I caught up on Lactnet last night (all 35 digests) until I was brain-dead, but
didn't see any postings about this.  Get ready to gag, folks.

Tuesday I made my weekly visit to the insurance company for which I run a
Sanvita program.  An announcement in their employee newsletter read, "Employee
Health Services is offering the Ross Pediatrics prenatal packet complete with
video. . . to all expectant parents."  After I beat my head against the wall for
a while I went to see exactly what new "gift" was being offered.  It's a lovely
packet of their standard booklets including one on breastfeeding, a video that
includes "first feedings, for breastfeeding and formula-feeding mothers,"
several ABM samples, and the "Maternal Journal" a calendar-like guide to
pregnancy replete with pictures of formula cans on every page and an invitation
to join the Welcome Addition Club.  I am just *appalled* that this journal is
"endorsed by March of Dimes, American Diabetes Association, and the National
Parenting Center."  The March of Dimes can forget my regular contributions!
What's the matter with these people!!!

So, has anybody else run into this?  Are they targeting all corporations or just
"breastfeeding-friendly" corporation?  I will, of course, be gathering all the
tact I can manage to go discuss this wonderful gift with the nurse in charge of
employee health, but I hate trying to start from ground zero with the "why this
is not a nice gift but really a bad thing" discussion.

Then just to top it off, at the hospital yesterday a mom came to see me after
her baby's two week visit to say hi.  Super nice woman, but single, all alone,
on M.A., lives an hour away so can't come to our support group easily,
baby's gaining beautifully--and she's lugging her gift from the doctor's office.
An 8-pack of ready-to-feed, can of ready-to-feed, 3 big cans of powder,
pedialyte, toddler beverage, and coupons!  Same ABM company.  As we're talking
about how ridiculous this is, the mom wonders how much the doctor's office is
getting paid to give her this stuff.  Smart lady!

Becky Krumwiede, RN, IBCLC, Appleton, WI
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