I for one, wholeheartedly agree with what Kathleen said.   In addition I'd
like to comment on the following:

 

"I realize this isn't right or ethical, but at the same time, I don't think
the majority of nurses get into thinking this is cool or exciting. Nurses
like to eat........so what? You eat, you leave, you go back to work. Then at
least you have energy top help those mothers breastfeed. I just feel that
some here get way more bent out of shape about this than necessary but that
is your choice. I personally would rather spend my time with my patients and
support their breastfeeding. The source of my dinner  doesn't factor in to
the overall picture."

 

My thought is:  If it isn't right or ethical then why are you (the general
'you' not anyone in particular) doing it?  I pride myself on being ethical
and making the right choice even when it is tough.  I have a deep sense of
respect for those who do likewise.  And we have many examples of those on
this list. 

 

There have been too many statements from others on the list for this comment
"I don't thing the majority of nurses get excited." to be valid anymore.
The fact of the matter is, and research shows, that people get excited about
free gifts and those gifts make a difference in what people believe - if it
didn't work the companies wouldn't waste their time and money on them.

 

Those of us who are IBCLC's, in my opinion, should not be accepting food
(whether we need dinner or not) from the ABM companies.  It is an ethical
thing - professional ethics.  Many of us may <have to> go to these 'events'
but refuse to eat the food provided and bring their own as a show of
professional ethics.  That is quite admirable to me and I have a tremendous
amount of respect for those who do that.  We know it is a challenge and
others laugh at us for being so hard-nosed about such things - but ethics is
ethics and personally I am all for them.  Those who go and eat on the
assumption that it doesn't matter anyway and who cares - well, don't have
the professional ethics I happen to admire.  

 

To say that some of us get bent out of shape than necessary is a rather
interesting thing to say as I feel quite the opposite.  There are some of us
who don't bent out of shape enough.  The world needs more people to stand up
for "ethics" and for what is "Right".  Too many believe that their one voice
is not big enough or won't count. But the fact of the matter is it will and
it does.  When we continue to stand up for what we believe in it is noticed
- by someone.  Even if that someone doesn't understand - they still notice
and it gets them thinking.  

 

Now, please take a minute to put yourself in a baby's booties:  That baby
wants and needs breastmilk - direct from the source.  But, mommy sees the
nurse wearing an ABM pin, and using an ABM pen, and writing on an ABM pad,
and wearing her nurses badge on the ABM lanyard.  The hospital gives her an
ABM bag with ABM in it.  Mom goes home and has a few BF challenges and there
is that ABM - so she uses it because the hospital gave it to her so it must
be safe.  And pretty soon baby finds herself fully on ABM - nasty horrible
tasting stuff.  Where did that yummy breastmilk go??  Where did the warmth
of mommy go?  Uh, oh  - now I'm sick.and my tummy hurts.and I battle
constipation.  Oh dear - this powdered ABM has bacteria in it - now I am in
the hospital!  Oh no - mommy wasn't influenced at all by all those things
was she.she didn't see all that marketing did she?  Wonder what would have
happened if all she had seen was BF 'marketing"?  

 

We have a long way to go towards ensuring that ALL aspects of unethical
marketing stops.  Some are on the way with not allowing drug reps into the
Dr's offices and banning the ABM bags (that really are NOT gifts).  Some
hospitals are taking on the idea of a safety risk due to the risks of ABM,
recalls, etc. and are designing consent forms for ABM use.  What about Baby
Friendly hospitals?  They buy their own and do NOT give out the ABM bags.
How cool is that?  But far too many hospitals, Peds and OB offices are
giving out free 'gifts' that are not really gifts.  And many do not
recognize the true effects of their actions.  Saying that "I don't put
things in the bag I just give them out" is a cop out.  If you know what is
in the bag and you know it is harmful it is your ethical obligation to NOT
give it out.  What happened to "First Do No Harm"?

 

Bottom line for me - if anyone thinks that the ABM reps and gifts are no big
deal - then they haven't done the research.  They haven't read the myriad of
studies (that have been presented here) about the true effect these "gifts"
actually have on the recipients.  Or possibly they have my birth-mother's
attitude of:

 

My mind is made up - don't confuse me with the facts.

 

Of course, it is a person's choice to have that attitude - but how cool is
it to be open to the possibility that there is more out there than what one
sees in their own little slice of the world?

 

Have a great day all.

 

Jaye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html