One of the things I love about the Internet is how transparent it makes brands. Like I said in my last post: if you’re awesome, your awesomeness shows, if you aren’t, well…

No one expects a company to be perfect. When an issue arises, consumers usually judge a company based on it’s track record and how forthcoming they are about the problem.

The Sigg debacle this year is a great example of this.

Unfortunately, consumers, especially mom consumers have a new company to add to the “Never Gonna Trust Them” list.

October 26-November 1st was Nestle free week but I’m going to make it a Nestle-free life. I’d heard snippets and rumors about some of the company’s dealings in developing nations but recently learned the whole, dirty truth.

As a member of the marketing community I understand and support any company who wants to bring their great products to as many moms as possible. What is disturbing about Nestle’s strategy is that its strategy has long included the aggressive marketing of infant formula in nations where being formula dependent will not only bankrupt a family but often leads to sick and dead infants.

I’m not anti-formula by any stretch of the imagination even though my eldest was exclusively breastfed and I plan to do the same with the 8 week-old currently sleeping next to me. I was actually more amused and annoyed that I was sent home from the hospital with a cheap plastic diaper bag full of formula samples. It was a bit shocking to me that a hospital would push formula on a woman who has just had a baby knowing full well that establishing one’s milk supply and learning a proper latch is crucial in those first few weeks.  Maybe I was just naive but I wasn’t up in arms because as an American woman I have access to unlimited information.

What I find outrageous is that Nestle would and is intentionally sabotaging breastfeeding by spreading anti-breastmilk propaganda in communities and hospitals where access to alternate information is sparse.  Despite protests from organizations such as Baby Milk Action, Nestle continues to disregard international marketing standards. Mothers in developing nations have been so indoctrinated by the systematic release of lies from the Nestle corporation that countless infants suffer and die from starvation because of the belief that formula is superior to breastmilk.  These families often dilute the formula because they can’t afford and don’t have access to safe drinking water. Nestle knows this and continues to work hard to increase their bottom line.

The issue is complex and simple at the same time. In areas of the world where breastmilk means the difference between life and death, we need to hold companies like Nestle to a higher standard while supporting organizations working hard to spread positive messages.

You’re asking me: “Bunmi, what can I do?”

Oh hi! It’s easy:

- If you blog, post about this topic

-Join the Milk Action Facebook Fan Page

-Please for the love of real chocolate don’t buy Nestle products during the boycott weeks. This one has passed so why not just boycott them forever? I know this means no Kit Kat bars as Nestle owns a million brands but really, there are better sweet treats. And if you’re too busy to check, skip the packaged processed crapola and buy local whole foods and grains. It’s healthier anyway!

-Learn more by visiting blogs like this one: http://boycottnestle.blogspot.com/

-Think before you buy. Yes, I know it’s hard. Most of us shop with at least one tired, hungry kid who is hanging out of a baby wrap or shopping cart, maybe even screaming and making us look bad and it’s so easy to just grab and buy. The companies who deserve our money and support are those who make the world a better place.

We don’t live on a street, or in a suburb, or in a city. We all live in the giant world community and the actions of one affect the whole. After I became a mother ever mother in a way became my sister and every child, my child. These kids suffering due to misinformation and corporate greed are all of our responsibility for both practical and moral reasons.

And because it’s always more productive to be *for* something than against, why can’t moms who need it make their own baby formula? Seriously? We’re not talking petrol here, it’s baby formula. There are no unicorn shavings in it, it’s not magical. There are moms out there who can’t produce milk- it’s  real issue. Rare, but a real issue all the same. Instead of depending on a shady corporation, why not just get all Laura Ingalls Wilder? Formula companies have put out a lot of fear around the idea of doing this but if I needed formula I’d do it in a second. She did.

We may be a bit sleep deprived as mothers but we’re certainly not unconscious. Why not be a stand for change and truth?

- Bunmi Zalob

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