How true Michelle! The only literature about breast feeding in my first information pack (with my first child) was a crookedly photocopied brochure that was so grainy from repeated cost-saving printing that it could hardly be read. How does that compare to the glossy warm fuzzy feel good brochures from the formula companies? The reason why the information is presently differently (I think) is because there is obviously no money to be made if women choose to breast feed. When women are at their most vulnerable and emotional they are easy targets for this kind of marketing. We are so isolated as mums these days that I suspect most of us are watching TV and reading magazines more frequently than talking ammongst ourselves. So what has happened is that methods of raising our children such as feeding, nappying, playing with etc that are in line with the advertisers desired outcomes are now considered the "norm" whilst non-money making methods (BFing, cloth nappies, home made games such as digging in the garden etc as opposed to expensive educational toys) are all being turned away from as we are seduced by the marketing companies. And a lot comes back to marketing masquerading as "information"! How many times are you told by your friends and family that "You're a GOOD mother"? not daily?... but this is exactly what the advertisers say and imply in their ads (if we purchase their product that is).... no wonder we lap it up! Because nothing introduces as much self doubt into the average woman's mind as motherhood!
Anyhow... here's me stepping off the soap-box LOL BTW I do use formula, disposable nappies, and buy expensive toys LOL but in a limited way... but people shouldn't be made to feel like they are giving their children anything less than the best from advertisers for refraining from purchasing their products more regularly.
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