I think it's time to start playing hardball

[mama24-7]

After reading today about how the formula companies watered down the breastfeeding ad campaign a few years ago, it got me thinking while I had steam coming out of my ears. I think we need to start playing w/ the big boys and using whatever info we can find on them, against them. Such as, how much do these people make? (I don't know, is it possible to find out the yearly salaries and bonuses of the head hanchos at the formula companies?) Get the attention of someone by saying "so-&-so makes $$$ a year while 5,000 babies are dying A DAY from lack of breastfeeding!" Next time the issue of choice arises, we can say, "I'm not putting my money is so-&-so's pocket because they have convinced me that how my baby is fed is a choice."

Okay, I know I'm rambling a bit, but I am : & .

Who wants to join in a class action lawsuit w/ me against these b&*@&)s?

And, while I'm at it, why aren't doctors worried about malpractice lawsuits when their advice/information/recommendations mess up breastfeeding? I found about a third woman today, this one who is just 4 weeks post-partum, pumping for preemie twins, who was given a depopreva shot and whalal - no milk!

I'm thinking if I can research this stuff enough in my spare time I'll start contacting reporters. I have thoughts of doing a walk cross-country or camping out on my front yard on my busy little street : to bring this stuff to light.

I'm just thinking we need to develop a new strategy. Anyone in?

Sus

[julie128]

Wow. We are totally on the same wavelength. I have recently begun to think that the only way things will change is for mothers to sue doctors who somehow cause problems with bf. For example, if a plastic surgeon does an enlargement and cuts around the nipple instead of going under the breast, this is likely to cut the milk ducts and cause no milk. The mother could then sue because it's like getting a nose job and then not being able to breathe. Or what if a doctor told the mother to give formula in a bottle because the baby was jaundiced and this caused the mother's milk supply to decrease and the baby to develop bottle-nipple preference? IMHO, both of these situations could be lawsuit-worthy. Unfortunately, this is the only way things get done in the U.S.

[MamaBear1976]

Or WE, lactivists, could form a lobby. I don't think suing is the answer. If we formed a lobby of our own to exercise our political influence....? (Does LLL have a lobby already?) United we're stronger, but if we unite in a destructive way (class-action lawsuit after the fact) rather than in a constructive way (preemptive policy changes to get politicians to sign breastfeeding-supportive bills), that might not be as effective. I vote (heh-heh) for exercising our rights as Americans to lobby in favor of breastfeeding-friendly initiatives.

I'm just thinking out loud here, but my personal take on the ad campaign situation is slightly different than most lactivists', though at the heart of it, my anger comes from the same place: outrage at a broken medical model that offers the wrong incentives to our health care workers.

[mama24-7]

Thanks for the responses!

Okay, don't get me wrong, I'm not law suit happy. I'm just thinking about what gets attention. Why are there all the c-sections today? Supposedly because of lawsuits. Perhaps if medical people were afraid of law suits for BF'ing issues they advised on and were wrong about, they'd start refering to the people who do know.

Also, from the article about the watering down of the ads, there was a sentence about the formula companies being worried about a class action lawsuit. Frankly, I think they should worry, because they lie day in and day out in their advertising!

I love the lobbying idea; it takes a lot of money to lobby for something. How do we overcome this? I think right now, there is a lot of forward push in various legislative areas to get us the rights we deserve as humans. However, I think this won't turn the tide on the risks of formula, the cut-throat techniques of the formula makers, the unethical practices they carry out day in and day out.

Formula has it's place; the marketing and lieing about it are wrong and until there are real consequences to the makers, their bottom lines & their reputations, things aren't going to change much.

If people see formula for what it is (a substitute for breastmilk when the mother's or another mother's is completely unavailable), not just another choice when having a baby, then breastfeeding won't look so bad to so many, in my not-so-humble opinion.

And, no LLL does not have a lobby. They are a sole purpose organization: to help mothers who want to nurse their babies.

Sus

[MamaBear1976]

Originally Posted by mama24-7

I love the lobbying idea; it takes a lot of money to lobby for something. How do we overcome this?

I don't think this is true. I think anyone can lobby, and if you get a group of people united for the same cause, you can form a volunteer lobby group, write up a set of binding principles, and give it whatever name you want. It doesn't need money, just motivated volunteers.

Link:
How to lobby your elected officials.

It's possible for a group of really motivated and fed-up lactivists to band together and form a volunteer lobbying group with real political power. It's all in getting organized and staying motivated to follow-through.

I truly think this is possible. Anyone want to do it?

[krystyn33]

Originally Posted by MamaBear1976

It's possible for a group of really motivated and fed-up lactivists to band together and form a volunteer lobbying group with real political power. It's all in getting organized and staying motivated to follow-through.

I truly think this is possible. Anyone want to do it?

I'm in. I wrote to my congressman and asked him to support the breastfeeding act, but I've received no response. I'd like to do more, but I'd like direction & support. What do you think of a Lactivist Lobby support thread?

[runes]

i'd be in.

nurse ins/outs are great and i'm all for them to change societal awareness, but i personally would love to step up my lactivism to the next level to get change and a paradigm shift going on the public policy level.

i also would love to be involved in form of consistent lactivism that isn't particularly a response or reaction to a prior instance of discrimination.

[MamaBear1976]

Lactivist Lobby support thread is a fabulous idea. I'm in, too, obviously. Where do you want to put it? Right here under "lactivism?" I should probably post about this on my website to see if other people outside of Mothering are interested...

I honestly don't think we need a lot of money, just a lot of motivation and organization.

[krystyn33]

Sounds good! If you are willing to lead (sounds like you have a good knowledge base), I'm willing to follow. With up to date information and direction I could organize moms in my area who are willing to write letters, etc.

[hypatia]

I will join!

[purposefulmother]

I think this is a great idea -- I can't join forces with you right now, but I'm cheering you on!

[NoliMum]

Originally Posted by julie128

Or what if a doctor told the mother to give formula in a bottle because the baby was jaundiced and this caused the mother's milk supply to decrease and the baby to develop bottle-nipple preference?

That is exactly what happened to my mother with my older brother. She pumped and pumped and pumped and finally, due to ignorance (1980) and bad advice from the doctor, she switched to formula.

I think there should be a requirement that pediatricians become lactation-consultant-level experts on breastfeeding.

As far as political lobbying goes, I am completely in the dark about that kind of thing, but I'll be following along and learning!

[~Boudicca~]

I'm in!

[smeep]

Originally Posted by mama24-7

Thanks for the responses!
Why are there all the c-sections today? Supposedly because of lawsuits.

Which is ironic because most of those cesareans are grounds for lawsuits themselves, but they know they're less likely to get sued for that.

[Leta]

I'd be happy just to see the U.S. adopt the WHO guidelines. And, honestly, I wouldn't care if we accomplished this thru nasty lawsuits. :

[SashaBear]

Originally Posted by NoliMum

I think there should be a requirement that pediatricians become lactation-consultant-level experts on breastfeeding.

One problem is that pediatricians cannot treat the mother (thrush, mastitis) and then the OB/GYN cannot treat the baby (tongue-tied). Then if its a dyad problem (baby and mother just not latching well) then neither can help them! A family doctor would a plus in these situations!

Doctors unfortunately don't seem to want to refer their patients to LCs. We need them to quit giving out wrong information and start admitting they DON'T KNOW and that there is someone out there that is better than them.

What if there was a campaign that supplied drs with the Breastfeeding Answer Book and Medications and Mother's Milk?

[MamaVolpe]

What I would like to know is if it is possible to get and distribute the origonal ad posters on our own. The goverment might be to chicken and feel the need to water down the ads but I am sure lots of us individuals feel no pressure to do so. If we could use the images they were intending to use or similar ones and make posters of them on something like CafePress. Then give them to our BF friendly OB's, LC's, Family Doctors, Nurses and any one else not afraid to have them up in their offices. They could also be used on anyone wanting to make new "BF friendly Bags" for distribution at birthing centers and hospitals. Or if you make them into bookmarks and postcards they could be stuck in books about babies in the library or bookstores, or left in the formula isles in grocery stores or where ever you could think to use them.

[julie128]

What if breast pump manufacturers took over the water-down anti-formula ads? What if pump ads went something like this:

Formula feeding mothers miss twice as much work as breastfeeding mothers in order to stay home to take care of their sick babies. Medela Breast pumps: so your milk can be there when you can't be.

Or

Formula fed babies are 27% more likely to die than breastfed babies. This parenting tidbit brought to you by Pumpbrandxyz.

[MilkTrance]

I would also love to see an exposé, the style similar to Michael Moore films.

[Da WIC Lady]

Originally Posted by MilkTrance

I would also love to see an exposé, the style similar to Michael Moore films.

I'm just hoping he doesn't take up our cause. People think we're whacko enough as it is for breastfeeding. His shady rep would not help us at all. I agree that a similar format would be great, but who would air it? I have a hard enough time with people making snide comments about my (not homemade) breastfeeding posters at work or getting support from coworkers to screen breastfeeding films in the waiting area when it's the only VCR available (because people complain that kids can see breasts or "we don't want to make formula feeders feel guilty".): And this is at multiple public health facilities! :

Anna