I am a newbie IBCLC and have been trying to follow the Medela topic as I
feel it is really important to be educated about companies that are
detrimental to breastfeeding. I've personally used the nipple shields with
mothers in my practice and have found the pumps to be really well-made and
efficient, but if using their products means funding their bottom-line (and
not promoting & protecting breastfeeding), then I will no longer use their
products or literature.  (Note: I am an Ameda/Evenflo distributor and so I
do want to learn more about their practices as well.) 

While I agree with others that Medela has nice pumps & some other products
that many mothers really do need, I feel like the risks of the company on
breastfeeding outweighs the benefits of the products. What should my next
step be? I want to be an example to the mothers I counsel,  "to me" that
means not using ABM and educating them on ABM marketing, so shouldn't I also
do the same with Medela's products?  

I am wondering where to email the company with my dissatisfaction of their
marketing techniques and lack of compliance of the WHO code? I'm wondering
if there is a campaign to boycott them? Is there a petition of Medela out
there--signed by lactation, maternal, and child health professionals and
mothers? I do feel that an outcry in numbers can make a difference (thinking
about Nestle, ABM companies, banning the bag, breastfeeding laws, etc). It
may not reach the masses, or even Medela's pocketbook, but maybe it can make
a difference in lives of the mother's we are here to help?

Thanks,

Nicole Hoff, IBCLC, CD, CBE
BA Maternal & Child Health Studies, 
Specialization in Lactation

Serving Families of South Texas
email: [log in to unmask]
www.BlessedBirthDay.com
www.MyBrightBabies.com

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