Yep, Disney has joined forces with Similac, to put together pediatric kits to be sent out to OB/GYN offices across america. These kits will of course contain samples of infant formula and baby bottles and coupons and some sort of Disney promotional paraphernalia. Over 2 million of these kits are heading out to mothers leaving the hospital with their new babies.When I read this article I just about had a conniption. I"m not a Disney fan at the best of times, but now that they've joined forces with Similac, I've just discovered a new company to boycott!!!
..... Similac's latest conniving plan to interfere with breastfeeding mothers. I'm so mad.
I strongly suggest that we start a writing campaign to Disney. Unfortunately, after 30 minutes of searching, this is the ONLY way I've been able to discover to contact them in any way: https://register.go.com/disney/corporate/corporatecitizenship/index
In their 2010 Corporate Citizenship Report, on the topic of "Human Rights" Disney says:
In implementing our human rights commitments, we will focus on the following four areas.
- Policy Statement:
Our policy statement is a first step in articulating our commitment. Our priority over the next year is to communicate this policy more widely within the Company and further engage our employees in upholding and implementing it.
- Assessment:
We are enhancing our assessment of potential human rights impacts in targeted areas including our workplace practices, labor conditions in the supply chains making Disney-branded products and our role in promoting the well-being of children. Over the next year, we will refine our assessment process to ensure we are continuing to focus on the areas of greatest importance to our business.
- Implementation:
We seek to identify ways in which we can adopt best practices and new approaches that enable us to enhance human rights considerations.
- Reporting:
We will continue to share our progress in our biennial citizenship report.
I think that we can agree that jumping into bed with Similac pretty much goes
against their "role in promoting the well-being of children".
I think that "Jenn's World" gives a great run down of all that's wrong with this whole mess.
Disney and Similac Team Up to Undermine Breastfeeding for Moms
Reading this, I am absolutely horrified. First of all, the so called “Pediatric Kits” are nothing more than items designed to undermine breastfeeding. These kits are given out with coupons and formula and bottles so that mothers have them within ready access. If something is difficult with breastfeeding and the mom does not have the help they need to breastfeed, these “kits” come in handy. The middle of the night desperation is exactly what the formula companies are banking on.
The partnership idea is particularly gross to me because these companies add something else to the kit – something that is appealing to an even wider group. Breastfeeding mothers who would otherwise refuse the kit, may take it because of cereal, clothing, or Disney coupons or samples (things that have nothing to do with breastfeeding). Once that kit is in the house, the undermining of breastfeeding happens.
Finally, it is clear that this is all revenue driven because the release discusses the money that they are making! These kits are not about helping out new moms, they are about selling a product. The only way to sell formula is if people are not breastfeeding. A way to stop people from breastfeeding is to market formula in sneaky and underhanded ways like giving out “pediatric kits” in hospitals full of formula and coupons to Disney.
