Jennifer,

I am now reunited with my computer and see you asked me my opinion about
taking money from pump companies as they have a commercial interest in
infant feeding.  I totally agree that this causes dilemmas for anyone who is
giving information and support to women about their feeding choices.

I was a pump agent for 6 years as a volunteer.  I would never dispute that
pumps sometimes 'save' breastfeeding for an individual mother.  I also saw
the difference between being a pump agent for a charity when I did and did
not live in a city where there was government money to support pump hire for
women in need (I was an agent in London during the era of the GLC local pump
hire grant scheme).  My experience is that women of different income levels
experience a difference in access.  In the UK I therefore feel quite
uncomfortable that the government has not done anything to include
availability through the National Health Service.

I also dislike the way a handpump has practically become a de rigeur
accessory for women thinking about breastfeeding.  This subtly encourages a
mother to view breastmilk as a product not breastfeeding as a relationship.
Also, if the company makes other products, the sales of these may benefit
from the 'feel-good' glow where breastfeeding *is* working for the
mother-baby pair.

I would no longer be happy to be working for an organsation which profits
from that.  (And it is one worry I have about being in ILCA and receiving
JHL).  I also wonder about  bras, slings, breastfeeding blouses, etc.  I can
see how we got to the point where these are sold by breastfeeding advocates
and supporters, but I just don't like it, myself.

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter, BfN, UK

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