The organization that this Medela letter refers to is NABA, the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy. I am its Executive Director. I will take this letter one point at a time to see if I can help navigate through the spin and damage control that Medela is engaged in as it justifies continuing not to meet its obligations under the Code.
 
"With regard to the WHO Code, one organization has determined Medela to be non-compliant based on their interpretation of the Code;" NABA did not determine that Medela wasn't meeting its obligations under the Code. Medela determined this status as it engaged in marketing behaviors for its feeding bottles and artificial nipples that violated sections of the Code. It is each company's obligations to use the Code as a guideline in marketing products within the Code's scope. Medela knows about the Code as it sent one of its employees to a Code training seminar conducted by NABA several years ago. NABA is part of IBFAN, the International Baby Food Action Network and operates as the IBFAN organization that monitors the Code in the US. IBFAN does not take a vote among its member organizations on whether a company meets its obligations under the Code. If there is any question we consult with each other. The International Code Documentation Center (ICDC) serves as Code central and contributes to discussions on the finer points of the Code. It is not NABA's interpretation of the Code that caused Medela to cease meeting its obligations, it is Medela's behavior that did this. This is a classic part of damage control, to shift the blame and attention off the company's poor behavior onto someone or something else. It reminds me of 2 children who broke a lamp and each pointing at the other saying, "He did it!" The Code is very specific in its guidelines. Medela has violated the Code in many ways:

Language that idealizes the use of bottles and artificial nipples as seen on Medela website
- Wide base silicone nipples complement breastfeeding
- Medela breastmilk bottles are made from safe, BPA-free polypropylene that retain breastmilk's beneficial properties.
- Everything you need to collect, store and feed breastmilk.

Inducements to mothers to buy products covered by the Code
- $3 off coupon for Medela feeding bottle inside Pump in Style box

Medela 2010 Co-op advertising offer to those who rent/sell Medela products which will reimburse dealers for advertising Medela feeding bottles

"however we have not received written notification from the World Health Organization nor UNICEF." These organizations do not issue letters when a company is not meeting its obligations under the Code. There are no Code police. It is the company's obligation to monitor its own behavior. Again, an attempt to blame others and deflect attention away from poor behavior.

"Each organization needs to determine how they wish to interpret the Code, or if they want someone else to make this determination for them." Each organization has an obligation to behave under the Code period. They do not pick and choose which parts of the Code they want to honor and the other parts that they will violate. No one other than the company is responsible for it meeting its obligations under the Code.

There is really nothing more to explain. When Medela stops marketing feeding bottles and nipples in a manner that violates the Code then they will be meeting their obligations under the Code. Putting coupons for feeding bottles in pump boxes is hardly meeting one's obligations under the Code!

Medela needs to simply alter their marketing practices, not blame others, not engage in slanderous and libelous accusations against NABA, not make excuses, not engage in spin tactics. What is so hard about that?

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

Ms. Ivey – Thank you for your email inquiry.  We are so pleased that you find 
he tear-sheets helpful for your patients.  As a healthcare provider, you can 
nd should provide materials and/or products to your mothers that you deem 
ecessary, helpful and accurate in content.  The WHO Code states that.
With regard to the WHO Code, one organization has determined Medela to 
on-compliant based on their interpretation of the Code; however we have not 
eceived written notification from the World Health Organization nor UNICEF.  
ach organization needs to determine how they wish to interpret the Code, or if 
hey want someone else to make this determination for them.  For clarification, 
edela has never, and will never, market breastmilk substitutes.  The area in 
hich has come into question is related to bottles and teats.  Everything that 
e do is to support breastfeeding and the breastfeeding mother.  
Please visit our website at http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/assets/file/MedelaStatementIIWHOCodeFINAL.pdf 
r feel free to call me directly and I would be more than happy to explain the 
ituation in more detail.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Rachel S. Mennell
irector of Marketing Communications and Services – Breastfeeding






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