Dear Click Colleagues, I sent Peter & Karen Mykietka's posting: Subject:
Comments on prenatal nutrition programs to breast feeding activists.  The
responce below was sent to me to post here.  Mary
>
>FORWARDED FROM: Sturgess, Frances Coulter
>WONDER/PC HEADER:
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>TEXT:
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>From: Mary Broadfoot
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>In the UK we have a milk token system - it applies to those on low income or
>benefits.  It entitles women to a certain amount of formula - free if on
>benefits, subsidised if on low income - until the baby is 1 year old, or if
>breastfeeding, 1 pint of 'doorstep' milk daily which the mother may consume
>until the baby is 30 weeks old, thought the milk will continue to be
>provided.  All these children will continue to have a personal entitlement
>to 1 pint of liquid milk a day until they reach age 5.
>
>I have great concerns about this - there is a black market in the tokens,
>formula sold illegally, what happens to the liquid milk from 30 to 52 weeks,
>what about allergies....   In addition, the value of 900g of powder a week
>is greater than 7 pints of liquid milk.  I am sure that the way forward is
>to provide cash, with a premium for breastfeeding - thus stating clearly
>that government values bf, killing black market, etc..
>
>There has been research done - try a search at www.bmj.com for Rhona
>MacInnes or Easterhouse - no time to summarise it myself!
>Mary Broadfoot, Paisley, Scotland
>[log in to unmask]
>The Breastfeeding Network - Independent Support and Information about
>Breastfeeding http://webzone1.co.uk/www/cathus/bfnindex.htm
>
>-----Original Message-----
>Frances - I thought you might be interested in these observations from
>Canada. Mary
>Date:    Fri, 14 Aug 1998 20:19:04 -0600
>From:    Peter & Karen Mykietka <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Comments on prenatal nutrition programs
>
>I've conducted research with teen mothers and found their comments on our
>prenatal nutrition program (Health for Two) interesting.  Low-income
>pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers can receive milk coupons as part of
>the program.  The teen mothers pointed out they need formula not milk at
>least initially.  It seems like most teen mothers choose (or are forced to
>choose) formula feeding over breast feeding because they have to return to
>school or work.  Milk coupons would be more valuable once the babies are off
>formula and drinking milk.
>
>It seems discriminatory to offer "nutrition" to breastfeeding mothers but
>not formula feeding mothers.  I'm not a medical expert but from what I
>understand women will continue to lactate whether or not they drink milk
>(its actually protein they require).  Plus, there is little cost associated
>with breastfeeding.  Whereas women who must buy formula have quite a cost
>burden ($40-$80) month, so these infants are at higher risk of malnutrition
>if the mother has low income.
>
>What is the reasoning behind these programs?  I understand that breast
>feeding is widely consider to be the better option (I believe so too) but
>some women do not have a choice.  If we are going to promote infant health
>than we need to promote the health of all infants!  Why can't formula
>companies be approached to provide coupons for income mothers?
>
>Just some thoughts.
>
>*************************************************
>Karen Mykietka, B.Ed, M.Sc.(c)
>Centre for Health Promotion Studies, U of A
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>*************************************************
>
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