Was called today by another LC in town to participate in a meeting with
herself, the physician who supports bf in our valley, and the formula rep
to come up with a bag for this physician to offer his pts.  He has long
disallowed them to receive formula gift paks (yay!) but some pts are quite
upset at not getting free goodies and he's thinking of getting the formula
company to give bf pumps.  Having just this afternoon read Marie's post--

Another idea was to have a basic manual pump (that could be upgraded if the
mother chose to rent an electric pump later on) sent home with each mother.
Not surprising the companies were also quite willing to include the pump, of
our choice, in their dc bag kit.  The formula co. agreed to pay for the cost
of the kits.
 However, the two major pump companies refused, and  rightly so. Even if the
kits were not placed in the dc bags, they couldn't risk selling large numbers
of pumps to formula companies.  Citing the WHO code and Baby-friendly
movement. Allowing their kits in a formula co. bag would be a form of
approval. They also felt they would take a beating from the LC community
because the pump company would be associated with the formula.

--I felt this might hit a snag also.  Basically I'm wary of any
collaboration with formula company.  The recent posts on this have been
very helpful.  Anyone want to point out anything that I should tell the MD
or formula rep?

Arly Helm

[log in to unmask] (Arly Helm, LC)