Here in Puerto Rico, not only do we have the problem of the discharge
packs, but there is a company which has a contract with the hospital to
show "educational videos".  The videos, in fact, are written and produced
by producers of various products.   Two years ago, they started by showing
videos by Kimberly Clark written and produced with the assistance of LC's
here in Puerto Rico and it was very good.  However, they lost the contract
with K-C, and now have a contract with ABBOTT - which produced a video with
the help of their sales people (4 women) showing the "Benefits of
Breastfeeding" for 13 minutes - followed for 13 minutes of how to prepare,
and give, formula.  I am so frustrated to find that moms are hearing one
thing from their TV's while I stand at their bedside and give different
information.

Despite my objections the Administration has  refused to remove the video
or to assist me in putting a separate channel in which I could show other
videos.  Their response is that they have a "contract" with the video
company and also one with Abbott.

Are there any companies "selling"  this sort of service in the US?

We are also having problems with additional "contracts" with companies
which distribute products to the moms.  One mom even wrote a letter to the
newspaper complaining about all the people walking in to her room (3
different companies) to give her "gifts".  When I started getting phone
calls from moms asking me if they could breastfeed with "fat burn pills", I
learned that one of the companies was actually putting samples of these in
the gift packs.  One of our LC's spoke to the distributor who told her "no
one questions what I put in the packs - I put whatever I want into them".

The financial situation of hospitals here is so precarious they seem to
accept just about anything - and I have NO clout ($$$$).

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, IBCLC, LLLL
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Project Director - Proyecto Lacta - Puerto Rico
http://netdial.caribe.net/~prlacta/
Lactancia Materna '98 - La Mejor Inversion