other incentives from, pharmaceutical reps at her place of work on a regular basis because she’s disgusted by the high price of drugs and the money spent by pharma companies to woo medical professionals.
“That’s the thing, Laura. It’s not YOUR fault. YOU shouldn’t be embarrassed. Nestle is very sneaky in their marketing. Booby Traps are tricky that way.” I continued to explain to her a little bit about what I’ve learned about formula companies’ questionable marketing tactics. I talked to her about the Nestle Boycott. Then I explained how there’s no such thing as free formula.
“So they ARE just like the pharma companies, huh?” she muttered during her “aha!” moment. I just silently nodded on the other end of the phone.
She was more than happy to describe to me in detail what all was included in this “prize.” Her diaper bag includes the following:
It also includes several pamphlets of information. The back of each one lists a 1-800 number for a line staffed by “registered dieticians” to discuss “breastfeeding and infant nutrition.” The main number is 1-800-811-7500, the Spanish number is 1-800-511-6862. The website given on the back is www.gerber.com.
The pamphlets are titled “Breastfeeding Basics,” “Gerber Generation Health Record,” and “Gerber Generation Nutrition Guide.”
I didn’t have time to discuss the content of each one with her, but we did go through the last one, “Gerber Generation Nutrition Guide,” pretty thoroughly because I was interested to see when they suggested parents begin babies on solids. This pamphlet is dedicated to discussing feeding “stages,” though they don’t break down the stages by assigning an actual age to each one. Instead, they break them down into Birth, Supported Sitter, Sitter, Crawler and Toddler.
The first mention of introducing solids (rice cereal) is made in the Supported Sitter section, specifically stating, “by around the middle of the first year almost all babies can start solid foods…Breastfed babies need certain nutrients from food to compliment breastmilk, such as iron and zinc. These nutrients can be found in fortified infant cereal. Zinc can also be found in pureed meats.”
There is also a handy chart in this section titled, “Transitioning From Breastmilk To Formula,” and breaks it down, eliminating a nursing session and adding a bottle of formula each day over a course of 14 days.
In the Sitter section there is an interesting bit about nursing strikes, titled “If Your Baby Loses Interest In Breastfeeding.” It states, “It may be weaning time if your repeated efforts to get your baby re-interested in breastfeeding don’t succeed. It may be that she’s ready to give up nursing.”
In the Crawler section breastfeeding isn’t even mentioned except on the food groups chart where it recommends 24 oz of breastmilk or formula a day or on demand. It goes on to also recommend 1 oz at 2 times a day of grains and cereal, 1/2cup of veggies, ½ cup of fruit and 1 oz of meat or beans.
Throughout the entire pamphlet there is a lot of emphasis put on the importance of iron, and it states over and over that iron can be found in their formula and iron fortified cereals. Laura even remarked, “As an uniformed consumer of formula, and all around new parent, the impression I get is they are really trying to push the extra iron in their foods and formulas, and make me feel like breastfeeding won’t provide enough (iron).”
I guess I can’t say I’m surprised, but I sure am disheartened to see something so blatantly underhanded given to a good friend who is doing everything in her power to ensure her own breastfeeding success. I’m glad we had the chance to chat while her little boy was nursing. I’m glad I had the opportunity to tell her all about Booby Traps. And though she may have felt a little embarrassed at first, she is empowered and informed now. She’s even taking the Nestle Boycott to heart and anxious to learn more about it… when she comes up for air (a.k.a. when her son starts sleeping more than 3 hour stretches).
Jill is mother to a 2 year old with another on the way. She spends much of her time making fun of herself and making light of life over on BabyRabies.com, but she's serious when it comes to protecting women's rights to be informed and supported when it comes to breastfeeding.
My friend Laura is one of the smartest people I know, and we’re not just talking book smart (though there are many letters behind her name to reflect the advanced degrees she’s obtained). She’s proactive and involved. She educates herself and never accepts the status quo.She approached her recent pregnancy with the same drive to research and learn everything she could to keep herself and her baby as healthy as possible, and to set themselves up for a lifetime of healthy habits. Naturally, she was, from the very beginning, determined to make breastfeeding work.
She asked me and other friends who breastfed our children many questions, she made it clear to her OB and her other friends and family that she expected support, and she took a breastfeeding class. Her birth plan revolved around ultimately having a safe and healthy baby who would have as few obstacles to overcome while learning to breastfeed.
So far, he’s been a breastfeeding champ and so has she. Her son just turned a month old, and though they’ve been through your typical breastfeeding trials, like a delay in her milk coming in and the exhaustion that cluster feeding can bring on, they’ve worked through them all, and Laura is always happy to report that they are still going strong on the Exclusive Breastfeeding Train.
It was with this enthusiasm that she answered the lab technician at her son’s 4 week checkup last week when asked if she was formula feeding, breastfeeding or both. After she told the lab tech that she was still exclusively breastfeeding, the lab tech lit up, congratulated her and told her she got a prize.
I learned of this last Friday as we caught up over the phone. As soon as she mentioned the “breastfeeding prize pack,” my attention peaked. What on earth could they be rewarding breastfeeding mothers with? Maybe a gift certificate to a local boutique that sells nursing bras? A nice tube of nipple cream? How cool! I was intrigued and asked her what it was. The minute she started describing it, my mouth fell open…
“I got this really cute, sporty black diaper bag full of all kinds of stuff. There were Nuk bottle nipples, some breastfeeding pamphlets that look to be full of lots of information, and, oddly enough, a huge can of formula. I mean, I won’t use that… no clue why that’s in there, but the rest seems cool. Can’t believe I got a prize!” she giddily reported.
“Laura, do you remember what brand of formula it was?” I asked.
“Oh, sure. It was Good Start, I think,” she replied.
Of course it was.
It was at that moment that I had to explain Booby Traps to my best friend, and I had to let her know that she had been handed one of the worst Booby Traps I’d ever heard of- a Nestle/Gerber sponsored diaper bag filled with formula, disguised as a “prize” for a mother who has busted her ass to exclusively BREASTFEED her son for the past 4 weeks.
Laura lives in Austin, one of the most breastfeeding friendly cities I’ve ever been in. Her OB’s office was, what she would call, “super crunchy.” She never received a formula welcome kit throughout her pregnancy. She wasn’t even sent home with one from her hospital. I can’t fault her a bit for not knowing what one looked like when her son’s pediatrician’s office handed this to her.
Upon learning the truth about her “prize,” she expressed to me that she was “embarrassed.” She prides herself on seeing through these sorts of tactics. She refuses dinner with, and other incentives from, pharmaceutical reps at her place of work on a regular basis because she’s disgusted by the high price of drugs and the money spent by pharma companies to woo medical professionals.
“That’s the thing, Laura. It’s not YOUR fault. YOU shouldn’t be embarrassed. Nestle is very sneaky in their marketing. Booby Traps are tricky that way.” I continued to explain to her a little bit about what I’ve learned about formula companies’ questionable marketing tactics. I talked to her about the Nestle Boycott. Then I explained how there’s no such thing as free formula.
“So they ARE just like the pharma companies, huh?” she muttered during her “aha!” moment. I just silently nodded on the other end of the phone.
She was more than happy to describe to me in detail what all was included in this “prize.” Her diaper bag includes the following:
- A “Start Healthy Stay Healthy” branded changing pad
- A Gerber bib
- A Nuk bottle nipple
- A “big” can of Good Start formula
- Various coupons for Gerber products and a photo session at Sears
It also includes several pamphlets of information. The back of each one lists a 1-800 number for a line staffed by “registered dieticians” to discuss “breastfeeding and infant nutrition.” The main number is 1-800-811-7500, the Spanish number is 1-800-511-6862. The website given on the back is www.gerber.com.
The pamphlets are titled “Breastfeeding Basics,” “Gerber Generation Health Record,” and “Gerber Generation Nutrition Guide.”
I didn’t have time to discuss the content of each one with her, but we did go through the last one, “Gerber Generation Nutrition Guide,” pretty thoroughly because I was interested to see when they suggested parents begin babies on solids. This pamphlet is dedicated to discussing feeding “stages,” though they don’t break down the stages by assigning an actual age to each one. Instead, they break them down into Birth, Supported Sitter, Sitter, Crawler and Toddler.
The first mention of introducing solids (rice cereal) is made in the Supported Sitter section, specifically stating, “by around the middle of the first year almost all babies can start solid foods…Breastfed babies need certain nutrients from food to compliment breastmilk, such as iron and zinc. These nutrients can be found in fortified infant cereal. Zinc can also be found in pureed meats.”
There is also a handy chart in this section titled, “Transitioning From Breastmilk To Formula,” and breaks it down, eliminating a nursing session and adding a bottle of formula each day over a course of 14 days.
In the Sitter section there is an interesting bit about nursing strikes, titled “If Your Baby Loses Interest In Breastfeeding.” It states, “It may be weaning time if your repeated efforts to get your baby re-interested in breastfeeding don’t succeed. It may be that she’s ready to give up nursing.”
In the Crawler section breastfeeding isn’t even mentioned except on the food groups chart where it recommends 24 oz of breastmilk or formula a day or on demand. It goes on to also recommend 1 oz at 2 times a day of grains and cereal, 1/2cup of veggies, ½ cup of fruit and 1 oz of meat or beans.
Throughout the entire pamphlet there is a lot of emphasis put on the importance of iron, and it states over and over that iron can be found in their formula and iron fortified cereals. Laura even remarked, “As an uniformed consumer of formula, and all around new parent, the impression I get is they are really trying to push the extra iron in their foods and formulas, and make me feel like breastfeeding won’t provide enough (iron).”
I guess I can’t say I’m surprised, but I sure am disheartened to see something so blatantly underhanded given to a good friend who is doing everything in her power to ensure her own breastfeeding success. I’m glad we had the chance to chat while her little boy was nursing. I’m glad I had the opportunity to tell her all about Booby Traps. And though she may have felt a little embarrassed at first, she is empowered and informed now. She’s even taking the Nestle Boycott to heart and anxious to learn more about it… when she comes up for air (a.k.a. when her son starts sleeping more than 3 hour stretches).
Jill is mother to a 2 year old with another on the way. She spends much of her time making fun of herself and making light of life over on BabyRabies.com, but she's serious when it comes to protecting women's rights to be informed and supported when it comes to breastfeeding.
Reader Comments (84)
Mary:
I don't think anyone is arguing that formula shouldn't exist or that mothers shouldn't educate themselves.
Time to find a new pediatrician.
Jill - Does Laura plan to talk to her pediatrician about this? Maybe she could convince the office to stop giving out the prize packs to breastfeeding moms. Austin is big enough that there are probably multiple pediatric practices competing for patients/customers. Maybe if the practice realizes that breastfeeding moms don't want to be given such "prizes" it could make a difference!
Jenna, "the formula companies, who, like diaper companies or any others, are just shilling their wares" is not an accurate statement, they ARE spreading misinformation. I think that is part the point of the point of this post. That babies [around the middle of the first year] need certain nutrient to compliment breastmilk is simply not true. And that a baby who repeatedly refuses breastfeeding is ready for weaning? That is not an indicator. This is misinformation, aimed at women who are successfully breastfeeding, to get them to stop.
That is sooo frustrating! It simply makes me angry and even less understanding of those that stick their fingers in their ears, sing "la, la, la," and pronounce their love for Nestle.
Laura is the target of a common infant formula marketing tactic. The hospital where she delivered her baby ceased distributing infant formula discharge bags. When this happens the formula salespeople move the bags to obstetric and pediatric offices or hospital gift shops, ultrasound imaging centers, and clinics. Giving breastfeeding mothers formula gift packs is known to decrease exclusive breastfeeding, a goal of the competition! In order to sell more formula, they need to "sell" less breastmilk. Laura should write a letter to her pediatrician and talk with the physician in person objecting to this practice. If she knows any other mothers who use this pediatrician she should ask that they do the same. They have the option of also advising the pediatrician that giving out formula to breastfeeding mothers indicates a lack of knowledge and support, planting a question of medical competency and unethical behavior. They may wish to leave this practice and find one that operates in a more ethical manner with better knowledge regarding breastfeeding support.
For more information on eliminating formula gifts see www.banthebags.org. Ban the Bags is a national campaign to eliminate formula discharge bags from hospitals and other health care facilities.
Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
co-chair Ban the Bags
And one of the points I was trying to make was that my friend Laura is about an "informed consumer" as it gets, and even she didn't know to reject this "prize." To be honest, I wouldn't know what I do if I wasn't so immersed in this online community.
Thanks for the great info. I will definitely pass it on to her and encourage her to take action.
You know, I'm not sure. She's got a lot on her plate right now with a 4 week old, and we just discussed all this last week. I'm sending her links to more information on unethical formula marketing and Booby Traps to read when life settles a little bit. Knowing her, I wouldn't be surprised if she says something in the future.
is this true? can any doctors speak to this?
My good friend from college is a pediatrician and very pro-Breastfeeding. I talked to her a little and she told me she got very little Breastfeeding info in school. She choose to take extra lactation classes but they were not rqrd for pedis. I think most peds would agree they don't get enough training. I think the better ones will work with LCs or have a NP that has training. It is going to be all over the place with Drs. My friend was also concerned about post partum depression- she received very little training on that. That is probably very common too She was lucky that her program worked cooperatively with a birth center and all peds (& I hope ob's) did a rotation with the midwives. But that type of opportunity is probably (sadly) a rarity.
There might be solid data on all this out there- Breastfeeding medicine blog, maybe? I recall reading a study I think the jist was that most peds are quicker to offer moms formula than to support them to breastfeed. Perhaps wanting to err on the side of easing a new moms responsibilities.
This is really infuriating, and I think the formula puts too much iron in their product. When my baby was about 5 months, we turned to one bottle of formula per day because I couldn't quite pump enough for a full day while I was at work. We suspect it was the iron that caused her to become constipated.
I hate the routine iron testing done on babies. My daughter just had a "routine" iron check at a WIC appointment. Not sure if all babies get it or it was because my daughter falls into the 10% range for size at her age. Regardless, her iron is fine, probably helps that I'm still breasfeeding.
Wow. I mean, Wow!
Head shaking doesn't go far enough.
The American Academy of Pediatrics surveys its members' breastfeeding knowledge and practices every few years. The results consistently show that the biggest factor in giving up-to-date bf information and advice is a doctor's personal experience. Doctors who have breastfed (or their partner breastfed) generally give bfdg recommendations that are more in line with accepted best practices; if no personal bfdg experience, their recommendations are more often incorrect and out-of-date.
If we have a medical issue, say cancer or cystic fibrosis or heart disease, we don't expect our doctors to rely on personal experience to give us correct, up-to-date information. But somehow this is acceptable when it comes to breastfeeding? It just shows how breastfeeding is still considered an "extra" thing.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/162/12/1142
Results: Compared with the results of the 1995 survey, in 2004, pediatricians were less likely to believe that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the difficulties or inconvenience (adjusted odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.76), and fewer believed that almost all mothers are able to succeed. More pediatricians in 2004 reported reasons to recommend against breastfeeding. Pediatricians in 2004 were more likely to recommend exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.94) and follow supportive hospital policies. Respondents with personal breastfeeding experience were 2.3 times more likely to recommend supportive policies (adjusted odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval,1.74-3.08) in 2004 than in 1995. Those with no personal breastfeeding experience were also slightly more likely in 2004 to recommend these policies (adjusted odds ratio, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-2.03).
Conclusions: Although pediatricians seem better prepared to support breastfeeding, their attitudes and commitment have deteriorated. Personal experience mitigates poor attitudes and seems to enhance breastfeeding practices among those surveyed.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Slightly off the main topic, but relevant to your post; There are a number of hospitals that have a McDonald's as part of their cafeteria/food court. Some of which are children's hospitals. Not that they necessarily sponsor the cardiac wing, but hey, if it's downstairs...
this doesn't surprise me at all. when i gave birth to both of my children in our local hospital, even though i was exclusively breastfeeding, we were given all kinds of samples! the cart that my children were pushed around on in their bassinet had a shelf full of formula. lots of little tiny 2oz sample bottles of similac and a nipple for each one. then when we went home, another diaper bag and a large can of similac. it was very disheartening. and when i had problems, i was sucked right in. it really breaks my heart that this is done. it ruins so many breastfeeding relationships right from the start.
As a new mom myself, I got one of the same bags, only minus the formula... Thankfully, as I may have whipped it at whoever handed it to me! ;)
I agree, to an extent, consumers need to educate themselves. But part of educating yourself ends up coming from the professionals we allow in our lives and it can be extremely difficult to perceive who will be a wise source of counsel. Many people use their doctors as an educational resource in order to make informed choices regarding their health. When a doctor's office representative (the nurse in the story here) hands a mom a "prize" pack to celebrate her breastfeeding milestone, NOBODY would assume that it would be something full of bad information and undermine the informed choices they've already made. For some people this pack IS a part of their education and that is exactly why it is so dangerous.
And Nestlé knows it or they wouldn't do it.
Why not donate the formula to someone who could use it? If you are that secure in yourself about breastfeeding, than a silly formula bag shouldn't cause a big fuss!
Who's taking the pediatrician and office staff to task? This isn't about the formula company only; it's also about healthcare professionals and healthcare agencies that provide free, "reputable" marketing in exchange for freebies and gifts from these companies. This smart mother should be encouraged to write an intelligent letter to the pediatrician(s) (cc Office Manager) about setting booby traps rather than providing tools for the breastfeeding mothers and babies in their practice. This group needs to be held accountable for hindering rather than protecting optimal health behaviors.
Yes! I gave some of my cans of free formula to a women's shelter and Freecycled the rest. I understand the inclination to throw them in the trash but as we all know not every woman is fortunate enough to be in a situation where they can breastfeed and/or pump exclusively.
Disgusted, but unsurprised.
I don't think anyone is advocating throwing it in the trash. Perhaps formula would be less expensive and easier for women in need to attain if formula companies didn't sink so much money into "free" samples for women who DON'T INTEND to formula feed. Of the samples I've received that I haven't had the chance to turn down in person (like the ones that showed up, unsolicited, in my mailbox for the first 18 months of my son's life), I donated every one of them to a food pantry.
This. A hundred times. It's all in a doctor's PERSONAL PREFERENCE. It has nothing to do with science, with medicine, or with actual health benefits. If a doctor hasn't experienced breastfeeding...or has experienced the "wrong" kind of breastfeeding (like the meth mom that nursed her kid until it died of an overdose in an area near my hometown a few years ago)...they are aren't going to see why it's "that big a deal". The formula babaies are gaining weight & seem just FINE and dandy! There isn't really a need to breastfeed!
Newer policies or recommendations from associations like AAP also "trickle" down...Often the biggest groups get the info...and slowly, slowly it ends up at the hometown pediatrician's office...who might or might not go with it...Since they've been in business 50 years and think they're doing okay.
And on a personal note...My kids did get "drops" of formula, even though I breastfed both of them. My milk did not come in until day 7. The first 48 hours or so were okay, but after that she only screamed and screamed. Until I fed her non-breastmilk. I would nurse, let her get out all the colostrum she could...then give her a bottle of goat's milk or formula...I usually traded off. Same with the second, but it was only a 4 day wait. Did I want to feed my child something other than breastmilk? No...But I don't for one second worry about the "drops" she got.
So, so sad to see a HUGE, shiny new formula display behind the counter at my OBs office on my latest visit. This is the man that keeps lecturing me about my weight gain and childhood obesity and making sure not to gain too much during pregnancy. Might there be a connection between formula feeding and childhood obesity too, there dude??? Anyway. Sad. Very, very sad.
Booby trap!!! -- Baby center email recommends weaning strategies at 8.5 months.
Thu, November 4, 2010 9:43:12 PMYour 8-month-old: Week 2
From: My Baby This Week Add to Contacts
To:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello, ..!
... And they're off! The stages of crawling usually go something like this: from a sitting position to all fours, to rocking back and forth, to finally pushing off with the knees -- and then starting to move forward (or back). But there are plenty of variations on this progression. Many babies never crawl. Others develop a crawling style that looks more like soldiers bellying through the underbrush or monkeys poised on fingertips and tiptoes.
>> Read more about this week
Quick Clicks
What it means if your baby prefers your partner
Is your baby crawling? Record and share this milestone.
How to encourage standing and cruising
From moms: The best weaning strategies
THe link only provides examples of 1.5 year olds and older but what bugs me is the placement in the 8.5 months weekly email, along with the games and the weekly development of the kid.
Like you are to start thinking about this now...
This made my jaw drop. Unbelievable. I find it so disheartening. :(
oh my word, this is unbelievable.
...bangs head against wall...
oh. my. god.
What a great post. Not surprising at ALL.
: (
I'm just starting out to learn about the Nestlé boycott.
A bit of a latecomer but I plan on getting really into it.
I am breastfeeding the last of my 4 children right now and have had the exact same concerns, including the pamphlet that I got describing the process of weaning if you needed to go back to work around 6 or 8 WEEKS postpartum which disgusted me.
I received quite a few of those formula "checks" and full cans of formula after my most recent baby, so gave the cans to the women's shelter and then sold all the checks on ebay and treated myself to a nice new breastpump.
I will say that as a frequently iron deficient mom, I have had two iron deficient babies at their 9 month visits, so it *can* be a legitimate concern. That does not mean that weaning is in order, of course, just some careful nutrition planning and vitamin supplementation if needed.
[...] times on this blog, raising issues like lacking lactation training among health professionals, giving formula samples as a “breastfeeding prize”, the impact of formula samples given in the hospital, and ways to know that your health care [...]
I received one of these bags through one of the only maternity clothing store chains where I live (Thyme Maternity). They lure you with all kinds of contests, and free swag sponsored by Nestle. With my first, I did use that free can of formula I had on hand, at the recommendation of my midwife and LC - it was needed. I signed up for the bag again second time around (and ended up getting two) - I trashed the pamphlets and donated the products. So frustrating that Nestle preys on a a pretty much "captive audience" through the maternity stores...
On a side note, I recently received an email from a Baby Center partner (I'm sign up for newsletters, etc. through Baby Center), from Similac. It offered free samples and included a section labeled "Here to support you". Here's what it said:
Everyone agrees that breastfeeding is the best way to provide your baby with all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and development. Sometimes, however, breastfeeding may not be possible. Luckily, you can trust Similac Advance with Omega-3 & Omega-6, our closest formula to breast milk and take comfort in knowing that you are offering your baby excellent nutrition.
Another Booby Trap!
[...] unethical business practices. In addition to posts I've written, I sometimes feature guest posts on issues surrounding Nestlé. Today I am pleased to host a a guest post by Elisabeth [...]