Although I have not heard of milk companies teaching healthcare
professionals about infanmt massage in the UK, it is something that
happens here with salespeople and mothers : (

UK Law prevents salespeople or manufacturers giving samples of
formula to mothers, and they are not allowed direct contact with
mothers except at mothers' request.

However, some salespeople offer sessions to mothers about weaning,
and about massage, and about other topics such as postnatal
depression, via the child health clinics where almost all mothers go.

Sadly, and in my view, disgracefully, this is done via the midwives
and health visitors who run the clinics. Without their permission,
the sessions could not take place.

We have had reports about baby massage classes given by salespeople
from Nutricia - the doll used as a model has an SMA-logo'd  tee shirt
on, and mothers are given goody bags with a logo on, and money off
vouchers for follow on milk.


Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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