Teresa said:  ' I feel it is a double standard to
adamantly protect breastfeeding then turn around and offer a pump distributed
by a formula company.'

and Helen pointed out: ' Good way to have moms quit breastfeeding.  They might
think all breast pumps are like these.'

I would add that part of the undermining process *I* see here (and I know there
will be flood of you who disagree) is that, in this give-away scenario, pumps
are framed as a needed accessory for use in the normal course of breastfeeding
and this, *in itself* distances women from breastfeeding.  The quantifiable
breast milk transfered from mother to baby may be facilitated with routine pump
use, but it undermines *breastfeeding*.

All societies set rules and limits on how women feed / breastfeed / interact
with their babies.  Breast pumps are part of the solution to our society's need
for infants to be separate.  I am not saying that we should / should not use
pumps.  But separation is part of the conditions which will improve profits for
the mfgrs of breastmilk substitutes.  So, using / giving pumps which have been
donated by companies seems a bit like those blankets -- full of small pox or
other infection -- that the US Army are supposed to have offered to Indians in
the late 19th century.

Magda

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