Comments on: Is Formula Marketing a Problem? http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/ Keeping it real in the suburbs Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:18:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Strocel.com | Infant Formula, Breastfeeding and Birth Announcements http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-103622 Strocel.com | Infant Formula, Breastfeeding and Birth Announcements Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:00:44 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-103622 [...] shared my thoughts on formula marketing before, and you can click through and read that post if you want to hear all about it. Suffice it [...] [...] shared my thoughts on formula marketing before, and you can click through and read that post if you want to hear all about it. Suffice it [...]

]]> By: Strocel.com | Homemade Infant Formula? http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-90313 Strocel.com | Homemade Infant Formula? Wed, 03 Aug 2011 05:08:25 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-90313 [...] all pretty well-versed in the risks of infant formula now. We also know that formula companies market their product aggressively, and in ways that can undermine breastfeeding. I personally boycott Nestle because of their formula [...] [...] all pretty well-versed in the risks of infant formula now. We also know that formula companies market their product aggressively, and in ways that can undermine breastfeeding. I personally boycott Nestle because of their formula [...]

]]> By: Gayle http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41421 Gayle Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:36:45 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41421 "And that’s why I think formula marketing is a problem, because it doesn’t contribute to empowering women to make the choices that are best for them. Whatever those choices may be." This is so awesome and insightful. I totally agree. I am more in favour of a push to support breastfeeding than a ban on formula. I have low supply challenges and by the time I added up all costs of drugs, pumps, etc. for my first baby, it actually worked out to more than formula would have. That is so wrong! If a woman needs to pump, it should be covered by OHIP and ditto for other aspects of breastfeeding. I think the answer is in breastfeeding support being more out there than worrying about the formula stuff. “And that’s why I think formula marketing is a problem, because it doesn’t contribute to empowering women to make the choices that are best for them. Whatever those choices may be.”

This is so awesome and insightful. I totally agree. I am more in favour of a push to support breastfeeding than a ban on formula. I have low supply challenges and by the time I added up all costs of drugs, pumps, etc. for my first baby, it actually worked out to more than formula would have. That is so wrong! If a woman needs to pump, it should be covered by OHIP and ditto for other aspects of breastfeeding. I think the answer is in breastfeeding support being more out there than worrying about the formula stuff.

]]> By: Merewyn Janson http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41356 Merewyn Janson Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:06:32 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41356 In Australia the marketing and promoting of formula is policed somewhat. You cannot advertise formula in magazines or the television (however they can market over 1 milks). It is also prohibited for women to receive free samples when in hospital or visiting the health nurse. It is called the APMAIF agreement and consumers can make complaints against companies that disregard the agreement. We do have a great initiation rate of breastfeeding here about 84% - however that is significantly different by 6 months - about 34% (i think). I think that the advertising of infant formulas is wrong and should be banned. In other places you need a script to get formula... In Australia the marketing and promoting of formula is policed somewhat. You cannot advertise formula in magazines or the television (however they can market over 1 milks). It is also prohibited for women to receive free samples when in hospital or visiting the health nurse. It is called the APMAIF agreement and consumers can make complaints against companies that disregard the agreement.
We do have a great initiation rate of breastfeeding here about 84% – however that is significantly different by 6 months – about 34% (i think). I think that the advertising of infant formulas is wrong and should be banned. In other places you need a script to get formula…

]]> By: Melodie http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41352 Melodie Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:22:10 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41352 Wow! Thanks for this excellent post! I don't have much to add but I'm off to Twet this for you. It's just so good! Wow! Thanks for this excellent post! I don’t have much to add but I’m off to Twet this for you. It’s just so good!

]]> By: Emily R http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41334 Emily R Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:58:14 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41334 There is such a backlash at this point with people saying "Oh, everyone is pressuring moms to breastfeed." Well, OK. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. Yes, there is a lot of push to breastfeed, but the minute there is any trouble, everyone rushes to say "try formula." I was breastfeeding my THIRD child. THIRD. I knew what I was doing. And the minute she had jaundice? They pushed me to give formula. You probably remember my posts on this last October. Pissed me off to no end. And you know what? Formula would have made NO difference in the jaundice. There is such a backlash at this point with people saying “Oh, everyone is pressuring moms to breastfeed.” Well, OK. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Yes, there is a lot of push to breastfeed, but the minute there is any trouble, everyone rushes to say “try formula.” I was breastfeeding my THIRD child. THIRD. I knew what I was doing. And the minute she had jaundice? They pushed me to give formula. You probably remember my posts on this last October. Pissed me off to no end. And you know what? Formula would have made NO difference in the jaundice.

]]> By: Caroline http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41295 Caroline Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:34:43 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41295 I could really write a HUGE comment about my breastfeeding experiences... I am a very happy breastfeeding mom, but I also give my son formula as we wean. He's over a year now, and weaning himself slowly. The hospital where I gave birth to my son actively encouraged breastfeeding, but also showed us how to make formula. An informed parent is a parent who can make a good decision for their situation, was their idea. My husband asked me if I wanted to supplement, about two weeks after I began my breastfeeding journey. he was worried, I was sore and tired, and he wanted what was best for both me and our son (ie: sleep, enough food to eat, me being able to put a shirt on and function). Sometimes I think this has a lot to do with it. When you are exhausted, it hurts, the baby is screaming, you reach for that formula just to have a break, to regain temporary sanity. But... I'm stubborn ;) I said no. And I am glad I did. I could really write a HUGE comment about my breastfeeding experiences… I am a very happy breastfeeding mom, but I also give my son formula as we wean. He’s over a year now, and weaning himself slowly.

The hospital where I gave birth to my son actively encouraged breastfeeding, but also showed us how to make formula. An informed parent is a parent who can make a good decision for their situation, was their idea.

My husband asked me if I wanted to supplement, about two weeks after I began my breastfeeding journey. he was worried, I was sore and tired, and he wanted what was best for both me and our son (ie: sleep, enough food to eat, me being able to put a shirt on and function).

Sometimes I think this has a lot to do with it. When you are exhausted, it hurts, the baby is screaming, you reach for that formula just to have a break, to regain temporary sanity.

But… I’m stubborn ;) I said no. And I am glad I did.

]]> By: Dee http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41241 Dee Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:17:10 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41241 This is really interesting. With my first, I was determined to breastfeed and absolutely frustrated that I "couldn't get it right". No matter what I had read before he was born, it just wasn't the same as having a real live baby squirming around and crying because he was hungry. Luckily, the hospital we were in (one with a maternity ward mostly staffed by midwives) had several lactation consultants on staff who where also available to moms for the first three months after the baby was born. They came to my room as much as I needed until we learned to latch on properly. I think this really helped us to have a successful nursing relationship. I went on to nurse him for almost two years. I also think that the fact that my mom nursed me, my grandmother nursed her, and in my family, I had seen women nursing and pumping, made breastfeeding very normal to me. This is really interesting. With my first, I was determined to breastfeed and absolutely frustrated that I “couldn’t get it right”. No matter what I had read before he was born, it just wasn’t the same as having a real live baby squirming around and crying because he was hungry. Luckily, the hospital we were in (one with a maternity ward mostly staffed by midwives) had several lactation consultants on staff who where also available to moms for the first three months after the baby was born. They came to my room as much as I needed until we learned to latch on properly. I think this really helped us to have a successful nursing relationship. I went on to nurse him for almost two years. I also think that the fact that my mom nursed me, my grandmother nursed her, and in my family, I had seen women nursing and pumping, made breastfeeding very normal to me.

]]> By: Emily http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41213 Emily Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:22:27 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41213 I think that the sad fact is, as someone mentioned above, that the marketing is aimed at the under-educated. If you break it down socio-economically the lower the socio-economic status, the more likely they are to formula feed. I think this has to do with support and education. I also know some women who seem well educated but who know nothing about breastfeeding. One asked, after less than 24 hours giving birth, if she should go to formula because her milk hadn't come in yet. She didn't know it takes 3 - 4 days. I also think that because of the lack of exposure to resources a LOT of women have trouble getting the latch right and therefore stop because they're struggling with pain/discomfort and just generally feeling like a failure. I heard this morning on the news that less than 40% of new mothers around the world breastfeed which is shockingly low and I think goes to show how formula marketing is doing its job! I think that the sad fact is, as someone mentioned above, that the marketing is aimed at the under-educated. If you break it down socio-economically the lower the socio-economic status, the more likely they are to formula feed. I think this has to do with support and education. I also know some women who seem well educated but who know nothing about breastfeeding. One asked, after less than 24 hours giving birth, if she should go to formula because her milk hadn’t come in yet. She didn’t know it takes 3 – 4 days. I also think that because of the lack of exposure to resources a LOT of women have trouble getting the latch right and therefore stop because they’re struggling with pain/discomfort and just generally feeling like a failure.

I heard this morning on the news that less than 40% of new mothers around the world breastfeed which is shockingly low and I think goes to show how formula marketing is doing its job!

]]> By: Francesca http://www.strocel.com/is-formula-marketing-a-problem/#comment-41203 Francesca Sat, 01 Aug 2009 13:27:02 +0000 http://www.strocel.com/?p=5225#comment-41203 I've been thinking about this, and I actaully question whether mothers who use formula in our society do so as a result of marketing pressure. I tend to believe that they do it for choice. My US mother-in-law 43 years ago (at the time when formula was not only marketed, but marketed as nutritionally BETTER than breast milk) chose not to breasfeed because she wanted "her body back". I'm not implying that all USmothers want their "body back", but nowadays there's such a wealth of information available that I must conclude that formula is a choice based on whatever personal reason. And, as you point out, nowadays breasfeeding is pushed even in the case of premature babies, when they can't nurse, and even when they are in NICU (my youngest child was transferred to a NICU at a different hospital from where I had my emergency Csection, and the one request that the staff at NICU made was that I start expressing milk immediately, and have it delivered to them for freezing and keeping). PS this is not what I intended to write last night, and still very long. As Lady M above wrote, this is a great thought provoking post, thanks. I’ve been thinking about this, and I actaully question whether mothers who use formula in our society do so as a result of marketing pressure. I tend to believe that they do it for choice. My US mother-in-law 43 years ago (at the time when formula was not only marketed, but marketed as nutritionally BETTER than breast milk) chose not to breasfeed because she wanted “her body back”. I’m not implying that all USmothers want their “body back”, but nowadays there’s such a wealth of information available that I must conclude that formula is a choice based on whatever personal reason. And, as you point out, nowadays breasfeeding is pushed even in the case of premature babies, when they can’t nurse, and even when they are in NICU (my youngest child was transferred to a NICU at a different hospital from where I had my emergency Csection, and the one request that the staff at NICU made was that I start expressing milk immediately, and have it delivered to them for freezing and keeping). PS this is not what I intended to write last night, and still very long. As Lady M above wrote, this is a great thought provoking post, thanks.

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