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Full-name: ValkyriePx
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Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 21:48:21 EDT
Subject: goodie bags revisited-long
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Just an update on my OB and his staff handing out goodie bags.

 First I told him that ethically I could not accept the goodie bag his office
staff gave me and handed it back to him.  I pointed out that there were 76
advertisements in the package and over 50% of them were from formula and
pharmaceutical companies. I provided documentation refuting all of the
incorrect information in his goodie bag. (The BF info handout was printed by
the Arizona Dairy Council for pity's sake!!) I included the 1997 AAP
statement, the WHO code, "just one bottle," "Breastfeeding vs Bottle-feeding"
and addresses to a couple of websites including "No Free Lunch."

 I gave him copies of some more accurate handouts, as well as some Lansinoh
samples which come on flyers printed by LLLI that have good info on them.
Hopefully he will contact them for samples to put in his New & Improved
goodie bags.

I showed him my copy of Hale and promised him one of his own. He immediately
looked up a med. that had come in to question the previous weekend and said
"So she didn't have to quit breastfeeding after all," I'm sad for that
mom-happy for future patients.

Happily my Dr was appalled at how heavily weighted towards formula feeding
his handouts were. Even more happily I believe he will actually read the
documentation I gave him as he asked how long he could keep it in his
possession to read it.  He plans on starting a better file of BF support
info.

The best part came at the end when he was telling me how supportive of
breastfeeding his office was. I stated "I know you are supportive of
Breastfeeding but what message do your patients get when you hand them a bag
of formula samples?" he stopped in the middle of the hallway with the most
introspective look I have ever seen.  I left him to think about it.

Feeling very proud of myself

Cheryl L Tompkins CLC
Phoenix AZ USA