Are Baby Formula Ads at Fault for Declining Breastfeeding Rates in the Phils?
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
During my pregnancy I read on the importance of breastfeeding. I was sold. The benefits of this super food are just amazing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a study claiming that aggressive baby formula campaigns is the culprit for the decline of breastfed babies in the Phils. With a study group composed of 345 disadvantaged families from 16 different baranggays, the findings also show that mothers use formula upon the advice of medical professionals.
Because of this, WHO is calling for a ban on formula ads, according to BabyCenter.com. Of course, all in the hopes of increasing breastfeeding.
But is this really the right solution?
From my perspective it’s not. Why? There is nothing wrong with ads per se, nor is there anything wrong with milk formula for infants. I think the underlying issue here is that disadvantaged families don’t have or receive information on breastfeeding’s benefits.
What’s the solution?
Information dissemination. More mothers should be educated on the importance of breastfeeding. Perhaps, there should even be ads that promote breast milk. The point is to teach disadvantaged families that a mother’s milk should be the primary food source for infants, in order to raise healthier children.
However, don’t toss formula to the side just yet. There are mothers who are unable to breastfeed for different reasons (illnesses, work). Therefore, they need store-bought milk to provide nourishment to their children.
That being said, the answer to this title’s post is pretty clear: I don’t think ads are at fault for the decreased rates of breastfeeding. The lack of information is.
What about you, what do you think?
UPDATE (Nov. 12, 2011): I was recently directed to a post about the Philippine’s Milk Code (found below). Apparently, the government has already banned ads from products that are considered as breast milk substitutes.
The issue now is whether other countries that haven’t banned formula ads should. China is considering doing so.
Sources:MotheringFromTheHeart.com, Why is Breastfeeding so Important?
ScienceDirect.com, Is unimpeded marketing for breast milk substitutes responsible for the decline in breastfeeding in the Philippines? An exploratory survey and focus group analysis
Babycenter.com, Should formula ads be banned?
ChroniclesOfANursingMom.com, Understanding the Milk Code
Photo:
Creative Commons from nerissa’s ring
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