Why I am Against the 'Monster Bill'

It is titled ‘An Act Promoting a Comprehensive Program on Breastfeeding Practices and Regulating the Trade, Marketing, and Promotions of Certain Foods for Infants and Children’, but it is better known as the ‘Monster Bill' that is trying to get passed in Congress. Though I am the first to admit that, by no means, am I an expert in Law or even in the know of the workings of getting Bills passed, my interest was piqued by the criticisms and controversies surrounding this one. More importantly, I knew that this would be one that could negatively affect the baby steps and advances that we have come to enjoy as a country promoting breastfeeding.

I am a mother who believes in breastfeeding. I believe in the benefits it gives not only the mother and child, but also the positive effects it has on the community and the Country as well, as more and more women make the choice to practice it. I breastfed both my kids - maybe not as long as I would have wanted to, but I did so for as long as I could and I am proud of it. I recall that when I had my firstborn in 2006, things were much different. I truly felt that there was a lack of support for women like me who breastfed by choice. Even in the hospital, rooming-in my son and being adamant to not have him take any formula were requests that the hospital considered, but did not follow. It was up to me to get myself to the nursery so that I could feed my son and stop the ‘need’ for the hospital staff to keep giving him formula milk every hour or two ‘because he was hungry’.

I noticed the difference when I had the pleasure to breastfeed again in 2011 with my daughter. Though the hospital provided us with a can of formula, the amount they gave was much less than what they gave my son because this time, my baby was roomed-in less than 24 hours after my C-section. I noticed too that there was an improvement in the amount of information available to me to help me with breastfeeding my daughter because of laws that had been enhanced and awareness that had been made stronger though the years, including the provision of breastfeeding rooms in malls and establishments. These made all the difference. Gone were the odd looks from others and the uncomfortable stares while I breastfed. Because of the steps we have made towards promoting breastfeeding, I was able to go about my errands and my responsibilities and still breastfeed effectively.

This ‘Monster Bill' being reviewed now seems to be a move backwards, hindering whatever advancements in breastfeeding we have accomplished. Though the title seems harmless and good, looking more into it and studying its provisions makes me sad that our legislators would even try to get this bill passed. For instance, how could unpaid breastfeeding/pumping breaks help promote breastfeeding? It makes no sense at all! The existing law providing paid 40-minute milk breaks per 8-hour work shift is something that many breastfeeding mothers in the workplace treasure and appreciate. It is not only a means to support them but a motivation in itself to breastfeed even while working.

[previous|page|next]

Another point that angers me about this ‘Monster Bill' is the implications it has on using milk companies and the like to help ‘promote’ breastfeeding.  In a not-so-subtle way, it undermines the good that existing breastfeeding campaigns provide mothers and their babies. Surely anyone in his right mind could figure out that the ‘help’ these milk companies would provide would also be a means to promote their own products, something that existing laws prevent. How would mothers like me be able to make informed choices if everything that is put out is biased and presented with their products in mind? It is confusing as it is to be a mom during these times when numerous brands claim they are what’s best for your baby; what more if this bill were to be passed.     

I am also concerned about the implications this ‘Monster Bill' will have on extended breastfeeding because of the barrage of ads and other promotions milk companies would surely put out to entice moms to move their babies to follow-on formula at a younger age. I fear that when sleepless nights, plugged milk ducts and the other challenges of breastfeeding kick in, mothers would easily switch to formula milk since that option is more 'convenient'. Since the bill would allow milk companies to aid in information dissemination even from pregnancy, many moms would be caught in the trap of formula feeding even before breastfeeding begins. It is hard enough to find proper support for breastfeeding, and in passing this bill I fear that it might not be given a chance at all.

Yet another big concern for me is that this bill proposes to allow milk companies to donate their products in time of calamity and dire need, at a time when babies need breast milk the most. By doing so, there is a big chance that breastfeeding will be abandoned for the ‘easier’, but less beneficial way, and consequently, these babies’s immune system would be compromised, their mothers’ milk supply may dwindle, and they will be financially burdened to sustain their children on formula.

That said, why won’t our lawmakers call for a stronger milk donating campaign instead, rather than give moms formula dole outs that would not be beneficial to both mother and child in the long run? These are what we need. This ‘Monster Bill' is something that should be nipped in the bud, in my opinion. It was not the breastfeeding mother nor the child that was in mind when this bill was written - nobody among the ‘proposed beneficiaries’ wins, in this case. Therefore, I am taking a stand. I say thanks, but no thanks to the ‘Monster Bill'.

Photo from planasia.tumblr.com