Sorry folks, I have to pipe in.  I don't know *any* pediatricians or family
physicians who actually want children to get sick so they can make more
money!!

The relationship between formula companies and physicians is not at all
simple (to the physicians, anyway--maybe it is to the companies).  As a
family physician educator I am painfully aware of the influence of
formula companies on the education of medical students and residents
about infant feeding practices.  However, I also must deal with the fact
that one formula company in particular is a strong supporter of family
practice educational grants that come with no direct strings attached,
supporting programs that have nothing to do with infant feeding.
Of course they want us to use their products, but that's true of all the
pharmaceutical companies who give unrestricted educational grants.  It
would be hard to provide that education without those grants, and the
whole profession--our specialty in particular--is trying to do it
ethically.  I personally feel uncomfortable attending formula company
sponsored events, and usually choose not to when I can.  I would not
speak about breastfeeding at a formula company sponsored event--not
allowed as a LLL leader; I wouldn't do it as a physician.

I am in no way defending the insidious practices of formula companies,
just want to point out that things may be more complex than they appear.
Lets work together to continue to provide the correct info about
breastfeeding to physicians.  I had a great relationship with our R---,
M--J-- and W--  reps when I was a resident, and thought at the time they
really supported breastfeeding (and individually, they may have).  I've
since been transformed into a breastfeeding zealot and spend a lot of my
energy dealing with the effects of their educational materials on my
learners and my patients.  I have never seen anything but good intentions
in any of these new doctors, just misinformation.

--
Anne Montgomery, M.D.
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St.Peter Hospital Family Practice Residency