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Subject:
From:
"Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 12 Apr 1996 11:57:25 -0400
Content-Type:
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Got my stepladder ready for a trip to the soapbox for one more comment on
Diane's dilemma-  This is only partly about "morals" and mostly about money!

The ABM companies "support" BF for one reason, and one reason only - because
it's good business and sells more ABM.  If their "BF promotion" actually
worked and raised the rates of BF initiation and duration, the companies
would sell less of their products which would reduce their bottom line and
therefore be ILLEGAL. ABM companies are not benevolent trusts or charities.
US trade law requires maximizing profit to the stockholders, and ABM
companies are in business TO MAKE MONEY. Period.

Face it - when a mom is breastfeeding, she ISN'T BOTTLEFEEDING. The more she
breastfeeds, the less ABM she buys. This is called a market share, and the
companies have analyzed this for decades. 1981, Public Advocacy Inc. in San
Francisco prepared a petition for a US Marketing Code. In it, internal ABM
sales documents are quoted. Market shares are measured against straight cow
milk, other brands, and BREASTFEEDING.

Every dollar spent on "promoting BF" raises the cost of ABM for those that
purchase it - mothers and babies, and US taxpayers. Anyone who accepts ABM
funding for their lunch, dinner, honorarium, etc is actually charging mothers
and babies for that lunch, dinner, or honorarium. It's legitimate to request
and accept speaking fees. However, these fees do not have to filter through
an ABM company where they can redirect the funds and take their share off the
top.

Let's remember that it's not immoral for them to offer - it is a good sales
strategy. It's up to us to not take the bribe/lunch/honorarium/etc.

Linda Smith, climbing down again.

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