Dear Heidi,
      I have been following the recent ICEA violation of the WHO code and the
subsequent resignations of Kathleen Auerbach and Jack Newman.  It was suggested
that I share my thoughts on the matter with you.
      The WHO Code for Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is based on solid
evidence.  We know that following it saves lives...not following it costs
them.  It is not some willy-nilly proposal.  I know that here in the United
States we tend to ignore it and the fact that President Clinton signed off on
it in 1994.  We are capitalists, and a side efect is that we sometimes let
greed get in the way.
       But all of us in the Maternal/Child Healthcare professions have one
common motivator: we love babies.  Like most of my colleages, I realized early
on that the best thing I could do for them was to help teach their parents how
to take care of them.  You do what you can, cross your fingers, hope for the
best and then send them out into the big, bad world.
      ICEA has traditionally been a wonderful organization, doing just that.
This time, however, you messed up. When any organization puts $$$ before the
health and well being of infants...well, maybe it's time that organization
doesn't exist anymore.
      I salute Jack and Kathleen for standing up for the courage of their
convictions.  That kind of integrity is a rare commodity in these times.  Too
bad ICEA doesn't have the same conscious.
      ICEA: you made a mistake.  Admit it, correct it, apologize and the
children that you hurt will forgive you.  I know: I speak fluent neonate and
they told me so.

                                            Kathleen Miller RN,
IBCLC

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