Now, I wasn't at BlogHer10, therefore I have no idea what's in any of the swag bags so I was interested to see @phdinparenting posting about the bags she heard about:
@phdinparenting So...anyone from @robeez or @striderite around this morning? Would love to know why they put formula samples in their swag bags. Ugh.
and my head spun once again with questions... but more, frustration, because unfortunately I totally understand why Robeez and Striderite gave out formula samples in their SHOE swag bags...
@CrunchyMom: @phdinparenting wait. no. seriously? how does shoes + formula = sense? oh! wait, I get it... cents... ugh.
I cannot stand that it always comes back to money. Money for an individual corporation which has individuals at the helm. Money some individual(s) are pocketing and living well at the expense of the health of a future generation of Americans.
They can't pass the buck and say "it wasn't our intention..." or anything of the sort. The health of a child is undermined with each bag created. Every sample of formula that is "out there" for a new mom to have on hand "in case" she has breastfeeding difficulties undermines her belief in her body and encourages her to question whether or not she is doing it right, making enough, making quality milk, etc. Rather than call in a lactation consultant, a LLL leader, a friend from her Holistic Moms chapter, she grabs the sample of formula and bottle feeds her infant. Bottles, being easier to drink from than the breast, empty quickly and the mom now is certain that her baby was starving... and the cycle of weaning begins. and another baby is raised on the fourth best optimal food source.
Yes, the fourth. First is mom's breastmilk straight from mom's breast. Second is mom's milk from another source (syringe, cup, bottle, dropper). Third is breast milk from another human mother and LASTLY is formula. I do know there are women that cannot breastfeed for one reason or another, but the percentage is much smaller than we're led to believe. My opinion on that will have to wait for another post... ;)
I'm simply tired of the companies that have little or no integrity towards a sustainable life for others because they are so forward focused on their funding and personal financial gains.
(Edited to add that @phdinparenting didn't receive the bag, she simply was made aware of them)
Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, the formula wasn't in one of my swag bags, nor is it something that all BlogHer attendees got or that BlogHer was involved with in any way.
Striderite/Robeez hosted a private party at the same time as BlogHer 10 for a group of bloggers (I wasn't one of them). They gave out gift bags to all the attendees and those bags included a formula sample.
Thanks for sharing that Annie.
ReplyDeleteI think, whether in big 'ole BlogHer swag bags or at a private party for other bloggers, there is still the insanity of offering samples of formula partnered with anything else at all.
Thanks for your integrity towards breastfeeding!
Julie