I think we are being a bit extreme on this formula issue. Of course mothers should be helped to continue breastfeeding and milk donated if it is possible to keep it in hygienic conditions. A WHO representative appeared on Sky News giving just this message. However, tragically, some babies have been orphaned and short of looking for a wet-nurse, there does not seem much alternative to giving formula. I too was upset to see a front-page picture of a baby being bottle-fed (lying down, not even in the arms of the person who was feeding him). However the full story was that this baby was dug out after days in the rubble and his mother was not yet found. He was severely dehydrated and I think we can admit that the priority is: First feed the baby. I am the first to fight promotion of formula. Today an event is being held at Tel Aviv University, sponsored by Materna which has been bought by Nestles. All pediatricians, public health nurses and other health professionals have been invited to a dinner and a concert by a famous Israeli singer, to be followed by a lecture by the chief nutritionist of Nestle on Infant nutrition. No doubt all guests will go home with gifts and samples. I sent an alert to all the breastfeeding organizations and individual counsellors to help me lobby against this contravention of theWHO Code, but alas got no response. So I am not going to stand outside in the rain with my lone poster! However, the Midwives Association did rally round and activated letters of protest to all the relevant departments at the Ministry of Health as well as protesting that a university can be used for this purpose. Watch this space.. Wendy Blumfield NCT Trained Tutor Prenatal Teacher/Breastfeeding Counsellor President Israel Childbirth Education Centre ----- Original Message ----- From: "LACTNET automatic digest system" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 3:56 AM Subject: LACTNET Digest - 26 Jan 2010 - Special issue (#2010-102) *********************************************** Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html To reach list owners: [log in to unmask] Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask] COMMANDS: 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome