Very good points you make, Yasmeen: "what BEST food means here - bonding,
closeness, love, warmth and so many aspects of human relations which is what
makes Breastfeeding much much more than just a means and mode of delivery of
breast milk to a baby."
Looked at from the perspective of emergencies and poverty, Karleen
righteously says: "This is an International Code and although it is far from
ideal and very patchily enforced, solidarity is required amongst those who
understand how important breastfeeding is. The strong should support the
weak."
Yasmeen and Karleen both emphasize the importance of the process, with
different consequences (without the process, there's a lack of bonding
(Yasmeen) and a lack of nutritional safety (Karleen).
I'm sure they also mutually agree, Yasmeen mentioning the dirty bottles in
India and Karleen being very knowledgeable with regard to adoptive nursing.
Of course Liz is right that the Code is about marketing, but I just can't
help myself asking "why" after each answer; seems I didn't outgrow the
toddler-phase. ;o)
Why do we have a problem with certain manufacturers? Because they violate
the Code.
Why do they violate the Code? Because they want to make a profit from
products under the scope of the Code.
Why is there a Code? Because we want to stop the marketing.
Why do we want to stop the agressive marketing? Because it undermines
breastfeeding.
Why are bottles and teats in the Code? Because they are part of the
undermining.
Why do they undermine breastfeeding? Because bottles can be a source of
morbidity and mortality causing bacteria and because they keep mothers and
infants/children apart.
Why is undermining breastfeeding a problem? Because it endangers the health
of infants and young children.
Why does it endanger the health of infants and young children? Because the
lack of breastfeeding endangers their growth and development.
Why does the lack of breastfeeding pose a risk? Because those who ought to
be breastfed miss out on the proper food (product), the proper immunity
(product/process) and the proper bonding (process).
I would hope that at the very fundamental level, this last 'Because' is why
the Code was developed in the first place. I would reckon the last 'Because'
describes the spirit of the Code. There's no use prohibiting marketing, if
what you intend to protect with it, is not worthwhile.
You see... to understand the Code, I think it is not enough to know it
prohibits marketing. It is not enough to understand the letter (as useful
and important as it is): I think we have to understand the spirit. Without
that understanding, there is no way of recognizing the present and (maybe
even more important!) future potentially undermining products/marketing
techniques/tendencies in the lactation field.
Karleen ought to be applauded for that. It's the slippery slope that Rachel
mentioned, that should warn us. We should be very, very alert to
developments that in a very subtle way guide us towards that slope. That's
not easy and not funny and not cosy. It often doesn't put you in the popular
group (didn't know the expression, Karleen, crone in the corner croaking!
hahaha), because what you say 'spoils the atmosphere'. Those you thought you
were on the same side, seem to be on the other, because you spoil the
'friendships' (with commercial/powerful partners, that is). "Let it rest", I
was asked last week...
What to do... stay in the corner croaking? Join the boards that have a say?
Or is that a risk to your message because you will then have to compromise,
no matter what? Enlarge influence by joining those in control, hoping you
can steer the process in a different direction? Or remain 'the louse in the
fur' (Dutch saying ;-)) and stay in the 'opposition', so you don't have to
water down your message?
I'm at a loss, these months. Just said to my husband yesterday: "I feel like
a complete failure. My efforts don't seem to get me or the cause
anywhere..."
All the head wind often makes me wonder: "Can I trust my gut feeling? Should
I quit this fight and start gardening instead...?"
Thanks to Lactnet, I can sort of pick myself up again. ;-) A new week
ahead... let's go for it! hahaha
Warmly,
Marianne Vanderveen IBCLC, Netherlands
***********************************************
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
|