[...] Via Strollerderby, we find that some lactivists aren’t happy about a new onesie on Old Navy shelves that reads, “Formula Powered.” In response, folks like Cate Nelson at Eco Child’s Play are telling moms they should boycott the store (and their accompanying Gap, Banana Republic, etc.) until they take the onesie down, which they say is empowering the formula industry. Nelson says: We all know breastfeeding is best for baby…and mama. Formula simply isn’t the healthy option. So, why doesn’t Old Navy know it? [...]

[...] Yesterday, I posted about lactivists who are boycotting Old Navy because of a onesie that they say it promotes the formula agenda. [...]

[...] Breastfeeding Moms Boycott Old Navy [...]

[...] Breastfeeding Moms Boycott Old Navy [...]

[...] boycott in which people vowed to shop more than usual at Old Navy. And, yes, there were a couple voices of reason amidst the fracas, too. So if you happen to be compiling a worst-baby-shower-gift-ever [...]

I’m a lactivist in that I support nursing, but I’m also a realist. My little sister wasn’t able to nurse do to medications she was on. Another friend had tons of problems nursing and gave up. I also feel many very young moms, like my sister, don’t have the patience and confindence that nursing often requires. That being said, I’m still not a fan of formula and don’t like to see it promoted on a shirt like this. Better than a bib I saw recently though, that said “forget the formula, I want Mountain Dew.” No joke. One thing that I wanted to mention though, I find that people so often blame Le Leche League for over reactions to this kind of thing. However, I found that it is not LLL leaders that are so adimately opposed to formula as much as very vocal mothers that go to the meetings. The 4 LLL leaders that I’ve met have all been very understanding that breast isn’t best in EVERY situation.

When Will this unnecessary “battle” between breast feeding and formula feeding end? When will people realize that everybody already knows the advantages and disadvantages of one and another and leave each mom to choose what she considers best without being judged ? Plus, this is just an onesie for good sake! BTW, I’ve been nursing for 8 months now but totally respect other mom’s decision to formula feed and that should be the main point – RESPECT! Respect for each other’s choices.

You know, I could use some publicity. Maybe I’ll threaten to burn a Medela in the public square.

I was in Old Navy with my breastfed baby last week and considered buying this onesie because I knew it would piss the lactivists off.

I’m going to go and buy something from Old Navy today to protest people who call for silly boycotts.

Holly, not giving excuses at all. I support anyone’s choice to formula feed, just pointing out that there are plenty of people who want to breast feed and connot and they get the backlash from crazy lactivists just as much as those who choose not to bf just because they don’t want to.

Sarah, I understood that you were against the boycott, but wanted to point out that the need to make excuses is part of the problem. I recently read this: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/family/articles/2010/08/14/one_moms_plea_to_stop_the_smug_judgments_on_bottle_feeding/

It kind of says it all!

instead of turning this into something about personal choices, feelings and weird obsessive digs at “crazy” people on either side, I think we ALL ought to be upset that Old Navy is using something they know to be controversial and important to many women to turn a profit. Whether you breast feed or bottle feed, THAT is a feminist issue. Do we want our personal hurt/anger/guilt to be exploited for corporate dollars?

I”m not a huge supporter of formula, and am surrounded by major breastfeeding supporters, so my first response is to be surprised that anyone would want to announce they feed formula and face the withering looks and disdainful comments. But really? why shouldn’t they get to put it on a T-shirt if that’s what they want?

As far as Old Navy’s part, I only see it as strange and a little regrettable that they didn’t make a flip-side version that said “Powered by Mom” as well. Then again, there might be a fistfight in the baby aisle if they put them both out at the same time…

I confess. I am enthralled by Old Navy therefore I must immediately have a third child so that I can feed him or her formula and purchase this clever onsie. If only I had known before…

I am very much pro breastfeeding but to boycott or get in a snit over this onesie means these women have too much time on their hands. How ’bout boycotting over the (very likely) crappy work conditions of the folks that make those onesies in factories in Bangladesh or whatever? Style-wise, I think the onesie is ugly and stupid, but not offensive.

I think it’s a free speech issue on both sides. I don’t care if Old Navy has that shirt, but if people think it’s offensive enough to boycott, it’s their right to speak out about it. I consider myself a lactivist, but it’s from the perspective that women have a right to make choices, including formula, with no questions asked. I wouldn’t buy it, and wouldn’t put my kid in it since it wasn’t true in my case (well, barring laundry issues :=), but the shirt doesn’t bother me.

Honestly, I don’t think Old Navy was out to insult anybody.
I think this shirt’s design was merely a riff on a Formula 1 Racing logo design that some graphics designer thought was really funny, not realizing that they were about to enter a mommy war zone.

The leeches are loony. Breast feeding is best, sure. But some women can’t do it. And there really are more important things to get upset over.

Formula like Similac that has bugs in it. How can we ever trust formula completely ever again

The entire universe has lost it’s sense of humor. It is just a flippin’ onesie. Aren’t there more important things to worry about???

Take it down a notch, people. Old Navy stores are selling an amusing shirt with a glib decal. It’s a shirt. It’s a shirt that resonates with a lot of people. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But don’t act like it impinges upon your freedom or pretend that a $5 shirt is a clarion call to action. Get a grip.

I find this hilarious because I seriously JUST ordered that onesie and it just arrived yesterday. I breastfeed my baby for 4 months exculsivly then was hospitalized with an infection and due to the medicaitons I was on I was unable to continue to breastfeed. However I dont feel like I am compelled to tell everyone that I did attempt to breastfeed my baby and don’t feel like I have to justify him being formula feed now to ANYONE. I just find the shirt hilarious and will be dressing my son in it probably tomorrow! (Guess I will just have to look out for the Le Leche Legue ladies and their pitchforks!)

…and here’s the post. I forgot to link back here – I’ll fix that later. Right after I pick my formula fed daughter up from daycare. http://bit.ly/d95S5m

I’m a nursing mom and I am not offended by the onesie. I think it is cute! The lactivists should save their energy for more important battles such as guaranteeing the right, time, and place to nurse at all workplaces. And getting nursing supplies eligible for insurance or flexspend reimbursement.

Why don’t we all band together and demand paid maternity or Canadian like materinity leave? Apparently those with the free time to boycott Old Navy don’t have time to focus on issues that could actually help Mothers.

Lets be real here, no matter how many onesies get taken off the shelf, formula will always be an attractive option for mothers, especially working mothers, because it makes life so much easier. If you are going to boycott Old Navy regarding the onesie, then you should also boycott all the stores that stock formula out on the shelf instead of not at all or behind the Pharmacy counter. Boycott Babies R Us for sending mothers circulars with formula coupons. Or do something useful with your time and lobby for better maternity leave, raise awareness to lessen stigma of feeding in public, and lobby for better laws regarding pumping in the workplace.

Don’t we have more serious matters to worry about? Like the US’s disturbingly high infant mortality and maternal mortality rate? Or the fact that we’re the only developed country w/o a universal, paid maternal leave policy, or the fact that millions of American children don’t have health insurance? The fact that Old Navy has a silly onesie is the least of our problems, people.

Here’s a late update comment. Recently I noticed old navy selling a line of 0-3 and 3-6 baby onsies that say something like ‘shhhh….I’m eating’ on the back, which would only really make sense if read while baby was held in a nursing position. Perhaps a tactic to change image after this ridiculousness? Maybe. Would I have killed for either to have been around during my now 19 month old’s newborn stage of breastfeeding with formula supplementation? Hell yes!

I am so tired of the “breastfeding Nazi’s”. These people are out of hand! I don’t breastfeed and nothing a Doctor, Nutritionist or random stranger has to say will change my mind! I think it is creepy and totally un-necessary this day and age. To each his own but leave me and my formula fed baby alone! They should be more outraged that a onesie is $5.00!! Also no one wants to see you breastfeeding your baby in a store, restaurant or church, etc. That is just NASTY!!!