Let’s keep all the WHO Code Compliance questions together here, post your questions in the comments below
I will edit this part of the post with companies who are and who are not complaint so that it becomes an easy reference list.
There is also a page on the site about the WHO Code which you can read here
All companies who sponsor the Global Big Latch On are WHO Code compliant.
Companies meeting obligations under the WHO Code and you can use for your Big Latch On (we will be adding to this list as people ask about companies)
- Ameda
- Ardo
- Bailey Medical
- Fairhaven Health (Milkies Brand)
- Hygeia
- Limerick
- Pumpin’ Pal
- Cottonwood Kids (as long as they are not including any Code violating products in their bags)
- Earth Mama Angel Baby
- Motherlove
- My Brest Friend
- Rumina
- Rumble Tuff
- Snappies
- Snugabell
- Weleda
- Infantino
- WIC
- Arbonne
- Huggies (kimberly-clark),
- Johnson and Johnson
- Bravado
- Simple Wishes
- Milk Snob
Companies NOT meeting obligations under the WHO Code and you CANNOT use for your Big Latch On (we will be adding to this list as people ask about companies)
- All infant formula companies
- Abbott
- Babyflo
- Bamboobies
- Bibi
- Bittylab
- Boppy (owned by the Artsana Group, maker of Chicco branded infant products which are marketed in a Code violating manner)
- Baby Food Companies promoting to babies under six months
- Chicco
- Danone
- Dr. Brown’s (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Evenflo (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Friesland
- Freemie
- Haakaa
- Heinz
- Hero
- Hipp
- The First Years (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Kiinde (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Lansinoh (owned by Pigeon, a Code violator and markets the mOmma bottle in a Code violating manner)
- Lucina (clearly have a link with Avent, which needs investigating at present we will consider them none compliant)
- Mam
- Medela (markets the Calma feeding bottle and nipple in a Code violating manner)
- Munchkin
- Nuby
- Nuk
- Pigeon
- Phillips Avent (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Playtex (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Spectra Baby USA ? ( Spectra companies in other countries have violations.)
- Tommee Tippee (markets infant feeding bottles in a Code violating manner)
- Babies R Us
- Target
- Kohls
- Costco
- Pampers and Luvs (Proctor & Gamble)
- http://www.babycompany.com.ph/
- Shops or stores that stocks formula or bottles with artificial nipples and promotes* either these products or promotes* other products made by the same company.
- It is unlikely that any major chains of stores are going to be compliant with the WHO Code unless you live in a country that upholds the WHO Code.
- We consider it best practice that as a sponsor for a Big Latch On location, the store needs to be WHO Code Compliant and not market to pregnant or parenting families the companies that manufacture those products covered by the WHO Code. As sponsors they are using your location to market their business and by accepting that, you as a host are endorsing them to the parents attending, usually with little input into their practices. See comments for more details.
*Promotions includes but is not limited to posters, advertisements in flyers or on websites, sales/price reductions, offering samples or special offers. Promotions at any time are would be considered non WHO Code Compliant. For example the store currently has no bottles with artificial nipples on sale but they were last month or will be in three months time, then they are not WHO Code Compliant.
World Breastfeeding Week Alliance (WABA) Endorsers Statement and the Global Big Latch On
The World Breastfeeding Alliance Endorsers statement:
“WABA does not accept funds or gifts from manufacturers or distributors of breastmilk substitutes, related equipment such as feeding bottles and teats, commercial foods for breastfeeding mothers, or commercial complementary foods. It also does not accept funds or gifts from manufacturers of other products commonly used in infant feeding such as breastpumps and encourages WABA endorsers to adopt the same ethical stance.”
You can read more here http://www.waba.org.my/aboutus.htm
This statement essential promotes that a woman should need nothing but herself to breastfeed and therefore other items should not be promoted. Other items would include breastpumps, herbal teas, lactation foods, pre- prepared infant solids. The WABA endorsers statement would be seen as best practice or a gold standard and the WHO Code is seen as a baseline.
The Global Big Latch On recognises the WABA Endorsers statement however we are not a WABA Endorser for many reasons;
- We need sponsorship to keep this event running and we are sponsored by a WHO Code Compliant Breast Pump Manufacturer.
- We serve many women who would not be able to meet their breastfeeding goals without using a pump or other items covered by this statement, and we want to offer them access to support from our sponsors and our events.
- Many of the core partners of WABA are also sponsored by WHO Code Compliant Breast Pump Manufacturers.
I share this so you can make the best decision for the community and population of women you are serving, if they are likely to be using or aware of products covered by the endorsers statement anyway then it is less of an issue. If you would be introducing them to something new I would encourage you to exercise a little more caution. Clearly presenting items covered by the statement as not necessary for breastfeeding success is one way forward.
The Global Big Latch On, the WHO Code and Hosting a location versus Sponsoring a location.
For hosting we have chosen to be very specific about our requirements, under the WHO Code to enable as many communities as possible to take part. We want recognise the local stores or community spaces, that are very proactive at supporting breastfeeding (perhaps they hold classes, offer support groups and host La Leche League meetings) and at the same time stock artificial nipples and bottle feeding or pumping supplies. To protect women attending these locations, the area used for the Big Latch On must be compliant with the WHO Code so there must be no promotional materials or posters from non WHO Code compliant companies in that area and there must no formula, artifical nipples etc on display. We recognise that we have a closer working relationship with these places, and constant communication with them as hosts.
Holding a Big Latch On in a community is a fantastic way to support breastfeeding and we want as many communities and families to have access to the Big Latch On as possible.
For a store to be used as a sponsor for a Big Latch On location, they need to be WHO Code Compliant and not market to pregnant or parenting families the companies that manufacture those products covered by the WHO Code. As sponsors they are using your location to market their business and by accepting that, you as a host are endorsing them to the parents attending, usually with little input into their practices. As the Code is commonly interpreted in a way that prevents any retails outlet stocking formula or other code protected products to be considered code compliant, you may chose not to have any sponsorship for your location from a store or place that stocks these products.
Our local hospital is not a designated Baby Friendly hospital, can they host a Big Latch On location?
Yes, they can be a host location. We want recognise the great work done by lactation consultants and breastfeeding supporters in local hospitals, even if the hospital they work in is not a designated Baby Friendly. To protect women attending these locations, the area used for the Big Latch On must be compliant with the WHO Code so there must be no promotional materials or posters in that area and there must no formula, artifical nipples etc.
Holding a Big Latch On in a community is a fantastic way to support breastfeeding and gain momentum towards becoming Baby Friendly.
WIC
WIC are compliant with the WHO Code. They promote breastfeeding and offer breastfeeding support as a first line. They only give out formula to those in need, they do not promote formula use. If they are attending your event they cannot bring anything (products or pens/paper) from Medela which is the brand they have a contract with to supply the pumps they give to families, as Medela are not WHO code compliant.
Question from El Paso, Texas, USA: Since basically all stores stock bottles, nipples, and other WHO Code violating items, does that mean that we can’t approach any store that might sell these items? We sometimes ask stores for donations for our raffle, and of course we wouldn’t accept any items that are on the list, but the stores might sell them. THOUGHTS?
Stores can be code compliant and can sell non code compliant items. The store would be code compliant as long as they do not offer promotions or incentives on non code compliant items or on other products made by the non code compliant company.
Regarding utilizing stores that offer promotions or incentives on other products made by a non-code compliant company, such as a store that offers coupons for The Honest Co. brand diapers, the WHO Code really only addresses specific products that fall within the scope of the code. Other products, regardless of the manufacturer, are not specifically addressed by the Code.
The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes states that there should be no advertising, samples, special displays, coupons, special sales, etc. for products within the scope of the Code (article 5.3). The scope of the code applies to marketing of the following products: “breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula; other milk products, foods and beverages, including bottlefed complementary foods…as a partial or total replacement of breast milk; feeding bottles and teats.” (article 2)
Is there something that I am missing in the body of the WHO Code that would preclude us from working with stores or organizations that are WHO code compliant in relation to the products identified in article 2, but may still offer promotions/incentives for products of non-Code-compliant manufacturers, as long as those products do not fall within the scope of the Code?
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your patience, I have been coordinating with the Big Latch On Founders to ensure we continue to have a consistent approach to the WHO Code and best practice for the Big Latch On.
I really appreciate your question and the opportunity to provide insight into our decisions. Please ask more questions:
• We want to create clear guidance around the Big Latch On, the WHO Code and best practice, which enables us to balance needs of individual hosts and communities with best practice around protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. The WHO Code is a baseline for this work and not a best practice marker. (I will add this to the main post as I realise now that in my hurry to start this post that is not included)
• The WHO Code covers the products listed, as you have identified. It also covers the manufacturers, distributors, marketers and indirect marketing. It is under these parts of the Code that we are basing our decision around the promotion of a formula manufactures other parent/baby-focused products.
• It is important to all those involved in the Big Latch On that we could apply consistency with regards to the Code and best practice, so we can not make an exception for Honest Company that we would not be prepared to make for Enfamil, Nestle etc.
• The Code is commonly interpreted in a way that prevents any retails outlet stocking formula or other code protected products to be considered code compliant. For hosting we have chosen to be more specific about our requirements to enable as many communities as possible to take part (More details about this to come in another comment). For a store to be used as a sponsor for a Big Latch On location, they need to be WHO Code Compliant and not market to pregnant or parenting families the companies that manufacture those products covered by the WHO Code. As sponsors they are using your location to market their business and by accepting that, you as a host are endorsing them to the parents attending, usually with little input into their practices.
So can we not host at Babies R Us?
Hi Ashley, thank you for your patience with my reply. We can not use Babies R Us as a location or sponsor of a location, as they are not WHO Code compliant. They actively promote the sale and use of breast milk substitutes and of other items covered in the code such as bottles and teats/artificial nipples
WIC and the Code.
I have had a couple of questions on email about WIC, I am posting my response here (see below). I think the public have a belief that WIC give out formula. I know many WIC offices host or support their local Big Latch On, please add your comments on what I have been saying I would love to know if you think this is accurate or what you would add? Thanks Joanne
My response to recent emails about WIC:
The Code guides the promotion and marketing of breast milk substitutes and also the safe production and use of substitutes.
For example a local store selling formula but not holding offers on it, not highlighting where it is, having no posters or pens etc from the formula company and not promoting the formula companies other products, would still be compliant.
WIC promotes breastfeeding, they offer an active breastfeeding education program, they do have IBCLC’s and breastfeeding peer counselors on staff who support families as they feed their infants, they offer a food program to ensure women breastfeeding are receiving adequate and extra nutrition. They also have a program supplying women with pumps if they have a medical need or are returning to work. For this reason they have always been encouraged to hold the Big Latch On and expand the community support work they do by holding this event.
In terms of formula provision, my understanding is that WIC is only providing vouchers for formula on a need basis- i.e. a health care worker (or volunteer) has seen the family and they have been counseled on use of formula at their request or because they can not provide breast milk. From my experience there is no active promotion of formula – no posters, no offers on a particular brand, no classes on formula feeding.
Offering supported and individualised advice about the correct use of substitutes and providing families who need to use formula with access to a supply for as long as the infant needs, is compliant with the code.
I am emailing with a few people at WIC offices to check that my understanding of their distribution of vouchers for formula is correct.
How do you go about vetting a company before excepting donations? I was contacted by Welenda Australia and would like to be sure they’re ok before replying also looking to set up a system for verifying others. Thanks.
Hello,
Weleda are code compliant. There really isn’t an easy way to set up a vetting process, the CODE is not as straight forward as it first sounds. We have a list on this post of companies that are and are not compliant, and I will keep adding to that list based on peoples questions so it will hopefully serve as a great reference place. I have also tried to make the code as clear as I can through this post and my replies, by reading those it should give you and better understanding of the types of companies you can say yes or no to but please feel free to just keep asking, it will help this post become more useful to more people.
Thanks Joanne, I know they have breastfeeding or nursing tea and thought I would say that we would love to accept some donations but that we would like it to not contain any “special teas” or galactagogues.
Thanks again
My local grocery store (Publix) is very giving in donations, but they have advertising for formula in their baby club as well as occasional sales on formula. This makes them not apply to the code, correct? Also, there is a local Once Upon A Time consignment shop. How do I know if they do or don’t comply?
You are correct, if the grocery store is advertising the formula and has sales on it, they are not WHO code compliant. Consignment stores rarely market specific products, as long as they are not marketing or promoting items which are not code compliant then they are considered compliant.
Thank you Joanne! This blog is a great addition, and hopefully it saves you time too. I understand better now how the code is applied to stores. Do you know if Kohl’s department store is a code violator? I did check their website and do not see promotions or sales of formula at all. They do sell baby items, some of which are no doubt violators, but I am a little fuzzy on whether or not selling a “boppy” for example qualifies a store as non-compliant.
Hello Glad you like the blog. I have just done a very quick search on Kohls website and they have a number of bottles with nipples on sale at present, as these items are covered by the WHO Code this means Kohls are not WHO code compliant. It is the promotion of non code compliant items that is the issue, not the sale. In reality the only stores likely to sell but not promote are going to be little local stores (the corner shop that stocks the odd bottle and probably never sells them) and even then, with they power and money involved from the manufacturing companies, I think it might be very unlikely you will find a store like this. In a country that has adopted the WHO Code you may find big stores that are WHO code compliant.
Galactagogues, Specifically Herbal Teas
I’m searching for info on the WHO code compliance of herbal tea galactagogues. If you have any links or known info on what is a violation regarding these items please share, thank you.
Hi, Herbal teas are not covered by the WHO Code. They are covered by the World Breastfeeding Alliance Endorsers statement, which essential promotes that a woman should need nothing but herself to breastfeed and therefore other items should not be promoted. The endorsers statement would be seen as best practice or a gold standard and the WHO Code is seen as a baseline. The Global Big Latch On is no longer a WABA Endorser, as we are sponsored by a WHO Code Compliant Breast Pump Manufacturer and as we serve many women who would not be able to meet their breastfeeding goals without using a pump. I share this so you can make the best decision for the community and population of women you are serving, if they are likely to be using or aware of herbal teas anyway then it is less of an issue. If you would be introducing them to something new I would encourage you to exercise a little more caution.
Sorry to be so pesky. I have checked Kohl’s in Texas (where we are)and Kohl’s national website and I have not seen any special promotions or coupons of formula, bottles, etc. I am going to assume that, since they are not specifically on the list of violators and since BLO has specified what constitutes a non-compliant store, that they are safe to approach for a raffle item. Don’t bother to respond specifically to this unless we are wrong and need to cease this contact. Thanks again!
Binational Breastfeeding Coalition in El Paso, Texas, USA
Hi I have replied to your previous post but no Kohls are not code compliant, please see previous post for explanation
Hello! I was wondering if anyone knows if Arbonne baby products are WHO approved. I am collecting raffle baskets and someone offered to send one, but unsure if they follow code. Thank you!
Hi Jenna,
After an extensive search, Arbonne’s parent company and its subsidiaries (including Arbonne) all appear to be WHO Code Compliant.
The information above is very helpful but I’m still a bit unclear. So if a retail grocery store stocks and sells WHO Code violating items such as bottle nipples and infant formula, but does not promote them they would be compliant in that sense. However, if they stocked, sold, and promoted San Pellegrino (distributed by Nestle) then they would be considered not Code compliant and ineligible to participate as a Big Latch On site. Am I understanding that correctly?
Thank you so much for clarifying!
Hi Erin,
I have just added a post about the difference between looking at store as a location versus as a sponsor for your location. Hopefully that post will make things clearer. Let me know if it doesn’t and I will answer again.
Any ideas on where to go for bags for swag bags?
Hi Stephanie,
I will start a new post for this question thank you
Our local hospital is not a designated Baby Friendly hospital, can they host a Big Latch On location?
Yes, they can be a host location. We want recognise the great work done by lactation consultants and breastfeeding supporters in local hospitals, even if the hospital they work in is not a designated Baby Friendly. To protect women attending these locations, the area used for the Big Latch On must be compliant with the WHO Code so there must be no promotional materials or posters in that area and there must no formula, artifical nipples etc.
Holding a Big Latch On in a community is a fantastic way to support breastfeeding and gain momentum towards becoming Baby Friendly.
The Global Big Latch On, the WHO Code and Hosting a location versus Sponsoring a location.
For hosting we have chosen to be very specific about our requirements, under the WHO Code to enable as many communities as possible to take part. We want recognise the local stores or community spaces, that are very proactive at supporting breastfeeding (perhaps they hold classes, offer support groups and host La Leche League meetings) and at the same time stock artificial nipples and bottle feeding or pumping supplies. To protect women attending these locations, the area used for the Big Latch On must be compliant with the WHO Code so there must be no promotional materials or posters from non WHO Code compliant companies in that area and there must no formula, artifical nipples etc on display. We recognise that we have a closer working relationship with these places, and constant communication with them as hosts.
Holding a Big Latch On in a community is a fantastic way to support breastfeeding and we want as many communities and families to have access to the Big Latch On as possible.
For a store to be used as a sponsor for a Big Latch On location, they need to be WHO Code Compliant and not market to pregnant or parenting families the companies that manufacture those products covered by the WHO Code. As sponsors they are using your location to market their business and by accepting that, you as a host are endorsing them to the parents attending, usually with little input into their practices. As the Code is commonly interpreted in a way that prevents any retails outlet stocking formula or other code protected products to be considered code compliant, you may chose not to have any sponsorship for your location from a store or place that stocks these products.
Hi Joanne! I’ve read through all of this and still have a question. You may have answered it, but the wording was confusing for me.
I own a natural parenting store. My store carries Innobaby products, but not their bottles (only straw cups). I do not stock any bottles, pacifiers, formula, or any other item specifically WHO code violating. Occasionally I have put Innobaby products on sale as some of them don’t move as well for me as others. Does this mean that my store does not comply with the WHO code, or that I cannot sponsor my own Big Latch On location? What if I also buy products from a distributor that also distributes products that violate the WHO code, but do not stock those products? This is my fourth year hosting an event, we added Innobaby after last year’s event, so I would be extremely disappointed that some of my favorite and most popular products (their teething toys and straw cups) meant that my store could no longer sponsor this event.
*This will be my 3rd year hosting. Oops! 🙂
Hi Stephanie,
You can host, as a host location we have a closer relationship with you and we want to recognise the great work you do to support breastfeeding in your community. So we just have some specific requirements we would like you to meet and they are that the area used for the Big Latch On must be compliant with the WHO Code so there must be no promotional materials or posters from non WHO Code compliant companies in that area and there must no formula, artifical nipples etc on display.
Sorry if the previous posts are not as clear as they could be. Hopefully this has helped? Please let me know how I can make the previous posts clearer.
Thanks Joanne
Hi Joanne!
That does help, I was very nervous about it! My store is actually too small for the event to be held here, but I will have a vendor table (along with some other local businesses) at our Saturday event and will make a donation for a door prize and such, so my business name will be at the event. I just wanted to double check on all of that!
Thanks!
Hello. I am writing to get help determining if the following local program is allowed to be represented at my big latch on event. https://www.kalcounty.com/hcs/hbhs/
I was asked about a worker coming to the event to set up a table and hand out ‘breast pads and stuff.’ I went to the site and followed the resources link and WIC is mentioned as well as planned parenthood. Otherwise I am not seeing anything stating that they really promote breast milk substitutes.
I would really appreciate the help!
Thanks,
Cassie
Hi Cassie,
I have taken a look at the site too and do not see anything which would violate the WHO Code or prevent them from being at your event. It would be best practice if you could ask them about their code compliance directly, just to make sure there is nothing we are missing.
Please let me know if I can help you further
Kindly
Joanne
Thank you Joanne. I will touch base with them and ask them directly as well.
Thanks again.
So the host and sponsors have to be WHO compliant but what about vendors that maybe at the event? I have a local lactation consultant that is retailer for Medela. Can she be a vendor? She would not be allowed to bring Medela products, correct?
Hi Lynn,
Can you explain a little more about what she would be doing as a vendor? Thank you Joanne
Lucina is listed as code compliant on your list but on their fb page, they appear to have been promoting the advent pump just a couple days ago… Does that make them non compliant?
Hi Jodi,
They do clearly have a link with Phillips Avent, I am not sure what that link is but for now we will consider them not compliant with the WHO Code.
Thanks for noticing that.
Question from Sarah Harris Does anyone know if Pampers is a WHO compliant company? We have some samples that we want to provide to our participants at the event but not if they are not WHO compliant.
Pampers appear to be WHO Code Compliant, they are owned by Proctor and Gamble