FROM: Sturgess, Frances Coulter
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SUBJECT: brfdg in comics May 27
DATE: 05-29-97   20:01 EST
PRIORITY:


did any of you see Marvin May 27th?  Its definitely a mixed message but I
*suppose* it was intended to be *cute/positive*.  A friend faxed me a copy
from the Sacramento Bee.  Marvin and hislittle girlfriend happily receive
bottles from Mom.  Second frame Marvin gurgles (or telepaths--I think he's
supposed to be 6-9 mo old--hard to say) "Megan, remember when we were younger
and our mommies breast fed us?"  "yeah", she replies, both concentrating on
drinking.  3rd frame, "slurp, slurp---milk on tap!"

I can't read the fine print to know if there is an email on the strip or not,
or just North America Productions or whatever the publisher is.

the Bee has a Website http:\\www.sacbee.com--but *of course* I do not have WEB
access.  If someone does that can forward this or their own comments, or if
someone has a *direct* line to the comic strip, that would let me know, that
would be nice...

My thoughts are--thanks for mentioning breastfeeding.  I realize Marvin is not
a "real" baby but a vehicle for poking fun at adults, and I'm glad he got
*some* breastfeeding.  I am wondering though, if he knows why Mom quit so soon
(UNICEF and the Am Acad of Pediatrics recommend it for two years or more) and
what he is missing by not having it.

I'm also wondering how he and Megan are getting their cuddles/nurturing, as
part of the feeding relationship is being held close while  they eat, not
being encouraged to roam around with a bottle.  (Not to mention the level of
milk in these bottles is below the nipple--a baby has to hold the bottle up,
or *horrors* lie down so the milk fills the nipple and he does not suck air)

And I did not spot this at first, but another friend pointed out that "Milk on
tap" evokes images of "Beer on tap"--a cute play on words to some, but to
others, a linkage of alcohol consumption and children, or breast milk is to
babies what beer is to....." "  Perhaps that was an oversight?

Thanks for your attention.

Frances Sturgess, California Breastfeeding Mediawatch