Ohio Has One of the Strongest Laws Supporting Public Breastfeeding

Why does Ohio have such a low breastfeeding rate? Ohio is fortunate enough to have one of the strongest Breastfeeding in Public laws in the fifty state so this does not make sense.

One thing people often overlook about Ohio is that it is home to Ross labs (no relation thank you). Ross labs are the maker of similac. Now I am not saying that there is anything at all wrong with formula. I truly believe that there are instances that it is the right thing to do, but think about how much money Ross labs dumps into Ohio to promote there formula.

On their website www.welcomeadditions.com they even say that breastfeeding is best. With that being said where are the millions of dollars a year that Ross labs spends in Ohio to promote breastfeeding? Quite honestly, they don't exist. It's great that Similac says breast is best, but wouldn't the world be great if for every dollar they spend giving out free samples another dollar went to promoting Breastfeeding in Ohio? It isn't happening, and it isn't going to happen.

In Ohio a women should feel free to nurse her child in public whenever and where ever she wants, but while that is still a taboo subject formula companies are free to pass out sample after sample of what is basically the fourth best feeding option for a child.

In order to make breastfeeding the norm we need to not only feel free to breastfeed at restaurants, parks, and the zoo, but we need to not be flooded by free samples of formula everywhere we turn. Formula is being shoved in our face at hospitals after we give birth to our children. It is offered up like some sort of crack, hey try this you will like it.

Now there is a big "Ban the Bags movement" which is gaining popularity throughout the united states. The marketing geniuses who realize that this could cause harm to there shameless self promotion have even started a website Moms Feeding Freedom hidden under the guise of supporting freedom of choice when it comes to what you feed your baby. Here is a great idea, how about a website aimed at providing freedom of choice on whether or not you want to smoke, pretty transparent, don't you think?

If we want to normalize breastfeeding we need to start by not forcing formula on mothers who do not have equal information on breastfeeding. It really shouldn't be that hard. We need to ask Ross labs, much in the manner big tobacco does, for money to advertise and promote breastfeeding on the same level formula is promoted. That would be a good start.