Below is the letter I sent to the infertility campaign contacts. I think I
will follow up by sending it to their Board of Directors.  More email
addresses can be found at: http://www.asrm.org/staff.html

Dear ASRM member,

Thankfully, I did not have any fertility problems before I became pregnant
with my daughter.  I lead a healthy lifestyle and gave birth to a healthy
baby girl 20 months ago.  I applaud the goal of your campaign as I have too
many friends who have had or are currently having fertility problems.
However, I am greatly concerned about the message your campaign sends by
using a bottle to make your point.

By using a bottle to send your message, your organization is perpetuating
the unfortunate and inaccurate connection between babies and bottles.  A
bottle does not symbolize a healthy baby born to a healthy mother; a bottle
symbolizes a baby that is fed in a less than ideal and possibly unhealthy
manner.  Many mothers who stay at home with their children will never have
the need to use a bottle.  Other mothers, who are employed outside the home,
may leave a bottle of expressed breastmilk when they return to work, but
also might not, instead choosing to bypass bottles entirely and leave a cup.

The early introduction of bottles can often lead a baby to wean much too
early.  Exclusively breastfed babies learn the ideal technique to
efficiently receive milk from their mother's breast; this technique can be
compromised when a baby receives a bottle and only needs to open her mouth
to receive fluid.  It is the motion of suckling at the breast that helps to
form a healthy babies mouth and jaw.  By using a bottle to symbolize a baby,
your message suggests to viewers that bottle feeding is and should be the
normal and preferred method of feeding a baby.  This is in direct contrast
to your general message, which is based in leading a healthy lifestyle.
Breastfeeding is healthful for both mother and baby, bottle feeding is not.

I hope you can find a way to remedy this unfortunate problem.  I will look
forward to a resolution.  Please contact me if you would like some
suggestions on how your organization could rectify the situation.

Best regards,

Alexis Neely, Esq.



Alexis Martin Neely, Esq.
Mama to Kaia Ray Neely (11/2/99)

"Breastfeeding support is an integral part of the family/friendly workplace
environment." -Work & Family Coalition of San Diego
How have you supported breastfeeding today?


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