Famous breastfeeding blogger threatened by USA Pork Board
Read the full story here http://thelactivist.blogspot.com
The Lactivist (a hobby site run by a blogger who is a work-at-home mother, whose intent is to educate the public, create awareness, and promote breastfeeding and human milk banking) has been handed a Cease and Desist order from the US National Pork Board, for allegedly violating their trademark "the other white meat".
Why is it that big companies are so quick to send out threatening letters, without even talking to the person first!
Also - Whilst I encourage breast feeding wherever possible and support Jennifers campaign to allow women to breastfeed in public, I've never heard of the US 'Milk-bank' before.
What do you think about the idea of donating milk to babies who need it, and do you think the idea could and should be put into place in the UK?
In fact, a few minutes Googling brings up this UK Milk Bank website, for those who want to learn more!
She is a member of a forum where I do a great deal of lurking.
I some what agree with her, but I also believe that there are special needs children (like my DS12) who would die with out formula to keep them going as infants. Keeping this in mind you should also know that after my DD8 was born I shared milk in a milk bank too.
I think the pork lobby is just looking for a fight.
Jennifer emailed me this morning, so I'm passing on her comments
Quote:
I will say that you might point out to sassy that I have nothing against formula. (You wonât find ANY anti-formula slogans on my site or my shirts, in fact, âToo lazy to bottlefeedâ implies that formula moms work harderâŚno?) I think she misunderstands my crusade for more milk banks with a dislike of formula and thatâs just not the case here
Hello Jennifer and Rob,
I had noticed that about your blog site. I agree that the issue is an important one, but each community NEEDS its own reason to found and support a milk bank. It is impossible to speak of breastfeeding and not mention formula with respect to supporting the options open to all mothers.
When I had the chance to donate to a milk bank it was my OBGYN who suggested and arranged the effort for me. I never would have tried such a thing all on my own. Your crusade is a respectable one and I wish you well with it. đ
The trademark aspect of this seems silly to
Trademark you saying and fight them like a mother bear whos cubs are in danger in court!
Absoutely ludicrous that they feel the need to take offence at the t-shirt đ
Milk banks are slowly appearing over here and I think there is one up and running in Perth - I have to say that I think they are vitally needed in the care of premmies and special care babies. It's liquid gold. Not that I don't advocate FF if needed, but whereever possible, breastmilk should be used. It's full of nutrients and antibodies that you just can't get in formula.
Never heard of milk banks but what a wonderful idea! i know that years ago people used to breast feed each others children and my nan who had 18 children did feed a ladys baby local to here for 6 months as well as her own as the mum couldn't feed herself and the baby was born prem. Absolutely ridiculous of any large company to make threats to a organisation such as this that are simply doing good.
ive never heard of a milk bank! sound a bit funny to me! i wudnt want another mother giving my child her breat milk!
i never breast feed my kids and if i have anymore i would use formila milk again, it is quick and easier then breast feeding and it has the same nutriants in it as breast milk.
I applaud mothers who breastfeed, but it wasn't for me, and since all my kids were in the ICU units it was, at the time the last thing on my mind.
I feel its wrong for new mothers to feel such pressure (as i felt) to breastfeed if they don't want to, or find it hard........to be made to feel like a bad mother because i chose not to breastfeed is something i detest.
That said, i think all mothers should get support whatever they decide and yes i totally agree that breast milk is better, but that doesn't make formula BAD, or mothers who don't breast feed bad mothers.
just my two penneth!
Any updates on this situation?
I breastfed my first son for only a few weeks, he hated being held close and eventually we had to use formula which he'd only drink if he sat in his bouncer and we sat facing him so he could have eye to eye contact whilst still having independence...he's nearly 3 and we're finally getting cuddles from him! My second son is just 1 and i only got to feed him for 6mths myself before i had to go on antidepressants for PND, i was only on them for a short time but it hurt both of us as he hated formula. Luckily i stored loads of milk in the freezer before i started my tablets so mixed it in with formula until he got the taste.
The idea of a milk bank sounds great, just the thing for babies in SCBU. We're ttc #3 and hopefully this time i'll be able to breastfeed longer. Formula and bottles is so timeconsuming!
Hi my LO is 9mths and we are still BF and plan to continue as long as she wants. Im at the stage now where people are saying 'are you STILL bf' starting to piss me off now its as if I should stop as soon as she is 6 mths!
On the milk bank note, we have one here in NI that covers the whole of Ireland! I have donated milk and it is great to know that I have been able to help little ones who are in need! If anyone is BF and can possibly donate please do the banks are in need of milk all the time and it is so precious every little drop helps! I think thats the slogan they use.