formula co gets free publicity from gruesome tragedy

[Janice in Canada]

Warning: this story is very sad and disturbing.

I'm ticked that a formula company is rushing in to get publicity off this situation. Most people won't see that, though, and will think "oh they're so nice" Boy, if the deceased mom was a breastfeeding type mom, (like us) the offer of free formula would just make it hurt all the more, I think. Too bad we couldn't offer breast milk.
Janice.


Suspect showed off infant girl as her own
Lisa Montgomery allegedly killed a pregnant woman and stole her fetus.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pb...29/1001&lead=1

"Mead Johnson, the manufacturer of the infant formula Enfamil, offered Victoria Jo free formula for a year, said Nancy Burkhardt, a spokeswoman at the Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center in Topeka. An area apartment complex volunteered free lodging for family visiting the hospitalized baby."

[LunaMom]

Yes, it's a horrible story. As far as the formula company goes, I agree that it sounds like a publicity stunt disguised as a good deed. I understand that this baby needs to be fed and that her mother is dead so formula seems to be the natural solution (yes, I know about milk banks but isn't that wickedly expensive?), but if the company just wanted to do a good deed they wouldn't need to have it broadcasted.

It is kind of sick that they would see this as an opportunity to get their name in there, if that is indeed what they intended.

[velcromom]

Such a horrible tragedy. You know, so many times when a family loses someone, there will be a fund set up that the public can donate to... I don't see why one couldn't be set up to fund a year's worth of breastmilk for the baby. A milk bank could host the fund and distribute the milk to the family for free. Maybe it would take contacting the board members at the milk banks (or whoever is in charge) and encouraging them to take action. I don't know if that is possible but I bet it could be figured out. I'd sure rather see the publicity go to milk banks and breastmilk, if there is any positive to come out of this situation it would be more appropriate for it to be in the form of benefit to babies and not money in the pockets of formula companies.

[Jennisee]

Originally Posted by LunaMom

but if the company just wanted to do a good deed they wouldn't need to have it broadcasted.

[Janice in Canada]

I'm told that, Iowa City - not far from Des Moines - has a milk bank.

Wouls anyone like to research this and find their address? Maybe we could make this suggestion to them, and even start a fund for the baby? This could bring a lot of positive PR for the milk bank, if the family said they'd prefer the donor human milk to the formula.

Janice

[soccerchic21]

I too wish that they could have just done it on the "down low" without being like "oh look at how great we are we are giving them all of this formula"

The whole situation is horrible anyway.

[fluffernutter]

Nothing like trying to use a tradgedy for personal gain. :

[JennP]

I have donated milk to the Iowa City milk bank and I don't think they would just sell the milk without a prescription. We would have to research it but that is all I know. I was told the milk was reserved for the little NICU babies whos moms could not pump enough yet. (since the babies are likely premies)
Here is the information:
IOWA
Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa
Division of Nutrition
Department of Pediatrics
Children's Hospital of Iowa
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: [phone]
FAX [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
www.uihealthcare.com/milkbank

JennP

[Electra375]

Pregnant woman are at the top of the list for being victims of acts of violence and murder (heard it on a Motel show some years ago). Scary to think that at the most glorious time in your life, you could be killed b/c some phyco b---- wants your baby

As for the forumla co, I'm not surprised. I don't think much really surprises me anymore. Although, irritating, there isn't much you can do. Maybe write an editiorial to the local newpaper making the BM is better issue and it's availability from donors at the nearby BM bank.

It irritates me more that woman are not safe even amongst themselves from violence.

[USAmma]

It does sound a lot like a publicity stunt to me too! I'm glad the dad won't have to pay for formula but to advertise it like that is pretty low.

I wish they would sometimes offer to give free formula to people with sick children who need the expensive stuff. I was paying $250/month for Nitara's hypoallergenic stuff for a couple of months. We don't qualify for WIC so we just ate the bill. I called them to ask for some coupons or free cans and they basically said no. Probably because they could not have used us for publicity. One family I know had to take a second job to pay for that special formula.

Darshani

[Meiri]

Mark your calendars ladies!

For the first time in this country a formula company is actually following the Code provision that if free formula is given that a full six month supply be given. In this case *gasp* they've even gone beyond Code by donating a full year's supply.

[Janice in Canada]

Meiri,
do you think they've ever done this for some of the high profile quad/quint/sextuplets?
Maybe not, because that would actually add to up to some siginificant $$$, as opposed to just one baby, and those multiple births are becoming more common and un-news-worthy.
Janice

[Janice in Canada]

I may get flamed for this, since obviously this woman was either very distressed, crazy or evil, (and so wasn't thinking responsibly about any of this) but the thought did come to me -

If we lived in a world where there were no formula, or if it was difficult to get (ie by prescription only), a woman would have to think twice before she tried to steal another woman's infant baby - how would she feed it???

At the very least, she would have had to visit a doctor, and the doctor may have questioned where this baby came from all of a sudden.

Janice

[Peppamint]

Originally Posted by Janice in Canada

I may get flamed for this, since obviously this woman was either very distressed, crazy or evil, (and so wasn't thinking responsibly about any of this) but the thought did come to me -

If we lived in a world where there were no formula, or if it was difficult to get (ie by prescription only), a woman would have to think twice before she tried to steal another woman's infant baby - how would she feed it???

At the very least, she would have had to visit a doctor, and the doctor may have questioned where this baby came from all of a sudden.

Janice

Makes sense!

s down for Mead Johnson. : I had to laugh at what Meiri said, ironic isn't it?

Okay... she had a miscarriage earlier this year sometime. Is it possible she has postpartum psychosis?

[Greaseball]

If they really wanted to do a good deed, they could have (anonymously) funded a year's worth of breastmilk. It's not like they can't afford it...

Formula companies are always saying they believe breastfeeding should be supported and now here is their chance to stand behind their word...too bad if we call them on it they will just generate a form letter.

[middlemamma]

Electra....and anyone else interested, here is a RECENT article published on EXACTLY what you were saying. I read it yesterday and was just...well I don't know how I felt exactly, but it was scary.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6732499/

Jennie
Middle Mamma

[mnnice]

Jenn P thanks for the link to the Iowa milk bank. I always thought it would be cool to donate (much better than donating blood) and I do periodically visit Iowa City anyway. Not that I have any milk to donate right now, but maybe later.

[livviesmommy]

This is just the thread I was looking for and didn't even know it! I have over 400 oz. of frozen milk in my freezer as we "speak"! I had been donating to the milk bank in NC, but since this stash was pumped after my son't first birthday, they won't accept it. They too supply for the sick and preemie babies and need the higher fat milk. So now I have all this milk and just can't bear to throw it away! And I have too much to try to give it to my son - he won't take it any way but from the source - but I work part time so I have to pump. Even though it is "older" milk, it's better than formula right? Any other thought anyone has on what I could do with all this milk, would be appreciated!

[Janice in Canada]

I have heard of someone who acts as a go-between for moms who have milk, and moms who need milk. I have never contacted her, and know nothing about her credibility, etc. I will PM (private message) you the information, and you can decide whether to go this route.

Janice

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

Originally Posted by Janice in Canada

I may get flamed for this, since obviously this woman was either very distressed, crazy or evil, (and so wasn't thinking responsibly about any of this) but the thought did come to me -

If we lived in a world where there were no formula, or if it was difficult to get (ie by prescription only), a woman would have to think twice before she tried to steal another woman's infant baby - how would she feed it???

At the very least, she would have had to visit a doctor, and the doctor may have questioned where this baby came from all of a sudden.

Janice

no flames, here cuz ITA!