I have to vent my frustration today after receiving a nice little
newsletter in the mail *unsolicited* from a top ABM manufacturer.  I see
some of the info sent to hospitals, etc., but this one to my home as an
expectant parent was an eye-opener.  With my name computer-generated, it
said that, "We can help.  We strongly suport you in your decision to
breastfeed...because your own milk is the ideal feeding for your
baby...brought to you by the makers of S******--the first-choice formula
of doctors...closer than ever to mother's milk.  See why that's
important if you supplement."  Another line addressed to dad, "If she
does supplement, you can feed your baby either expressed breast milk or
a trusted formula from the makers of S******...by taking an occasional
turn with mom, you can help her get some much-needed rest...and at the
same time build closeness and intimacy with your baby."  Then it ends by
saying, "We know you're going to do great!"  The newsletter had more
"helpful parenting tips", recommended seeing a "Certified Lactation
Consultant" (not IBCLC) for breastfeeding problems and included "The
Womanly Art" as a recommended reference.

This newsletter bothered me because it came to my home while I'm 8 mos.
pregnant, "they" somehow know I'm planning to breastfeed and it was full
of conflicting messages.  The dad stuff was confusing, too...supplement
w/ EBM?  Mom would need to be pumping to supply the milk and I can't see
how that's too restful.  Is supplementing another way of saying "bottle
feed" in their minds?  It appears that I will receive more of these w/
coupons, of course.  The subtle and not-so-subtle messages have found my
home mailbox and, I'm sure, those of many other moms who may be
fence-sitting about feeding decisions.  Maybe everyone else has seen
these, but it was new to me.

On a positive note, though, my sister who lives in the Wichita, KS, area
saw a wonderful breastfeeding commercial on TV the other day and was,
like many of you w/ the Best Start ones, expecting to hear a "but" and
see ABM sponsorship.  Surprise, surprise, it was sponsored *jointly* by
*competing* area hospitals!

Thanks for the forum to vent...my poor children have to hear me the rest
of the time and you know it's gotten to them when your 20-month old son
attempts to force the independent cat to nurse on him :-D and his 4-year
old sister is praying the baby will be born soon that the milk will make
Mommy more calm!

Rebecca DeYoung Daniels, MBA, RD, LD, LLLL in Overland Park, KS