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From:
Virginia <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 3 Jan 2003 10:40:06 +1000
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On 2 January 2003, Linda Smith wrote
- Please remember that "pumpmate" and other feeding bottle systems are just
that - feeding bottles. Feeding bottles are covered by the International
Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The Code doesn't distinguish
bottles based on what's intended to go INTO the bottles.

Bottles of breastmilk aren't breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is more than
getting milk into a baby.
 
- This really needed saying, Linda.  We've probably all come across examples of health professionals or hospitals thinking this or that brand/type of bottle system, or artificial nipple constitutes "breastfeeding" (which it sure doesn't, under WHO definitions) - just because this or that well-known person in the breastfeeding community promotes it.  Hospitals also don't seem to realise that use of these objects could spoil their assessments for Baby-Friendly, by reducing the % of breastfed babies.
    Obviously, there are times when babies aren't with their mothers, especially since most workplaces aren't breastfeeding-friendly, and the baby needs to receive breastmilk.  But, as Linda reminded us, we need to be clearheaded about what the feeding delivery systems are, and not wear rose-coloured glasses and think they are something else.  However good the substitute delivery systems are, the focus needs to be on maximising the *breastfeeding* when Mum and baby are together.  (How can this be accomplished, with each individual mother's situation?)  I acknowledge that EMB by bottle is better than no breastmilk at all; but we need to be constantly questioning assumptions, specially those in advertising.
    Now if even half the effort put into producing and promoting artificial feeding systems (even if they deliver EBM) were, instead, put into promoting and fostering the idea and actuality of the Mother-friendly Workplace - think what that could mean!  Change is difficult?  Well, wasn't it change that brought in the systems for mothers to pump and store their milk?  Wasn't it change that put into the community's collective mind the idea that bottles are normal for feeding babies?  Workplace change is too often put in the "too hard" basket - but it needn't be, over time.
      Virginia
       in Brisbane, Queensland

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