Catherine,

May I edit your Lactnet post  as indicated below, and
post it to misc.kids?  There are a number of people there
who doubt that the formula companies have an insidious
influence on hospitals' and the medical professionals'
teaching about breastfeeding.
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This was posted by a certified professional lactation
consultant.  It illustrates just how far the formula
companies are willing to go to sabatoge breastfeeding.

                                                           J. Rachael Hamlet

I have carefully reviewed the Mead Johnson video.  There are several subtle
problems with this tape.  The most glaring is an actress pretending to be
engorged.  She grimaces in agony as she prepares to put ice on her breasts.
This is a very powerful image that will stay with a viewer long after the
audio track has been forgotten.  The message is "breastfeeding hurts".  Some
of the latch-ons are improper, and the video talks about "minimizing nipple
soreness"  (this phrase is said 3 times) as if all nursing mothers get sore
nipples.  It also advises a 2-3 hour feeding schedule, removing the baby from
the breast, and gives incorrect information on the expected poop output (1-2
stools per day, which we know is often inadequate in the first 6 weeks).  It
does mention the immunities in mother's milk and the fact that mom can eat an
unrestricted diet.  It also comes with a section from the Nursing Mothers'
Companion, including the survival guide chapters on overcoming difficulties.
Kathleen Huggins (the author of NMC) was extremely upset that her publisher
allowed the use of her material in this way.  To a pregnant mom, this listing
of all the things that can go wrong with breastfeeding is offputting to say
the least.  It also comes with a booklet on expressing and storing breastmilk
that gives information that is much more appropriate for formula (24 hours
in the fridge, etc., instead of the much longer times that
breastmilk can safely be stored) and of course a coupon for a free large
can of their brand of formula.

Advertising couched as education is one of my pet peeves.
This is something that is becoming more rampant as advertising
agencies specialize in "captive audience advertising" in the guise
of education.

C.G.,  IBCLC