An ad for a website selling baby products (among many others) has come to my
attention.  It is an animated picture.  First frame shows a baby with the words
"Taking care of baby was never so easy."  Next frame adds an arrow pointing
to the baby's mouth with the word "formula".  The following frames add arrows
pointing to the baby with the words "health", "diapers", and "hygiene."  The final
frame changes the "Taking care of baby" text with the merchant's logo
"MyBasics.com" and "life just got easier" and then "Click Here"  The ad
appeared on a web site (www.storksite.com) which has previously accepted
advertising from Carnation (Nestle).

My quick perusal of the baby care section of MyBasics.com convinced me that
these people are absolutely clueless about the needs of breastfeeding mothers
and babies and could gain from a little *gentle* education from the lactation
community.  I would emphasize a positive message that they are missing an
opportunity by possibly alienating breastfeeding moms with their ads.  By
changing the ad to use the word "feeding", instead of "formula" and by having a
seperate section for breastfeeding supplies (breastpads, pumps, nipple care),
they could better appeal to those mothers.  As it is now, they are selling
Lansinoh in one section, and the Ross (!) breast pump in another (we might also
want to gently suggest that a formula company has a motive to market a
breastpump that is harmful to breastfeeding and recommend Medela and Avent
products).  Consolidating the breastfeeding-related items in a "breastfeeding"
section would help mothers find these items.  Here is their email address:
<[log in to unmask]>

Happy emailing to all!
Rachael Hamlet