BuzzLife

Malaysia Ministry of Health today discloses that 8 out of 12 multinational infant formula companies will face the possibility of being shamed in newspapers should they continue to promote, advertise and market their products to new mothers. Minister Datuk Dr. Chua Soi Lek said that their action hampered the ministry’s efforts to promote mama’s milk as the best nutrition for newborns, and its compaign to get woman to breastfeed exclusively in the first 6 months. Read Milking the Infant Mart.

I checked out some of the websites of infant formula companies and I found out that there are indeed some companies which promote their infant formulas discreetly. Some companies even put up disclaimers, you know, the clicking of I agree or I disagree before you can access to that particular webpage about their infant formula.

Clap! Clap! Clap! As a strong believer of mama’s milk is best for baby, I must laud the Ministry of Health for their measures to regulate the infant formula companies. But Mr. Minister, don’t your Ministry should also look into the unethical practices of hospitals, particularly private hospitals? When I delivered Big J at SJMC, I specifically told the gynae that I wanted to fully breastfeed my baby during my stay at the hospital, that is including night feeding. And the well-meaning gynae actually "advised" me that I should rest at night and let the nurse handle my baby! And they bottle fed my baby without asking my permission although I told them repeatedly that I wanted to fully breastfeed!

According to a report from theStar, in Malaysia, only five out of 222 private hospitals and maternity centres in the country have implemented the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), although government hospital fare better, with 114 having achieved baby-friendly status. 

There are also cases in some hospitals whereby infant formula companies names are "advertised" on the tags on newborns, as if to constantly remind parents of the goodness of infant formula. Read this thread in a parenting forum, Mymomsbest, Indirect Marketing By Milk Powder Companies (membership registration necessary to view thread). 

Is our Ministry of Health going to do anything about this? Let’s hope so.. Mama’s milk is BEST for babies!