Going over to the dark side?
I have every intention (or at least hope) of breastfeeding. All current research (expressed in this article by the Canadian Paediatric Society, for one) indicates that it is best that babies be breastfed exclusively for their first six months; for those who think quantitative research trumps qualitative, that should offer sufficient proof. For those of us who believe that qualitative, observational research is valid, well, would the human species have survived if breastmilk wasn't the perfect food source for our babies? And for the practically minded, won't nursing be easier than mixing, bottling, and heating formula when it comes to middle-of-the-night feedings?
Nevertheless, I'm realist enough to know that things often don't go as planned. Nursing will be my goal, but I realise that may not succeed for any number of reasons. And like many moms-to-be, I've been sucked (pun not intended) into the websites set up by manufacturers of all sorts of baby products: diapers, wipes, and, yes, formula.
A few minutes ago, our doorbell rang. The Phoebecat scampered away from the front door, and I answered it, only greet a Canada Post employee and to be handed a medium-sized box. (Clearly not the light-filtering roller blinds I was hoping would be delivered today.) Hm, it's from Nestlé. Hence the dark side reference: a quick Google of 'Nestlé boycott' results in 197,000 hits. In short, a boycott was launched (by whom?) against Nestlé because of the company's practise of promoting formula (rather than breastmilk) to mothers in developing countries. At least three ethical issues are raised:
1. Why would these babies need formula if their mothers can produce breastmilk and feed them naturally?
2. Can the women to whom the product was being marketed really afford to purchase it?
3. Is the water needed to mix with the powdered formula clean and readily available?
The main ethical question, then, is: are the babies and their mothers being harmed by Nestlé's practise?
(Although I should be able to flesh this out, preggie brain means I just can't. Or maybe I just won't.)
Wikipedia's entry is particularly enlightening. (And also lists another challenge to the promotion of formula: the lost opportunities for the mother to pass on antibodies to her newborn.) It indicates that the first time the boycott was written about was in 1973, which means that it has been around to some degree or other for virtually my whole life. Which means I've been using Nestlé products (including our beloved Carnation Evaporated Milk) throughout the entire boycott. So should I stop now? Arguably, but I'm tired of making decisions, so the status quo will remain. (Is apathy a symptom of pregnancy? Or a side effect of fatigue?)
In any case, I've got a box waiting to be opened. Phoebe has already checked it out, and no doubt has determined it will be just the right size for her:
Let's see what's in there. So far, it looks like a backpack, which Phoebe is also evaluating for fit (she loves backpacks even more than she loves boxes - all those straps and zippers to play with!):
Inside, there is:
(Aside: Phoebe has already taken up residence in the box:)
The backpack, it seems, is a diaper bag. It is insulated, and even has a change pad. I could see us possibly even using it when a backpack-style diaper bag would be more appropriate than the briefcase-style we bought last weekend. Or when we absolutely need the insulating properties. Fortunately, there is no giant Nestlé scrawled across the bag, only a little pink and blue heart which seems to be the Nestlé Baby logo, so hopefully we won't get lynched if we do actually use the bag...
PS - if there's one thing I've learnt in the ivory tower, it is that ethicists don't necessarily act ethically.
Nevertheless, I'm realist enough to know that things often don't go as planned. Nursing will be my goal, but I realise that may not succeed for any number of reasons. And like many moms-to-be, I've been sucked (pun not intended) into the websites set up by manufacturers of all sorts of baby products: diapers, wipes, and, yes, formula.
A few minutes ago, our doorbell rang. The Phoebecat scampered away from the front door, and I answered it, only greet a Canada Post employee and to be handed a medium-sized box. (Clearly not the light-filtering roller blinds I was hoping would be delivered today.) Hm, it's from Nestlé. Hence the dark side reference: a quick Google of 'Nestlé boycott' results in 197,000 hits. In short, a boycott was launched (by whom?) against Nestlé because of the company's practise of promoting formula (rather than breastmilk) to mothers in developing countries. At least three ethical issues are raised:
1. Why would these babies need formula if their mothers can produce breastmilk and feed them naturally?
2. Can the women to whom the product was being marketed really afford to purchase it?
3. Is the water needed to mix with the powdered formula clean and readily available?
The main ethical question, then, is: are the babies and their mothers being harmed by Nestlé's practise?
(Although I should be able to flesh this out, preggie brain means I just can't. Or maybe I just won't.)
Wikipedia's entry is particularly enlightening. (And also lists another challenge to the promotion of formula: the lost opportunities for the mother to pass on antibodies to her newborn.) It indicates that the first time the boycott was written about was in 1973, which means that it has been around to some degree or other for virtually my whole life. Which means I've been using Nestlé products (including our beloved Carnation Evaporated Milk) throughout the entire boycott. So should I stop now? Arguably, but I'm tired of making decisions, so the status quo will remain. (Is apathy a symptom of pregnancy? Or a side effect of fatigue?)
In any case, I've got a box waiting to be opened. Phoebe has already checked it out, and no doubt has determined it will be just the right size for her:
Let's see what's in there. So far, it looks like a backpack, which Phoebe is also evaluating for fit (she loves backpacks even more than she loves boxes - all those straps and zippers to play with!):
Inside, there is:
- An Avent bottle
- A Nestlé Baby magazine (another copy of which arrived in the mail a few days ago)
- One pouch of Carnation Instant breakfast (presumably for the mom who doesn't have time even to eat) (ugh, strawberry! why couldn't it have been chocolate flavoured?)
- A Nestlé Baby on Board sign, for the car
- A flexible icepack
- And, of course, a can of Nestlé Good Start formula, this one with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
(Aside: Phoebe has already taken up residence in the box:)
The backpack, it seems, is a diaper bag. It is insulated, and even has a change pad. I could see us possibly even using it when a backpack-style diaper bag would be more appropriate than the briefcase-style we bought last weekend. Or when we absolutely need the insulating properties. Fortunately, there is no giant Nestlé scrawled across the bag, only a little pink and blue heart which seems to be the Nestlé Baby logo, so hopefully we won't get lynched if we do actually use the bag...
PS - if there's one thing I've learnt in the ivory tower, it is that ethicists don't necessarily act ethically.
posted by Melanie A at 9:53 a.m.
4 Comments:
Hmmm. I'm most concerned by the fact that Avent is considered to be the most "breastfeeding-friendly" of the pump companies, and yet they're obviously associated with Nestle. I don't think it's that unethical to use the bag - it's not like Nestle can't afford to give out free stuff.
When I got my first free formula box, I took it back to the post office unopened and asked them to return it to the company which, miraculously, they did. I didn't know about the non-formula contents, though. Then I went and ruthlessly grilled my doctor's office and the hospital and the ultrasound place about who had released my address to the formula hawkers. All disavowed any knowledge of such things. Someone was lying.
When the second formula shipment, from another company, arrived, I kept it against the possibility that we might need an emergency stash. And we used one bottle's worth, when J went through his 3 week growth spurt and I felt I would rather throw him out a window than have to nurse him again so soon . . .
Oh, yeah, the other thing formula is good for is an earthquake emergency kit, in the unlikely event that you and the baby aren't in the same place in the earthquake. It should be the premixed canned stuff, though, not the powder. Not that it would have worked for Alec - I think he would have starved rather than drink the formula I occasionally tried him on.
Ah, Melania, I have nobody to blame but myself. I gave my name and address on their website, just in case.
Does Women's send new parents home with samples? That I'd have definite issues with.
The earthquake point helps with my guilt - thank you!
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