[Riotproof]

Anyone who stands in the way of a mother nursing her baby for the first six months of life — an employer, for example, or a relative — is subject to a year behind bars and $11,000 in fines. What’s more, the law bars formula manufacturers from advertising to mothers of babies who have yet to reach their first birthday.

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2012/02/01/what.../#ixzz1o0F2O03B

The ban on formula advertising is pretty standard of course, and it's an interesting way to move the breastfeeding/formula debate out of individualism and onto the public health stage.

Thoughts?

[aurora84]

The ban on formula advertising is pretty standard of course, and it's an interesting way to move the breastfeeding/formula debate out of individualism and onto the public health stage.

Thoughts?

Good on them personally. I never understood why anyone would have an issue with a woman breastfeeding their baby anyway. It's what boobs were made for.

[Guest_holy_j_*]

good, but I would worry about the possiblity of the laws being abused.

[stopwhiningatme]

Interesting that they only have 3 months' statuatory paid maternity leave.

[soontobegran]

Extremely progressive of them.
Somehow I don't think it would be welcome here in Australia if the response in the BFHI thread is anything to go by.

[Relish*]

Interesting... 'stands in the way of' is a pretty vague phrase. I'm guessing that's not the legal terminology! And if they only have three months maternity leave they're not really supporting their own ideals of the mother being able to bf for six months. The policies don't seem to have women in mind.

I support the advertising formula thing though, as long as the product itself it still readily available I don't think this would have too many negative effects.

[Relish*]

Double post.



This post has been edited by *Relish*: 03/03/2012, 03:11 PM

[BetteBoop]

A year behind bars seems extreme for standing in the way of someone BFing. A few of my rellies would be ex-cons now

[Azadel]

As the article pointed out, it's far less of a health issue here as we have access to clean water to mix formula, and we need to be aware of the effects if pressuring women to breastfeed.

I doubt very much such laws would ever seriously be considered here. I sure hope not.
ETA I would be interested to read the exact wording of the law. What does it entail? Would it require for instance a prescription to buy formula? Would an MCHN who told an exhausted, resentful mother struggling and in pain from breastfeeding that it is ok to consider stopping it, face criminal charges?

This post has been edited by Salient: 03/03/2012, 03:31 PM

[Guest_Hoggle_*]

Extremely progressive of them.
Somehow I don't think it would be welcome here in Australia if the response in the BFHI thread is anything to go by.

I agree, which is a shame really.