Did you know that in 1992 the average cost to families purchasing artificial baby milks in Canada was $30.00 per week? Total spent on infant formula during 1992 was $143,500,000? This figure does not include the cost of bottles, nipples, pacifiers, transportation, physician visits, hospitalization and the medications to treat the more frequent infections.
Statistics Canada, Family Food Expenditure Survey, 1992
Physicians Major Distributers of Formula Industry Promotionals
A recent survey of medical offices in Hamilton Wentworth to determine what types of information on infant feeding is distributed to mothers found:
Researchers Valaitis et al recommend that physicians review with staff the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and understand the impact that distributing commercial products has on expecting and new mothers. Physicians should have a written policy based on these discussions.
Health Canada's lack of response to increasing promotion prompted Dr Jack Newman of the Breastfeeding Clinic at the Hospital for Children to write Health Canada,
What about the education that is supposed to get out to pregnant and new mothers? Whom are they getting it from? Do you really think many are getting your [Health Canada] information? It's from the formula company pamphlets and videos and from the health professionals, particularly physicians are a major part of the problem. They give out formula samples and information...
Come on Health Canada, the breastfeeding community in Canada has been patient long enough. How much longer do babies have to wait?