Brooke Shields shilling for infant formula

I was flipping through the coupon circular that comes in my Sunday paper.  Nestled between coupons for Boboli (who knew they still make that), Hummel figurines and squeezable strawberry jam is a full page ad for Bright Beginnings Infant Formula.  There’s a photo of Brooke and a quote, "Everything matters to me… that’s why I used Bright Beginnings with DHA & ARA.  There’s simply no better choice." 

I guess daughter Rowan wasn’t breastfed. 

There’s a link to their website and if you follow it, you will be rewarded with a commercial of Brooke and Rowan.  They also have some coupons in case they weren’t in your Sunday paper.

Comments

Yeah, I noticed those in my American Baby and Parenting mags *yes, I am only a nanny, but I like to be prepared!* I think the “There’s simply no better choice” line wasn’t the smartest way to advertise. If they had to say that, it should say “in formula!”

- Sarah, CBB Editor on January 29th, 2005

Yes, Brooke did breastfeed but I do not know how long. I remember reading an article where she talked about it.

- Ella on January 29th, 2005

I don’t think that’s Rowan in that commercial. :-/

- Callie on January 30th, 2005

She did breastfeed at first but quickly sold out to Bright Beginnings. She taped the first commercial in late October 2003 and the ads launched in early Nivember 2003.

- Trish on January 30th, 2005

Looks like Rowan to me. At least according to any pics I have seen of her.

- tink1217 on January 30th, 2005

I thought I saw a tv commercial for this too. It’s really cute. I also remember reading somewhere that the baby in the advertisements ISN’T Rowan.

- Heidi on January 30th, 2005

Wow, that awful. I feel very sorry for her child..that she felt that was the best to give. Even if she didnt she should remain true to breastfeeding and stay away from jobs like that. She must of been desperate. Poor kid. Lets not get on the debate again…just my two cents.

- Lisa on January 30th, 2005

Yes, please do not start a debate on this. I love this board, and I would hate to be upset about a b/feeding debate. I was unable to b/feed due to severe post partum depression. We have no idea what these women go through, so let’s please not be so quick to judge.

- Jennifer R on January 30th, 2005

I have to admit when I am wrong!! I was thinking of a totally different baby when I said that in my earlier post!!! Rowan has light reddish blonde hair, not dark. OOOPS!!

- tink1217 on January 30th, 2005

>We have no idea what these women go through, so let’s please not be so quick to judge. >

“Ms. Shields began breastfeeding immediately after her daughter was born.
Because of her busy lifestyle, she soon began supplementing breastfeeding with
Bright Beginnings infant formula.”

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=VANW_VA.story&STORY=/www/story/05-07-2004/0002169575&EDATE=May+7,+2004

- AJ on January 30th, 2005

i dont want to start a debate but i think its very wrong that they are allowed to advertise that with her saying ‘that there’s no better choice’!!! I really cant believe that she is saying that, maybe that is what she believes,she obviously hasnt done much research into what is the best way to feed a baby!

- amz on January 30th, 2005

I didn’t even realize people used both simultaneously (breastmilk and formula).

- Danielle, CBB Editor on January 30th, 2005

Yeah, the twins I nanny for have formula when they’re with me, but their mom still nurses them at night when she’s home.

- Sarah, CBB Editor on January 30th, 2005

A.J.-thanks for pointing that out. I read that, but still, they can say anything. Even if it were her busy lifestyle, she should not be criticized for doing what she feels was best for HER child. I am sure you did what was best for yours, which I am assuming was b/feeding, but it is not for everybody. Sorry to say that, but it’s just not. I’m done with this, I promise! No more comments from me. I’m sure Danielle and Sarah would be so happy.

- Jennifer R on January 30th, 2005

Jennifer, comment all you want! You’re not a problem for us, it’s others. Just make sure you’re not attacking people specifically (which you’re not!)

- Sarah, CBB Editor on January 30th, 2005

Thanks Sarah! You are very sweet. I feel very comfortable giving my comments. This blog is great. I love it.

- Jennifer R on January 30th, 2005

I think it’s interesting that somewhere else on this board, it was mentioned not to bash celebrities or the posts would be deleted. Then I read the heading for this and couldn’t believe it. Isn’t commenting on Brooke’s decision on how to feed her baby considered a form of bashing? Geesh, this place is hypocritical.

- Julie on January 30th, 2005

The title in no way is bashing anything. Danielle didn’t even give an opinion. And if she did, we’re fine with opposing comments are long as they aren’t flat out rude to people.

The rules are basically for people complaining about how the site is run-if you don’t like it, don’t visit-and for people that feel the need to spam posts with “Wow, that kid is ugly.” And that topic has already been discussed into the ground, hence why the post was closed.

If anyone feels the need to discuss the rules further, take it off the blog and email instead. The address is at the top left.

Back to the topic, please!

- Sarah, CBB Editor on January 30th, 2005

back to the topic…Because of her busy lifestyle, she soon began supplementing breastfeeding with
Bright Beginnings infant formula….thats so lame. Again, these people are way selfish about not wanting to give up thier lives for thier kids. I dont know but when I had a baby my life stopped. I guess thats not the case with everyone.

- Lisa on January 30th, 2005

hhhmm? if Brooke Shields is rich and famous then why would she buy cheap generic bright beginings formula when she can buy way better brand name formula like Enfamil or Similac. they spend so much on other stuff but they get cheap formula?

- jen on January 30th, 2005

I just don’t trust it when a celebrity endorses any product. Maybe Brooke LOVES this brand or this product but if Brand X gave her more money, maybe she would have endorsed their product instead. For all we know, Brooke never used this product.

It’s kind of rare for Americans to endorse products in the United States, with the exception of cosmetics, sneakers and TrimSpa (enlighten me if I’m wrong) so to see Brooke endorsing this or any product was surprising to me. And because it was a baby product, it directly applied to my site. That’s why I posted it.

I have passed -no- judgement on the benefits on using formula vs breastfeeding- it doesn’t have a place on this site.

- Danielle, CBB Editor on January 30th, 2005

with minor differences, formula’s formula. The idea that Enfamil or Similac are better BECAUSE they’re more expensive is like saying Bright Beginnings is better BECAUSE Brooke Shields says so.

We tried Bright Beginnings and found it to be fine. I mean really fine, so fine that it clumped if the humidity was >10%, which made it harder to dissolve.

There’s a side-by-side taste test on the web somewhere, but I can’t find the link.

- greg from daddytypes on February 1st, 2005

How disappointing that she stopped breastfeeding for monetary gain

Her daughter is beautiful, and so is she!

- anon on February 2nd, 2005

I have severe post partum depression, have a full time job and raise 3 kids on my own..i never once gave formula to my baby..i think that’s horrible what Brooke Shield’s did

- Brenda on May 6th, 2005