>I believe the formula should go to battered women's shelters or, at 
>least, food pantries, for the women that ghave already chosen not to 
>breastfeed. Rowena
>RTucker IBCLC
>Bryan, Texas


*All* donations of free formula are outside the WHO code.

We have discussed this a number of times on Lactnet, and I think this 
is the consensus. Any formula should be returned to the sender, with 
the postage to be paid by the sender.

Anything else is unethical.

In particular, a donation to a shelter/hostel for use by women who 
are not breastfeeding risks the donations being used by women who 
have not yet decided how to feed, who are still pregnant, who are 
breastfeeding but considering using formula alongside. Unless there 
are specially-trained personnel at hand at all times, all of whom 
understand all the issues surrounding infant feeding, and who can 
refer women for specialist help if they are having problems with bf, 
then formula has no place there.

If women who use these services need formula in an emergency then of 
course small amounts can be made available to them - and this should 
be paid for by the services admin, and budgeted for in their costings.

Formula is *not* *free*, ever. A 'donation' comes at a price.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
-- 
http://www.heatherwelford.co.uk

http://heatherwelford.posterous.com

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