Dear netters
I need some advice in relation to the WHO code and information booklets in
an Australian hospital gift bag--sponsored by an outside organisation. With
a few modifications Australia is a signatory to the code.  I was asked to
read the info for another reason but, when I did, alarm bells started
ringing (I don't work on the postnatal ward and had never sighted the
information before).  One information booklet, with a clearly defined name
and logo, has extensive advertising for baby foods from 4 months of age (yes
I will be raising the 4 month issue).  This same baby food manufacturer also
manufacturers a popular baby formula sold in our supermarkets.  No mention
or advertising is made of this particular formula.

Is this a breach under section 5.4 of the Code "Manufacturers and
distributors should not distribute to pregnant women or mothers of infants
and young children any gifts or articles or utensils which may promote the
use of breastmilk substitures or bottle feeding"(or any section of the
code)? or section 6.2 "No facility of a health care system should be used
for the purpose of promoting  infant formula or other products withing the
scope of this code" In my opinion the clear implication is that these are
good guys handing out free info to mothers (and endorsed by the hospital) so
if a mother sees this brand of formula she will think it to be a good
choice.

The second booklet which is sponsored by the distributers of the gift bag.
It contains a two page advertisement of an anti-colic bottle and teat. My
interpretation is that this advertisement is a breech of the same section of
the code. There are also a few items of the information the booklet
contains that I don't believe is up to date.

Both booklets also contain factual information on formula feeding, choosing
a formula and sterilisation (they are distributed to all mothers, not just
formula feeding mothers).  Again section 6.5 of the code states this
information should only  be given to "mothers or family members who need to
use it"

I have particularly interested how some Australian lactnetters interpret
this and whether your hospital continues to distribute these booklets.  I
will be raising my concerns with my own hospital but would appreciate all
the information I can gather.

TIA
Marian Rigney RN and 2002 IBCLC candidate


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