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Two Continents, Exact Message, Same Results
Thursday, May 31, 2007
I have no clue why I'm constantly amazed by the low breastfeeding rates in Africa. I guess I'm still holding on to some ideal, stereotypical notion that all things in Mother Africa are still pristine and natural. The truth is, impoverished nations are severely and relentlessly assaulted by formula companies just like here at home.Ghana just launched a nationwide campaign called "The Best Protection a Mother Can Give" to help mothers keep their babies healthy by simply exclusively breastfeeding them for the first six months of their life. And here in America, the Office for Minority Health launched an awareness campaign called "A Healthy Baby Begins with You", for with breastfeeding is a critical component, in order to decrease the critically high numbers of black infant mortality.
But, what do we see here? The same story, similar campaigns, two different continents.
I hate to sound pessimistic, but I also believe in truthfulness, these two campaigns will win over a few converts (relatively speaking), but the vast majority of moms will still be chained to a formula container, even though it clearly produces poorer health and an increased risk of infant death. Government funded campaigns just don't have the muscle to compete with the money formula companies throw around.
What do you think?
Labels: commentary, formula
posted by Jennifer James @ 2:35 PM,
3 Comments:
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At June 1, 2007 3:46 PM,
Mamaebeth said...
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personally i think the problem is with society.
as long as children are seen as a burden instead of a blessing by society (poor education, poor health care, lack of changing stations in the freakin' bathrooms)
breasts are over-sexualized (NIP taboos)
two incomes necessary to support a family or single parent households (returning to work at 12 weeks, 6 weeks, immediately)
it will be difficult to get moms to BF. -
At June 4, 2007 7:37 AM,
Jennifer James said...
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You're right about that. It makes you wonder, though. What are the world's priorities?
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At June 4, 2007 6:40 PM,
Honey said...
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One way to support breastfeeding in Ghana & other countries is to boycott Nestle. They have refused to cooperate with laws/rules that have been set by WHO to protect women & their babies. You can join the boycott & find out more information about why boycott at the addy below.
http://www.babymilkaction.org/pages/boycott.html
Honey
