Not all FREE Samples are Beneficial!
established a code that would prohibit the marketing of breast-milk substitutes
in health care facilities and giving out free samples to pregnant women and
mothers. According to the World Health Organization only 20% of countries
actually follow that code. That means that a lot of hospitals including
those within the U.S. are in violation of that code. The code is set out
to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition of infants through
breastfeeding. This is where we need your help! Help us speak up
against corporate profiteering at the expense of women’s health!
We are all used to seeing food advertisements on television or on billboards as
we commute to and from work. We are accustomed to receiving the occasional free
sample to influence our choices when we visit the supermarket. We know
those ads and samples might not encourage us to make the most healthy food
choices – but shouldn’t we be able to expect that health takes priority over marketing
in a hospital?
All major medical organizations, including the U.S.Surgeon General, agree that exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months of a baby’s life is best for protecting against infections and
asthma, obesity, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In addition,
breastfeeding helps moms by reducing the risk of developing breast and ovarian
cancer and by saving them money, too! Not every woman is able to
breastfeed, but in light of the proven health benefits that it has for mothers
and babies, shouldn’t we be giving every woman support to have the best
possible chance of success instead of giving every woman free formula
samples? Sadly, research has shown that women who receive formula samples from hospitals breastfeed
for a shorter amount of time and are less likely to breastfeed exclusively.
The National Women’s Health Network supports every woman’s decision to
breastfeed as long as she wants or is able to. We have joined the fight
to stop the promotion of free infant formula marketing in hospitals. Join
us and sign the petition now. Tell infant formula makers to stop using
hospitals as marketing tools!
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