Mary Jane has informed us of yet another path that the formula companies are
traveling to enter into the homes of new mothers-having the visiting nurse
peddle formula during her visit. There are a number of recourses and sources of
help to use in stopping or removing this practice.

-International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: provides language
regarding the practice and guidance for health care providers
- IBLCE Code of Ethics for IBCLCs: states quite clearly the obligations
surrounding this issue and how it violates an IBCLCs ethical practice of her
profession
- ILCA Standards of Practice: includes language that again state the IBCLC's
obligations and how this practice would violate the community standards by
which IBCLCs practice
- HIPAA specifically defines giving commercial formula bags to mothers as a
form of marketing. Any hospital or health agency that does this is marketing a
product directly to mothers
- giving commercial formula bags to mothers violates all of the ethical
principles that health care providers are bound to follow:

Autonomy: the right of the patient to make health decisions free from
interference or from limitations due to inadequate understanding. This is the heart
of informed consent. Most mothers do not understand that this formula can be
harmful to her infant. Who is disclosing the potential risks from using these
products?

Non-maleficence (first do no harm): this is our obligation to avoid harming a
patient and includes the obligation of not imposing the RISKS for harm which
formula gifts always certainly do

Beneficence: the obligation to act for the benefit of the patient. Giving
formula bags is certainly not in the best interest of anyone except the formula
companies.

Fidelity: this is what is owed to the patient. It is a relationship based on
trust and confidence. Conflicts of fidelity occur with allegiance to
corporations. How can a patient trust her care provider when this person gives her
products that could be harmful?

Women and infants have a right to protection from factors that can hinder or
constrain breastfeeding. If we don't protect mothers and babies, who's going
to?

Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
Weston, MA

             ***********************************************

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(R)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html