Similac to be new sponsor of Baby Boom Show--Guess what MILKFACE DID? - Page 2

[HerthElde]

Originally Posted by underthebluerug

...Couldn't help chuckling at the juxtaposition of your post with your signature line, though.

:LOL I stand by the siggie, I just think there are different ways to fight wrongs
My suggestion would be, as I posted above, to try an organize an alternative show, preferably a conflicting one with many of the vendors from the original show signed on.
If nothing else, it doesn't hurt to have something in the newspaper explaining why certain groups pulled from the show.
Having mamas going with new babes and nursing at the show (not formally a nurse-in, just a subtle influence type thing) would also be an idea.

[katenyc]

Sigh...

I can't tell you how many "gifts" I've received (changing pad, diaper bag, cans/bottles of formula) from formula companies. I wanted to send it back and demand a voucher for an Avent Isis. (As it turned out we gave it to a friend who had a scary few weeks in the hospital and had to stop nursing.)

I am so impressed by what Britt of Milkface is doing--and sorry that it will hurt her business. I'll definitely make my next nursingwear purchase from her!

[PinkPixie]

Originally Posted by spearso

The show is a great venue for local vendors to showcase their businesses, and more importantly, it's a great venue to expose new/expectant parents to alternative products/lifestyles they may not necessarily have considered or investigated for themselves.

I just think it's such a shame that Ottawa offers parents so much in the way of natural parenting resources, and ppl attending the show won't get exposed to any of it.


susie

ITA Susie,
That's where I met you and your fab store for the first time. I was so surprised to see that there were cloth diapers in Ottawa! I was so happy to finally meet and see other people who practice AP, and BFing.

We can't let the formula companies win again. They are everywhere, doctors offices, toy stores, pharmacies, in my mailbox!? (I got a huge free can after having dd and I chucked it out). They make it so easy for people to get discouraged with the initial difficulties of BFing and just turn around and use the free can of formula.

[inchwormz]

Originally Posted by PinkPixie

We can't let the formula companies win again. They are everywhere, doctors offices, toy stores, pharmacies, in my mailbox!? (I got a huge free can after having dd and I chucked it out). They make it so easy for people to get discouraged with the initial difficulties of BFing and just turn around and use the free can of formula.

I have to agree. I got a can in the mail about a month after dd was born and it brought me to tears. My first two weeks bfing were so trying and difficult, but I was determined and had wonderful support through my midwife. We managed to get through it, and right around the time I got the can of formula, I was at the point *just* feeling comfortable bfing. I remember thinking, all those poor mamas that don't have the resources that I did (or such and supportive dh's!) would probably hang onto it or start using the formula for some relief. I just tossed it and now I have even more resentment towards formula companies. I don't even know how they got my name! :

I am glad to hear that bf will be represented in some small way at the show!

[underthebluerug]

Originally Posted by inchwormz

I got a can in the mail about a month after dd was born and it brought me to tears. My first two weeks bfing were so trying and difficult . . . I remember thinking, all those poor mamas that don't have the resources that I did (or such and supportive dh's!) would probably hang onto it or start using the formula for some relief

I have to point out that this is a good example of the ways in which formula companies violate the WHO Code, and of why the Code exists in the first place.

It is to show her objections to those violations that Britt pulled out of the Baby Boom Show. She chose to act in the big picture context where BFing is concerned.

Imagine what would happen if everyone else did what Britt is doing. We wouldn't have to agonize over who will represent breastfeeding under the shady auspices of a large corporation that is sabotaging it much faster than we can promote it.

[AromaSade]

So sad!

Britt & LLL are most definitely making a statement along
with all of our emails (and I hope it will make an impact)
but it really makes me sad that they
will not be attending.

New mothers NEED to see, hear & connect with more
breastfeeding organizations & natural-parenting companies.

This is not the time to hide-out and let big business &
money-driven formula companies
have the run of the place and make the first impression
to new mamas looking for answers.

As a breastfeeding advocate, (and if were in Canada),
I would feel conflicted in deciding to set up a table
or attend but I think in the end, I would have to go because
I could make more of a impact from being there then not.

Much love to you Mamas,

Sadie

[spearso]

Well...

So I guess if there are ppl there having a tough time BFing, or looking for local resources, we can sacrifice their needs for the 'greater good'? You don't think that by pulling out of the show, Lactation Consultants, doulas, etc. are sabotaging themselves? So to make it look like Ottawa has no natural parenting resources is a better thing? And that doesn't support the Formula companies goals?

Maybe I'm thick : , but I just don't see how that helps anyone. When I was pg with #1, my sister gave me a copy of Jack Newman's book. If I hadn't have read that, I don't know what my attitude to BFing would have been, perhaps my children would have consumed formula, I don't know, I had *NO* experience with BFing before, I had no friends with babies. I took prenatal classes at a local hospital, and they try to present a partisan view of everything -- sure you get BFing info., but they don't exactly delve into the 'BF vs. Formula' debate, do they?

If ppl aren't aware of what kind of local resources exist, maybe what they do as parents will be different as a result, and that's just too darn bad.

susie

[mommybritt]

Much interesting discussion and food for thought but I definitely stand by my decision. The WHO Code was put into place so that mamas can make an informed and unbiased decision on breastfeeding - with the formula companies in everyone's face there's not a prayer of that happening so I continue to think that upholding the WHO Code is the right thing for me to do in this case.

As to not giving the parents of Ottawa all their options, it is unfortunate that those at the show won't see us but it is a small portion of Ottawa parents that come to the show and my not being at the show has made me realize how little I do in the way of local advertising so I've been brainstorming like crazy and will undoubtably hit many more parents with my new ideas than I would just by attending the show. Also, just because I won't have a booth at the show doesn't mean I'm not going to have a presence at the show...and, no, I'm not telling what's going to happen and no, it's not a nurse in or a protest

For me, it really comes down to not being able to associate with the formula companies in this kind of way - I simply cannot take money from them, no matter how it makes it's way to me and no matter how much money it is. Similac will use this event to their advantage (of course!) and if I were to go, they would use my presence there as an indication of how they support breastfeeding and would imply that my company endorses Similac - that is not acceptable to me. It's also not acceptable to me that a show focusing on new and expectant parents has any formula company as their sponsors and by withdrawing I am sending that message very clearly to the show management.

In the end, it seems that even among breastfeeding advocates, there are 2 distinct camps - basically those of us who believe in the WHO Code and those who, for whatever reasons, don't think it's realistic/practical/reasonable...etc. While I do think that getting the info to parents now is important, I'm comfortable with my plans to reach Ottawa parents in a different way and think that the big picture is important enough to risk not reaching those few people who I would have seen at the show but won't reach with my new ideas.

[mommybritt]

Originally Posted by AromaSade

This is not the time to hide-out and let big business &
money-driven formula companies
have the run of the place and make the first impression
to new mamas looking for answers.

I will not be hiding out, nor will my company and honestly your choice of words is insulting It seems to imply that those of us pulling out are doing so because we are scared of the formula companies and nothing could be further from the truth.

[KoalaMama]

Britt... You go girl!

I do understand the stance that being there can help counter the formula companies more easily than not being there. And that argument made me stop and think for a second about how I'd want to react in this situation. But this in particular would cinch it for me:

For me, it really comes down to not being able to associate with the formula companies in this kind of way - I simply cannot take money from them, no matter how it makes it's way to me and no matter how much money it is. Similac will use this event to their advantage (of course!) and if I were to go, they would use my presence there as an indication of how they support breastfeeding and would imply that my company endorses Similac - that is not acceptable to me.

Britt, I love that you're using this not only as an opportunity to stand up for what you believe in, but as a push toward other ways of reaching out to people in your community. Can't wait to hear more about what you're doing there!

Here's to optimism for the big picture!
Melanie