Tonight, on the on-line TV guide:
http://www.tvgen.com/newsgossip/dish/981021a.htm
Chicago Hope Worries
Breast-Feeding Boosters
for Wednesday, October 21, 1998
Normally, breast-feeding advocates are happy to
get attention for their cause. But tonight's
episode of Chicago Hope has them more than a
little concerned.
In the episode (10 pm/ET, CBS), Dr. Grad
(played by Jayne Brook, pictured) accuses a
new mother of neglect after her baby dies of
dehydration. It turns out, however, that the
mother had tried to breast-feed, not realizing she
wasn't producing enough milk to keep her child
healthy.
To counteract the possible bad publicity for
breast-feeding, several advocacy groups —
including San Diego-based Wellstart and
Chicago-based La Leche League International
(LLLI) — have joined together to produce a
90-second video news release, which they would
like CBS affiliates to air after Chicago Hope. The
video, funded by the breast-pump manufacturer
Medela, aims to educate women on how to
breast-feed their babies effectively. Feedback
from the stations has been largely positive, says
LLLI public-relations director Kimberly
Cavaliero, although it's unclear whether any will
actually air the spot.
"It's not meant as a slam against anybody,"
says Cavaliero, who, like the other advocates
Dish spoke with, has not yet seen the episode.
"It's just to get information out there, because
we'd hate to have people see the show and
think, 'Oh, my God, if I breast-feed my baby, my
baby could die.' "
While Wellstart president and CEO Dr. Audrey
Naylor says Chicago Hope is "exceedingly well
done on most of the issues they present," she
worries tonight's episode will send the wrong
message. The video, she says, will describe
"what the key issues are, what families should
look for to assure themselves and who they can
call for further help and guidance if they are
unsure."
A spokeswoman for CBS tells Dish the network
will distribute its own news piece about
breast-feeding to affiliates, which can opt to air it
during their nightly news broadcasts. "It will be a
positive piece about breast-feeding and the
benefits of it and the way to do it," she says.
That said, CBS does not perceive the episode
as anti-breast-feeding. "If anything, it's going to
draw attention to the fact that it is important to
know the warning signs," says the
spokeswoman. "It's not like we're saying, 'Don't
breast-feed' — that's the last thing we're saying.
It's an important thing to do." — Susan
Campbell Beachy
The header reads:
Nursing School.
Breast-Feeding Controversy Erupts on Chicago Hope.
Chicago Hope Worries
Breast-Feeding Boosters
for Wednesday, October 21, 1998
Normally, breast-feeding advocates are happy to
get attention for their cause. But tonight's
episode of Chicago Hope has them more than a
little concerned.
In the episode (10 pm/ET, CBS), Dr. Grad
(played by Jayne Brook, pictured) accuses a
new mother of neglect after her baby dies of
dehydration. It turns out, however, that the
mother had tried to breast-feed, not realizing she
wasn't producing enough milk to keep her child
healthy.
To counteract the possible bad publicity for
breast-feeding, several advocacy groups —
including San Diego-based Wellstart and
Chicago-based La Leche League International
(LLLI) — have joined together to produce a
90-second video news release, which they would
like CBS affiliates to air after Chicago Hope. The
video, funded by the breast-pump manufacturer
Medela, aims to educate women on how to
breast-feed their babies effectively. Feedback
from the stations has been largely positive, says
LLLI public-relations director Kimberly
Cavaliero, although it's unclear whether any will
actually air the spot.
"It's not meant as a slam against anybody,"
says Cavaliero, who, like the other advocates
Dish spoke with, has not yet seen the episode.
"It's just to get information out there, because
we'd hate to have people see the show and
think, 'Oh, my God, if I breast-feed my baby, my
baby could die.' "
While Wellstart president and CEO Dr. Audrey
Naylor says Chicago Hope is "exceedingly well
done on most of the issues they present," she
worries tonight's episode will send the wrong
message. The video, she says, will describe
"what the key issues are, what families should
look for to assure themselves and who they can
call for further help and guidance if they are
unsure."
A spokeswoman for CBS tells Dish the network
will distribute its own news piece about
breast-feeding to affiliates, which can opt to air it
during their nightly news broadcasts. "It will be a
positive piece about breast-feeding and the
benefits of it and the way to do it," she says.
That said, CBS does not perceive the episode
as anti-breast-feeding. "If anything, it's going to
draw attention to the fact that it is important to
know the warning signs," says the
spokeswoman. "It's not like we're saying, 'Don't
breast-feed' — that's the last thing we're saying.
It's an important thing to do." — Susan
Campbell Beachy
Sorry it's long, just thought it would be good to hear that all the online
activity, activism and phone calls hopefully are getting heard.
Nancy Holtzman RN BSN
Great Beginnings New Mothers Groups
Boston MA
mailto:[log in to unmask]
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