Elisabeth Hasselbeck promoting formula

The View’s Elisabeth Hasselbeck has replaced Brooke Shields as the new spokesmom for Bright Beginnings formula.  I spotted the new ad running in one of the parenting magazines I now subscribe to.

Last year, I stirred up some trouble here when I pointed out that Brooke Shields was shilling for this brand but perhaps it was the tagline they were using that riled up our readers… "Everything matters to me… that’s why I used Bright Beginnings with DHA & ARA.  There’s simply no better choice."  This time, Bright Beginnings is using the tagline, "The highest DHA at a low price.  You can do the math.  Heck, she can do the math."  At first, I thought they were talking about Elisabeth being able to do the math and thought, "gee, that’s sort of obnoxious," but then I realized they were talking about the baby (whose name is not mentioned anywhere in the ad or on the website, which I find sort of strange).

In any case, a very sweet photo of Elisabeth and a baby who is not her daughter Grace can be found on their website, as well as coupons (in case you’re interested).

Source: Bright Beginnings

Note: If you post a comment, please refrain from "breast is best" arguments.

Comments

Hi Danielle…here’s Dr. Sears’ blurb on DHA:
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t040900.asp

- leepert on January 10th, 2006

I would never intentionally offend anyone. That being said, the comments made in the post make it obvious how you feel about people who use formula. As you said, it’s really nobody else’s business how someone else feeds their child, but you felt you should share your La Leche League card-carrying status with readers. Isn’t that directly negating the “nobody else’s business” mantra? I don’t think any comments are ever needed on one choice or the other unless a child is in serious health danger, and then it a doctor’s job. The tone of the post came across as sarcastic, and I was offended.

- atsirk17 on January 10th, 2006

Please point out what was sarcastic and offensive about the post. I carefully wrote this post and then reread it several times now and believe my post is extremely neutral.

- Danielle, CBB Editor on January 10th, 2006

The first time I read it I thought it was a just a little saracastic and condescending too, but it sounds fine now.

- logan on January 10th, 2006

Danielle’s comment is okay. She’s just telling where she stands on the issue of breastfeeding vs formula feeding.

I agree too that a woman can feed her kids however she sees fit.

Anyway the only thing about the article that I found offensive was the fact that the slogan for the New Beginnings ad could be so easily misinterpreted as “math easy enough for Elizabeth H.” rather than her daughter (which by that pic, you can’t tell is a girl.)

The ad was probably written by a sexist male, but then again that’s an assumption on my part.

- Autumn on January 10th, 2006

Danielle,
In response to your query, if you feel you were being completely neutral, then that is fine. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, as I am mine. I still stand by my feeling.

As I said in my first post, the underlying tone of your original post appeared to me to come across as sarcastic, and if you did not have those intentions, then you shouldn’t think about it again. I felt I was clear in communicating that if you feel it is nobody’s business how someone feeds his or her child and feel free to remind other of that, then perhaps all comments leaning one way or the other should be unspoken or untyped by all.

You shared where you stood on the opinion,(“card-carrying La Leche”), which is absolutely fine and acceptable. However, don’t ask others to ignore that in the next breath/sentence by telling people to refrain from “breast is best” arguments when you post that very opinion on the main page. Anyone who knows anything about the La Leche League knows that is their theme through and through, so you have done what you ask others not to do. I wouldn’t dare share my opinion here on feeding issues, for fear I would be scolded, but you might be surprised at my choices and the reasons for them.

I do understand the basis of your reasoning, I think, because the feeding issue is such a venomous one. How mothers can be so hurtful and undermining to one another on some websites and in everyday life, I will never understand. The lack of hateful comments toward others on this site is duly noted and appreciated.

Then again, it’s your website, and you can do what you please, but the double standard is particularly annoying. At the end of the day, you should just be thankful you have a healthy baby with no apparent issues, feeding or otherwise. Some of us aren’t that lucky.

- atsirk17 on January 10th, 2006

Well I will say that the baby is gorgeous! I haven’t seen a picture of her since she was 1st born! WOW! I used formula and I used DHA..It was whatever was best at the time. I breastfed and I had to go back to work. I don’t think it is fair to tell anyone what decision is best in regards to feeding their child. My mother belonged to La Leche League and she loved it,and I used to go with her when I was little. There was nothing wrong with it, and there is nothing wrong with a mother having to bottlefeed her child. Unfortunately many women have to work and don’t have the choice to stay home. I am sad to see that people used this forum to attack others. People should go over to ONTD if you want to be sarcastic and rude!

- Yonni on January 10th, 2006

I agree. I don’t understand why people assume one way is better then the other way. I believe Elizabeth also nursed Grace because I remember her commenting about it when Grace was first born. I know many mothers (including my brothers) gf who tried it and her and the baby never could get insync with each other and in then end they were both miserable. So therefore she gave him formula in a bottle. It was choice she had to make to keep both her child and herself sane through a difficult time. Whatever works is the key.

- joy on January 10th, 2006

Two comments (& feel free to delete the second).

One a beautiful baby.

RE: “I don’t understand why people assume one way is better then the other way.”

If we’re not goint to comment thats fine, but I feel the need to point a blatant untruth. Breastmilk is better than formula, thats why they have to mention it in their ads, but everyone has the right to feed their baby as they choose.

- Jaclyn on January 11th, 2006

OMG people! Chill out. I have never left a post on anything before, but you are going a little nuts don’t you think? She only wanted things like THIS not to happen. Breast v bottle is everyone’s right. Don’t preach.

- redruby on January 11th, 2006

I haven’t posted anything here in months. But I think this issue deserves one more comment. This website works harder than any other that I visit to keep their comments positive and unoffensive. They are always watching their posts and our comments in order to keep the experience of pregnancy and motherhood the wonderful, joyous experiece that it is. Also, to be specific, they have asked us as readers not to critique mothers who choose to breastfeed or not. Breast is best when ever it is possible. Danielle is thankful for her baby, so much she is giving up her career for the time being to raise her. Thank you, Danielle, Sarah, and everyone else for all of your hard work.

- MamaLaughingBear on January 13th, 2006