hi all,

thursday, i spoke to 45 pharmacist wanabees (5th year students) at our local
university about why breastfeeding is important and how it directly affects
them as pharmacists and how they can and do have a very direct affect on
whether moms continue to breastfeed long term. It was a no holds barred talk
of why it makes a difference and why we should give a d___m about what
happens to the future of american babies.

When i came home i realized that even though it was a very early 8 am i had
something very important to say, right from the goverment attitude (and the
WHO code) on down to why you question the motivation of a formula / bottle /
feeding system company to make breast pumps.  My mom and partner in crime (lc
business) informed me that even though i may have talked a little fast, i
held their full attention, edge of the seat right up to the end.  this was
confirmed by the professor who was sitting watching and taking notes for an
up coming exam during my little talk (he has informed me that he Will ask me
to speak again).  I walked out realizing i am a full fledge zealot (who knows
how to temper if needed).

Well on to the reason i a writing today.  last night while i was helping my
daughter find pictures in the zillion magazines we have around the house,
with an eye on the TV for the baby doll comercials, most with bottles or
pacifiers.  my  8 year old daughter pointed out (before i could mention it to
her) that there was one comercial with not one bottle or dummy in it at all
(YEAH for parent modeling).  While we were pulling pages out of thes
magazines  i started keeping count of code violations and positive
breastfeeding images.  in my informal search violations out numbered positive
images both in pictures and in articles (large and small) 8 to 1.

Today i am canceling my subscriptions to 3 magazines and sending a not so
nice note to 2 others that i have picked up free or were given free by
doctors offices in my area.  My letters will include a copy of the code of
marking breastmilk substitutes and copies of the articles/ads both positive
and negative from each of their magazines.

I know that we are not supposed to name names but i will give you a few hints
if you would like a full list please e- mail me privately at
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Am-e-i-a- B-b-,  Par-n-s,  P-r-nting,  Ch-ldb-r-h In-tr-ct-r, Wo-k-i-g W-m-n
and F-m-le Ex-c-t-ve.

I am currently insearch of others,  (I am asking you who believe as i do
--almost 600 interested parties on the net) to join in and send a few letters
each to make the editors aware that there is another side of the story and
that they should get on the stick because they do make a difference.

Favorite quote of the day:  "It take lots of people (attitudes, my emphasis)
to support the breastfeeding family and just one underinformed (idiot - my
emphasis) to get them to quit.

I will get off my soap box now,  I look forward to hearing from you all very
soon.  As a real zealot i just love to stir  the pot.


Anne F. Norton-Krawciw, RPh, IBCLC
President, Breastfeeding Specialists Inc.
Sterling Heights (burb of detroit)  Michigan, USA

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