Comments on: Sabotage

By: Kitty

Kitty — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:03:04 +0000

I got one of these unsolicited mailings when my little one was 9 months old. My little one was a late term preemie and I had worked very hard in the beginning few weeks to get her to nurse around the clock (she nursed great but only had energy to nurse once or twice a day, so I had to pump around the clock in order to build up and maintain a supply until she could take over at about 5 or 6 weeks old.) I was very mad and called up the company to complain. I told them my daughter was breastfed and my breasts were very capable of supplying her with what she needed. I let them know I was very insulted and that formula was disgusting! I even asked for them to take it back since I did not ask for it. Apparently, somehow they said I did in my prenatal childbirth class by signing the register sheet! What? I paid for that class not the formula company (or did they help?)

The lady at the formula company I spoke with asked “Well, what about mothers like me who did not make enough milk and needed to use formula?” She told me that though both her grandmother and mother had had no problems breastfeeding and tried to support her, her ped told her the baby was not gaining enough and to stop nursing and bottle feed. This was in the 1970’s. I told her that the weight charts used then and even now were made by the formula companies and were NOT based on breastfed babies, but on formula fed babies. I told her she should have changed doctors not stopped breastfeeding! It did seem like before I got off of the phone with her she seemed to get my message – she probably had never known this before me telling her.

I can proudly say that my little one is still breastfeeding at 33 months old and we plan to do child-led weaning!

By: Information, advertising, spam: Medela crosses the line | PhD in Parenting

Information, advertising, spam: Medela crosses the line | PhD in Parenting — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:07:56 +0000

[...] involved in this type of marketing. To be clear, on a sliding scale this is not even close to Enfamil or Nestle or other formula companies. Not even close. But I would argue, and others do argue, that [...]

By: Nestle Answers: Help rejuvenate the boycott they wish ended 25 years ago | PhD in Parenting

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:44:31 +0000

[...] complain about formula advertising from Nestle and other companies when you see it in magazines, in Google ads, and other [...]

By: Brenna

Brenna — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:20:47 +0000

I fully believe that if formula companies want to give free samples and coupons to women who want them, then great. But, to repeatedly target women who intend to breastfeed is just wrong. It is hard enough in this culture for women to exclusively breastfeed without formula companies, hospitals, and/or doctors sabotaging them.

I am proud to say that my state is working to get rid of those “free samples” in the hospital bags. Portland was the first city in the nation to have all hospitals be bag-free and the rest of the state is catching up. http://www.breastfeedingor.org/healthcare/ban-the-bags-campaign

By: Lorie

Lorie — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:14:34 +0000

This is a touchy subject. I breastfed my daughter so I am PRO breastfeeding for my children. But there are just as many women who do not want to breast feed. And my only thought on this is – is it fair to take away their samples? Formula is expensive and free samples are extrememly helpful to some families. So I am conflicted on this one. I guess there should be a choice to sign up for free samples and then only those who want them would get them. I don’t know the answer to this one. I like the idea of a breastfeeding support kit (without formula coupons) would have been SOOOO helpful to me.

One more point to make – A reason for keeping formula in the house. I had a friend who strictly breastfed but did not produce enough milk to freeze. This made it impossible for others to help. Basically, she was attached to the child 85% of the time and only went on short trips to the store etc. This friend had an accident on the way to a friends house. Baby at home with Dad. Rushed to the hospital, unable to feed baby. Dad did not know what to do much less know what formula to buy. It would have been wise in this case for a small supply of formula to be kept on hand for emergencies. Just a thought…

By: Lorie

Lorie — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:04:43 +0000

I agree with you. The last thing you should give a new mom who is breastfeeding for the first time! I am however conflicted on other parts of this post. Still trying to think of the proper way to compile my thoughts. Such a delicate subject, breastfeeding.

By: Lorie

Lorie — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:57:27 +0000

I blame Google for this. I could pay enough money and put up an add for abortion if I wanted. It would show number one of the list for anything I choose. The fact is they have the money and in this case they have the power. sad but true

By: “Don’t Judge Me” | PhD in Parenting

“Don’t Judge Me” | PhD in Parenting — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:54:12 +0000

[...] is why I often use strong words when attacking societal ills, when attacking the kyriarchy, when attacking ideas that I feel have the ability to push us in the [...]

By: sydel weinstein

sydel weinstein — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:57:27 +0000

this is interesting and worrisome thanks for the research- I will pass it on

By: Are we asking the wrong people to comply with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:10:32 +0000

[...] don’t use Google Adsense to generate revenue on my blog because of the incredibly deceptive marketing practices that formula companies use on Google (e.g. tricking people into thinking they are getting breastfeeding help when they are really [...]