Bobbie and IBCLCs are officially and OPENLY in business 💰

And we have a plan to stop it. You in?

BAD BAD BAD

Last week, Bobbie announced that they are now going to offer breastfeeding support —with IBCLCs—to new moms.

Before this announcement, Bobbie and IBCLCs had been doing a coy dance around not openly flouting the IBCLC’s ethical code which is to NOT participate in any formula marketing because, um, formula doesn’t need HELP being marketed.

Screenshot from Bobbie presentation

Formula marketing is a $55 billion dollar a year industry and it certainly doesn’t need additional help from the only profession that exists to support, promote, and protect breastfeeding.

AND YET

We have a serious and strategic plan to stop this sort of practice and we launch it MONDAY JUNE 16TH AT 5:30 PST PM ON ZOOM. You should be there. If this upsets you. You gotta put that somewhere. This effort is not an attempt.

So, IBCLCs and formula in business together, what could go wrong??

Well, here’s one example of what can go wrong that we witnessed first hand. Last year when Bobbie offered a continuing education class for healthcare workers, the class was led by IBCLCs. One of them, Jadah Parks Chaterjee, an IBCLC who is a Bobbie employee, told the attendees that she no longer asks new mother who are using formula why they are not breastfeeding.

“They’re grown!” She offered and explained that it is not empowering to ask about breastfeeding and that she instead 'celebrates' their choice to use formula. Chaterjee also said that she does not review the risks associated with formula feeding because, well, basically it’s a bummer. Not a fun vibe to review the risk of cronobacter, E. Coli NEC, or increased gastrointestinal issues!

When asked directly what the risks of formula feeding are, she responded, simply, “overfeeding.” We’re not making this up. Watch for yourself.

Hope to see you Monday.