Hi all,
my letter to the pimp:
Dear Ms. Hallihan,
        I was dismayed to see that Barney is being sponsored by Mead-Johnson
toddler formula, complete with a commercial about how this product enhances
toddler health.  This is ironic on several fronts.  First, the AAP and the
World Health Organization have both pronounced that there is no benefit to
"follow-on milks" or follow up/toddler formulas.  Secondly, both former US
Surgeon General Novello and the World Health Organization recommend toddlers
continue to breastfeed.  If you were aware of the benefits of mother's milk to
older babies and toddlers, and the benefits of extended breastfeeding to
mothers, you certainly would not allow a commercial interest to advertise a
replacement for this process without at least a disclaimer.
        Advertising on PBS is particularly pernicious, as it is perceived as
fact and accepted with far less scrutiny than commercials on other networks.
This is a distressing trend for those of us working in the trenches to
engender acceptance of  improved health behaviors as a way to address this
nations incredible health care costs.  Increasing breastfeeding rates to the
Healthy People 2000 goals would save at least $4 billion per year on health
care costs.  The advertising of breast milk substitutes makes bottle feeding
with manufactured milks seem like the normal thing to do.  Witness the
prevalence of the bottle as an icon of babyhood in this nation.
        I am sure that you have corporations lining up for a chance to sponsor
Barney.  Please be judicious in regard to the messages your sponsors are
allowed to implant into the receptive minds of your young audience.  I am
unwilling to entrust my own children's minds to a company that has proven
careless in such an important area.

                Sincerely,

                Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC
Get em where they live!
Catherine