Every time we discuss this on Lactnet somehow the confusion arises that saying that a company should abide by the minimum standards of ethical marketing of their products means that there is something inherently bad in the products themselves. THIS IS NOT THE SITUATION. Don't confuse things. The Code prohibits marketing of any product under the scope of the Code to the public. This includes bottles. Upholding the Code protects and babies and mothers. Turning a blind eye harms them. Also, Companies are about making profits. They will make the decisions that result in the greatest profits. It seems that Medela may have decided that they will maximise their profits by marketing bottles direct to consumers. They have determined that either they do not need relationships with lactation supporters and orgs OR that they will be able to retain relationships with lactation supporters or orgs regardless of marketing practices that breach the Code. They won't go out of business- if the marketing of bottles to the public started to adversely impact their bottom line they would immediately cease this. Karleen Gribble Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "angie sohler" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, March 02, 2009 5:28 AM Subject: Be careful what you wish for... I find the discussion on Medela interesting. While we all agree that Code violators should be sanctioned, there is a real possibility of doing just what was mentioned...shooting oneself in the foot, or worse... shooting babies in the foot. Do you REALLY want to see Medela put out of business? Without hospital grade, electric breastpumps like the Symphony, we remove a tool that is there for use for those who really NEED not just any breastpump, but a good breastpump. Yes, hand expression can be an alternative for certain situations, but for the mother who expresses 8 -12 times/day? The mother traveling from home to the NICU for 3+ months? The mother with an infant with a g-tube and oral aversion who will never breastfeed? The mother of the child with Down Syndrome who cannot breastfeed effectively enough to maintain an ample supply? While I support the Code 100%, I also support my patients... and just as importantly, I support my right to be able to continue to adequately express breastmilk for my special needs child who eats nothing by mouth. Please be careful what you wish for. Angie Sohler, RN, RLC, IBCLC Most importantly, mother to 8 with 1 special needs child who at 2 years old still recieves my freshly pumped breastmilk (and who, by the way, never got a drop of formula) *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome