Dear LactNetters, My first posting. Have been enjoying following all your conversations for several weeks. So many interesting questions and responses. I'm a La Leche League Leader of many years, recently retired from the PL program in the Eastern US Division, and in a time of transition - I will start coursework for a Master's in Library Service degree at Rutgers University in a few weeks. Something I just read made me so mad I can't resist speaking up. Yesterday I picked up a copy of Baby Talk, August 1995 while in Sears. Just looked through it and saw an ad which initially excited me, then left me aghast! What do you think? (ad copy follows, see this ad on p. 48 of the magazine.) "THE HOSPITAL GIFT PACK IS THE FORMULA A GIFT WORTH KEEPING? You may think the formula in the hospital gift pack is a recommendation from your doctor or the hospital. The truth is, it most often comes from a manufacturer who has a contract with the hospital, plain and simple. It may or may not be right for your baby, and shouldn't keep you from considering other formulas. More important, it shouldn't dissuade you from breastfeeding or influence when you stop. If you're considering using a formula, make an informed decision by getting all the facts. And as always, talk to your health care professional. Then you'll know if it's a gift worth keeping. For more information on choosing a formula that's right for your baby, call Carn______ Nutritional Products Consumer Affairs at 1-800-782-7766, ext. 121." Aaaaargh! What's the bet this ad campaign is accompanied by a full-court press to pediatricians with all sorts of "factual, research based information" to encourage them to recommend the "gentle from the very beginning" formula! Not surprisingly, there's an ad for that product on the opposite page (p.49) reminding mothers/parents that, "Breast milk is nature's miracle. G___ St___ is Carn_____'s." This approach is *so* subtle, including so much desirable and appropriate information that they can readily claim to have only the best intentions at heart. Of course the truth of the matter is that being relatively recent arrivals in the abm market they DO NOT have any of those contracts with doctors and hospitals, and have had to come up with this kind of approach to overcome the advantage conveyed on other companies by these contracts. What a world we live in! I welcome your comments. Right now I'm just so mad I want to call in the troops and DO something about this ad before all the vulnerable mothers read it; all the while knowing full well that is impossible! Ruth Lufkin, LLL Leader Basking Ridge, New Jersey, U.S.A.