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Issue
32: December 2002
Table of Contents
Boycott news 32 - the latest on the Nestlé boycottUN Child Rights Committee calls on the UK to ban advertising of breastmilk substitutes
Breastfeeding advocates in the UK, who have for decades been calling on the Government to ban the promotion of breastmilk substitutes, expressed delight at the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, published on 4 October 2002. The CRC report consolidates the view that violations of the International Code are violations of Child Rights. It welcomed the reduction of infant mortality rates in the UK but commented on the relatively low rate of breastfeeding. It specifically recommended that “the State party takes all appropriate measures to...promote breastfeeding and adopt the International Code for Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.” If the UK fails to act on the recommendations, when it appears before the Committee again in 5 years time, it will have to explain why. Since its adoption in 1990,
the UN Convention has been ratified more quickly and by more governments
(all except Somalia and the US) than any other human rights instrument.
The CRC Committee also commented on privatization, calling on the UK to evaluate the impact of privatization of schools on the right of children to education. Baby Milk Action, along with trade unions and others, has been urging the UK Government to take steps to stop the commercialisation of education services, since this can have an enormous impact on children’s understanding of what is and is not a healthy diet. What about other EU countries?IBFAN groups in the Netherlands, Ireland and Luxembourg have all used CRC recommendations to press for improvements. There has been some slow progress in support and promotion of breastfeeding, but movement on Code implementation has stagnated if not got worse. Perhaps now is the time to make an concerted effort to finally bring the EU Directives in line with the International Code and Resolutions. For links to IBFAN groups around the world see the site http://www.ibfan.org/ Latest from CodexThere were several important infant feeding issues at stake at the Codex Alimentarius meeting in Berlin in November. Codex global standards can be used in trade disputes so are critically important to governments, but all too often trade liberalisation takes precedence over consumer protection. Once again industry representatives (many from Nestlé) were in evidence. Backed by the EU Commission, France and Germany, EU legislation was proposed as a model for the whole world - with two Codex standards – one for infant formulas for “healthy” infants and a separate less restrictive one for formulas for infants with medical problems (see SMA Staydown below). The majority of countries who spoke wanted one standard which would ensure strict controls on all formulas. Eventually even EU Member States agreed jointly to accept this. Still, the standard was held back (at Step 3) and Germany was asked to convene an electronic working group to further develop 3 different proposals. Text was, at last, agreed for the scope of cereal-based foods standard: “generally from the age of six months onwards, taking into account infants individual requirements.” Vitamins, prebiotics and pro-biotics, Enterobacter Sakazakii (see below) and the quality of ‘science’ used, were also hot topics. Baby Milk Action attended as IACFO (the International Association of Consumer Food Organisations). Special report - Infant feeding in the UKWhy does the UK law allow baby food companies to promote their products and what is the impact? Baby Milk Action commissioned a study which attempted to answer this and other questions by seeking the views of key actors who affect UK infant feeding policy and practice. The UK is an interesting
example for a Case Study. As an EU member state with low breastfeeding
rates (only 55% of infants are breastfed for more than one week),
its law allows a high level of commercial promotion, most of which
is channelled through the health care system to mothers. Despite its strong opposition to this policy at the time the Labour Government, when it came to power, failed to take action.
Today breastfeeding rates in England are much the same as they were in the 1980s, and 90% of mothers stop breastfeeding before they really want to - largely because they have not been given truly objective advice or support. Until this changes England will remain a bottle feeding culture. The UK has influenced European and global infant feeding policies and health care standards (thousands of overseas health professionals train in the UK and our textbooks are widely used). The Government’s commitment to private/public partnerships and its relationship with business – known as The Third Way - is also presented as a model. So what are the obstacles?The Case Study focused on England and was carried out in the summer of 2002. Views were sought from a wide range of actors: IBFAN, other NGOs, the Government, health professional bodies and the baby feeding industry. The main obstacles to breastfeeding highlighted were:
All of the respondents (except those from the baby feeding industry) believed that the International Code and Resolutions are appropriate tools to protect infant health, but only if implemented as Law in full. Some felt stricter controls might be necessary. The UK Law in its current form is not seen as useful or effective. “Too many loopholes” was frequently cited.
The Case Study identified the way that the issue of sponsorship and public/ private partnerships has affected policies and practices relating to infant feeding. Increasingly NGOs are turning to the corporations for funding. For corporations, this is an effective way to silence critical voices while linking their names to prestigious organisations. Some NGOs have used the WHA Resolutions addressing conflicts of interest and the rights of parents (and children) to independent information. The Nestlé Boycott, which is strongly supported in the UK, attracts media attention and has brought global concerns into the picture, raising the awareness of the public at large of the importance of breastfeeding and the need for greater control over transnational companies. The mother-support groups and NGOs, all working on minimal funding, fulfill a critical function in relation to companies, and were the most passionate in the call for more support for breastfeeding and better legislation, expressing frustration at the lack of Government action. Several respondents (particularly health professionals) preferred to blame inadequate maternity legislation for poor breastfeeding rates, despite the fact that maternity provisions are comparatively generous (and due to improve even more next April 2003). Successful breastfeeding support schemes have been run in England by enthusiastic midwives, health visitors and breastfeeding counsellors. The UK Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (set up in 1994) is also a significant factor, supporting breastfeeding and removing much commercial promotion from health care facilities, not only from accredited facilities, but also from the many more seeking to become so. When questioned on its failure to address marketing and to implement the International Code the Government consistently refers to its ‘positive’ breastfeeding initiatives, which are mostly targeted at low-income mothers. (See the reform of the Welfare Scheme article). The fact that under EU legislation the UK can prohibit promotion is ignored. The Food Standards Agency was seen by some to be an important step forward, however, apart from the increased consultation with consumers, has shown no signs - as yet - of changing the Government’s policy on infant feeding.
Protecting infant health - what works?As part of an EU commission co-financed project Baby Milk Action and our IBFAN partners have been carrying out Case Studies examining the state of infant and young child feeding and the strategies that have and have not worked. The Case Study in BrazilIBFAN Brazil’s Case Study Coordinator, Sonia de Oliveira Brady writes: IBFAN Brazil is in close contact with the various sectors working and having an impact on infant and young child feeding and has members experienced in research. However, it was decided to contract an external consultant (an anthropologist) to work on the Case Study to gain from her outside view, as suggested in the protocol. Interviews and focal groups enabled the different sectors to present and re-evaluate their own actions and those of other sectors.
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Villains of the story“For each person interviewed, from the most to the least experienced, the companies (infant food, feeding bottles, teats, dummies, pharmaceuticals) were considered the villains of a story in which the use of product marketing is the most important factor in stopping a child being breastfed or in the introduction of other foods during the exclusive breastfeeding period.” Marcia Couto, Anthropologist |
Mexico - mother support undermined by industry
Mexico has a widespread Baby Friendly Hospital programme and rights for working mothers:
- 734 out of 919 public hospitals certified Baby Friendly.
- All working mothers have the right to creche facilities from 45 days to 4 years (but only 10% have access as the system is over-subscribed).
- Mothers have the right to breastfeeding breaks.
However, the International Code and Resolutions are not implemented in law and reports of violations are simply passed on to the industry body by the Ministry of Health without any enforcement mechanism.
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Free samples of infant formula in private hospitals are widespread (and only three
private hospitals are certified Baby Friendly). -
Leaflets on infant formula are widely distributed.
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Labels do not fully comply.
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Health workers use pens, calendars etc. with company names
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Feeding bottles are advertised and free samples given out in shops.
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Professional bodies are sponsored by the industry.
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So while mothers may be supported in a public hospital they are targeted by the baby feeding companies as soon as they leave. Women in private hospitals are targeted even before giving birth. Violations in Mexico are well documented by the IBFAN group, which has been working since 1985 in its efforts to strengthen the law. It coordinates the national Nestlé Boycott campaign and conducts training on the Code. Left - One of the free samples to mothers exposed by IBFAN monitoring in Mexico. |
India - a strong law
India’s marketing law was introduced after 12 years of hard campaigning by IBFAN and partners. Some violations have been effectively dealt with through the courts, since IBFAN groups are officially empowered to file charges under criminal law. Sanctions include imprisonment of the Managing Director. The law, however, is being challenged by Nestlé, including parts directly implementing the Code and Resolutions. Small Non-Governmental Organisations are hard pressed to fight legal cases against well-resourced transnationals. But their efforts have stopped some marketing malpractice. Now companies are resorting to aggressively promoting early introduction of cereal foods at four months, and milks for older babies as a way of influencing new parents. Another new strategy is to use health claims.
Health professional
bodies including the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, the Indian Medical
Association and the National Neonatology Forum refuse any funding
from baby food companies, shaming those in other countries which
claim they cannot operate without it. However, institutional support
for breastfeeding needs improvement - there is a shortage of training
courses on breastfeeding and baby food companies are setting up
call centres for family counselling on nutrition.
Campaigners in India have used the international IBFAN network to
bring media attention to the way that companies have disregarded
the Law. This in itself has resulted in some positive changes.
Kenya - breastfeeding culture under attack
Breastfeeding is still very much the norm in Kenya, but mothers are increasingly reporting ‘problems’. While there are regulations implementing the International Code and Resolutions, and the steering committee is independent of industry, the authorities are hard-pressed to monitor and enforce these. Promotion in hospitals and visits by sales representatives takes place and confusing messages are being sent about infant feeding for HIV infected mothers. It is estimated that 18% of mothers are bottle-feeding, but few can afford infant formula and inappropriate milks are used. Exclusive breastfeeding rates are low and this needs to be promoted, particularly as mixed-fed infants have highest risk of HIV transmission. While 232 out of 350 hospitals are Baby Friendly, the health care system is reeling under the HIV epidemic (70% of hospital beds are for HIV related cases). IBFAN is encouraging rural outreach, and the introduction of the benefits of breastfeeding into school and medical curricula.
It is also campaigning for the enforcement of European Union export regulations. A worrying trend identified is the impact of trade concerns on health policies.
Pakistan - action at last, but where does it leave infants?
The military Government in Pakistan, led by President Musharraf, has signed an Ordinance for the Protection of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition. This Law could be a major breakthrough in child protection and has been one of the key goals of the Pakistan IBFAN group, the Network for Consumer Protection, and its partners for the last decade.
Update readers will recall the campaign’s long history in this country with 5.5 million babies born each year and the second highest infant mortality in the region: 95 per thousand births. 67 million people in Pakistan have no access to safe drinking water and only 24% of women are literate.
Against this backdrop the baby food industry thrives, with over 100 brands of breastmilk substitutes sold. In 1992 we reported the flying visit of Nestlé’s Geoffrey Fookes from Switzerland in his successful attempt to stop breastmilk substitutes being regarded as medicines. For years Nestlé also plied key members of the Pakistan Paediatric Association with sponsorship and travel expenses whenever important meetings to discuss the law were held.
The Pakistan
Case Study has shown the importance of the international exposure
generated by Network’s national monitoring report, Feeding
Fiasco and Milking Profits,
the report by Syed Aamar Raza, the Nestlé whistleblower,
who risked his career, his relationship with his family and even
his life to expose the devious tactics of the industry. Network’s
advocacy and awareness raising work and that of UNICEF at national
level combined to increase the pressure on the Government to act.
In May 2000 Aamar visited the World Health Assembly, and in November
2000 Network gave a presentation to the first European Parliamentary
Hearing on corporate responsibility. The following year the Minister
of Health of Pakistan made a forthright appeal at the World Health
Assembly for help in countering the pressure being applied by industry
to delay and weaken action on the Code.
The Ordinance which was finally passed in October contains some
important safeguards, but also some serious weaknesses which have
crept in over the many successive drafts. For example, at least
one member of the baby food industry must be involved in the committee
overseeing the regulations and the ban of promotion is limited and
unclear.
“Despite all the flaws, these ordinances are a step in the right direction and indicate the acknowledgement among the official quarters of the notion “prevention is better than cure”. In fact prevention of the incidence of disease may be a better investment in a country that does not have enough resources to deal with the curative needs of the teeming millions. But what would serve this purpose best are clear and strict laws based on the people’s need and not half-hearted efforts to balance the interests of people and the companies.”
The News 29/09/2002
The influence of the Labour Peer, Lord Ahmed (an advisor to the UK Government on Muslim issues and paid consultant of Nestlé) may never be known. We will be working closely with Network to ensure that the new Law is independently monitored and sharing ideas for establishing procedures of transparency for the committee overseeing the Law.
Bolivia - globalisation causing problems
The International Code and Resolutions are implemented as a government policy in Bolivia, but there is no enforcement mechanism and the pressure for trade liberalisation, strongly felt by the authorities, makes this difficult to achieve. Draft legislation has been pending approval since 1999. The Bolivian IBFAN group has official responsibility to monitor the regulations and although promotion continues, the wide publicity given to IBFAN’s reports has been effective in stopping violations.
Belgium - lack of political will
Belgium has a national breastfeeding duration rate of about 6 weeks - bottle-feeding is the cultural norm. There are no Baby Friendly Hospitals and distribution of free supplies is commonplace. Yet with its support for working mothers, effective channels for communicating health policy, and a National Committee for Breastfeeding, Belgium has the potential to improve breastfeeding rates. However, as an industrialised country with universal health care, bottle-feeding illnesses have so far been seen as treatable and there is little political will for a preventative public health campaign on breastfeeding. The formula-related infant death in March 2002 may alter this thinking (see Update 31).
For more information on IBFAN groups worldwide see www.ibfan.org
SMA exploits parents fears with formulas thickened with cornstarch
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Stop this with corn starch says SMA. Detail from an advertisement in UK health worker journals in 2002. |
Virtually every baby spits up or throws up some of its feed from time-to-time. It can be messy, but the quantity is usually less than it appears (only 5-10ml). If this happens after every feed, parents become concerned. Breastfeeding Special Care Babies by Sandra Lang (available in the on-line Virtual Shop) refers to two conditions where babies vomit frequently. Gastro-oesphaegeal reflux usually starts from birth and “appears to be more common in babies who have been tube-fed.” It “gradually diminishes, though it may take several months”. The baby should be fed in an upright position and kept upright after feeding. Reassurance for the parents and a ”robust washing machine” are also recommended. An underlying physical problem, such as Pyloric stenosis would need a simple surgical procedure. The baby food industry exploits parents concerns with another approach: anti-regurgitation formulas. All over the world these formulas are being promoted with outrageous claims. Wyeth’s SMA Staydown, was launched in the UK in June 2002. It promises to not only ‘stay down’ but increase sleep time and decrease crying time. Its pre-cooked corn starch thickens in the baby’s stomach. |
News
McDonalds/UNICEF deal come to an end
The flood of protests from health campaigners, which included a mock wedding staged by Commercial Alert outside UNICEF’s New York HQ, have caused this well-respected agency to rethink its partnership and sponsorship deal with McDonalds. Participants at the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) Global Forum in September sent an open letter to UNICEF Director, Carol Bellamy, questioning the wisdom of linking UNICEF’s name with “a company known for its aggressive promotion of foods that contribute to ill health and poor nutrition both in industrialised and non-industrialised countries.” The letter went on: “Surely all this is contrary to UNICEF’s mission and is likely to undermine the World Health Organisation’s fight against obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and other harmful conditions.”
The deal had been struck by the US National Committee and caused concern to UNICEF staff in other countries. A Pan Africa News Alliance report on 8 October quotes Dr. Urban Jonsson, UNICEF’s regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa: “Quite a number of UNICEF people are of the opinion that it is really not appropriate to have any strong agreement or partnership with McDonald’s for obvious reasons.”
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McDonalds billboards, in Austria in August and currently in Italy, are not linked to the UNICEF deal. However, the Italian ads coincided with World Children’s Day. |
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After years of rampant expansion, McDonalds is reportedly closing down 175 outlets in 10 countries. Now it seeks the ultimate image transfer - equating burgers to breastmilk. |
Partnership Perils warns Charity Commission
As the public concern about corporate responsibility has grown, several organisations have suffered damage to their reputations by failing to take sufficient account of these concerns. The Charity Trustee’s Handbook, by the Charity’s Aid Foundation, cites the example of the National Childbirth Trust losing some of its members because of inappropriate sponsorship, while a new report by the Charity Commissioners, recommends caution and the establishment of ethical policies before accepting commercial sponsorship. The Commission identified several risks, including that charities may be tempted to adapt their values to suit the wishes of a commercial partner – possibly leading to a breach of trust. Charities and Commercial Partners is available free on 0870 3330123 or at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk
EU divided - voluntary or regulatory?
The EU Commission has adopted proposals on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which favour a voluntary approach in contrast to the regulatory approach with independent monitoring and enforcement which was proposed by the European Parliament. The Multisector Forum on CSR set up by the Commission met on 16th October with the largest sector being industry (50%).
See the EU Parliament’s alternative proposals on : www.europarl.eu.int (Report A5-0159/2002)
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Meanwhile in the UK more than 250 cross party MPs support the CORE Bill, along with charities, unions and the general public. To find out how you can help the camapaign visit: www.corporate-responsibility.org or www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/corporates/core/home/join.html |
Meeting misrepresented - beware
| Some companies are prepared to take the image of other organisations without any sort of agreement in an attempt to boost their credibility. At a debate at Sunderland University on 31st October, Nestlé (UK) Senior Policy Advisor, Beverley Mirando, claimed that the group Cameroon Link is a partner of Nestlé and poured scorn on the idea that the group had launched a boycott of the company. |
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Ms. Mirando showed a picture of the now-retired Nestlé Central African representative, Michel Bosshard, in a meeting with Cameroon Link Director, James Achanyi-Fontem, published in the group's newsletter. In reality, Cameroon Link agreed to the meeting after much pushing by Nestlé and used it to set out the steps that Nestlé must take before Cameroon Link would end its boycott call. Cameroon Link launched the boycott (above) after finding Nestlé promoting infant formula at health facilities with film shows.
When informed of Ms. Mirando's claims by Baby Milk Action, Cameroon Link stressed that it has not called off the boycott in Cameroon. Although Nestlé has promised several times to comply to the International Code as prescribed by the WHA, WHO and UNICEF, actions, not promises, are needed in Cameroon and all other countries.
“Education” website’s dodgy links
The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is raising questions over the use of its logo on a website "Key Skills in Context", which seems to have been done without approval. Nestlé provides the section on 'nutrition', which boasts "Nestlé products not only look and taste good but also contribute to our health and well being." The site extols the benefits of fruit and links to information on Nestlé's Fruitsome bar which is promoted as high fruit, but Nestlé neglects to mention that it contains only 9% fruit and is 36% sugar. Parents have complained to us.
- STOP PRESS 10 DECEMBER 2002: We understand that the DfES has had its logo removed from the site.
Johnson & Johnson - bottles out
A few years ago Johnson & Johnson was in court in India for promoting a new feeding bottle, violating the law . J&J apologised (perhaps fearing the sanction of imprisonment of its Managing Director) and soon after pulled out of the Indian market.
J&J has now sold its bottle and teat business to Munchkin, but it remains a distributor of various brands.
India refuses probiotics
The safety and scientific validity of the promotional claims about ‘prebiotic’ and ‘probiotic’ ingredients being used in many countries was discussed at Codex (see page 3). Thankfully Nestlé’s application to introduce these ingredients into infant formulas and complementary foods in India has been refused.
Reform of UK Welfare foods scheme
The Department of Health is to reform its Welfare Foods Scheme which was started after war-time shortages in 1940. Renamed ‘Healthy Start,’ it aims is to remove the financial disincentive to breastfeeding and give low income families greater access to a healthy diet. Breastfeeding and bottle feeding mothers will get the same benefit. See: www.doh.gov.uk/healthystart. Comments by 13th December to: healthystart@doh.gsi.gov.uk.
More soy concern
The UK Government’s Committee on Toxicity in Food (CoT) has made a new assessment of the risks of soy in relation to hormonal disruption in infants. CoT suggests strengthening UK advice so that soy milks are prescribed only "when clinically indicated." Perhaps soy baby milks should be prescription only and carry appropriate warnings. Using the precautionary principle phytoestrogens should be removed from formula.
- The Croation Society for Consumer Protection, has stated that soy baby foods should be sold only with ‘visible information’ that "this product may be harmful for children. Do consult your doctor before using it.”
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Comments by 3 December
to abimbola.nathan@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk. |
Action on Chemicals
NGOs, over 300 MPs and some MEPs across Europe are joining forces to support important new EU legislation to phase out chemicals that build up in the body. The chemical industry is opposing it, so your help is needed to ensure the directive is as strong as possible.
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See www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/ or www.eeb.org/activities/chemicals/main.htm |
Wyeth recalls 1.5m infected cans
Wyeth (makers of SMA) recalled all batches of milk and soy-based infant formula produced over a period of three months in the US in November following consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration. The formula was found to be infected with Enterobacter sakazakii. Earlier this year the FDA reported a study which found that 14% of tins were infected with the bacteria. The bacteria led to the death of a 5-day old child from meningitis in Belgium in March 2002 (see Update 31).
- At the Codex meeting in Berlin, in November, the USA requested that the Committee on Food Hygiene be asked to update its Code of Hygienic Practice for Foods for Infants and Children (CAC/RCP 21-1979) and to evaluate the need for FAO/WHO expert consultation on Enterobacter Sakazakii. We asked Codex to require a warning on labels stating that dried milk formula is not sterile.
Stop press: HA milks
In August, just before Nestlé
was due to launch its HA infant formulas in the UK, (Update
31) 11 leading health organisations wrote to the Minister of Health,
Hazel Blears, to ask about the legality of the HA claim. Welcome news
is the promise that they will not be placed on shelves, but available
only through special order along with a warning that the product is
NOT for use for babies with cow’s milk allergy. The Minister does
not think there is a viable case for legal action at this time. Legal
action was taken in the USA after babies became sick through inappropriate,
forcing Nestlé to drop the HA claim. Please report to us if and
where you see this product.
Research and reviews
Breastfeeding protects against breast cancer
A collaborative re-analysis of data from 47 epidemiological studies in 30 countries including nearly 150,000 women has shown strong links between childbirth and breastfeeding and reduced rates of breast cancer. “The relative risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding in addition to a decrease of 7% for each birth” the authors report in The Lancet (July, 2002). Media in the UK picked up on the study with the assumption that mothers are unable to breastfeed for more than a few weeks because of working conditions, instead of questioning why mothers complain they have to stop breastfeeding early. Countries such as Norway have a rate of exclusive breastfeeding of 80% at 6 months (2002 figures), while in the UK only 21% of 6-month-old babies receive any breastmilk.
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer (2002), Breast cancer and breastfeeding. The Lancet;360;187-195
PCBs, Dioxins & feeding
An important long-term study
in the Netherlands is showing that breastfeeding seems to counteract
the adverse developmental effects of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
and dioxins. This could be useful in the campaign to protect infants
from harmful chemicals.
Boersma et al (2000) Environmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins.Consequences for longterm neurological and cognitive development of the child lactation.Adv Exp Med Biol 2000;478:271-87.
How does breastmilk protect infants from HIV transmission?
About 15% of infants of HIV-infected mothers who receive some breastmilk become infected with the virus. However exclusively breastfed infants seem to have no more risk of infection than exclusively artificially-fed infants. (See Coutsoudis study in Update 26 and other past newsletters). A new paper in The Lancet (19 October) asks how it is that 85% of breastfed infants of HIV-infected mothers do not become infected. The authors note: “Coutsoudis...has..shown that the risk of postnatal mother-to-child HIV transmission at 3 months of age for babies who were exclusively breastfed was 45% lower than that of those who were fed a combination of breastmilk and formula, or breastmilk and other foods or liquids. This finding suggests that gut integrity is important in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission during breastfeeding, and leads to the hypothesis that gut growth, maturation, and integrity may reduce the risk of breastfeeding associated HIV transmission.” The authors point to erythropoitetin (EPO), a factor in breastmilk known to be important for gut development, but which may also have “growth-promoting, lesion-healing, resistance -to-injury effects” in the breast, so reducing viral loads in breastmilk. The stimulation of EPO production in the mother using recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) and/or the delivery of increased amounts direct to the infant could test the hypothesis and may be a suitable interventions for infected mothers who choose to breastfeed.
M. Miller et al. (2002). Breastmilk erythropoietin and mother-to-child transmission through breastmilk. The Lancet;360:1246-48
Reduced risk of SIDS for breastfed infants
A new Scandanavian study on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has strengthened the argument that breastfeeding reduces the risk. Pulse magazine reports: “Babies who had been exclusively breastfed for four months or more had the lowest risk of dying from SIDS. The risk increased as the period of breastfeeding shortened... For babies breastfed for less than one month this increased to five times.” A New Zealand study had similar findings, but this has not been confirmed in England or Scotland. It is still not clear if the reduced risk is directly associated with breastfeeding or if breastfeeding mothers are more aware of health risks, such as avoiding overheating.
Alm B et al (2002). Breastfeeding and the sudden infant death syndrom in Scandanavia, 1992-95. Arch Dis Child;86;400-2 (june).
Quantifying the benefits
Several summaries of the research evidence on breastfeeding have become available in the last few years. As the volume of published work increases, such bibliographies become useful tools to investigate areas of interest. A 2002 publication jointly from the Pan American Health Organisation and The Linkages Project is Quantifying the Benefits of Breastfeeding: a summary of the evidence collects the published evidence on infant morbidity due to diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, otitis media and other infections diseases; mortality from the same causes; child development; chronic diseases (especially obesity, diabetes, and cancer); maternal health benefits; and economic benefits (unpublished resources are reviewed in this last category, because it is of great interest, and published work is scant).
Papers are summarised, with a helpful section of comments on the methodology of the study. Each abstract explains the definitions of breastfeeding used. This is a invaluable aid in this field where the devil is often in the definition. There are also some helpful introductory remarks about the nature of the evidence in the areas covered.
Review by Magda Sachs
Available via linkages@aed.org or www.linkagesproject.org
Roundup and merchandise
Bye bye Andrea
We say a sad goodbye to Andrea Hill who joined Baby Milk Action as Campaigns Officer earlier this year. Andrea worked on grass roots action and the Nestlé Boycott and has joined Jon Dorsett in the Oxfam office in Leeds.
Welcome back Mike & Sonia
Mike Brady, Campaigns and Networking Coordinator, has returned to the Cambridge office after 18 months in Brazil. He brings with him his new wife, Sonia de Oliveira, past Coordinator of IBFAN Brazil and a paediatrician with particular experience of human milk banks. In her capacity as IBFAN Brazil Coordinator, Sonia was responsible for the case study on the implementation of the Code and Resolutions in Brazil and we look forward to drawing on her experience.
12th Breastfeeding: Practice and Policy Course - 16 June to 11 July
This internationally renowned course is run by the Centre for International Child Health in London in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and UNICEF. A four-week master’s level course, it is designed for senior health professionals who are in a position to influence policy and practice, train others or act as advocates for optimal infant feeding.
For further information contact: cich@ich.ucl.ac.uk or see www.cich.ich.ucl.ac.uk or phone 020 7905 2122 or write to Centre for International Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH.
2003 Breastfeeding Calendar
The IBFAN Breastfeeding Calendar 2003 features 12 beautiful photos of mothers and babies from around the world. Still only priced at £5.00 including p&p in teh UK, it can be ordered by telephone, through our on-line Virtual Shop or by using the Reply Form or other leaflet enclosed. Please contact us for prices for bulk or overseas orders. If you have any interesting or unusual photographs of breastfeeding mothers which may be suitable for the 2004 calendar please send them to us with your name and address marked clearly on the back.
Wake up Nestlé
A public gathering will be held outside Nestlé (UK) HQ in Croydon at the end of UK Breastfeeding Week, on Friday 16th May 2003 and again on Saturday 17th May 2003, from 11.00 to 12.00.
All are welcome. Bring a musical instrument or something to make a noise to mark the unnecessary death of an infant somewhere in the world every 30 seconds. Send a message to stop the aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes by Nestlé and its competitors. If you can’t make it to Croydon, contact Baby Milk Action for information on your local factory.
