Dear netters I need some advice in relation to the WHO code and information booklets in an Australian hospital gift bag--sponsored by an outside organisation. With a few modifications Australia is a signatory to the code. I was asked to read the info for another reason but, when I did, alarm bells started ringing (I don't work on the postnatal ward and had never sighted the information before). One information booklet, with a clearly defined name and logo, has extensive advertising for baby foods from 4 months of age (yes I will be raising the 4 month issue). This same baby food manufacturer also manufacturers a popular baby formula sold in our supermarkets. No mention or advertising is made of this particular formula. Is this a breach under section 5.4 of the Code "Manufacturers and distributors should not distribute to pregnant women or mothers of infants and young children any gifts or articles or utensils which may promote the use of breastmilk substitures or bottle feeding"(or any section of the code)? or section 6.2 "No facility of a health care system should be used for the purpose of promoting infant formula or other products withing the scope of this code" In my opinion the clear implication is that these are good guys handing out free info to mothers (and endorsed by the hospital) so if a mother sees this brand of formula she will think it to be a good choice. The second booklet which is sponsored by the distributers of the gift bag. It contains a two page advertisement of an anti-colic bottle and teat. My interpretation is that this advertisement is a breech of the same section of the code. There are also a few items of the information the booklet contains that I don't believe is up to date. Both booklets also contain factual information on formula feeding, choosing a formula and sterilisation (they are distributed to all mothers, not just formula feeding mothers). Again section 6.5 of the code states this information should only be given to "mothers or family members who need to use it" I have particularly interested how some Australian lactnetters interpret this and whether your hospital continues to distribute these booklets. I will be raising my concerns with my own hospital but would appreciate all the information I can gather. TIA Marian Rigney RN and 2002 IBCLC candidate _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] 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