I spoke with Missey at the Newborn Channel this afternoon, then wrote her a
long letter in response. Here are some of the points I made:
"Thanks for talking with me today. The major point I was trying to make is
that there is a huge difference between the THERAPEUTIC use of formula,
bottles and teats, and encouraging the SOCIAL use of these products. Social
use is promoted and encouraged through advertising to the public. The ads
are the problem, not necessarily the product. While there is a limited need
for these products therapeutically, the national health goals discourage
unnecessary and social use of formula, bottles and teats.
"Formula marketing in the US is a clear problem and documented barrier to
breastfeeding. Since the Code is not (yet) the law of the land, voluntary
ethical behavior is the only viable alternative. For example, I never seek
nor accept formula-company sponsorship of my lectures. If I find out after
the fact that a formula company is providing the lunch, I buy a brown-bag
lunch somewhere and make a point of not eating the catered food. The 32
hospitals designated as Baby-Friendly(tm) in the US have figured out how to
ethically use formula in their facilities. Ultimately, the mothers who
formula-feed bear the cost of all formula marketing, ethical and unethical.
I, for one, will not knowingly further burden these women by increasing the
cost of the formula they must purchase for their babies.
"You asked me to include in this letter the stories of two well-educated
clients in my community who improperly used formula. (1) A 42-year old
mother with an advanced degree needs to use some formula to supplement her
limited milk supply for her adopted baby. I observed her making up a bottle
of soy formula: she put the empty bottle under the water faucet, eyeballed
how much water went in, and scooped some soy-formula powder into the bottle,
adjusting the amounts till it looked right to her. She did not accurately
measure either the powder or the liquid. (for the record, the baby was
exposed to heroin during the birthmother's pregnancy, and soy formula is not
recommended for preterm babies or when brain development is of particular
importance. Reference: AAP policy http://www.aap.org/policy/re9806.html)
(2) A 53-year old male PhD university professor's wife was hospitalized with
a breast abscess at about 3 weeks post birth. While she was in the hospital,
he fed his baby undiluted concentrated formula for 4 days until his
sister-in-law noticed what he was doing. Fortunately, the baby was not
harmed. This practice has been lethal for other babies. Consistent, accurate
labeling is a Code provision, requested by a legal petition to the US
government two decades ago (Blackwell, Public Advocates 1981) but still not
required.
"Once again, I request that the Newborn Channel discontinue the ads for
infant formula. I am willing to continue discussing these issues with you if
that will help.
Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre www.bflrc.com
6540 Cedarview Ct., Dayton, OH 45459-1214 USA
(937) 438-9458 email [log in to unmask]
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