Netmums have sold out...

[hunkermunker]

See here

[disappointed]

I got a similar reply, here's an extract:

"We are promoting breastfeeding awareness week in the UK because we always do. I personally believe ? and this is my view not that of netmums per se ? that the good work netmums is doing is still very tangible, our newsletter reached nearly 300,000 members yesterday ? that?s spreading the work of the breastfeeding manifesto to 300,000 homes. If it wasn?t for sponsorship then that couldn?t have happened, nor could mums log in each day and get support from our breastfeeding forum. So no matter what I think of the nestle methods of advertising in the third world, I?m glad that in the UK their money allows netmums to continue it?s fabulous support."

So money from Nestle is funding breastfeeding support in the UK while Nestle continues to undermine breastfeeding in Third World countries. Great stuff.

sounds like netmums is happy to take the crumbs off the nestle table while nestle eats the 3rd world cake.

nice soundbite kiskidee. I completely agree.

Exactly kiskidee.
Its akin to blood money. Benefiting from the misery of other mothers and babies.

There ARE other ways and means. Look at all the other parenting sites and how they raise money. Crikey - they even have backing from the Government. How can they say they had limited choice?

The members that insist that the site is vital for vulnerable mums - I'm sure they wouldnt mind paying a voluntary subscription to keep 'their' site going?

Would they take money from an arms company to sponsor them, I wonder? After all, they're doing SUCH good work that it shouldn't matter.

Am I alone in thinking that if you do good things at the fatal expense of others, the good things are reduced, somehow?

No you are not Hunker. I feel like NM is using the standard "we help people" response to avoid having to look at themselves and the actions that they are taking. I wonder if they really have convinced themselves that there is no other option?

It's a tried and tested "you can't hit me, I'm wearing glasses" technique, I think.

Much like "don't talk about bfing, you're making women feel guilty".

I think Netmums management have behaved appallingly.

I have no problem with NM members, and I appreciate the site does good things. But it's possible without taking blood money - see MN for evidence.

HOW can a parenting site accept advertising from a company like Nestle? What next? Weight Watchers advertising Big Macs?

I can't believe they are trying to justify it as well.

Well, this is pretty close to my heart as ahem I'm only here because of this, if I'm entirely honest. I used NetMums for several years, but was so disgusted by th Nestle sponsorship that I was among those who (very publicly) left the site.

Having jumped ship and left NET 'dont mention the babies dying in Bangladesh' MUM, I have now come over to the other side and found all you lovely ladies here at MUMS 'dont mention the well known childcare expert' NET.

What a controversial lot these parenting sites are eh, gals?

runs for cover as hardcore MN-ers hurl parenting bibles and jars of Goldblend at me

It's a pretty dumb response from netmums. Why should the government give them any money anyway. They're a private company and they made a decision and now they've got to see if it damages their business. I hate all that "poor little me" stuff.

I am also a long-term member of Netmums who has left in disgust.

Welcome to Mumnet LoveAngel and tinymum

Oh, Gina Ford might claim to be pro breastfeeding but her parenting method rejects demand feeding in favour of a timetable of time limited feeds coupled with expressed milk feeds, which does not promote a good breastfeeding relationship for the new mother and baby and can damage the mothers milk supply

Demand feeding as and when the baby wants to eat is the right way to establish a good health milk supply (assuming baby is active, healthy weight ect) i.e. The opposite of Gina Fords suggestions.

Welcome to Mumsnet.

LoveAngel and tinymum, welcome to MN.

You'll fit right in

Now, have you all signed the petition linked to on this thread?

Thank you ladies.

xx

Just email them and say you no longer wish to be a member.

Hi ladies i have been a Netmums member for 7 weeks now and was not aware of the Nestle boycott...after reading all your information (which funnily enough wasn't readily available on netmums) i have decided to de register and also let them know of my "intense disgust" at their acceptence of this company and their "funding". I also find this site more enjoyable to post on and read from. Y ou can say wot u think and not be ignored if its not "politically correct or nice enough" i hope i can say wot i feel withoutbeing treat as a leper i have joined mumsnet this morning so HELLO

Welcome JJ!

Hello, JJ! Welcome to MN!

Shame the films aren't available on Netmums.

I wonder if someone who's still a member might like to post a link to them...

lol at all these Netmums defectors. I hope they learn their lesson.

Netmums, that is.

Still not had a reply from Netmums.

Neither have I, although I suspect they may be rather busy/deluged.....

I replied directly to the local email newsletter and got a reply the next day - see earlier post.