Hello fellow Lactnetters!

Has anyone watched "Ba_r__y" on PBS lately?  My four-year-old and
thirteen-month-old occasionally catch an episode.  We've had a two year love
affair with the purple dinosaur now and it is a relationship that I would
like to encourage with my younger one.

Imagine my shock when I heard an advertisment from a company "makers of N__t
St_P , raising healthy toddlers", or whatever their promotion goes.  I am
HIGHLY offended that my breastfeeding children are presented with such
outrageous claims of healthy lifestyles.  Relief from obnoxious advertising
is the very reason why we watch PBS instead of other children's programming.

Of course their claim is that they are promoting "toddler formula" not any
thing that would replace breastfeeding, yeah, right.  According to the book,
"Bottlefeeding Without Guilt", (I can play that game, too) toddler formula is
an example of the "inventors of unnecessary products [who] often use clever
marketing campaigns to persuade consumers that a problem exists when it
doesn't." She states that cow's milk with an iron-fortified multivitamin is a
cheaper alternative for picky eaters.  Of course my toddler's rich and varied
diet is enhansed by his nursing, but you knew that already.

The people at The Lyons Group, producers of the Barney Show and those
responsible for corporate underwriting, are interested to hear people's
opinions of their choice of advertising.  Unfortunatly the person I spoke to
feels that this is a lifestyle choice, similar to paper vs. plastic and is
willing to engage in a discussion of the breast/bottle controversy.  I do not
wish to argue such points.  As a mother, I do not wish my children to be
influenced and subjected to objectional advertising.  What will be next:
Barney and Joe Camel?!  If you are similarly concerned, the person to write
or call:

Jane Halahan
The Lyons Group
2435 North Central Expressway
Suite 1600
Richardson, TX  75080
1(800)791-8093 for their consumer service department

She admitted to a small number of calls already, but felt that the minimal
number of complaints were insignificant.  If there are 600 of us on line,
would 600 calls or letters be enough to change her mind?  I hope so.  We want
to start watching Barney again.  I would appreciate some feedback and
dialogue about this.

Kathy Gilsdorf
San Antonio, TX  where the weather is so nice, it is a sin to be inside
watching t.v.