Breastfeeding (sabotage) kit

Enfamil is generously offering, out of the goodness of their hearts, a Breastfeeding Kit. It's everything a new breastfeeding mom needs to get off to a successful start (at formula feeding, that is).

• A sample of Expecta® LIPIL® DHA Supplement for pregnant and nursing moms. Because the first step to supplementing with formula is to undermine the mom's confidence that her breastmilk alone is sufficient for the baby. If you can't persuade her to supplement her baby, then start by getting her to take your magical supplements!

• An excerpt from The Nursing Mother's Companion, a useful guide with tips and suggestions. Because the entire book would be too expensive and would probably give the mother enough information and confidence that she wouldn't need your magical formulas or supplements. I am guessing the excerpts are all the parts that would undermine breastfeeding: probably stuff about how to supplement with formula, etc.

• A sample of Enfamil LIPIL®, our closest formula to breast milk, should you choose to supplement. Because, you know, it's all about choice. Never mind that the "choice" to supplement is often a one-way road to formula feeding, or that once a mom "chooses" formula, she cannot simply choose to go back to breastfeeding.

Does anyone else find this creepy and condescending? Well, at least one other person does: Mama-Is (formerly known as Hathor the Cowgoddess). She made a comic about it.

What would be in your ideal breastfeeding kit? Mine would have:

• At least two breastfeeding books: one solid, informational, problem-solving one like Jack Newman's Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers, and one funny/inspiring one.
• A sling for hands-free nursing. I'm partial to Second Womb Slings...
  
• A stainless steel water bottle: no worries about chemicals leaching out of plastic bottles, good for the environment, helps mama stay hydrated.
• A DVD of helpful breastfeeding videos, such as the ones found on Jack Newman's site.
• A collection of fun music and DVDs so mama can relax and enjoy herself while the baby is nursing.
• A basketful of fruit, nuts, and other delicious snacks for those "holy cow! I need to eat something NOW I am so hungry" breastfeeding moments.
• Breast comfort aids: Lanolin cream, ice packs for engorgement, gel pads for sore nipples, etc
  
• Breastfeeding pillow & cover
• Phone numbers to the local La Leche League and IBCLCs
• Samples of Mother's Milk Tea
• Nursing necklace for mom (for baby to play with when it gets older)
  

Any other things you'd suggest for Rixa's Ultimate Breastfeeding Kit?

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What are you doing?

We've had several discussions recently about breastfeeding and formula. A commenter left these remarks a few days ago, in response to "Bottle Feeding":

When I had the twins however, no matter my effort and determination I just didn't have enough milk! I persisted and persisted until I finally brokedown emotionally because of the incredible guilt I felt as you are always told 'breast is best'. One of the twins was not gaining weight so I ended up bottle feeding them and they are both really chubby, healthy, happy and bright. I felt so angry that the pressure to breastfeed caused me to go through so much emotional pain and guilt.

This got me to thinking--we have a big problem for moms who desire to feed their children breast milk but cannot for whatever reasons. They generally have no alternatives but to formula feed.

Breast milk should be freely available to any mother who needs it. After all, formula is not the next-best alternative to nursing your baby. It is last on a list of four options, from best to worst:
1. Direct breastfeeding
2. Expressed breast milk from the baby's mother
3. Expressed breast milk from a donor
4. Formula

As many of my readers know, I am pumping milk for a mom who is going to adopt a baby. Before I found her, I looked into donating via Milk Share.

You could give your milk, or money, to milk sharing organizations. You could donate to a milk bank (for-profit or non-profit). You could write to formula companies asking them not to advertise their products, as they had agreed to do in the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. You could write to your local hospital and request that they establish a milk bank so that every new mother has access to human milk. You could write to your insurance company requesting that they cover breast milk from milk banks. You could pump milk, or offer to cross-nurse, for a friend who is struggling with her milk supply.

So my question is: what are YOU doing to remedy this situation?

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Bottle feeding

The following picture, from the International Baby Food Action Network website, shows a mother feeding her twin babies. She was told that she wouldn't have enough milk for both, so she breastfed her son and bottlefed her daughter (who died the day after the photo was taken).

UNICEF estimates that reversing the decline in breastfeeding would save the lives of 1.5 million children per year.

In many parts of the world, bottle feeding isn't simply a "choice" as it is in rich, Western nations. It is literally a matter of life and death.

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