Enfamil "breastfeeding" booklet

[sunnymw]

So, a few weeks ago in the mail, I got a box. Of two big ol' cans of formula. I mean, the 13oz cans of powder.

I also got three count em three coupon checks for Enfamil.

And get this... I got a "Guide for Breastfeeding mothers" book!!!
I'm sorry if this has been posted before but this was just hilarious to me (in a sick sick way).

I don't have it in front of me but here's the basics:

It's 24 pages long, 12 pages of ads and 12 pages of "info"...

So page 2 (pg 1 of info) shows the breastfeeding positions
Page 4 tells about problems with breastfeeding
page 6 tells about how to supplement and wean
The ads opposite these pages are formula ads, except the one that's about the new "supplement pill" Expecta or whatever... you know, the "Breastfeeding mothers don't have enough DHA and ARA in their diet, so buy our pill" thing.

Every other page was about formula, and allergies, and colic, as related to formula, and we have this formula for spitup, and this one for colic, etc... this from a "BREASTFEEDING BOOKLET"... yeah... mm hmm....

Sneaky sneaky... I got all excited for about two seconds, thinking there would be some accurate, relevant info. Silly me.

[rmzbm]

:

[hunnybumm]

I got something similar to that from my peds or OB or something. It was sponsored by a formula company and had so much asinie 'breastfeeding info' that I had to laugh.

[Individuation]

I got one of those books, and it made a big point of saying that if you want to supplement with formula at times (which is of course a "personal choice") you MUST NOT PUMP because it will lead to "painful engorgement."

Way to get moms to lose their supply, Enfamil. Nice.

[AllieFaye]

I received that and the 8 page pamphlet that was even worse! The larger booklet at least gave lip service to breastfeeding. The pamplet was all about undermining a healthy breastfeeding relationship - all negatives, and how formula will be so easy and healthy. I relished throwing it away while pg, but now that I'm a lactavist, I wish I'd kept it to better battle it.

[sunnymw]

It also came with a bigger book, too...

And on the Feeding Problems Solved page, in the third paragraph under "WHY BREAST IS BEST":

Quote: While breast milk is clearly best, Enfamil LIPIL formulas have many of the same vital nutrients, including fatty acids DHA and ARA. They contain these important fatty acids in amounts similar to what is found worldwide in breast milk.

And under combating colic:
Quote: When breastfed babies have an allergic reaction after feewdings, pediatricians may advise their mother to restrict their intake of cow's milk. (At the same time, doctors recommend that mothers add a calcium supplement to replenish any that may be lost). But occasionally this doesn't work, and a switch to a soy or hypoallergenic formula is recommended.

Translation: Love cheese more than your child? Here, pay oodles of money for Lobster Formula! (nicknamed so in our family because of its ridiculous expense). Can't you see how HAPPY these SUPER SUPER CUTE BABIES are on our formula? (as a side note, I wonder if any of those babies are breastfed? and who in their right mind would pose, breastfeeding their child, for a formula advertisement???)

I hope that doesn't violate the UA. I just get so INFURIATED (and you should see DH... he says things that would get him permanently banned in about two seconds... he's a meanie-lactivist with anger control issues).

[Momtwice]

Now you know why the WHO Code forbids formula companies to have any contact with pregnant women and moms of small children.

Now you know why the WHO Code forbids the use of photos in it's literature idealizing formula (health happy babies.)

WHO Code is short for World Health Organization Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. It is legally required in part, or in full, in the majority of world countries. The US is one of the few that has taken no action to make any part of the Code into law.

[sunnymw]

So let me get this straight... in other countries, there AREN'T booklets with cute little healthy babies? Or all kinds of formula checks?

I marked on all the baby sign ups that I intent on EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding... and it seems as though I'm getting MORE formula stuff than ANYONE else I know... hehe. I also received lots of cute little baby samples from Nestle/Carnation while I was pregnant. (BTW, I put them in cups and served them to a select few at my baby shower, as a demo on what their future kids might be eating unless they bf'd).

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

I marked on all the baby sign ups that I intent on EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding... and it seems as though I'm getting MORE formula stuff than ANYONE else I know...

That's one of their tricks.

Why pay money to convince parents who already choose formula? They put the money toward making NEW customers.