Breastfeeding Ads

The breastfeeding campaign was created by health officials in the Department of Health and Human Services. The breastfeeding ads where intended to spread awareness by showing graphic pictures similar to texting and driving campaigns. The goal of these ads where to try to increase the breastfeeding rate of women in America by showing some of the health risks to children that are not breastfed. However, the formula industry intervened and lobbied to make the HHS change the ads to make them less intense. The ads that aired instead showed more friendly images that illustrated the health benefits instead of the health risks of breastfeeding. The formula industry opposed these informational ads to prevent the loss of business. They didn’t want people to be more informed because then, more people would start breastfeeding instead of using formula, which could cause them to lose money. I don’t think that is right that large industries can have control over the information given to the public, especially about public health. However, I also don’t agree with the original approach of the HHS for these ads. The original ads were going to be scare tactics to guilt mothers into breastfeeding. I think the best way to display this information would be to show the benefits instead of the risks of breastfeeding. I think the HHS needs to continue this campaign to give the public the knowledge they need to decide which choice would be the best for their children.