I recently attended a Baby Fair put on in an adjoining county where I was
not representing LLL but selling books and handing out helping your child
learn to read literature.  When I commented on how nice it was to attend
a Formula Free Baby Fair for a change, the Health Department person in
charge said she was disappointed that the formula companies didn't show
up because all women don't want to breastfeed.  I answered that these
women get enough info from TV and in pamphlets given away at Dr. offices
and that the breastfeeding support should be given this forum.  She
didn't reply but I could tell this free choice issue is big in the Health
Department.  Last year I was next to the formula rep who was giving away
little diaper bags and their was a crush of people trying to get them.  I
dare say that the free items were a draw.

How can LLLL and other booths compete with diaper bags!  How much of a
can of formula must go to advertising in this way?  How can we compete
better in this Baby Fair forum?  Will WIC and Health Departments have to
give out breastfeeding books or breastpumps to get people to consider
breastfeeding?  Do people who work in these venues find that young women
are materialistic and into gadgets?  Is the big issue that attracts women
to bottlefeeding  that someone else can do it and they don't want to be
"tied down"?  What is it like out there in the realm of WIC/Health
Departments?  Do you survey your clients and keep data on why moms decide
not to breastfeed?

Our local WIC office gave away a bunch of breastpumps this year in an
experiment to see if it resulted in longer breastfeeding but I haven't
heard the results.  My theory is it gives the message you "need" a
breastpump to successfully breastfeed and "yes" you need to use bottles
so you can get away from your child. I once heard of a hospital who
wouldn't allow posters promoting BF that contained the info about higher
IQ in BF babies because it would make the bottlefeeding moms feel guilty.
  They don't worry about making the smokers feel guilty with the
smoke-free environment signs!

I need enlightenment so I can better understand the playing field we're
on in promoting breastfeeding.

Bonnie Douglas, LLLL, n Idaho