When a Floorplan is worth a thousand words…

Poking around Facebook can be a huge waste of time as we all know, or it can prove to be very informative.  Last night, it was the latter for me as I stumbled across a post by one of my favorite pediatricians, Dr. Jen of Lakeshore Medical Clinic Breastfeeding Medicine.  She mentioned that she was headed to Boston next week to speak at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) annual meeting.  So of course I decided to look up the information on the web, specifically to see which companies would be exhibiting.  I was most curious to know if any breastfeeding related companies would be there, and if so who and how many would be represented.  And a simple search revealed enough information to ignite this post.

Upon searching for the word ‘breastfeeding’ four names appeared: La Leche League International, Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc., Medela, Inc., and Nursery Water.

Nursery Water? What in the world does it have to do with breastfeeding? The company description begins with,"Breastfeeding is the best nutritional option for babies. However, breastfeeding may not be an option or a choice for some women..." Breastfeeding is about so much more than nutrition, is it not?

When I searched for ‘breast milk’ the search yielded: Abbott Nutrition, the makers of Similac infant formula and many other products, and Milkin’ Cookies, which are lactation cookies designed to help a breastfeeding mom boost her milk supply.

Just searching for the word ‘breast’ resulted in the longest list, with businesses ranging from formula companies to baby wearing companies.

All of these companies listed "breast" somewhere in their description, which is why they populated as a result when searching specifically for that word.

Needless to say I am disappointed. I am frustrated and I am concerned.  I have said on multiple occasions that any healthcare professional that has contact with babies should be required to have breastfeeding knowledge.  When babies are born they do three things: eat, sleep and poop.  That’s it.  If as a doctor babies are your specialty, then you should be an expert in those three areas.  So why and how is it, that so many pediatricians have zero exposure to breastfeeding in their training?  How are we shortchanging so many parents and babies when it comes to receiving accurate medical advice about infant feeding, especially in a nation where we pay for healthcare out of our own pockets?

Clearly the lack of breastfeeding education is a problem that needs to be addressed in at least two ways.  First, is education for M.D.s, it just needs to be added to their courses of study.  Secondly, parents need to be educated about feeding choices so that they will then ask questions in an attempt to gain information and guidance from their doctors and healthcare professionals.  (Prenatal education is lacking in many ways, and this falls in the realm of Obstetricians/Gynecologists, which is another post in and of itself).  In theory, if parents were to put pressure on the healthcare industry, it should respond and begin to meet their expectations.

So let’s go back to the AAP exhibitor floor plan which has me so bothered and dismayed.  At last year’s conference in San Francisco, there were over 12,000 attendees, including professionals, press, vendors, etc.  That is a pretty large audience, and this year there are less than a handful of companies, which includes one non-profit, La Leche League International, who will be representing the entire breastfeeding industry.   We are talking over 350 exhibitors, and we have four from the breastfeeding industry, a whopping .01% of the exhibitors are representing an industry which relates to every single pediatrician’s practice! Have you ever met a baby that didn’t need to eat? Me either.

Why are more breastfeeding companies/organizations not showing up at this convention to meet these doctors – the pediatricians who work with babies everyday – to educate them, reach out to them, and to work alongside them?  These are the ‘front lines’ so to speak, these are the people who need the most education, who have the resources to help us really increase breastfeeding rates in this country, and whose job it is to educate parents and take care of babies.  Clearly, infant formula companies like Abbott Nutrition, Nestle Nutrition and Mead Johnson believe they are a worthy audience, because the size of their booth spaces is staggering.  Can you imagine how much free formula will be on hand for doctors to learn about/take home, as well as countless promotional items emblazoned with their brands (pens, sticky notes, lanyards, measuring tapes, growth charts, etc)?  Meanwhile the one non-profit present, LLLI , will shoulder the weight of breastfeeding education to this crowd, in their 10’ x 10’ booth handing out “Got Breastmilk” buttons while completely lost in the shadow of the corporate giants.  Medela, arguably the most well-recognized breast pump company among consumers, and which at other shows is usually one of the largest exhibitors (I just saw their exhibit at the ABC Kids Show in Louisville, KY last month – it was expansive), has only a space twice that of  the other breastfeeding related companies.  Maybe Medela does not need to spend the same amounts of money because they own a huge market share of the breast pump market, especially in hospitals.  And sadly, Medela is not even a WHO Code compliant company anymore, as in 2009 it made a conscious decision to start marketing their bottles, a direct violation of the Code.

The bottom line is money talks, and the big three formula companies (Abbott, Mead Johnson and Nestle) have billions of dollars to spend.  We all know that these companies use free formula as a marketing strategy to get parents hooked on their products, and it is proven that brand loyalty is fierce – parents tend to buy what they were given in the hospitals.  The formula companies know this, which is why you receive coupons in the mail for months after your baby is born.  These corporations also know that for the free-formula model to work, doctors must be on board, they are the distributors – a necessary audience – and at this convention they are captive. So that is why Abbott Nutrition’s booth dimensions are 40’ x 40’, and Nestle Nutrition’s booth dimensions are 50’ x 30’.  Mead Johnson Nutrition only has a booth that is 20’ x 40’, smaller than their competitors, but I am sure they will make up for it somehow.

How much money are we talking about here? Let’s do the math: a 10’ x 10’ booth space sells for $3050.  Abbott’s booth is 1600 square feet in size (I’ve lived in smaller spaces!).  If the going rate is $30.50/square foot, does that mean they paid $48,800 for that booth? And that means Nestle Nutrition paid $45,750 for theirs, and Mead Johnson $24,400?  This is just the cost of the space – it does not include the tens of thousands of dollars spent on installations, freight, set up, tear down, manpower, etc.  A quick Google search revealed that Abbott’s net sales for worldwide in 2010 totaled $35.2 Billion, up 14% from 2009’s total of $30.8 Billion.  You can look for the numbers on Nestle and Mead Johnson, I am sure they are even more mind-blowing, considering they weren’t battling a beetle recall as  Abbott did with its Similac brand in the summer of 2010.

Taken from Abbott Nutrition's 2010 Annual Report

So this is the best we have to offer to the Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics at their annual meeting: one non-profit, two breast pump companies, and some lactation cookies?  I appreciate the efforts of these four companies, but clearly their collective efforts are not going to win the hearts of the pediatricians.  We need more, people! How can we increase the presence of breastfeeding related companies at future annual meetings? Notice I am not asking, if we can, but how we can affect change.  How can we get more doctors to support us as parents and to help us make educated decisions on how we can best feed our babies? Next week at the AAP conference there will be over a 12,000 people present for a total of four days, all of them looking for information and wanting to make connections, an opportunity, which cannot be wasted.  We need to find a way to promote change, because from the perspective of a Lactation Professional, when you look at the floor plan of the exhibitors present at this year’s American Academy of Pediatrics convention, it is disheartening, and quite frankly in my opinion, a colossal let down.

Which companies and organizations would you like to see represented at next year’s meeting? I’d love for you to share your thoughts please.



When you look at this picture you can clearly see that there is nothing to see. The nipple is what usually makes a breast taboo, and that is well hidden in my child’s mouth. Other than that there is some skin, but it is less than I have shown in other photos of myself in a bathing suit on Facebook.

I am sure he grew up hearing the jokes, Suckerberg, Schmuckerberg, %uckerberg, and the list could go on.  While I joke around and refer to Mark Zuckerberg as #Schmuckerberg on Twitter on a regular basis, I am not here to call names, but rather just call attention to the ridiculousness of the situation.

Today, I joined a growing list of women reprimanded by Facebook for posting a picture of myself breastfeeding my child.  Aside from nursing our babies, we all have something else in common: we are wondering, “What is the big deal?” Breastfeeding is natural, you can go to any zoo in the world and see the same thing.  I am a mammal, but why am I singled out as a human?

This morning when I tried to check Facebook from my iPhone I could not sign in.  I posted a quick tweet to see if Facebook was down, and then about 15 seconds later realized that I was in trouble for the picture I posted last week.  When I checked my email, I received this message:

Hello,

You uploaded a photo that violates our Terms of Use, and this photo has been removed. Facebook does not allow photos that attack an individual or group, or that contain nudity, drug use, violence, or other violations of the Terms of Use. These policies are designed to ensure Facebook remains a safe, secure and trusted environment for all users, including the many children who use the site.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can visit our FAQ page at http://www.facebook.com/help/?topic=wphotos.

The Facebook Team

I was then prompted to read and click agree to the warning when I signed in.  So I relented…caved…gave in and re-instated myself.

Due to the other well-known breastfeeding controversies on Facebook I will admit that I have considered ditching the place.  I certainly don’t need it to stay in contact with people.  I have a home phone, a cell phone, a website, about 10 email addresses, and twitter all at my disposal.  So why are we breastfeeding moms, those who Facebook clearly does not appreciate, afraid to take a hint and leave the place where we are not welcome?  Why do we keep showing up, letting Facebook make money off of us, and having access to our personal information, when clearly we have different values.  If this were any other relationship, would we stick around? Well I believe that it is simply that we just don’t like discrimination, even when it is in a virtual setting.  But is Facebook telling me that I can’t show my breastfeeding pictures the same as an ill-informed restaurant manager telling me I need to cover my baby to breastfeed in the dining room?  The virtual world is somewhat unchartered territory, and it comes with certain freedoms (in this case freedom to discriminate) that don’t exist in everyday life.  Clearly we disagree on what a breastfeeding photo is: Facebook considers it “Content that is pornographic or contains nudity, or is inappropriately sexual”.  I don’t consider it nudity, and certainly not pornographic or inappropriately sexual.  So am I just left to agree to disagree with Facebook?  I have a small (but steadily growing following, and Facebook has MILLIONS of users all over the globe.  This leads me to believe that they pay special attention to those pages associated with breastfeeding.  Otherwise there is no way they could keep up with all the photos that are posted on the site, the breastfeeding pictures would just fall through the cleavage, I mean cracks!

The double standard that Facebook practices regarding breasts is disgusting.  Want to see what I am talking about? Go on the site and search the following terms: tits and boobs.  Case closed.  Facebook, you need to start practicing what you preach, because you are going after breastfeeding women, and leaving alone all of the other perverts who post lewd and sexually explicit content makes your position transparent.  What I find ironic is that I, a breastfeeding mother who has no problem with an uncovered breast in public used to feed a baby, end up sounding prudish as I defend my position against Facebook.

I thought this post would make me feel better, but now I am all riled up and feeling more disgusted and less resolved.   I do know that I have a few pictures I will post, just because I want to push this envelope a little.  Stay tuned to my page… hopefully it will stay up.

This post originally appeared as a guest post on There’s No Snakes in New Zealand in September 2010, but I thought I might as well post it here as well.

I can do it just about anywhere.  In a car, in a park, on an airplane, on a bed, on the couch, at a pool, on the beach, standing up, sitting down, while cooking dinner, while eating dinner, really the possibilities are endless.  What am I talking about? Breastfeeding of course.  I never imagined that when I started breastfeeding my oldest son in January of 2007, that I would be feeding him in so many various places, and positions for that matter. I am now breastfeeding my second son, I have been nursing for 40 months and counting, and I am still amazed at how wonderful this part of motherhood is.

Breastfeeding is the best relationship; it always feels even, not as if one person is taking without giving.  I have gotten, and still am getting, so much from breastfeeding my children.  For me, it makes the toughest part of motherhood, the feeling like I am being pulled in a million different directions, bearable.  Personally for me, motherhood requires more emotional stamina than physical strength, and the calming chemical reactions that take place when I breastfeed, make the job doable.  Without fail, every time I feed my baby, I utter the words, “Oh I love you so much” and snuggle him for a smooch on the head.  I cannot help it, it is involuntary, and I love it!

As I mentioned I have been breastfeeding for a long time, and I have pretty much committed the act everywhere possible.  What I do not understand, and never will, is how feeding my baby can be offensive to anyone.  Unfortunately, I have been laughed, sneered, and pointed at while breastfeeding in public.  It has never stopped me from feeding my child, obviously his needs come first, but it certainly has made me think and wonder, why women who breastfeed in public are sometimes shamed for doing so.  For me breastfeeding is not just about giving my child a meal, it is about affection, the two are inseparable.  Breastfeeding is intimate, and not because it involves a breast, but because it is ultimately a display of affection.  If you have breastfed your baby, you know that when you look at that sweet face as they are latched on, or as they give you a little smile between swallows, you as a mother melt a little bit, and at that moment really little else matters.  Is this intimacy between mother and child what bothers people? I know that some say they are offended by a breast being partially bare in public, but is that really all that bothers them? Or does breastfeeding make them feel uncomfortable, as seeing two people kissing in deep passionate manner, does. I have to think that the discomfort and negative attitudes are about more than just a slight show of skin because we are surrounded by half naked women at all times through the media and in public.

I would love to see the discrimination toward breastfeeding moms disappear, and for no mother to ever feel that she should have to cover up or hide while breastfeeding her baby, all in an effort to make others comfortable.  We as a society need to re-evaluate our social norms, and start accepting and embracing one of the most natural displays of human affection there is: breastfeeding.

Last December I earned my Certified Lactation Education Counselor (CLEC) credential, and as soon as I completed my studies I started thinking of the classes I would teach and how I would make them different.  Aside from making them fun and interactive, I wanted to send parents home with a good bit of information regarding the wonderful products that I have discovered as a breastfeeding mom.  So I decided to put together “Booby Swag Bags” consisting of flyers, promotional coupons, samples, and information about products that I love and can recommend with confidence.  And then I decided to take it a step further and offer them information about other baby-related services from like minded businesses or mompreneurs, in an effort to support those who I have seen support breastfeeding.

I have attended the prenatal breastfeeding classes offered by the hospital, and I have delivered two babies in hospitals. After the birth of my first son, I received a bag of formula to take home with me (even though I was breastfeeding, and I am pretty sure I left in in the hospital room on purpose).  After my second son was born, I received a tiny tube of lanolin, some Medela handouts, and a photocopied flyer for the Women’s Boutique at the hospital.  Needless to say, I think I could have used a few more resources.

Now, I should give credit where credit is due, as shortly after I launched my business last summer I read about Amanda Mack and the Laramie Breastfeeding Bag Project.  The story was so inspiring that I immediately wanted to march into my local hospital and start a breastfeeding bag project of my own! But that was not my path, as shortly thereafter I started studying to become a CLEC, and now I have an opportunity to reach pregnant couples in a different way.  My thought process was simple: I did not want the people who attend my classes to wait for items/information they might need, after all they might not receive anything depending on where they give birth, so I decided I wanted to give them goodies when they came to take the class. And when they leave my class I want them to feel excited, confident, and have a bag full of breastfeeding-related products/resources I think will help inspire them to stay focused and committed.

Now I would not be telling the whole truth if I did not mention that I will take joy in knowing that smaller companies whose values are similar to mine, will benefit, and that hopefully the big retail baby stores will lose a registry or two.  For every person that I can keep from registering at a large chain retail baby store, that is one more name they cannot sell to an infant formula company, and that is one mom who will not ever have to feel bad about throwing out formula sent to her with the intent of jeopardizing her breastfeeding relationship from the start.  In addition her mailbox won’t be filled weekly with coupons and offers from formula companies trying to keep her business.

So how did I get started? Well, I simply started by asking and requesting information from companies I wanted to promote, I asked them to send me anything they wanted: brochures, coupons, samples, etc. And the most exciting part for me was that everyone I contacted said yes and sent me something to share! The response has been amazing.  It really is a win-win situation.  Free advertising for the businesses and deals/great information for the parents-to-be!

Here are a list of companies/individuals who have contributed to date.

Online Retailers and Corporations:
PumpEase
Hygeia
A Mother’s Boutique
Earth Mama Angel Baby
Undercover Mama
Pump a Pair
Bravado Designs
Bamboobies

Local San Diego businesses:
Baby Frenzy
Robin Kaplan, IBCLC, San Diego Breastfeeding Center
Stills by Hill Photography Studio
Sign4Baby
Babies by the Sea Boutique
Babies in Bloom
The Family Room
Ohana Wellness
Stroller Strides

Please take the time to visit the websites of these generous providers. If you have any feedback I love to hear it, and if you are interested in registering for a breastfeeding class, please check out my classes page for dates, times and location.

Disclaimer: I received no compensation of any sort from the companies listed here for including their items in my Booby Swag Bags.

Some one please tell me to sit down, take a few deep breaths and count to ten.

I just finished reading this article in which Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann, accuses First Lady Michelle Obama of trying to impose a “nanny state” by promoting breastfeeding and supporting the IRS reimbursement of breast pump supplies.

I NEVER talk politics, just not my style, and I am not here to do that in this post, but this is different.  This is public health, this is about supporting moms, and last time I checked moms exist in all political parties, and all breastfeeding moms need support.

How in the WORLD can one rationalize and liken this move of the First Lady’s as wanting to impose a “nanny state”? She is promoting health for moms and babies.  She is aiming to create an infrastructure that supports women who have to work and choose to breastfeed, insuring that they don’t have to sacrifice breastfeeding because their families require two incomes.

Is it wrong for the government to warn people that cigarette smoking is harmful to not only your health, but that second hand smoke is equally as dangerous to those who are around you? We have laws that ban smoking in public places, just this month a law passed in New York that banned smoking in outdoor public places, and in a handful of states it is against the law to smoke with young children in the car if you are driving.  We warn people about the dangers of trans fats in foods, encouraging them to eat less hydrogenated oils, we warn pregnant women that consuming alcohol can be dangerous to their unborn children.  BUT, the Federal government cannot promote something as natural as breastfeeding because that ‘crosses the line’ and makes their presence too intrusive.  Well while we are at it, let’s stop promoting exercise and the food pyramid as a means for being healthy.  Michelle Obama is not proposing a law mandating breastfeeding, just encouraging it!

Bachmann claims to have breastfed all five of her children, and for that I applaud her and her support network.  All breastfeeding mothers know that it can take lots of dedication and a sound group of people cheering you on to be successful at breastfeeding, but that the reward is worth all of the hard work.   And furthermore, someone needs to clue Bachmann in on the facts: we have more obese children and adults in this country than ever before, and supporting public health IS the role of the government, like it or not, that is where we are today.   It will cost the government a great deal more in tax dollars to take care of the health problems that exist as a result of these health issues, rather than to support breastfeeding and a Let’s Move! Campaign.

So THANK YOU to Michelle Obama for working to change the culture of breastfeeding and for supporting the breastfeeding moms who need help today, and for hopefully raising awareness so that many more women consider breastfeeding in the future.

What are your thoughts?  (You can be passionate – just keep them respectful!)