Following is the letter I am sending to Thyme Maternity
http://www.thymematernity.com/contact.htm. I have just found out that M-J
gets it's names from these clothing stores (I called the M-J phone line and
gave them a piece of my mind!). It is through Thyme Maternity that my sister
received her "gift" of a can of powder formula and a bottle from M-J in the
mail 6 weeks after her child was born.

I would appreciate some extra ideas or word changes regarding my
"diplomacy".

Thanks.............................




To whom it may concern

As a consumer, a customer, a breastfeeding mother, a breastfeeding advocate,
and educator I am writing to voice my displeasure with your conduct
regarding the passing on of customer names to Mead Johnson. I am very
careful when filling out information cards and have instructed to my sister
as well so that we can avoid all contact with any formula marketing. We are
both committed breastfeeders.

I accompanied my sister to your store to purchase garments. We found the
service quite appropriate and helpful.

My sister being a first time mom still needed much support after the birth
of her baby and at 6 weeks was having doubts about her breastmilk. What I
found amazing is that 2 days later a parcel of infant formula AND a bottle
from M-J ended up on her doorstep. Coincidence??? Who knows. What I do know
is, that if it had been any other mom (like myself when at 6 weeks I felt
unsure and gave formula because I had it, instead of knowing that lactation
support was available to me), she would have been more than likely
encouraged to give the formula, there by beginning a downward spiral that
could well end the breastfeeding relationship between her and her child. I
have seen this, heard this and experienced this tale all to often.

I have already contacted Mead Johnson regarding how they would have gotten
my sister's name. They informed me that they get names from clothing stores.
Yours is the only store that had her name and address, and the only store
from which we purchased clothing from (Calgary, Market Mall). I can assure
you that never did we sign anything that stated we wished to receive
information regarding the "Baby Steps" program.

I am disgusted at such a practice and wonder if you understand the dynamics
of breastfeeding and how fragile a thing it is in our formula feeding
society. I can not fathom how anyone could be in a business that caters to
the mother without realizing how much impact they will have on her child 6
weeks after the baby is born. Research has already proven that if an
expectant mother receives information regarding the artificial feeding of
her child that she is more at risk for discontinuing the breastfeeding
relationship with her child. You can only imagine if she has this stuff
anonymously delivered to her door when she is still within the postpartum
adjustment time when breastfeeding is still being established.

I am forwarding this letter to all the professional I know that deal with
the new mothers.

Sincerely

Patricia Blomme
**********************************************************************
Patricia Blomme RN
Perinatal Nurse
VP Canadian Childbirth Association
Birth Educator/Doula
Lay Breastfeeding Counselor

Our greatest food for thought is.......breastmilk!

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html