Library has formula display

[TopHat]

Our local library has little displays to show off books and stuff related to the books in the children's section. In the "baby" display, there is a little pyramid of Similac. I'd like to write a letter- any suggestions for wording? I'd like to use quotes from the WHO code, but most of it is directed to marketing and to physicians/medical professionals, which doesn't quite fit "library."

Point I'd like to comment on: moral implications of a place of learning supporting a particular and formula in general.

Almost half of the households in the state have children (http://www.kidscount.org/cgi-bin/aeccensus.cgi?), so this message is being sent to a LOT of families.

But anyway, suggestions for wording? Quotes to use? Places to check for quotes?

[LauraN]

I don't have the info that you need, though you might try poking around kellymom.com. She has really good info and statistics.

One thing that jumped out at me from your post that you might think about: I think the audience you should be concerned about are not the existing families--they have already made their decision about how to feed their kids. It's the pregnant moms and those who are planning families who are most harmed by the message that formula is the normal way of feeding babies.

[MaryJaneLouise]

Originally Posted by TopHat

Our local library has little displays to show off books and stuff related to the books in the children's section. In the "baby" display, there is a little pyramid of Similac. I'd like to write a letter- any suggestions for wording? I'd like to use quotes from the WHO code, but most of it is directed to marketing and to physicians/medical professionals, which doesn't quite fit "library."

Point I'd like to comment on: moral implications of a place of learning supporting a particular and formula in general.

Almost half of the households in the state have children (http://www.kidscount.org/cgi-bin/aeccensus.cgi?), so this message is being sent to a LOT of families.

But anyway, suggestions for wording? Quotes to use? Places to check for quotes?

That is shocking.

: to you for wanting to do something to change it.

One tack to take is to realize that what the library is doing is, indeed, "marketing." Their intent is to inform their clients of the resources the library has to help them with parenting. Unfortunately, they are inadvertently marketing an unhealthy product (formula) for a particular company (Similac), instead of a healthy product / lifestyle (breastfeeding).

Maybe you could start by using the sandwich method: good news/praise, construction criticism, good news / praise.

(1) Good for you for having free/low cost resources (books etc.) for parents & parents to be!

(2) I noticed that you are using commercial materials (formula cans) in your graphic displays. The "marketing" of human milk substitutes has been shown to reduce the incidence of normal, healthy breastfeeding in hospitals and physician's office. [stats from WHO, IBFAN, etc. ] Please consider changing this display to instead promote breastfeeding. Suggest materials, posters, brochures, from WIC and other breastfeeding friendly organizations.

(3) End on a positive note about how much you love the library and what it has done for you family & etc.

and good luck!

[MaryJaneLouise]

http://www.nal.usda.gov/wicworks/Lea...materials.html

has WIC resources.

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Coali...4/Default.aspx

is a list of state breastfeeding coalitions.

[TopHat]

Thanks everyone! I might reference this WHO document, page 10, which talks about the display of breastmilk substitutes. There is NO mention of breastfeeding at all on the display. It's just baby books and things like blocks, rattles, bottles, pyramid of formula, etc. The books on display are picture books about babies- I know the library has some picture books that show breastfeeding (I've checked them out for my daughter)- I'll suggest those books to them too.

[annettemarie]

That's awful. Our library has been so breastfeeding friendly, and has even allowed us to do a display of their breastfeeding-related books during World Breastfeeding Week.

[soxthecatrules]

Our library was just the opposite....they had a big display on LLL and breastfeeding last year when I was pregnant w/DD. It made me sad b/c I knew I wouldn't be able to BF. But, my real point is that there are institutions doing the right thing.

[AAK]

I would be willing to be that it was a display created by someone who really doesn't have a clue. I would write the letter, but you may wish to ask to speak to the managing librarian and just chat about it. She will probably not want to remove the similac (viewing it as censorship) but would probably be willing to add pro-breastfeeding stuff to create a more balanced display. So, either way, be ready to have suggestions of things she could add to the display. Maybe even get rid of feeding stuff altogether and put blankets, slings, diapers, baby lotion, or even a mobile over the display.

I know why the stuff needs to be removed (but as a librarian, I am touchy about censorship) so I was wanting to make sure that you knew that pov.

ETA -- going down and talking will get a much faster response for changing the display (esp if it is an oversight) A letter will get drug out at a meeting, and policy may be developed for future, but the current display may or may not be changed.

[kriket]

this is my geographically prejudicial comment of the day but...

in utah? this really surprises me. i grew up LDS and breastfeeding is assumed. i live in a military area so we get people from all over the country/world, but if you want to bf comfortably somewhere, an lds church is your place ime.

i would talk to them about what point the formula is there to make and maybe they could change it to nursing.

nak

[hollyvangogh]

Hey you! I know you (through your blog which I follow). Good for you for writing a letter. If this is the library I assume it is I am very shocked and disappointed. That library is where I first was exposed to Mothering. Thanks to them I'm a EBF, co-sleeping, delayed/selective vaxing, etc. etc. mama! So this is just really ironic to me.

[TopHat]

Hello, Holly! I read your blog too! This is also the same library that lets LLL use a room once a month for meetings. I was hoping to arrange a breastfeeding cafe there, too when World Breastfeeding Week comes around in August.

I haven't given them the letter yet. I checked out a couple of books for references and ideas for a letter- Milk, Money, Madness, for example. I was also going to go and find the children's books I mentioned above before I give them the letter.

[Bekka]

Originally Posted by kriket

in utah? this really surprises me. i grew up LDS and breastfeeding is assumed. i live in a military area so we get people from all over the country/world, but if you want to bf comfortably somewhere, an lds church is your place ime.

I wish!!! I assume bf, but a lot of people don't. My sister is a young mom in UT right now, and nurses great, but a lot of people don't. Especially they'll nurse to 6 mos. or so and be "done." For convenience or whatever. And there's been discussions about asking people not to nurse in sacrament meeting. OK, stepping off soap box.

[kriket]

Originally Posted by Bekka

And there's been discussions about asking people not to nurse in sacrament meeting.

for realzies?!]

well... that just pisses me off.

[TopHat]

Kriket: I actually have some experience with that, but so as to not risk going too off topic here, you can PM me about what happened and how I dealt with it.

[readermaid]

Hmmm... Having worked in a library where I created a lot of book displays, it occurs to me that perhaps they weren't trying to promote formula so much as just have a prop for the display. I know I was always trying to scrounge up stuff to stick in my displays, and it wasn't always easy. I mean, what kind of prop works for breastfeeding? A nursing bra? A nursing pillow? haha Just a thought anyway...

[proudmomof4]

What props could work for breastfeeding? Why not the nursing pillow, photos (artwork!), children's books, maybe meeting announcements for LLL, a breastfeeding doll (if you somehow can get one), ...
I think you have to be very careful about wording as to not turn this into a "personal offense" - you don't know where those cans came from (maybe someone in the staff, or a relation of a staff member?!).
What I really liked was the "sandwich" approach - I'll try to remember that. (see MaryJaneLouise, post #3)

[annettemarie]

The OP said it was a display of baby books.

Our local library has little displays to show off books and stuff related to the books in the children's section. In the "baby" display, there is a little pyramid of Similac.

It didn't need to have formula feeding OR breastfeeding props. It could have had some baby toys, a blanket, a doll, etc.

One approach I have used is to say something like "As a breastfeeding mother who hasn't used formula (or bottles), this display leaves me really feeling excluded. Perhaps next time you can choose props that are more neutral and inclusive of all mothers' choices." I've found in situations like this, it's best to just speak to my own personal experience and try not to go on the attack .

[OkiMom]

Originally Posted by Bekka

I wish!!! I assume bf, but a lot of people don't. My sister is a young mom in UT right now, and nurses great, but a lot of people don't. Especially they'll nurse to 6 mos. or so and be "done." For convenience or whatever. And there's been discussions about asking people not to nurse in sacrament meeting. OK, stepping off soap box.

WOW! There have been discussions in my branch of how to encourage woman to nurse in sacrament, I think its the ward not the church there.

As for the display I agree with talking with someone. it might have been made by someone who isn't even a mother.

[zombie]

My husband is a librarian, and he doesn't allow any marketing materials to be displayed in his library at all. You may want to work that angle.

[elanorh]

The other thing to mention (or I would at least) while talking to the librarian, is how the formula cans in the display 'normalize' that (formula) for children, and for their association of it and its 'necessariness' for the young children who see the display.

I can totally see the 'censorship' flags going up depending on the librarian you talk to/with, but I think there's some really good advice in this thread on tone/approach/tactics.