Very good points you make, Yasmeen: "what BEST food means here - bonding, 
closeness, love, warmth and so many aspects of human relations which is what 
makes Breastfeeding much much more than just a means and mode of delivery of 
breast milk to a baby."
Looked at from the perspective of emergencies and poverty, Karleen 
righteously says: "This is an International Code and although it is far from 
ideal and very patchily enforced, solidarity is required amongst those who 
understand how important breastfeeding is. The strong should support the 
weak."
Yasmeen and Karleen both emphasize the importance of the process, with 
different consequences (without the process, there's a lack of bonding 
(Yasmeen) and a lack of nutritional safety (Karleen).
I'm sure they also mutually agree, Yasmeen mentioning the dirty bottles in 
India and Karleen being very knowledgeable with regard to adoptive nursing.
Of course Liz is right that the Code is about marketing, but I just can't 
help myself asking "why" after each answer; seems I didn't outgrow the 
toddler-phase. ;o)
Why do we have a problem with certain manufacturers? Because they violate 
the Code.
Why do they violate the Code? Because they want to make a profit from 
products under the scope of the Code.
Why is there a Code? Because we want to stop the marketing.
Why do we want to stop the agressive marketing? Because it undermines 
breastfeeding.
Why are bottles and teats in the Code? Because they are part of the 
undermining.
Why do they undermine breastfeeding? Because bottles can be a source of 
morbidity and mortality causing bacteria and because they keep mothers and 
infants/children apart.
Why is undermining breastfeeding a problem? Because it endangers the health 
of infants and young children.
Why does it endanger the health of infants and young children? Because the 
lack of breastfeeding endangers their growth and development.
Why does the lack of breastfeeding pose a risk? Because those who ought to 
be breastfed miss out on the proper food (product), the proper immunity 
(product/process) and the proper bonding (process).

I would hope that at the very fundamental level, this last 'Because' is why 
the Code was developed in the first place. I would reckon the last 'Because' 
describes the spirit of the Code. There's no use prohibiting marketing, if 
what you intend to protect with it, is not worthwhile.
You see... to understand the Code, I think it is not enough to know it 
prohibits marketing. It is not enough to understand the letter (as useful 
and important as it is): I think we have to understand the spirit. Without 
that understanding, there is no way of recognizing the present and (maybe 
even more important!) future potentially undermining products/marketing 
techniques/tendencies in the lactation field.
Karleen ought to be applauded for that. It's the slippery slope that Rachel 
mentioned, that should warn us. We should be very, very alert to 
developments that in a very subtle way guide us towards that slope. That's 
not easy and not funny and not cosy. It often doesn't put you in the popular 
group (didn't know the expression, Karleen, crone in the corner croaking! 
hahaha), because what you say 'spoils the atmosphere'. Those you thought you 
were on the same side, seem to be on the other, because you spoil the 
'friendships' (with commercial/powerful partners, that is). "Let it rest", I 
was asked last week...
What to do... stay in the corner croaking? Join the boards that have a say? 
Or is that a risk to your message because you will then have to compromise, 
no matter what? Enlarge influence by joining those in control, hoping you 
can steer the process in a different direction? Or remain 'the louse in the 
fur' (Dutch saying ;-)) and stay in the 'opposition', so you don't have to 
water down your message?

I'm at a loss, these months. Just said to my husband yesterday: "I feel like 
a complete failure. My efforts don't seem to get me or the cause 
anywhere..."
All the head wind often makes me wonder: "Can I trust my gut feeling? Should 
I quit this fight and start gardening instead...?"
Thanks to Lactnet, I can sort of pick myself up again. ;-) A new week 
ahead... let's go for it! hahaha

Warmly,

Marianne Vanderveen IBCLC, Netherlands

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