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Valerie writes:  I do not believe that by distancing ourselves from breast
pump companies, that we run the risk of developing less than optimal breastfeeding
products.  If the medical profession said that they cannot distance themselves from the
infant formula industry because we would run the risk of developing less than optimal
infant
formula products, would we accept that reasoning?

Good question!  To me, there is a big difference.  A lactation consultant working for a
breast pump company (me) helps to promote breastfeeding.  A physician helping formula
companies develop better formula does not.

Valerie also writes: "I believe that businesses are not neutral because survival requires
activism in the marketplace.  Neutrality in the marketplace would mean death of a
business, losses to stockholders, and losses of employment."

You are right about that.  During the 10 years that I grew my private practice, I learned
first-hand that a business needs to market itself effectively and have a product and/or
service that meets a need in order to succeed.  Without both of these, it would indeed
die.

 In 2002 my practice grossed over $250,000 US and supported four lactation professionals
(and a couple of others).  I can say without reservation that our business was *not*
neutral.  It was a tremendous force for good because our mission was to help families meet
their breastfeeding goals.  These families ultimately came out ahead as well as providing
us with a way to earn our living while doing the work we love.  It was a true win-win,
which is what an ideal business can and should be.  One of my former staff (who I trained
and mentored to become an IBCLC) now owns this business and carries on this vital work.  I
am very proud of my role in the creation of this practice and in the work that she
continues to do!  (Go Cyndi!)

Regarding obligations to stockholders, neither my old practice nor Hollister are
publicly-owned companies.  My practice was privately owned and Hollister is
employee-owned.  That means that Hollister answers to its employees, including yours
truly.

Like my private practice, in order to succeed, Hollister needs to provide products and
services that people are willing to pay for.  I also see this as a win-win for
breastfeeding mothers and babies, because these products and services can be critical (in
some situations) for breastfeeding success.  No one here, least of all me, is interested
in promoting pumps when they are not wanted/needed.  There is too much to do helping those
who *do* want/need them.

Whether LCs should cultivate neutrality or distance toward breast pump companies is
another issue.  I'm not sure that's the ideal.  These companies produce and sell our
tools.  If we want to be effective in our work, we need be both educated about these tools
and well-versed in their appropriate use (this knowledge is tested on our certifying exam,
so obviously our profession's founders consider this vital).  This necessitates some kind
of relationship with these companies in order to stay up to date..

Do we need to use our critical thinking with regard to these products?  Absolutely.  Can
we afford to ignore them?  No way!


Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC
Lactation Education Specialist, Hollister, Inc.
Chicago suburbs, Illinois USA

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