Might it have something to do with the fact that pharmaceutical companies
have donated very large sums of money to the AAP as well as sponsered
continuing ed programs and the like? Just a hazardous guess :)
Quoted from "WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COMMERCIAL INFANT FORMULA"
by: Katie Allison Granju
(full article available at http://www.bestfed.com/katie/formula.htm)
"According to Baumslag and Michels in "Milk, Money and Madness", the
infant-formula industry contributes $1 million annually to the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and provided at least $3 million toward the cost
of building the AAP's headquarters. Formula manufacturers routinely host
lavish parties and receptions for pediatricians at AAP functions. Other
medical groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, the Association of Women's
Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and the American Dietetic Association
receive cash grants and advertisements for their publications totalling
hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Individual medical students and
doctors receive loans, grants and "gifts" from the pharmeceutical companies
which produce infant formula, and a 1991 study found that the U.S.
pharmeceutical industry spends $6,000 to $8,000 per doctor per year in
promotion. Increasing amounts of medical research into infant healthand
nutrition is being underwritten by the infant formula industry. Physicians
and nurses who choose to formula-feed their own infants frequently receive a
year's free supply of formula. With all of this financial support, it's no
wonder the U.S. medical community accomodates infant-formula manufacturers'
distribution of advertising and "free samples" to parents in doctors'offices
and hospitals, a practice which has been proven to discourage breastfeeding
and which is in clear violation of the WHO Code on the Marketing of
Breastmilk Substitutes. The infant-formula industry needn't worry, however,
since health care providers are the group ethically responsible for
reporting Code violations in the first place. "
Regards,
Michelle
-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Pascoes in Dubai
Sent: Sunday, June 09, 2002 12:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: AAP statement
I am looking for some information about the reason the AAP recommends
breastfeeding for 12 months, in contrast to the WHO and others. Was the
policy influenced by lobbying by sectors of the community who stand to
gain? I am writing a mum's group handout (for the morning! eek) about
weaning and am trying to understand why there is such a difference
between international policies. Anyone have a link?
Many thanks.
By the way I was thinking today how I just cant believe Lactnet is FREE!
There are so many people in this forum that I would love to bake a cake
for to thank them for their experience and words of wisdom.
Meg Kingsley
Lay Breastfeeding Supporter, Dubai UAE
E-Mail : <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
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