I got my first box of baby formula in the mail today and couldn't help but feel a bit dirty. Don't get me wrong, I love free stuff as much as the next gal, but I cringed when I read on the box: "Strong Babies Start Here." Having attended La Leche League in addition to feeling very much that breastfeeding is best, it led me to wonder how they got off saying that strong babies start with a box of formula. It would make a lot more sense if they said, "strong babies start at the breast, but if your breasts don't work right, we are here for you" but I doubt that would go over as well.
I appreciate the wisdom of Aubrey Pratt who pointed out to me how sneaky those formula companies are by sending all those free boxes of formula right when breastfeeding is the most difficult, at the very beginning. She pointed out the great temptation of using those free samples, "just once" to ease the pain of cracked/sore nipples or just to let someone else do the feeding while you get some much needed rest. What happens next could very well lead to formula feeding almost exclusively, and so that free sample of formula becomes very un-free.
Having said all of this, my intention was not to condemn all of you very loving and wonderful mothers who happen to use formula for one reason or another, but to say shame on the formula companies for pushing their product in such a way. Shame, shame, shame.
14 comments:
I wouldn't be so hard on the formula companies. After all, they have a product to promote, just like La Leche League does. And both are promoting a product that will help your baby grow healthy and strong. And isn't that what's most important -- ensuring that, whether by breast milk or by formula, your baby grows healthy and strong?
La Leche League is an international organization started by moms for moms. It is NOT profit driven. I have never given them a penny, but they have given me priceless support and correct information. Now the truth is people aren’t nearly hard enough on formula companies. Formula is actually not good for babies. http://www.babyreference.com/InfantDeaths.htm
Also formula companies make their profit off of babies, regardless of those babies overall health. Here are just some of their shameful deeds:
.Laboratory-produced DHA and ARA oils in their formula have cause life threatening diarrhea in many infants.
.Using formula at all reduces your milk supply... They know this, that’s why formula is at your door and in your hospital. They don't want your baby to have your breast milk.
.Infant mortality rates are directly related to formula over breast milk use.
.Many countries realize this and so they try pro-breastfeeding campaigns. But the formula companies fight hard and dirty against them.
.They line the cans of formula with BPA, a known Endocrine disruptor.
.And here's a fun one powdered formula is not sterile.
Please feel free to Google everything I've listed here, you will find even more of their shocking crimes on the smallest members of our race. The parents who legitimately have to use their product and their sweet babies are being mightily abused by the formula companies. It is ethically unthinkable that formula companies try to replace breast milk, but they do, putting their bottom line over the welfare of our babies.
Wow, Carrie--look what you started! While I think it is especially wrong for formula companies to heavily promote their products in third world countries, where the babies get hooked and they don't even have clean water to make the formula, I will give them credit for saying "Breastfeeding is best" in every pamphlet that I have ever read distributed by them. I am in the middle on the topic, but find myself thinking antagonistically when I read "statistics" promoting one side. All I can say is that it's good for mothers to have options if they need/want them.
The issue that I have with formula companies is the way that they promote formula, not that they promote it at all. Additionally, though they might say in their booklets that breastfeeding is best they also encourage unnecessary supplementation, such as Vitamin D for ALL infants when only those at risk should be supplemented. http://www.llli.org//ba/Nov02.html
Of course every woman should have the choice to feed her baby how she wants, but I agree with sea_gal that formula companies need to be held to a higher standard, especially for the price they charge for their product.
Thanks to everyone for the comments!
I just have a few things to say about what Sea Gal said.
First, those studies done about formula and infant deaths only show a correlation, which is not the same as cause and effect. There are too many factors to same for sure that it is cause and effect: such as genetics and environmental factors.
Second,the La Leche League is promoting a product. They have to get money for their operating costs from somewhere, so they have to show someone why what they are promoting is the best.
Third, it is not just formula companies in advertising that say what they say to get you to buy their product. For example, with toothpaste they often say that 9 in 10 dentists recommend this brand, well how many dentists did they survey and are they counting?
Forth, about formula being sterile, what is completely sterile? Everything comes into contact with other things. I know there are places where it would be dangerous to use formula because of the quality of the water.
Saying this does not mean that I am against breast feeding. I am nursing my baby but for my own reasons. I don't know if I will with my next baby, we will see.
Thank you, Carrie, for saying it is each woman's choice.
I had a HUGE long comment all typed up...and then decided to scrap it. :) So, here's what I have to say instead:
I agree that formula companies should not agressively advertise the way they do--especially before breastfeeding has even had the chance to be established. (Just wait until you get not one, but TWO diapers bags filled with formula goodies and coupons in the hospital--most likely before your milk has even come in!) But, on the other hand, I am incredibly grateful that I had the option of formula when my child was wasting away before my eyes. After googling and reading some of the info Sea Gal posted, I determined that I would still make the same choice that I did a year ago. I would rather take the relatively small risks associated with formula than continue to watch my sweet baby literally waste away before my eyes.
To Amanda- Did your breastmilk just not have any fat in it? I had a friend who had that problem with her first and had to give her daughter formula, but with her second baby, her milk was completely different and BFing is going extremely well. Just something to think about.
And to the anonymous poster.... the LLL pays for it's promotions through membership fees, plain and simple. If the formula companies think they're stuff is so great, why don't they give it out for free? Why is it so dang expensive?
Lauren--
I breastfed #1 for 12 mos., the last 2 of which I was pregnant with #2. I think had #2 been my first, I probably could have managed to supplement with formula and keep breastfeeding, but I had another child to take care of and just could not spend the time necessary breast then formula feeding several times a day.
After I almost cold-turkey weaned #2, I developed horrible post-partum depression issues and discovered that I am actually allergic to lactating hormones and my adrenals were not functioning properly. Between the two issues, my body couldn't handle it anymore. I definitely plan to BF #3 when the time comes!
Formula is medicine. In Amanda's case she used it judiciously. That is how one should use medicine. On the other hand breast milk with it's changing flavors, fats, antibodies, nutrients, not to mention stem cells (yes, stem cells , look it up) based on individual need, is without equal. "The International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes," was adopted by the World Health Organization Recognizing that marketing formula is, by definition, an attempt to reduce the number of breastfed babies, and recognizing that breastfeeding is both a vital public health and economic issue, the USA joined with 118 other nations in ratifying the Code.
The code PROHIBITS certain aggressive infant formula marketing strategies, such as:
1. Promoting infant formula through health care facilities
2. Lobbying health care personnel with free gifts
3. Providing free formula samples to new mothers
4. Using words or pictures in advertising which idealize bottle feeding
The Code also mandates that formula ads and labels include the facts about the benefits of breastfeeding and the hazards associated with formula feeding.
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I thought the above information might shine some light on the nobleness of the formula companies in their "pro-breastfeeding slogans" and their aggressive marketing strategies.
Amanda, I definitely commend you for your persistence and efforts!
It is wonderful to have choices and I was surprised to learn that formula isn't the only choice when breastfeeding troubles appear.
My friend Kristy breastfed her baby boy Nathan and he was the chubbiest baby, complete with adorable triple rolls on his legs, arms and chin. While she was breastfeeding, a woman from her ward whose baby was about the same age Nathan but wasn't gaining weight very well asked Kristy to pump for her. Within a few weeks, the underweight baby was back on track.
Carrie, I had sore nipples when I started breastfeeding Miles, but with Hailey it has been WONDERFUL. No soreness at all, no problems, LOTS of milk. I'm like a cow :). Anyway, this time around I had a lactation consultant right by my side for the first dozen or so times I fed Hailey. If you have the chance, I would suggest having a lactation consultant next to you right when you nurse the very first time. They are so helpful and it saved me from all the soreness! It was great. Just a thought 'cause I know you're getting close to that due date!! Oh, and if you can, I would also invest in the top of the line breast pump. I pump twice a day to keep my milk supply up and you can freeze the milk for future use. The best pumps cost a couple hundred bucks but they are SO worth the money!! Oh, and here's a link to what I consider the BEST nursing bra ever created http://www.bravadodesigns.com/product.asp?ID=109
check it out!
Carrie,
Here's one more link I thought you might be interested in. If you do pump extra milk but don't know what to do with the extra check out this link. My sister did this with her abundant supply...
http://nationalmilkbank.com/
Wow, thanks everyone for all these comments. I have learned so much. Please, don't stop the advice coming!
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