This is nothing short of amazing!!!!!
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20081102-16879.html
By Catherine Madden
Mammary stem cells (red/blue) and differentiatedadult mammary cells (green) isolated from humanbreast milk.
The Perth scientist who made the world-first discovery that human breast milk contains stem cells is confident that within five years scientists will be harvesting them to research treatment for conditions as far-reaching as spinal injuries, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
But what Dr Mark Cregan is excited about right now is the promise that his discovery could be the start of many more exciting revelations about the potency of breast milk.
He believes that it not only meets all the nutritional needs of a growing infant but contains key markers that guide his or her development into adulthood.
“We already know how breast milk provides for the baby’s nutritional needs, but we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other functions,” says Dr Cregan, a molecular biologist at The University of Western Australia.
He says that, in essence, a new mother’s mammary glands take over from the placenta to provide the development guidance to ensure a baby’s genetic destiny is fulfilled.
“It is setting the baby up for the perfect development,” he says. “We already know that babies who are breast fed have an IQ advantage and that there’s a raft of other health benefits. Researchers also believe that the protective effects of being breast fed continue well into adult life.
“The point is that many mothers see milks as identical – formula milk and breast milk look the same so they must be the same. But we know now that they are quite different and a lot of the effects of breast milk versus formula don’t become apparent for decades. Formula companies have focussed on matching breast milk’s nutritional qualities but formula can never provide the developmental guidance.”
It was Dr Cregan’s interest in infant health that led him to investigate the complex cellular components of human milk. “I was looking at this vast complexity of cells and I thought, ‘No one knows anything about them’.”
His hunch was that if breast milk contains all these cells, surely it has their precursors, too?
His team cultured cells from human breast milk and found a population that tested positive for the stem cell marker, nestin. Further analysis showed that a side population of the stem cells were of multiple lineages with the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types. This means the cells could potentially be “reprogrammed” to form many types of human tissue.
He presented his research at the end of January to 200 of the world’s leading experts in the field at the International Conference of the Society for Research on Human Milk and Lactation in Perth.
“We have shown these cells have all the physical characteristics of stem cells. What we will do next is to see if they behave like stem cells,” he says.
If so, they promise to provide researchers with an entirely ethical means of harvesting stem cells for research without the debate that has dogged the harvesting of cells from embryos.
Further research on immune cells, which have also been found in breast milk and have already been shown to survive the baby’s digestive process, could provide a pathway to developing targets to beat certain viruses or bacteria.
A story provided by ScienceNetwork WA - Activate your connections to science. For permission to reproduce this article please contact ScienceNetwork. Related Stories: Clues to causes of cancer spreadLow-fat milk 'for chicks'Estrogen linked to breast cancerTumour cells are the true targetWallaby milk to improve dairy products
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
thoughts on breastfeeding....
I'm gonna try my post from yesterday one more time. IMHO, if you really did your "research" NOW, not at the time your child was born, you would know the studies are not biased - esp when studies from BOTH sides of the fence show the same thing. No one is saying "MUST" or "DIE".
Disco gave a great example with McDonald's earlier. I enjoy eating at McDonald's once in a while but I do so with the knowledge that it is not as good for me as making my own lunch and eating something healthy. I also know that by eating there it raises my RISKS for certain health problems later. Am I guarenteed to experience those health problems? No, but I am increasing my RISKS of developing them.
I don't know that people are STUPID for not believing but it does make them unaware and uninformed. You don't have to believe the facts but it doesn't make them untrue either.
I still think the point is that the risk comes moreso from NOT breastfeeding than from giving formula b/c you do not gain the benefits of bf. That's just sorta common sense to me. Formula IS a man-made material. Nothing man-made can truly compare to what is natural and carries some risks.
Maybe look at it this way (not sure if this is a good example or not) we know what health benefits come from eating fruits and veggies. Sure supplements are good but they are just that supplements, they are not as good as the real thing. According to the CDC when compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts, as part of a healthy diet, tend to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and perhaps cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
It's the same with bfing, imo. Those who do bf and their children who are bf tend to have a reduced risk of various diseases, illnesses and health problems than those who don't and aren't. Although I think formula could be tested better, like the ingredients, I think it is more the NOT bfing, not getting what is natural, not doing what is natural (b/c bf benefits both mother and child) that puts one at a higher risk. When a baby is not breastfed (regardless of what they are given as a substitute) they miss out on:
Human milk protein (and get Cow's milk protein)
Human fats (and get Vegetable fats)
Human nucleotides (and get Nucleotides made from vegetable extract )
Living cells
Antibodies
Germ fighting proteins and carbohydrates
The protein, fat and nucleotides in breast milk come right from mom. They are designed by nature for your baby's brain growth. The protein, fat and nucleotides in formula come from animals and vegetables instead of mom. They are not designed by nature for your baby's brain growth.
Breast milk also contains living cells, antibodies and germ-fighting proteins and carbohydrates. They help prevent your baby from getting sick. Breast milk is baby's first immunization! Formula does not contain any germ-fighting nutrients. Only moms can make them! Science cannot duplicate them!
It's simple logic to believe that by NOT getting those living cells, antibodies and germ-fighting proteins and carbohydrates that it will effect someone's health in some way. I don't need a scientifical study to prove it, it's just common sense to me.
This is from the Nestle website: [italics mine]
Quote:
Should all mothers be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?
Yes, breast milk is the ideal food for healthy growth and development of babies. In 2001 the World Health Organization (WHO) changed its recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding from 4 to 6 months to 6 months, therefore breastfeeding should be encouraged and promoted accordingly.
Infant formula is the best nutritional alternative for those babies who are not breastfed.
Every mother has the right to choose what she feels is best for herself and her baby on the basis of objective information and advice from a qualified health professional.
Quote:
Mothers should first and foremost be encouraged and supported to breast feed their baby.
Quote:
Nestlé has always emphasised the superiority of breastfeeding.
Quote:
Infant formula is the only product recommended by the UN's food standards body as an appropriate substitute for breast-milk.
Even one of the largest formula companies in the world recognizes the inadequacy of formula when compared to breastmilk.
__________________
by SarahC
Disco gave a great example with McDonald's earlier. I enjoy eating at McDonald's once in a while but I do so with the knowledge that it is not as good for me as making my own lunch and eating something healthy. I also know that by eating there it raises my RISKS for certain health problems later. Am I guarenteed to experience those health problems? No, but I am increasing my RISKS of developing them.
I don't know that people are STUPID for not believing but it does make them unaware and uninformed. You don't have to believe the facts but it doesn't make them untrue either.
I still think the point is that the risk comes moreso from NOT breastfeeding than from giving formula b/c you do not gain the benefits of bf. That's just sorta common sense to me. Formula IS a man-made material. Nothing man-made can truly compare to what is natural and carries some risks.
Maybe look at it this way (not sure if this is a good example or not) we know what health benefits come from eating fruits and veggies. Sure supplements are good but they are just that supplements, they are not as good as the real thing. According to the CDC when compared to people who eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts, as part of a healthy diet, tend to have reduced risk of chronic diseases. These diseases include stroke, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and perhaps cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
It's the same with bfing, imo. Those who do bf and their children who are bf tend to have a reduced risk of various diseases, illnesses and health problems than those who don't and aren't. Although I think formula could be tested better, like the ingredients, I think it is more the NOT bfing, not getting what is natural, not doing what is natural (b/c bf benefits both mother and child) that puts one at a higher risk. When a baby is not breastfed (regardless of what they are given as a substitute) they miss out on:
Human milk protein (and get Cow's milk protein)
Human fats (and get Vegetable fats)
Human nucleotides (and get Nucleotides made from vegetable extract )
Living cells
Antibodies
Germ fighting proteins and carbohydrates
The protein, fat and nucleotides in breast milk come right from mom. They are designed by nature for your baby's brain growth. The protein, fat and nucleotides in formula come from animals and vegetables instead of mom. They are not designed by nature for your baby's brain growth.
Breast milk also contains living cells, antibodies and germ-fighting proteins and carbohydrates. They help prevent your baby from getting sick. Breast milk is baby's first immunization! Formula does not contain any germ-fighting nutrients. Only moms can make them! Science cannot duplicate them!
It's simple logic to believe that by NOT getting those living cells, antibodies and germ-fighting proteins and carbohydrates that it will effect someone's health in some way. I don't need a scientifical study to prove it, it's just common sense to me.
This is from the Nestle website: [italics mine]
Quote:
Should all mothers be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months?
Yes, breast milk is the ideal food for healthy growth and development of babies. In 2001 the World Health Organization (WHO) changed its recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding from 4 to 6 months to 6 months, therefore breastfeeding should be encouraged and promoted accordingly.
Infant formula is the best nutritional alternative for those babies who are not breastfed.
Every mother has the right to choose what she feels is best for herself and her baby on the basis of objective information and advice from a qualified health professional.
Quote:
Mothers should first and foremost be encouraged and supported to breast feed their baby.
Quote:
Nestlé has always emphasised the superiority of breastfeeding.
Quote:
Infant formula is the only product recommended by the UN's food standards body as an appropriate substitute for breast-milk.
Even one of the largest formula companies in the world recognizes the inadequacy of formula when compared to breastmilk.
__________________
by SarahC
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Weaning a Preschooler
One of the very last pictures I have of my son nursing. He weaned when he was 4 1/2 years old, while I was pregnant, with some gentle encouragement from me. There was just no milk left for him, and he kept checking to see that it was empty. He nursed for the last time on December 21st, 2007.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Breastfeeding Poll at GMTV
Please take aminute to vote here.....
http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=1&articleaction=displayPoll&pollid=1197&pollpos=1
http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=1&articleaction=displayPoll&pollid=1197&pollpos=1
Friday, January 25, 2008
101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby
101 Reasons To Breastfeed Your Baby
Written by Leslie Burby© All rights reserved.
1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it
2. Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby
3. Breastfeeding satisfies baby's emotional needs
4. Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition
5. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of breast cancer
6. Formula feeding increases baby girls' risk of developing breast cancer in later life
7. Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q.
8. Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does
9. Breast milk helps pass meconium
10. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system.
11. Breast milk is more digestible than formula
12. Suckling helps shrink mother's uterus after childbirth
13. Suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage
14. Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born
15. Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants
16. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
17. Breastfeeding protects against Crohn's disease (intestinal disorder)
18. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes.
19. Breastfeeding decreases insulin requirements for breastfeeding mothers
20. Breastfeeding stabilizes progress of maternal endometriosis
21. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer
22. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing endometrial cancer
23. Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
24. Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
25. Formula feeding increases baby's risk of otitis media (ear infections)
26. Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.)
27. Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
28. Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
29. Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections
30. Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood lymphomas
31. Breastfeeding decreases chances of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
32. Breastfeeding decreases child's chances of contracting Hodgkins disease
33. Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects
34. Breastfeeding decreases chances of maternal osteoporosis in later life
35. Breast milk is an intestinal soother
36. Cows milk is an intestinal irritant
37. Formula-fed babies are more at risk for obesity in later life
38. Breastfed babies have less chance of cardiopulmonary distress while feeding
39. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing ulcerative colitis
40. Breast milk protects against hemophilus b. virus
41. Breastfed babies require shorter pre and post-surgical fasting
42. Breastfeeding results in less sick days for parents
43. Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness
44. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing necrotizing enterocolitis
45. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive
46. Breastfeeding is easier than using formula
47. Breast milk is free
48. Formula is expensive
49. Formula costs the government (and taxpayers) millions of dollars
50. Breast milk is always the right temperature
51. Breast milk always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates and protein
52. Breast milk acts like a natural tranquilizer for baby
53. Breastfeeding acts like a natural tranquilizer for mom
54. Breast milk tastes better than formula
55. Breastfed babies are healthier over-all
56. Breastfed babies are less likely to die before their third birthday
57. Breastfed babies require fewer doctor visits
58. Breastfeeding mothers spend less time and money on doctor visits
59. Fewer waste packaging products
60. No bottles to tote
61. Less cow induced global greenhouse gasses
62. No need to refrigerate
63. Cows milk is designed for baby cows
64. Human milk is designed for baby humans
65. Natural pain relief for baby
66. Perfect food for sick baby
67. More sleep for mom
68. More sleep for baby
69. More sleep for dad
70. Less equipment to maintain and store
71. Less equipment to buy
72. Breast milk has never been recalled
73. Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria
74. No need to worry about which brand is better
75. No need to worry about adding contaminated water
76. Breastfeeding helps reduce cruelty to farm animals
77. Facilitates proper dental and jaw development
78. Breastfed babies get fewer cavities
79. Less money spent on corrective orthodontia
80. Better speech development
81. Less chance of baby getting eczema
82. Breastfed babies have great skin
83. Less gastrointestinal reflux (Spit-up)
84. Easier to clean spit-up stains
85. Breast milk contains no genetically engineered materials
86. Contains no synthetic growth hormones
87. Lack of breastfeeding associated with multiple sclerosis
88. Less chance of inguinal hernia
89. Better cognitive development
90. Better social development
91. Decreased risk of baby developing urinary tract infections
92. Suckling optimizes hand-to-eye coordination
93. Protects mothers against anemia (iron deficiency)
94. Less money spent on menstrual supplies
95. Self confidence booster for mom
96. Breast milk is good for combatting eye infections
97. Breast milk is a good natural antibiotic for wounds
98. No worry about latest ingredient discovered to be missing from formula
99. Much nicer diaper changes
100. Breastfed babies smell fantastic
101. It's what breasts were designed for!
For the medical resources supporting these reasons to breastfeed your baby... please go to www.promom.org
Written by Leslie Burby© All rights reserved.
1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it
2. Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby
3. Breastfeeding satisfies baby's emotional needs
4. Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition
5. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of breast cancer
6. Formula feeding increases baby girls' risk of developing breast cancer in later life
7. Formula Feeding is associated with lower I.Q.
8. Breast milk is always ready and comes in a nicer package than formula does
9. Breast milk helps pass meconium
10. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system.
11. Breast milk is more digestible than formula
12. Suckling helps shrink mother's uterus after childbirth
13. Suckling helps prevent post-partum hemorrhage
14. Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born
15. Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants
16. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
17. Breastfeeding protects against Crohn's disease (intestinal disorder)
18. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes.
19. Breastfeeding decreases insulin requirements for breastfeeding mothers
20. Breastfeeding stabilizes progress of maternal endometriosis
21. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer
22. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing endometrial cancer
23. Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies
24. Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma
25. Formula feeding increases baby's risk of otitis media (ear infections)
26. Formula feeding may increase risk of sudden infant death syndrome (S.I.D.S.)
27. Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections
28. Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis
29. Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections
30. Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood lymphomas
31. Breastfeeding decreases chances of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
32. Breastfeeding decreases child's chances of contracting Hodgkins disease
33. Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects
34. Breastfeeding decreases chances of maternal osteoporosis in later life
35. Breast milk is an intestinal soother
36. Cows milk is an intestinal irritant
37. Formula-fed babies are more at risk for obesity in later life
38. Breastfed babies have less chance of cardiopulmonary distress while feeding
39. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing ulcerative colitis
40. Breast milk protects against hemophilus b. virus
41. Breastfed babies require shorter pre and post-surgical fasting
42. Breastfeeding results in less sick days for parents
43. Breastfeeding enhances vaccine effectiveness
44. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing necrotizing enterocolitis
45. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive
46. Breastfeeding is easier than using formula
47. Breast milk is free
48. Formula is expensive
49. Formula costs the government (and taxpayers) millions of dollars
50. Breast milk is always the right temperature
51. Breast milk always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates and protein
52. Breast milk acts like a natural tranquilizer for baby
53. Breastfeeding acts like a natural tranquilizer for mom
54. Breast milk tastes better than formula
55. Breastfed babies are healthier over-all
56. Breastfed babies are less likely to die before their third birthday
57. Breastfed babies require fewer doctor visits
58. Breastfeeding mothers spend less time and money on doctor visits
59. Fewer waste packaging products
60. No bottles to tote
61. Less cow induced global greenhouse gasses
62. No need to refrigerate
63. Cows milk is designed for baby cows
64. Human milk is designed for baby humans
65. Natural pain relief for baby
66. Perfect food for sick baby
67. More sleep for mom
68. More sleep for baby
69. More sleep for dad
70. Less equipment to maintain and store
71. Less equipment to buy
72. Breast milk has never been recalled
73. Fresh breast milk is never contaminated with bacteria
74. No need to worry about which brand is better
75. No need to worry about adding contaminated water
76. Breastfeeding helps reduce cruelty to farm animals
77. Facilitates proper dental and jaw development
78. Breastfed babies get fewer cavities
79. Less money spent on corrective orthodontia
80. Better speech development
81. Less chance of baby getting eczema
82. Breastfed babies have great skin
83. Less gastrointestinal reflux (Spit-up)
84. Easier to clean spit-up stains
85. Breast milk contains no genetically engineered materials
86. Contains no synthetic growth hormones
87. Lack of breastfeeding associated with multiple sclerosis
88. Less chance of inguinal hernia
89. Better cognitive development
90. Better social development
91. Decreased risk of baby developing urinary tract infections
92. Suckling optimizes hand-to-eye coordination
93. Protects mothers against anemia (iron deficiency)
94. Less money spent on menstrual supplies
95. Self confidence booster for mom
96. Breast milk is good for combatting eye infections
97. Breast milk is a good natural antibiotic for wounds
98. No worry about latest ingredient discovered to be missing from formula
99. Much nicer diaper changes
100. Breastfed babies smell fantastic
101. It's what breasts were designed for!
For the medical resources supporting these reasons to breastfeed your baby... please go to www.promom.org
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Breastfeeding commercial
http://www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=2&n2=7
A beautiful breastfeeding commercial by the NHS in the UK.
Enjoy!
A beautiful breastfeeding commercial by the NHS in the UK.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Help Cancel Nestle's Participation at Winnipeg Baby Show
January 3, 2008
ACTION ALERT – Help cancel Nestlé’s participation at Winnipeg Baby Show
The Winnipeg Baby and Kids Show, held this year February 2nd and 3rd, is a conference geared towards expectant and young families. It is designed to showcase local baby-oriented merchants and provide families with parenting information and services.
One of the exhibitors at this year's show will be Nestlé Nutrition. Other participating local businesses who are concerned with infant health have contacted INFACT Canada and asked that we help them protest Nestlé’s involvement, because of the corporation’s aggressive and dangerous marketing of infant formula.
Help us get Nestlé removed from this event! Send a letter to Deanna England (deanna@showtimeprod uctions.ca), the exhibitor coordinator for the Winnipeg Baby Show. Let her know Nestlé’s presence at the show is unacceptable. The company should not be allowed to participate until it demonstrates that it can market its infant formula reponsibly and without endangering the wellbeing of infants. Write your own letter or cut and paste the one below.
For more information on Nestlé’s unethical marketing practices, visit www.babymilkaction. org.
deanna@showtimeprod uctions.ca
Dear Ms. England,
I’m writing to express my displeasure at finding that Nestlé Nutrition is one of the exhibitors at the upcoming Winnipeg Baby and Kids Show.
The Baby Show is supposed to provide families with information and services that will help them do what all families want to: live healthy and happy lives. But as you may be aware, Nestlé is notorious throughout the world for misleading parents about its products and prioritizing profits over infant health.
In many parts of the world, using infant formula is extremely dangerous. The proper use of artificial baby food requires clean water, sufficient family income, and a literate parent to read preparation instructions. In many regions of the world, all three of these things are in severely short supply, making artificial feeding a frequently deadly practice . The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 million infants and young children die each year because they are not breastfed. Impoverished women in these countries have little incentive to formula feed. It is expensive, often costing a whole month’s worth of family income, and it needlessly exposes their children to serious health risks. Yet Nestlé continues to dissuade mothers from breastfeeding and aggressively promotes its infant formula in areas where its use is known to frequently be fatal. Its marketing techniques, which are in violation of UNICEF and WHO guidelines, are not limited to simple billboards. Nestlé convinces mothers that formula is the “Western,” “advanced,” and “modern” way to feed babies.
The company also pays health workers in the Philippines to promote their product to impoverished mothers. That country has breastfeeding rates so low that 10,000 infants die there each year from inadequate nutrition.Earlier this year, the UK’s Guardian newspaper documented how Nestlé targets impoverished mothers in Bangladesh with formula advertising, often with fatal results. In Armenia, Nestlé pays doctors a commission for each prescription they write for Nestlé formula, even though the WHO recommends Armenian mothers exclusively breastfeed their children for six months.Marketing tactics like these are dangerous, and violate the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the WHO’s guidelines for formula marketing).
Nestlé’s violations of these important guidelines are numerous and well-documented, and demonstrate incontrovertibly that Nestlé is much more interested in making profits than promoting infant health. Evidence of their violations can bee seen at http://www.ibfan. org/site2005/ abm/paginas/ articles/ arch_art/ 302-17.pdf.Until the company reforms its unethical marketing practices, Nestlé has no place being an exhibitor at an event designed to help families and babies.
Please show your commitment to infant health and cancel Nestlé’s participation in Winnipeg’s Baby Show.Thank you very much for your understanding on this important issue.
Sincerely,
ACTION ALERT – Help cancel Nestlé’s participation at Winnipeg Baby Show
The Winnipeg Baby and Kids Show, held this year February 2nd and 3rd, is a conference geared towards expectant and young families. It is designed to showcase local baby-oriented merchants and provide families with parenting information and services.
One of the exhibitors at this year's show will be Nestlé Nutrition. Other participating local businesses who are concerned with infant health have contacted INFACT Canada and asked that we help them protest Nestlé’s involvement, because of the corporation’s aggressive and dangerous marketing of infant formula.
Help us get Nestlé removed from this event! Send a letter to Deanna England (deanna@showtimeprod uctions.ca), the exhibitor coordinator for the Winnipeg Baby Show. Let her know Nestlé’s presence at the show is unacceptable. The company should not be allowed to participate until it demonstrates that it can market its infant formula reponsibly and without endangering the wellbeing of infants. Write your own letter or cut and paste the one below.
For more information on Nestlé’s unethical marketing practices, visit www.babymilkaction. org.
deanna@showtimeprod uctions.ca
Dear Ms. England,
I’m writing to express my displeasure at finding that Nestlé Nutrition is one of the exhibitors at the upcoming Winnipeg Baby and Kids Show.
The Baby Show is supposed to provide families with information and services that will help them do what all families want to: live healthy and happy lives. But as you may be aware, Nestlé is notorious throughout the world for misleading parents about its products and prioritizing profits over infant health.
In many parts of the world, using infant formula is extremely dangerous. The proper use of artificial baby food requires clean water, sufficient family income, and a literate parent to read preparation instructions. In many regions of the world, all three of these things are in severely short supply, making artificial feeding a frequently deadly practice . The World Health Organization estimates that 1.5 million infants and young children die each year because they are not breastfed. Impoverished women in these countries have little incentive to formula feed. It is expensive, often costing a whole month’s worth of family income, and it needlessly exposes their children to serious health risks. Yet Nestlé continues to dissuade mothers from breastfeeding and aggressively promotes its infant formula in areas where its use is known to frequently be fatal. Its marketing techniques, which are in violation of UNICEF and WHO guidelines, are not limited to simple billboards. Nestlé convinces mothers that formula is the “Western,” “advanced,” and “modern” way to feed babies.
The company also pays health workers in the Philippines to promote their product to impoverished mothers. That country has breastfeeding rates so low that 10,000 infants die there each year from inadequate nutrition.Earlier this year, the UK’s Guardian newspaper documented how Nestlé targets impoverished mothers in Bangladesh with formula advertising, often with fatal results. In Armenia, Nestlé pays doctors a commission for each prescription they write for Nestlé formula, even though the WHO recommends Armenian mothers exclusively breastfeed their children for six months.Marketing tactics like these are dangerous, and violate the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the WHO’s guidelines for formula marketing).
Nestlé’s violations of these important guidelines are numerous and well-documented, and demonstrate incontrovertibly that Nestlé is much more interested in making profits than promoting infant health. Evidence of their violations can bee seen at http://www.ibfan. org/site2005/ abm/paginas/ articles/ arch_art/ 302-17.pdf.Until the company reforms its unethical marketing practices, Nestlé has no place being an exhibitor at an event designed to help families and babies.
Please show your commitment to infant health and cancel Nestlé’s participation in Winnipeg’s Baby Show.Thank you very much for your understanding on this important issue.
Sincerely,
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