Carol,

I think we are asking the wrong question when we try and quote articles on if
and how dischrage packs affect the duration of breastfeeding. The formula
companies are passing these articles out by the thousands to illustrate that
discharge packs are good and do not decrease breastfeeding duration. One
company even claims that the discharge pack increases breastfeeding duration.
Of couse, this is mixed feeding duration not exclusive breastfeeding duration.
Two different animals.

We all know that these items are a marketing tool to cause a mother to
supplement breastfeeding. If the companies can get her to supplement it will
decrease her milk supply and require that she buy formula to replace the lost
breastmilk. What a cool marketing tactic! Cause the condition and then sell
the product to fix it.

I think the real research questions we should be asking fall along the lines
of:

1. What would happen to formula sales if all discharge packs were eliminated
for one year?

2. What would the rates of EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding look like if formula
discharge packs were eliminated?

3. What would happen to the price of formula if mothers didn't have to pay for
their free gifts?

4. What would the acute and chronic disease rates look like if mixed feeding
for the first 6 months was eliminated?

Marsha Walker
Weston, MA