----- Original Message -----
From: "Karleen Gribble" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 9:06 AM
Subject: Re: [LACTNET] Medela and marketing practices
**Hello,
> I really think that the Code is one area in which we need solidarity. We
> have
> to care what is happening in other parts of the world. The Code is about
> protecting mothers and babies, if we say we don't care (by doing nothing)
> then what credibility can we possibly have?
**I fully agree.
If we say that there must be a
> mistake that X company really is good then I suspect that we've eaten too
> many free chocolates from said company and had too many nice little chats
> with their reps or accepted too much sponsorship money.
**Interesting statement. But is it true? When we love our children and they
go beyond borders we set them, is that a reason to reject the child in full,
or is it a reason to correct the misbehaviour after having explained why it
is misbehaviour?
If a company sells products that in itself are okay and really can support
bf (pumps, to me, are a different story than ABM!), then wouldn't it be
better to discuss the 'misbehaviour'?
No doubt about how idealistic I am: I was just discussing the seminar we
were invited to with one of our board members (seminar is sponsored by an
ABM-company... grrr) and I hardly dare to go, because I know how frustrated
I get and how high my adrenaline levels rise, when hearing all the rubbish.
Nevertheless we must be realistic: good pumps can be a real help to mothers,
in many situations.
And good lc's charge clients for their services, don't they?! Profound
knowledge and well developed competencies are worth their money, but we all
need to stay very, very critical as to where we enter grey territory. The
tendency to say "I know what is good for you" is not restricted to
commercial companies: health care workers, too, are often inclined to do
this, with sometimes devastating results for the dyad, regarding bf as well
as mother-child-interaction (and then I get crying mothers on the phone as a
volunteer and they cry because their intuition and their autonomy was not
acknowledged or empowered...).
In short: I think we ought to keep talking, with eachother and with
companies like Medela to clarify where we stand. You don't need to have
eaten their chocolates to say their pumps are okay. And you don't need to be
enemies to say they ought to stick with the Code.
Regards,
Marianne Vanderveen,
VBN-volunteer and IBCLC next year, 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
|
