WWYD???

GentlerBirth · 10-12-2008, 12:50 AM

What Would YOU Do???

The small group of doulas I work with has been invited to set up a table regularly at a large baby store. We are not paid by the corporation, nor do we pay. We are there to sell ourselves and doulaing in general, and help the store by acting as an outreach event for them. At this past event (our second) we were one of several tables. After a busy hour of talking with mamas, I noticed that one table was a SIMILAC table! Oh my word! I nearly collapsed. The polished woman behind the table was grabbing pregnant and new moms and giving them all huge tubs of formula.

My initial feeling was to leave and never come back! I knew that the store SOLD formula (who doesn't?) but PROMOTING it and handing out free HUGE samples (to pregnant women who are clearly so far not having lactating issues!) seems so different to me.

My question is... should I withdraw my support of this store by withdrawing my involvment in these mini-vendor-expos they do? Or should I recommend that our group stays to be a pull in a more natural direction?

doula Michele · 10-12-2008, 11:28 AM

I would not pull out.... but I am not opposed to formula. My granddaughter is on formula..so you can bet that I snap up any free formula I can get.
I mean you are there to promote doulas. If you pull out there are a ton of women not being exposed to a doula. The store is not losing anything by not having you there, and you have everything to gain by being there.

Nicole E · 10-12-2008, 12:05 PM

I agree with Michele, only you stand to lose by not going (and the moms' who have never heard of a doula) Would the store let LLL have a table as well, so moms can have a breastfeeding representative there?

bellymamadoula · 10-12-2008, 05:42 PM

While I undestand the immediate feelings of not wanting to be associated at all with an event that is also promoting and distributing formula; I think your prescence is beneficial to the moms. If you aren't there, who will speak about doulas and other natural approaches to everything from pregnancy, to birth to even feeding choices?

doula Michele · 10-12-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellymamadoula

While I undestand the immediate feelings of not wanting to be associated at all with an event that is also promoting and distributing formula; I think your prescence is beneficial to the moms. If you aren't there, who will speak about doulas and other natural approaches to everything from pregnancy, to birth to even feeding choices?

And don't forget not all the women who hire a doula are going for a natural approach either. Your being at such an event helps make doulas appear 'normal'. Like someone that 'anyone' could hire, not just natural types. I still get lots of people think doulas are only for hippies or homebirths.

b'earth angel · 10-12-2008, 08:44 PM

I understand your frustration over formula promotions, however this is a retail establishment and formula companies are about selling formula. I have less a 'problem' with their promotional attempts at a store than I do at a hospital.

Both major formula pushers are at our local hospital's baby fair that I regularly attened. I would prefer that the hospital be mother/baby friendly, but thus far, no dice. I continue to attend, as pps have mentioned, because if I don't, it's just that many fewer folks who know about doulas and that there is one local.
I wish that people would stop and think for few minutes. If formula companies can afford to give out so many large samples, who do they think is paying for those samples?
If I were really concerned about the formula promotions, I'd likely get a group of ladies together and sign a letter addressed to the home office about the benefits of breastfeeding and ask them to provide a breastfeeding information booth in addition to their formula booths. Be prepared to have someone willing to man this booth too. Like local LLL or an LC or IBCLC. You could contact the breast pump manufactures and ask for some giveaways or samples of lansinoh etc. etc. to give away to moms. You may be successful enough to have a pump donated that you could give away as a door prize too.

.
There's more than one way to skin a cat they say. [not sure who thought of that saying though...

]

doula_char · 10-12-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b'earth angel

There's more than one way to skin a cat they say. [not sure who thought of that saying though...

]

This quote refers to catFISH.. not the cuddly furry kind of cats. Catfish are notoriously hard to skin.

napualani · 12-27-2008, 02:14 PM

I agree with what others have said, though I understand your frustration.

Not everyone who is there will necessarily attracted to the baby formula, and any opportunity that doulas can get their names out is good for all of us.

You could have some handouts available that discuss the benefits of breastfeeding...

Darlene

DoulaCBE · 12-27-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by napualani

I agree with what others have said, though I understand your frustration.

Not everyone who is there will necessarily attracted to the baby formula, and any opportunity that doulas can get their names out is good for all of us.

You could have some handouts available that discuss the benefits of breastfeeding...

Darlene

I'd put together a handout with a big, bold title of:
The First Step to Affordable Health Care for Life: Breastfeeding

and hand it out to every one who walked by.

Denise77AK · 12-27-2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaCBE

I'd put together a handout with a big, bold title of:
The First Step to Affordable Health Care for Life: Breastfeeding

and hand it out to every one who walked by.

OOOOOOOHHHH!!!! Good One!!! Mind if I use that?
Love and Light,
Denise

DoulaCBE · 12-27-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denise77AK

OOOOOOOHHHH!!!! Good One!!! Mind if I use that?
Love and Light,
Denise

Feel free!

NewMoonDoula · 12-31-2008, 08:19 AM

all great advice... the fact that Similac has such a presence there is even more reason for you to be there, balancing things out and bringing alternatives to light for women and families who might otherwise not be aware of the facts.

I especially LOVE the idea of getting LLL a booth there too...

tessaeliz3 · 01-07-2009, 10:15 AM

I agree that you should really be there. Many people don't understand the benefits of breastfeeding and maybe at your booth, even though doula centered, you can hand out breastfeeding info sheets to provide that balance.

b'earth angel · 01-07-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doula_char

This quote refers to catFISH.. not the cuddly furry kind of cats. Catfish are notoriously hard to skin.

I'm glad to hear that!

And yes, I concur catfish are hard to skin! Althought I've only found one way to do that effectively as well.

Now back to topic....

Comfy · 01-07-2009, 01:22 PM

I agree, you should be there to balance things out.
You could do what our group does at expos or fairs....... yes handout information explaining what a doula is and does, along with phone numbers and web sites...... but we also encourage people to sign up for a FREE workshop that we run a couple of times a year called "What's a Father to do?". That is where you really offer education and get our presence in the community out there. We have invited local media to our events....... every little bit helps.