As an active member of ILCA, I was delighted to see the statement sent out
on the ILCA listserv overnight, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the
International Code for the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes (WHO Code)
and commending international groups that monitor the Code. I have been
closely following Code issues and marketing ethics for all of these 30 years
and I can say, with conviction, that the Code is just as much needed in 2011
as in 1981.

 

It is unfortunate that, too often, current practice in the workplace is seen
as "normal" and the Code as an imposition.  Many people don't realise, or
have forgotten, that the Code was a compromise document, intended as a
minimum standard.  Not an aspirational goal, but a minimum. Remember when
babies were fed on a strict 4th-hourly schedule because that was how it had
"always" been done (at least in the individual's memory), or because it was
considered "normal", because of long practice.  It took courage to question
these practices in workplaces and the community, but our pioneers did so.
Remember when babies were placed in a central nursery, behind glass, and
mothers (and fathers) had limited access, but a brave few questioned this
and even dared to suggest rooming-in the babies with the mothers would be
desirable.  Shock! horror!  Now a lot more is known about infant needs and
mother-infant bonding.  Mums in my part of the world now expect rooming-in,
as standard care.

 

Just like changing hospital practices to meet infants' needs, working at
encouraging colleagues to respect the WHO Code and subsequent World Health
Assembly (WHA) resolutions is do-able.  In some workplaces that might take
more courage than in other settings, but those grains of sand on the beach
were once part of mighty mountains, eroded by drops of water.

 

I am delighted that our international professional body has taken the time
to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Code.  Happy birthday, WHO Code.

 

Virginia. 

 

Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA 

Private practice lactation consultant, and historian

Brisbane, Qld, Australia 

E: [log in to unmask] 

 

 


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