MY MOM'S BEST

[sumay]

I understand that milk powder companies are not allowed to advertise in such a way that it gives plp the impression that formula is as good as breastmilk.

However, yesterday I was cleaning up my baby's drawers, and found his little tag that they put on him when he was newly born. And on the tag was the name of a milk powder company. IMHO, isn't this an indirect marketing of formula by the companies--to constantly remind the mother & father of the child, hospital staff etc of their presence, and to give the impression that since the hospital thinks they are good enough to put their name on the baby tag, then their products must be good enough also for the baby. (The product may be good, but it still falls short of what breastmilk has to offer).
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素媚 Mom to Leonard 李正毅, Lucas 李正嚴 and Laurenz 李正謙

[lilian]

Thanks SuMay, I got another 'bullet'.

I am not afraid to say that I had forwarded my views as an individual, a devoted mother, a concerned citizen to WABA. I brought to their attention the contents of the websites of formula milk companies. I provided the URL, some of the comments and questions that had been asked by mothers who are confused after digested too many advertisement to show WABA and their counterpart, IBFAN that the internet is the latest tool being used. One milk formula company even place their newborns formula milk on their website. They provided a disclaimer, sort of like those put up by porn sites, I am 18 yrs old, bla bla, I know the danger of providing formula milk to my baby, yet my curiosity forced me to check out the link (after we press 'agree', the webpage on newborn formula appears). Then, the surfer will be given the best promise of 'complete food, with boosted immunity, brain power' etc etc. (There is an international code that newborns formula MUST NOT be advertised.)

There is a major gathering of the top guns NGOs who draw the guidelines on the marketing of infant food in Penang next week. So, it is good to at least let them know that yeah, WABA is from Penang, Malaysia and yeah, there are groups of concerned, smart and aware mothers from Malaysia who are doing their little bit in breastfeeding awareness.

In WABA's latest newsletter, the American Agricultural (forgot the full name) has made a statement that they support breastfeeding. They are the ones rearing the cows lar but cows can be used for other purposes like giving us red, juicy steak instead of feeding milk to our newborns mah. If anyone of you have the WABA newsletter (one can request from their site), MyMomsBest is mentioned there. And they will also feature our WBW activities in the next issue.
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5xmom

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[Hanizawati]

Another indirect marketing by formula companies. Check this link :-

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/12/9718740.html

(pg 9 (Events) in Star Metro- The Star (Friday, 24th Dec 04)
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Hanz

[lilian]

Moomies,
Check this out.

http://www.mymomsbest.com/daily/index.php/2006/08/19/how-the-formula-milk-companies-breach-the-code/

If you have anything to share, do post them here so that we can bring the matters to the Kem. Kesihatan and also the NGO, IBFAN.
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5xmom

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[KittyCat]

Thanks for the newspaper article link - too busy to even read the papers nowadays so this really helps. Forgive me for going off-topic but I think that the key factor to the success of formula marketing is convenience since breastfeeding involves a lot of time, patience and efforts in the long run esp if you're a full-time working-for-someone mum.

Only a very few of us are lucky enough to have nursing rooms, understanding/not-bothered bosses, flexi work schedules and supportive networks to succeed in breastfeeding. Seriously, I have made it up to now as I can check off 2-3 of the above options. However, if I were at my previous job, I would not be able to even think about it due to points 1-3. Many friends also shared the same sentiments.

It's *great* news that Shahrizat Jalil announced that public servants would be getting longer maternity leave. That would certainly show that the govt means business when it advocates breastfeeding. However, things are trickier in the private sector as some don't even have the chance to enjoy their full maternity leave (what more take a longer one)! And many can't even get their annual leave approved.

Although we could say that it all depends on how determined a mum is, sometimes, things are really beyond our control esp when it's your rice bowl at stake. And you are only good at your job IF your boss thinks so too. It's a sad reality but it is a reality for many. Sorry for the depressing post but I do hope that WABA and IBFAN can do something to help working mums in Malaysia!
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KITTYCAT
Mum to Lucas (31/1/06)
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[Angeleyes]

Read about this on the paper today too.

Before I found MMB, I'm a bit 'sua-ku' also. So, when I go for check-up, the receptionists will ask me to fill in some forms and told me there are some free gifts. Good marketing strategies I must say, as free stuff always works. I went to 3 different ob-gyne during my pregnancy and I was given a total of 2 tins (from diff company) of FM meant for my baby by 2 of them.

One of the company (MJ) is very persistent, will call up every few months to check on me and my baby. Received their newsletter and they even have some nurses calling me to see if I need any help with caring for baby. Anyway, each time they called, I will tell them I still bf so they don't go on in pyscho-ing me... hehehe

I constantly advocate all my friends to bf but unfortunately most of them take the easy route by offering FM to their babies... which is a huge disappointment. The reasons they gave is the usual lame ones.... so leceh, pump in office's toilet so unhygenic, no one can care for bb if bf, bb will be too attached, not enough milk, MIL/parents object, more convenient to give FM, blah blah blah.... Even my best friend failed to bf her son beyond 1 month and now she complaint that her son get sick easily and his body a bit 'lembik'.

Guess that is why some of these FM companies can succeed so easily...
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Angeleyes

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[Anita Selvi]

Read the article as well and am so very glad that we here in this forum fall within the 29% of mothers who breastfeed.

The milk companies uses convenience more than anything else in their marketing effort and of course all those freebies

I think our Government must go for three months maternity leave like most of our neighbouring countries to advocate breastfeeding. On one side they want mothers to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months but on the other side, we are not given simple ammenities in order to do this. As mentioned in other threads, companies prefer to have a smoking room instead of expressing room.As KittyCat mentioned, not all of us have understanding bosses and a decent place to express. Many mothers I know make it at least for 2 months before stopping entirely.

I guess this is where the milk companies seize the opportunities like vultures. Even if we are one voice in a crowd of many, I guess our one voice can make a difference, and so we should!
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Anita

[feiru]

Am surprised that Nestle is one of the 4 that did not violate the code this time. They are one that earned most boycott in the world, due to too many violations. I wonder does it mean they have changed (very unlikely), or there are other tactics they are using which has not been discovered by the ministry yet?? Just kpc and wondering...
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Fei Ru
Mother to Ian (21 April 2004) and Isabel (26 May 2006)