I think Nancy makes a most interesting point here.

ILCA allows Lansinoh (Pigeon), Simplisse (Dr. Brown's), and presumably now
Ameda (Evenflo) to exhibit because the "child companies" are not,
themselves, Code violators.

If that logic is applied consistently, Similac or Evenflo could buy or
incorporate pump companies - separate business entities, technically - and
ILCA would allow those companies to sponsor and exhibit, too.

On one hand, the breastfeeding movement is woefully underfunded. The pump
companies are the heavy hitters in our industry, so it's understandable that
organizations like ILCA would wish to maintain those sponsorship
relationships. But while that's understandable, I'm not sure that the
risk-benefit stands up, when the situation is extrapolated a step further to
the hypothetical pump maker belonging to a formula company.

And beyond that, to Marsha's point: if we can't take a firm stand on the
Code, we certainly can't expect the rest of the world to do more than we're
willing to do within our own industry.

My two cents! This is a really difficult issue.

Best,
Amy West, CLC

On Sun, Jul 10, 2011 at 12:19 PM, Nancy Mohrbacher <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

> With all due respect, Ellen.  This issue here is not about money per se.  I
> personally ran a for-profit lactation private practice very successfully for
> 10 years.  I am not against making money or a company earning profits.  I
> just don't want profits made to the detriment of breastfeeding, which is why
> the Code exists.
>
> To me the central issue is the ILCA Board's choice to disregard the advice
> of Code experts when determining its exhibit hall practices.  The way it
> stands now, ILCA bars one company (Medela) from exhibiting for Code
> violations but allows another (Lansinoh) to exhibit because the Code
> violations are by its parent company.  This is especially problematic
> because the national and international Code experts ILCA consulted (NABA in
> the US and the International Code Documentation Centre in Penang Malaysia)
> made it clear that in their expert opinion both of these companies are Code
> violators.
>
> The ILCA Board says it has the right to make its own decisions *in
> consultation with* the Code experts while making it clear it doesn't have to
> follow their guidance.  The problem with this is, as Marsha pointed out, it
> that ILCA's current exhibit hall policy is essentially a disincentive for a
> parent company to continue to meet its obligations under the Code, which is
> one reason Evenflo reverted back to becoming a Code violator.
>
> At ILCA's 2008 conference, its then-President Becky Mannel told me that
> ILCA decided to change its exhibit hall and advertising practices because of
> Evenflo's actions.  She said they realized after Evenflo's transformation
> that the Code was meant to be a change agent.  Unfortunately, in this case
> ILCA's decision to apply the Code according to its own rules rather than
> those of the international experts also helped precipitate change...only
> this time against the best interests of breastfeeding.
>
> Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA
> Now-independent, commercial-free lactation consultant
> Arlington Heights, IL
> For my personal back story on this issue, see: http://www.nancymohrbacher.
> **com/blog/2011/7/7/my-new-**industry-free-life.html<http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2011/7/7/my-new-industry-free-life.html>
>
> I really feel that I have to jump in here, because reading Karleen's post
> made me think. Having run a non-profit organization all these years (til
> this year when I closed the non-profit and just continue running the clinic
> the same, but supposedly (not yet) as a possible profit making
> venture!!(which we all know will probably not be!) I can really appreciate
> the need for sponsorships, advertising and cooperation and any bit of
> financial help an organization can get in order to fulfil its mission. Also
> being an ex member of the Board of Directors of LLLI, we also came across
> the same types of dilemmas. I personally think there is a big difference
> between formula companies (I AM aware of the WHO stance, but also believe
> that NOTHING is beyond revision and a lot of dynamics have been occuring
> over the past 20-30 years)and bottle and pump manufacturers. I also know
> that one by one nearly all of our possibilities are burnt, and slowly but
> surely non-profits who are at risk anyways, due to the hard economic times,
> are suffering even more so. Lets also add to the mix, the fact that all of
> our missions, ILCA, IBLCE, LLLI, and all of those great non-profits
> promoting parenting and breastfeeding in particular all over the world are
> attractive ONLY TO US> and not to the greater public. we are limited no
> matter how many pump companies will become non-compliant or compliant again.
> we have given up hundreds of thousands of hard earned dollars after working
> to build commercial relationships over the years, and even though some of
> you might be disgusted by the sound of "money", unfortunately that money is
> not growing on trees ourside our windows. There are ways to make up the
> difference...........believe it or not, if we would all Support our own
> organizations and give support to those around us, believe me, that in
> itself would make a huge difference. I find it very disheartening when we
> all jump down ILCA's throat (fill in LLLI, or any one else)_or accepting
> exhibition fees and advertising (which I believe is very very different from
> accepting sponsorship and perks) yet how many of us ARE paid up members of
> ILCA? or LLLI? or ok, you don't want to be a member? then at least an annual
> donation. No one else is going to help us stay in the game, and if we want
> to have conferences, or be present at fairs and be seen, it all takes that
> dirty "money". I have heard all too often - well, what do I get from paying
> my dues, what do I get from supporting the organization? we are all in it
> together and that is what we do. like a family. we all have to support each
> other. If every IBCLC would join ILCA (or LLLLeader would pay up their dues)
> I am sure there might be less pressure and financial strife. and OF COURSE I
> AM NOT AIMING THIS AT ALL THOSE WHO DO SO MUCH AND DO SUPPORT THE
> ORGANIZATIONS.and of course this is not aimed at Karleen, she just got me
> realizing that many are not ILCA members. That goes without saying. we are
> all too quick to criticize without coming up with a plan B. please no
> flames.
>
>
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