Another thing about the ad council campaign...

[MA mommy]

I wish they could have mentioned at least one reduced risk for the mom...

- like reducing the risk of breast cancer by breastfeeding

I don't think that is common knowledge. Almost everyone knows that breastfeeding is "good" for the baby. But does the average person know that it is also in the mother's best interest - not just the baby?

Sadly I don't think increased risk of diarrhea or ear infections is really going to sway anyone. Most people think that those ailments are like the common cold.

[GeorgiaGalHeidi]

Very good point Kay! That is especially imp to woman that are already at an increased risk too! There was sooo much more they could have said....

[Gidget]

I hate that, breastmilk is best. We all know that. But there is still the common misconception that formula is a close second and that really needs to be adressed.

[rareimer]

Originally Posted by MA mommy

Sadly I don't think increased risk of diarrhea or ear infections is really going to sway anyone. Most people think that those ailments are like the common cold.

i agree. what motivation does that give people?

[rupiezum]

Remember - the campaign wil last three years, and this is just the first batch of ads. The agency decided to focus on the risk to babies first, to get people's attention. My understanding is that there will be other ads that focus on things like risks/benefits for mother.

[wende]

I still haven't seen an ad here yet. I hope that I will soon see them just as often as I see formula ads, if not more. I also hope that they put in the "real" benefits of bfing. It's amazing how many there are and how most people are never told about them.

[calebsmama03]

Originally Posted by wende

I still haven't seen an ad here yet. I hope that I will soon see them just as often as I see formula ads, if not more. I also hope that they put in the "real" benefits of bfing. It's amazing how many there are and how most people are never told about them.

I've not seen them either. I wonder if it's possible to contact the local stations, newspapers, etc. and ASK them to be run? Anyone know the rules on PSA's such as this?

[steffanie3]

According to 20/20 the Ad Council doesn't even want to run them now, since they have been so watered down.

[sarahbay]

Jeez, how dissapointing.....

I guess I'm not surprised, why can't we at MDC just get together and make an ad for BFing???

I can star, with my ds of course! jk

Now we need a camera person, and of course funding.

Anyone got an extra mill just laying around???

We could make the AD anyway we want, no watered down Breastmik here!

[rupiezum]

Well, I'm not aware of any "rules" per se, but here's what I think - why not write to your local media, tell them you are aware of the PSAs and look forward to viewing them, and ask for a repsonse/followup with information as to when they might be run. Can't hurt. Might help. Let 'em know there are people watching!

[thedevinemissm]

Sorry, I wish I had recorded or wrote down what I saw ~ so please don't take this as absolute fact.

I saw a story on 20/20 (I think ) about the AdCouncil ads. Aparently it was decided to "water them down" because they were too inflamitory & there was "no real study" supporting the actual %'s they were listing. One ad was axed altogether. The others, which were supposed to start this past January, should be starting this Summer.

IMHO, I think that no one will ever be happy. Us BF advocates will always feel that it's not enough info, and the FF (or PCers) will feel that they are too alienating or filled w/unsupported statistics.

I guess something is better than nothing!

[rupiezum]

Yes, the 20/20 show was indeed about the National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign. The campaign - which will last three years altogether - was launched on 6/4/04, and the first series of PSAs have been released to media outlets. I have yet to spot one "in the wild," though, and apparently I'm not alone.