Hi all, Hope everyone arrived home safely from the conference. Also sending best wishes to all the Monday test takers! I too was confused about the presence of Playtex and Avent in the exhibit hall at the ILCA conference. I approached Marsha Walker Sunday morning and asked her why those two companies were there and she confirmed, just like the posted sign outside the exhibit hall, that all the exhibitors were "in compliance with the code." I asked if it was because of the products they were exhibiting, Playtex liners and Avent pumps not bottles or pacifiers, and she said "right". Yet when I arrived home and read my downloaded copy of "Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2001" form IBFAN, on page 71, Playtex is scored as 'X = substantially violating" for their labeling slogan "Better for baby...most like mother" which is printed right next to that cute picture of a mom and baby on the liner samples that were distributed at the conference. Furthermore, their instructions of course include how to use their Nurser. Sure, they may be "Ideal for Breast Milk Storage" and have a "Convenient write-on feature for name, date, and time" but then why did the representative state that it was advised to double bag them for breastmilk??? Duh, because they are intended for formula! If they want to make a breastmilk storage bag then make one that is stonger than these formula bottle liners and solely intended for breastmilk storage!!! Now for Avent, the Avent Magic Cup with the "magic spout & valve - makes all Avent cups and bottle non-spill" is labeled 3m+ and has a cute little ear on the package whom is holding not this cup but a bottle! I didn't know that three month olds can drink expressed breast milk from this type of cup. Guess what the package insert inside the cup says..."recommendations for use...not to be used with carbonated beverages". Well thanks Avent, we all know our little three months olds' breastmilk isn't carbonated. With that label what parent would think of introducing supplemental formula, juice, water, or even SODA (or POP to some of us) to our infants before 6 months. I'll be inspecting the rest of their advertising when I receive their freebie breastpump in the mail. So, as LC's we can okay some of these companies products because they don't violate the code but have to morally stay away from the majority of their products because they do violate the code??? Therefore, do I have to feel guilty for really craving a Nestle's Alpine White chocolate bar right now or not??? Uh-oh, maybe I shouldn't have met Regina at the conference! (Only kidding!!!) Confused over some exhibitors, yet overall very pleased with first ILCA conference and still looking forward to becoming an IBCLC hopefully next year, Kathleen Williams, RN, BSN, CLC Miramar, FL *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html