As many of you know, I’m currently in Los Angeles attending a Nestle event for mom and dad bloggers. We, the attendees, have been bashed, insulted, and verbally attacked for weeks building up to this event, and it has elevated since we’ve arrived. I am shocked and saddened by the behavior of my fellow bloggers and followers. I have had several followers on Twitter unfollow me simply because I am here.
I will be constructing a more thought-out post later when I return from LA, but for now, thank you to those who have been supportive, regardless of what you think of Nestle, because it is ultimately my decision. You don’t have to agree with me, and chances are we probably don’t agree on many things. I think it is arrogant to think that I, or anyone else, could possibly “convert” someone who doesn’t share the same beliefs, and cramming thoughts down someone’s throat is beyond ineffective. We each have the right to disagree, and even strongly disagree, but when our behavior escalates to name calling, insulting, and overall ugliness, we have become the very thing we have been fighting against.
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I completely agree with you Amy. I don’t agree with Nestle and some of their practices, but I am not going to try to force someone, or be mean to someone who doesn’t agree with me. I think it is really sad for those who are so close minded that they can’t see someone elses point of view.
I respect you and your decision to be there. I hope you’re having a great time in sunny California.
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Toni Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Thank you Kim
And Amy I agree with and feel the same as you about your whole post.
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My goodness, I can’t believe the negativity surrounding this event! I think it’s wonderful that you and other great mommy bloggers had the chance to take part in this with Nestle. Trust me – I so would have been there too had I been invited! As well, I breastfed my boys for 6 months each, and then swiched over to Nestle Good Start formula. They loved it, they were well fed, well nourished, happy, growing little boys. I was a happy mom, too.
The problems I have heard with Nestle seem to have to do with the way people in underprivilidged countries prepare the formula for feeding – I think a simple solution would be give these countries and areas the ready to pour formula – that’s what we mostly used. It was convenient, just shake and pour. Sorry, I’m rambling… I’m glad you are there, and you have my support!
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Annie @ PhD in Parenting Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 11:52 am
Loukia:
The problem is more than just the water. That is a big problem, but the problem is bigger than that.
The problem is that companies like Nestle provide a very small amount of free samples. Just enough for the mom to feed her baby long enough for her milk to dry up. Once her milk has dried up, so have the free samples, and she doesn’t have money to buy formula, so her baby starves as she either rations formula (giving much less than the baby needs) or giving foods that are not meant for babies.
It is very very sad and these companies are horribly unethical.
It is much more complicated than just shake and pour. Unfortunately. I know you are an intelligent woman and I hope you will look at this issue more closely.
Annie
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I was oblivious to people being against Nestles.
We can find bad in everything and everyone, why don’t people try harder to find the good in tings??
Amy I support you!
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It never ceases to amaze me how quickly these blog and Twitter debates can turn ugly. The anonymity of the web seems to give otherwise reasonable people license to say and do some awfully nasty things. It’s so “high school”, and I was over high school in 1993.
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Momma D and Da Boyz Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I agree with you, Mommie Daze! I can’t believe how out of control and nasty people become, and I think it is the anonymity involved with the web.
That being said, if you look hard enough at everyone and everything you can find something wrong with them. But just like my friends in real life, I can accept the whole package without constantly nit-picking every aspect.
I support you, Amy, in making the decision that was best for you and in hearing what other people have to say (even the “big bad companies”). Looking forward to hearing about the event in it’s entirety when you get back.
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I am constantly shocked and saddened at the venom and vitriol spewed by lactivists in pursuit of their belief.
My wife tried to breast feed and couldnt get a good latch. So she pumped for FIVE MONTHS to get our son all she could until she was too exhausted to continue.
Not every woman CAN breast feed. I’m sure many would LOVE to be able to avoid the high cost of formula and feed their babies for free as long as they can.
Perhaps changing the path of attack and ensuring women get a longer maternity leave before returning to work would allow American women better flexibility in their lives to actually be around their infants to feed them.
It’s no longer a case of educating people that breast is best. We KNOW that, we just all can’t physically do it.
Celebrate your life and your choices, but don’t cast stones at those who are forced into making difficult choices because their breasts aren’t as supple as yours.
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Great post, Amy!
Yesterday was disgusting to watch. I’m sorry that you were in the middle of it.
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I agree Amy. Thank you to all who have not judged and publicly insulted us, even if they disagree with our decision to attend.
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Very well said Amy. I got home last night and refused to go on Twitter beacuse of the negativity. It made me realize that I don’t want to be tied into the “mommy blogger” stereotype if this is what comes of it.
Everyone is allowed their own opinions, and we must respect that. I heard this on our local sports station this morning “We are adults, show some respect and consideration”.
That says it all.
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I find it ironic that people who are supposedly out to support other women and healthy lifestyles, instead pass judgment and create undue stress and ugliness. It’s hypocritical to claim to be in support of women and then only apply it to women who espouse the same beliefs.
Anyway, Amy, I’m glad you’re enjoying your time at Nestle. I hope it’s a valuable experience overall. Heck, I wish I was there with you. =}
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You know where I stand on this issue Amy. I come from South Africa and was one of those who was too poor to be nursed so I was formula fed. Not everything is evil and if each company was looked at that closely then we would have to boycott everything. Anyway, not saying what Nestle does is right or wrong, but whatever it is it was not done yesterday. Yesterday was just bloggers being made a scapegoat to get a message across. I have said it several times, do what you must but don’t criticize others for having the audacity to do what they want.
How we conduct ourselves impact a situation. Any sympathy to the cause got lost by the attacking behavior. Pretty sad if you ask me.
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i’m so disgusted by the tweets i’ve been seeing. i can’t believe the audacity of some of these bloggers. i put a little blurb up on my post today. because seriously, some people need to get over themselves.
like you said, it doesn’t matter whether or not you agree with nestle. at all. in fact, it’s really no ones business. BUT. it’s about respect. and some of these bloggers have proven that they lack that.
being on twitter over the last couple of days especially, have really been eye opening. and i don’t mean that in a good way.
you rock. i hope you are having a terrific time with the rest of those awesome bloggers that are amongst the chosen. i hope, someday, to be picked to do something as awesome as this!!
xoxo
have a safe trip
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I have stayed out of the debate because I have simply been busy , then by the time I was able to read and catch up I was floored by how gross it got.
I have been well aware of Nestle issues for years, I am a staunch supporter of breastfeeding and learned about it through LLL. That said no one deserves to be treated the way many of the bloggers were on twitter, it got ugly and only made the protesters look bad. It was gone about in the wrong fashion, they came across as bullies in my opinion and I agree with their arguments against Nestle. Problem is no one likes bullies even people like me who agree with the message the way it’s being spread makes me not want to join the fight.
Attack the company do not attack the bloggers .
I think you have handled yourself amazingly well in the face of all of this Amy ( as have many of the other bloggers on the trip) and in the end that will speak volumes to your professionalism.
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I stayed out of the drama this week because honestly, my real life has taken precedence over anything Internet related this week.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion on this topic, and it’s obvious that some are very passionate about their cause. Let’s face it, breast feeding is a passionate topic.
I personally was a Mom would couldn’t breast feed, so I admit that while I agree that breastfeeding is important and the best choice, I bristle when people make generalized statements about those who don’t breastfeed. They have not been in my shoes. Before Jake was born, I was given a free can of formula from Nestle, and put it away, never intending to use it.
That can of formula was popped open in the middle of the night by a sobbing Mom who just couldn’t do it anymore, and a screaming baby. Jake grew happy and healthy, and you’d never know he was formula fed today.
If I had been invited, I would have attended. And if I had issues, I would have looked the CEO in the eye and asked them. It’s just all too easy for people to sit and judge from behind a computer screen.
Amy, I applaud you for going, despite the nastiness going on. You have to do what’s right for you. I respect that.
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Oh it got so ridiculous!! It really put such a bad taste in my mouth & just bummed me out in general at how everything went. Can’t wait to read your future posts & see what the event was REALLY about – minus all the twitter drama:)
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I am blown away from the support, everyone. Thank you for being there, and respecting my decisions.
I look forward to writing more soon, but wanted to know that your comments have not gone unnoticed.
Love ya.
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I don’t know everything behind all this so I am in no place to give my opinion. I do however respect you Amy for standing up and doing what you think is right. Even in the face of such hateful opposition.
I love the internet because you can find completely bias opinions on anything and everything. I have mixed love/hate for the internet because the anonymity it offers.
I blog semi-anonymously. I love that I can vent with out my MIL googling me and finding out what I have said about her
I hate that that anonymity allows others to feel like they can be nasty and vulgar.
I think one must respect. Disagree, fine, even comment about why you disagree. But do so in a way that isn’t childish. State why you feel a certain way, attach a link to support you thoughts. That is respectful. Name calling doesn’t help you make your point… in fact, it sends people running. Especially us Moms, who cheer for the weak under dogs!
So hats off to you Amy for taking the higher ground. Kudos.
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