I wish to thank Barbara Wilson-Clay for her wonderful post on advocacy. If
3000 people suddenly sent $20 to NABA or subscribed to our newsletter there had
better be someone on Lactnet who can do CPR over a list serv! I am so pleased
that a number of you have been able to read the article on marketing of infant
formula in the current Breastfeeding Abstracts. I wish I had majored in
marketing so I could better create a breastfeeding marketing strategic plan.
Industry will be working hard at Codex to make sure that there are no changes to
formula can labels that might impact business. Industry probably has its spin
doctors on call for when the US Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign is launched.

There are so many advocacy activities that we can engage in. The last NABA
newsletter talked about how to work with state legislatures. Fixing sore nipples
may consume much of our time, but if we do not look at the root of
breastfeeding's problems, then we won't have to worry about fixing anything because
fewer and fewer women will be breastfeeding. I just re-read an article on how the
welfare work requirements for mothers with young babies in the US has affected
breastfeeding rates. This article concluded that in the absence of the
welfare reform laws enacted in 1996, the national US breastfeeding rate at six
months after birth would have been 5.5% higher in 2000. As each state has
discretion in how it implements these welfare-to-work requirements, we could start
right there in our own state to ease the harsh sanctions for that group of women.

Haider SJ, et al. Welfare work requirements and child well-being: evidence
from the effects on breastfeeding. Demography 2003; 40:479-497.

I agree with Barbara that it is very important to join ILCA, NABA, and your
state or local breastfeeding task force or coalition. Seek out the task forces
and coalitions in your area. If there are none, then start one yourself. We
have much more power if we organize and work in large numbers. I agree with
Barbara, ORGANIZE! (and I would be happy to help us do that)

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

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