I hope it is OK that I post this. Here is my letter along with their
response.


-----Original Message-----
From: jozfam86 [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 10:12 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Propane to promote inferior infant feeding?


I am a Board Certified Lactation Consultant and recently saw a commercial
for Propane that seriously disappointed me. In the ad a woman's power goes
out but she is still able to feed here baby a bottle of Artificial Baby
Milk due to the wonders of Propane!

In a society where few women breastfeed their babies for the recommended
period of time (the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that
babies be fed human milk for the absolute minimum of twelve months,)
promoting and endorsing inferior feeding techniques substances is
reprehensible. The more women see bottle feeding in a positive light in the
media the more bottle feeding as the "Standard" will be upheld.
Breastfeeding is the "Standard" and we all have the obligation to upheld a
standard that is most beneficial to mothers babies families and society at
large.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of myriad diseases, such as diabetes,
childhood leukemia, obesity, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as well as
strengthen the mother child bond and reduces the child's risk of being
abused by a family member. It is irresponsible to show a woman using an
inferior feeding method when we have ample evidence that positive
portrayals of bottle feeding in the media REDUCE breastfeeding rates. Every
baby who is not breastfed for the minimum period of time outlined by the
AAP is at risk for a lifetime of less than optimum health.

I have to protest this most irresponsible use of your advertising dollar. I
am sure there are MUCH better ways of showcasing your product rather than
promoting something that rarely benefits either mothers or their babies.

My husband and I have made a point to refrain from using Propane in our
grill and instead use charcoal until this matter is resolved. So have our
some of our parents, siblings and several of our friends.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mary Jozwiak IBCLC International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is their response, which I received within a half an hour of my e-
mail,which leads me to believe it is a form response:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mrs. Jozwiak:

Thank you for taking the time to write to us at the Propane Education &
Research Council. We've heard from many consumers who have seen our
advertising messages and have offered compliments as well as helpful
comments.

We value your opinion and will take your concerns into consideration as we
develop new messages.  Propane is a trusted and reliable energy source used
by millions of Americans every day -- we certainly want our communications
to convey those positive attributes.
Regards,

Kelley Maierhoffer
Propane Education & Research Council



I hope they actually take the time to read our letters and e-mails. I got
upset the first time I saw this commercial. Thank you Kathleen for kicking
my butt into action to actually do something about it.

Mary

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