I am often confused when large companies take a stance against the very people to whom they should be marketing. For example, when Victoria's Secret initially came out against breastfeeding in their stores. Sure, Victoria's Secret doesn't sell nursing bras, but women who breastfeed will eventually be buying non-nursing bras. Same with Motrin. Regardless of whether or not babywearing is trendy (and that statement makes me cringe because of course, it's okay to be trendy and fashionable, but surely there are reasons beyond that to wear a baby), a lot of women do it. A lot of women who were likely to buy Motrin products. So why the commercial? Watching it, I couldn't help but wonder if it was meant to be funny, but went too far. What I would love to see in the next few days is not necessarily Motrin yanking the ad, apologizing, then slinking into the corner. I'd love for this to turn into a discourse on how to relieve back pain when you have a newborn (because wow, I had horrible back pain after Luke was born), how to make sure that you're wearing your baby correctly, and other topics that would be so helpful for new moms to learn. I would also love to hear Motrin explain their intent. When I first heard about this last night, it didn't seem like such a thing, until I actually viewed the ad and read the text. The tone of the ad was insulting, not to mention that it supplied incorrect information.
The first time I wore Luke, I wasn't using the most comfortable of options, but it was still love--for both of us.
Even Dad got in on it, when he realized that babywearing meant free hands for beer.
I still love wearing Luke
in our wrap, and I can't wait to have another baby to wear in a (much more comfortable) sling!
On a random non-Motrin note, I had a fabulous night out last night with a fun group of girls involving men in dresses and (sometimes frightening) swimwear. I also managed to take not one, but TWO naps this weekend. Does it have to end?
10 comments:
Great post! You already know how I feel about the ad. Men in dresses? I am intrigued.
I was just wearing Josie to finally look like an official mom!
That's why we all do it, Hillary! Did you get your laminated mom card in the mail?;)
Great post! I am really glad I found your blog.
I also hope that this will open a dialogue with Motrin. Maybe they can use this to spur a campaign to teach women and men how to correctly wear their babies. It would be nice for sure!
I'm just wearing Alysa to be trendy! LOL I blogged about this also
Your post is just like you... smart, fair, inquisitive, always finding the root and the tree. We will all be anxious to see where this conversation leads...
Erin... I so want to thank you, too, for visiting my friend C on Manitoulin Island. You will never know how deeply I appreciate it. I marvel at your compassion and wisdom each day... I truly love you!
I didn't see this commercial...but I have heard a lot about it this weekend! I did wear Jack, but not Douglas...does that mean I am only half a mom?
I saw that too. So insulting! I don't wear Kiddo anymore, but I just LOVED carrying him in a pouch sling. I didn't go for the back wraps (well, rather HE didn't. He wanted to be front and center, in the middle of all the action! He didn't like being carried at all, actually, until he could hold his head up and look around.)
I was a long term babywearer and that ad, while utterly moronic, didn't offend me. The thought that came to me as I listened was "wow, how stupid. If you do it right, it doesn't hurt AT ALL!" I'm glad Motrin responded to the people who were offended and maybe that should speak more loudly than the placement of the dumb ad in the first place.
This is hilarious! I love it!!!
Steph
Post a Comment