When I arrived home to NY this week, I was greeted by a box, addressed to me, from the Munchkin LATCH infant feeding vessel (bottle) company. The box has remained unopened while Ive explored ways to return it to the company at the companys expense (any ideas are appreciated -- it arrived via UPS which does not have a refuse option). I was angry enough that this company added to my already too-long to-do list with their unsolicited shipment to my home, which is in violation to the International Code for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the WHO Code), as follows: 7.2 Information provided by manufacturers and distributors to health professionals regarding products within the scope of this Code should be restricted to scientific and factual matters, and such information should not imply or create a belief that bottle-feeding is equivalent or superior to breastfeeding. It should also include the information specified in Article 4.2. 7.3 No financial or material inducements to promote products within the scope of this Code should be offered by manufacturers or distributors to health workers or members of their families, nor should these be accepted by health workers or members of their families. 7.4 Samples of infant formula or other products within the scope of this Code, or of equipment or utensils for their preparation or use, should not be provided to health workers except when necessary for the purpose of professional evaluation or research at the institutional level. Health workers should not give samples of infant formula to pregnant women, mothers of infants and young children, or members of their families. This morning, I was alerted via several channels that my name and the names of several of my colleagues have been included on a ZIP Code Latch Lactation Locator directory at the munchkin website, with the following language: We partnered with lactation consultants to develop our LATCH bottle because we believe they offer the best expert advice for breastfeeding Moms. While we worked with a select few, there are thousands across the country that can help you reach your breastfeeding goals. If you’re a mom who needs help on how to get a good latch, how to increase milk production, or how to find the best breastfeeding position, find a Lactation Consultant in your area by simply entering your zip code or address below. Allow me to be very clear about this: I have not worked with this company in any way. We have no relationship. I have not given my permission to this company to use my name and address in their predatory marketing scheme. I do not endorse their product. When a family asks me for help in choosing a feeding method/vessel other than direct breastfeeding, there are far too many individualized factors (age of the baby, babys oral anatomy and function, mothers breast anatomy and function, frequency and duration of use of this alternate feeding vessel, etc.) for me to consider for that mother and her baby for me to ever determine that one is superior to others in all cases. I (and several of my colleagues already) have requested that my name be removed from this companys marketing strategy. As an IBCLC, I am proud to uphold the tenets of the International Code for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. I fully understand and support families who have need or desire for alternate and substitute infant feeding methods, but shilling for any company is not how I practice healthcare. I instruct families in supplementation when necessary, using a variety of products -- not just bottles. I also instruct families on appropriate positioning and pacing when bottles are the best choice for their situation. This companys statement that it has worked with me is a boldface lie that I cannot let stand.
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 14:12:57 +0000
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