I just got off the (speaker) phone with Amanda Bialek at Konnect Public
Relations, who managed the LATCH PR for Munchkin. (Erin O'Brien, who
contacted Nancy Mohrbacher, works for Konnect PR.) When I first went to
find out if I was included on the LC Locator page, my intention was to be
as polite and gracious as Nancy was in her correspondence with Ms. O'Brien.
I went from thinking polite request to absolutely livid when I found that
not only was I listed, but they'd used my home address. (I think this is
true for other names I recognized in my area.)
Ms. Bialek agreed to remove my name (and home address) from the Munchkin
site immediately. However, when I suggested they contact all those
currently listed for permission, as it is unethical to list persons without
their expressed permission, Ms. Bialek simply repeated that they would
remove my name (and home address). However, she did give me permission to
share her email address with other (IBC)LCs who will want their listings
removed.
BTW, it was clear they have no clue re: role of feeding-bottle (nipples)
per the International Code. I quote, "There's nothing on the page
suggesting parents fill the bottle with formula." They also didn't seem to
understand how I thought being listed implied agreement or endorsement of
the products associated with the page, so perhaps it's that they think I
have no clue how marketing works. And when one reads the "compliments" for
LCs intertwined with product claims, I gotta say, they are d_mn good at
marketing in a way to appeal to LCs. (I was also reminded that they
"partnered" with LCs to develop this feeding bottle system.)
If you are listed and would want your name (and personal contact info
removed), Ms. Bialek's email address is: abialek@.... I hope she is
deluged with PO'd IBCLCs!
BTW, I also plan to contact Munchkin, Inc. about this matter.
Thanks!
Karen Gromada
On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 11:20 AM, LACTNET automatic digest system <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 10:19:55 -0500
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Munchkin IBCLC locator
>
> And while I’m screaming! The idea that babies remove milk from the mom's
> breast by compressing the nipple (rather than mom ejecting the milk while
> the baby maintains nipple extension and some vacuum) is the biggest
> irritant to me! I have seen more babies than I can even number who have
> been given these "compression" bottles and don't breastfeed as well
> thereafter! And while we are at it, haven't we lactation consultants
> noticed that babies who "chew" the mom's nipples don't get enough milk,
> depress milk supply, cause nipple damage, etc? Why would we then think
> that THAT is the correct way for babies to feed on a bottle? The article
> that Dee Kassing put out in JHL some years ago on correct bottle-feeding
> technique and style of bottle was one of the best ever! Bottle
> manufacturers should pay attention to how the breast REALLY works instead
> of making up stuff like this! IMVHO.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nancy Mohrbacher
> Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2014 9:06 AM
> Subject: Re: Munchkin IBCLC locator
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just a note to let you know that the infant bottle manufacturer Munchkin
> has created a Lactation Consultant Locator on its website. I received an
> email from its public relations firm today, which touts its connection to
> the lactation consultant community. It appears that it took the information
> for this locator from another source. You may want to check it to see if
> you're listed, and write to the company if you'd prefer not to be. You can
> find it here: http://www.munchkin.com/latch-locator
>
> I include below the email I received and my response.
>
> Best regards,
> Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA
> Chicago suburbs
> www.NancyMohrbacher.com <http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/>
>
> Hi Nancy,
>
> In light of your very focused blog content around breastfeeding I wanted
> to touch base with some news from a company that is offering a unique
> solution and unrivaled support for breastfeeding moms.
>
> Munchkin, Inc. recently took on the challenge of helping nursing moms in
> the transition from breast to bottle and back with their innovative new
> bottle line, *LATCH* (www.latchbottles.com <http://www.latchbottles.com>).
> In fact, they worked with leading lactation consultants and pediatric
> specialists to better understand how best to support moms who plan on both
> breast and bottle feeding. They bottle features 3 key components:
>
> * Like the breast: pressure against the LATHC nipple increases the
> milk flow just like the breast
> * Anti-colic: an anti-colic valve and overall design ensure that no
> air bubbles travel through the breast milk, reducing gas and colic
> * Accordion-style nipple: stretches and moves like the breast to reach
> baby’s soft palate for better latch
>
> You can learn a bit more about the value it has provided for moms here:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGlvvMKgrUI&list=UUJsFRPgHQLA2gfWx0j09HHQ
>
> Taking it a step beyond traditional bottle manufacturers to fully
> demonstrate their support of breastfeeding mothers, Munchkin is also
> providing moms with a Lactation Consultant Database
> (http://www.munchkin.com/latch-locator) because they understand just how
> many challenges they may face in this process and want to help them achieve
> their individual breastfeeding goals.
>
> I would love to tell you more about the line, design process and
> Munchkin’s overall support of breastfeeding moms if it’s of interest.
>
> Looking forward to your feedback.
>
> Best, Erin
> Erin O'Brien, Konnect Public Relations
>
>
> Hi Erin,
>
> As an FYI, I left a lucrative position with a company when it started to
> market its infant feeding bottles and nipples directly to parents, which is
> in violation of the World Health Organization's International Code of
> Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and counter to my code of professional
> ethics. Your YouTube video and marketing claims are part of the problem,
> not part of the solution.
>
> I know that many of the IBCLCs currently listed on Munchkin's Lactation
> Consultant Locator have no idea that their names are connected to your
> company in this way. Munchkin needs to ask permission before including
> their names and contact information on its website.
>
> Please remove me from your contact list.
>
> Nancy
>
>
>
>
> ***********************************************
>
>
>
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