Lactivists to Attend Similac “Nutrition and Feeding” Seminar at Wal-Mart
January 29, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, breastfeeding, nursing in public
Colleen Newman of My Baby & More first expressed outrage at the fact that on February 3, 2007, certain Wal-Mart stores across the country will be hosting a “Nutrition and Feeding Educational Seminar” sponsored by Similac formula makers. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and visitors can expect to get “bundles of information, helpful ideas and solutions and product samples.” One can only assume those product samples include samples of Similac formula.
If Colleen’s tirade against Wal-Mart doesn’t inspire you to take action, try viewing the Similac event brochure that does not mention breastfeeding at all.
Lactivist groups are mobilizing to attend “nurse-outs” at their local Wal-Mart stores across the country. A “nurse-out” is a tamer version of the “nurse-ins” we saw late last year with respect to Delta airlines. Rather than being a protest, a nurse-out is an opportunity to provide information and demonstrate the ease of breastfeeding in public. For example, a group of mothers has gotten permission to provide a “Breastfeeding Information Table” next to the Similac presentation in Torrance, California. So far I’ve also seen talk of organized activities in Frederick Maryland, Dallas Texas, Atlanta Georgia (ProMom forum post), and San Diego and Oxnard California. To find a Similac event near you, enter your zip code at the bottom of this page. To see discussions of several potential nurse-outs visit the MotheringDotCommune Lactivism Forum post on Wal-Mart or join the Yahoo Lactivism Group.
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] [Note: post edited to remove controversial slogan]. My Lactivist t-shirt arrived the other day! Sorry Jennifer, I’m not the greatest model for your fabulously funny shirts, but I thought I’d show off my new shirt as a way to remind people that today is the last day that 100% of profits from t-shirt sales from the Lactivist CafePress store will be donated to the Mothers’ Milk Bank of Ohio. As I discussed yesterday in the article MilkShare Site for Informal Milk Donation, it’s important to support non-profit milk banks. Whether or not you attended the national nurse-ins at Delta airlines counters or will attend the Wal-Mart nurse-outs this coming Saturday, buying a Lactivist t-shirt to benefit the milk bank is one way you can participate in your own bit of lactation activism. [...]
[...] Imagine how far such a provision would go to promote breastfeeding! This would help counter some Americans’ erroneous perception that infant formula is as good as breast milk. It would teach young people that breastfeeding is the “default” — that it is so beneficial that it should be every parent’s first choice, and formula should only be used as a breast milk substitute when breastfeeding is contraindicated. Wouldn’t it be nice to reach teenagers before the formula companies do? [...]