... to contemplate participating in a SMA guide to breastfeeding?

[toSMAornottoSMA]

I responded to the advert on MN yesterday for mums to take part in a SMA guide to breastfeeding. I haven't heard back, but I wondering if actually I'm out of order to consider taking part. I breastfed DC1 for 15months and intend to do the same for DC2. I have never bought formula.
But - I can see the benefit of quality breastfeeding advice being available online, and think that SMA would have the resources etc to produce a quality resource. I've loved breastfeeding, so I'd love to pass some of that enthusiasm on.
So ... I know I'll probably get flamed by some, and its totally theoretical at this stage, but what do you think?

[sagacious]

I think anything done to promote easier breastfeeding is a Good Thing

(I bf but on the odd occasion I was out for a night left SMA ready cartons for dh)

[Domesticallychallenged]

Hmmmm have been considering it myself and am also a breastfeeder!

[Tidey]

Seems fine to me. If they want to encourage more people to breastfeed instead of using their formula and pay to make that information available, what's the problem?

[littlelamb]

I wouldn't do it. They are a company trying to sell formula at the end of the day, and they do so by undermining breastfeeding. If you want to be involved in giving bf advice, why not do it on the feeding threads on here? Tbh as a bf mum, the last place I would look for advice is on the website of SMA

[littlelamb]

'If they want to encourage more people to breastfeed instead of using their formula and pay to make that information available, what's the problem?'
Do you really think that that's what they are doing Tidey??

[FrannyandZooey]

right, because they will only want to promote breastfeeding, and not at all to get their name in the public eye, associated with breastfeeding in the minds of new parents, while ostensibly sticking to the code which forbids them to advertise their products?

[SamJamsmum]

If they are going to produce such a thing then I would prefer the information given is from real mums who have breastfed and have enthusiasm as you have. Ideally from someone who can see the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 6 months as you obviously do.
I would personally want to be very questioning of materials that sit alongside it and ask lots of questions on how they ensure people are given good information i.e. if there's going to be a message board how would it be moderated.

The bottom line is that the motivation is to sell more of their product and ideally sell their product to people struggling with bfing and seeking support but that doesn't mean that you can't use the system to get across some of your message and perhaps reach some people who may not otherwise hear your POV. They will be sailing very close to the wind as this is a not very subtle attempt to get their brand name in the minds of people they are not otherwise allowed to advertise to. It's not pretty but perhaps you can make some kind of difference to the quality of the content.

[toSMAornottoSMA]

I totally understand that SMA are doing this to promote their brand etc etc, but maybe the advice will help mums bf for a few weeks or months longer than they might have done otherwise??
I found web resources much more helpful than the RL health visitor squeezing my nipples

[Tidey]

I don't think they do undermine breastfeeding. Some people just choose to formula feed their babies. They don't advertise first milks. In all their advertising for follow on milk, they say 'Breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months. IF you choose to move on from it, you can use this'.

I don't see how producing an information leaflet about breastfeeding undermines breastfeeding.

[Tryharder]

All well and good but I wonder to what extent any bf advice will consist of "yes, bf is best but if you're finding it hard, here's a carton of SMA, it's nutritionally similar to breastmilk doncha know".

I have just finished reading "The Politics of Breastfeeding" - very thought provoking and so am currently feeling very towards formula companies.

[KnickKnack]

What has happened to the thread with the hilarious comments SMA advert? Its not appearing in "threads I'm on" tonight.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Tidey do you work for sma?

[Sorrento]

They will undermine Breast Feeding, I would have nothing to do with SMA if you support the cause of promoting breast feeding.
There are better places providing better information without the presence of formula ads.

[Tidey]

No, I don't. I know it's deeply unfashionable to say it on here, but I just don't believe that everyone who formula feeds is evil and hates children. They're already not allowed to advertise, and I don't see any problem with them making information available about breastfeeding. Some people DO have to change to formula because BF doesn't work out for them, and they shouldn't be made to feel bad for it.

[Sorrento]

Of course formula feeder don't hate their children, that's a daft thing to say.

But SMA promoting breast feeding is a bit like turkeys voting for Christmas isn't it ?

[Tidey]

Yes, I agree that it is a bit odd for them to do this, but as the OP said, if they have the money and resources to put out a leaflet that informs people about breastfeeding, why is it such a bad thing? Surely they can't spend the entire booklet saying 'Ooooh, it's painful, mind you. It'll wreck your body, probably. Why not try our milk instead? Go on, it's only a tenner a tub. Save yourself the hassle.' ??

[Flibbertyjibbet]

Its not that its unfashionable to say it on here - you never see it said on here, because the people on here just don't say that.

There is a difference between thinking that everone who formula feeds is evil and hates children (where did you get that from fgs), and thinking that formula manufacturers are profit oriented organisations that over the last few years have started losing out to bf. So i think they have decided to pretend they are in favour of bf simply from a new marketing policy of 'if you can't beat em join em'.

I very much suspect that this bf guide will not be translated into the languages used in countries where formula hard selling and marketing is permitted.

[Tidey]

Ah, only just read that it's for their website. Anyway, my point still stands. Someone has already said they've found better help on the internet than from their HV.

[Auntylulu]

i agree with what franny said
"
right, because they will only want to promote breastfeeding, and not at all to get their name in the public eye, associated with breastfeeding in the minds of new parents, while ostensibly sticking to the code which forbids them to advertise their products?"

a formula milk company, cannot, cannot be the most ethical, moral and impartial one to promote breastfeeding. the two things are mutually exclusive

a formula company is not a charity, it wants people to buy its product rather than the next one on the shelf.. assocaiting itself with breastfeeding, as one of the good guys as it were, is a cynical marketing ploy

and i bottle fed both my babies from birth

if you want to pass on passion and enthusiasm for breastfeeding, OP, i would train as a breastfeeding counsellor, peer supporter or somehow get yourself out there in the community to provide hands on real life support

[toSMAornottoSMA]

Fliberty - I'm not naive about the business model of formula companies and I'm not comfortable with the way I've heard it claimed that formula is pushed in third world countries. However, I wouldn't expect an online guide to be translated - surely the issues faced by bfing mums are different in different cultures and societies?

[littlelamb]

It's called a conflict of interest Tidey. There is more to it than SMA wanting to 'promote' bf.

[Auntylulu]

yes, conflict of interest, that is the phrase i wanted.

anyone who has doubts about this sort of thing should read 'the politics of breastfeeding' by gabrielle palmer, i thikn it was recently reissued