Motrin's new ad attacks Babywearing!

[PiccoloRose]

The ad is the video on the main page at:

www.motrin.com

If you can't view the video, here is the transcript:

In case they pull the ad from their front page by the time you’re reading this (I sure hope they trash the entire campaign, and fast), I’m quoting the little video on their website front page, which they call a “Mom-versation“. The phrases in bold are my emphasis, though they have even better emphasis in the graphics in their ad.

Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion.

I mean, in theory it’s a great idea.

There’s the front baby carrier, sling, schwing, wrap, pouch.

And who knows what else they’ve come up with. Wear your baby on your side, your front, go hands free.

Supposedly, it’s a real bonding experience.

They say that babies carried close to the bod tend to cry less than others.

But what about me? Do moms that wear their babies cry more than those who don’t?

I sure do!

These things put a ton of strain on your back, your neck, your shoulders. Did I mention your back?!

I mean, I’ll put up with the pain because it’s a good kind of pain; it’s for my kid.

Plus, it totally makes me look like an official mom.

And so if I look tired and crazy, people will understand why.



I got the transcript from a personal blog, so I can't post the link, but it is accurate.

[Sashahomeschoolmama]

I can't view the video but their tagline of "WE FEEL YOUR PAIN" makes me think of the Mel Gibson move "What Women Want". Motrin doesn't feel my pain.

[vulturemom]

What a load of tripe. And I want to add when baby cried less then I cried less.

[bocarioja]

Funny because I never needed motrin.... I switched positions, took her off, or put her down if I got uncomfortable.

[vulturemom]

Funny because I never needed motrin.... I switched positions, took her off, or put her down if I got uncomfortable.


Sorry, then you are not an official mom. You have to need to pain relief to be official.

[PiccoloRose]

Guess I'm not official either. Wearing my DD is what saved my poor back. It was a lot more comfortable than trying to carry her without one, as she would scream every single second that she was not being held when she was a baby.

[SingingMom]

Argh.

If it's hurting to carry the baby, I tie her on more firmly. Or I- get this- take a break!

[Peanut1207]

Wearing my baby kept me sane...letting him scream when he wanted to be help would've caused me to need motrin!

[bocarioja]

Sorry, then you are not an official mom. You have to need to pain relief to be official.

LOL! I'll raise my glass of red wine in the name of pain relief and I'll wear the immitation mom badge proudly.

[JudyJudyJudy]

I'll admit that I did say, "WTF?" when I watched it. However, I don't really see it as an attack on babywearing, but rather, a poor way to advertise their product. They're not saying that a mom shouldn't wear her baby. They're saying that a mom needs Motrin because she should wear her baby since it's best for the baby.

[Bellaelle]

I'll admit that I did say, "WTF?" when I watched it. However, I don't really see it as an attack on babywearing, but rather, a poor way to advertise their product. They're not saying that a mom shouldn't wear her baby. They're saying that a mom needs Motrin because she should wear her baby since it's best for the baby.


Yes, that is how I am seeing it. It certainly was true for me. I could not stand babywearing. It just bothered my shoulders etc.

[madelsmama]

I didn't see that as an attack. I wasn't sure of the direction initially, but they wrapped it up nicely by the end.

[Sashahomeschoolmama]

They're saying that a mom needs Motrin because she should wear her baby since it's best for the baby.


I think what annoys me is the insinuation that a mother who does things outside the norm is a) doing it because it's fashionable; and b) is a martyr.

But I'll admit that I might be projecting.

[Iconoclast]

It doesn't bother me at all. I wore my babies yeas ago and my shoudler and back still hurt!

[Psyche]

I think what annoys me is the insinuation that a mother who does things outside the norm is a) doing it because it's fashionable; and b) is a martyr.

But I'll admit that I might be projecting.

That's my take on it. I think its crappy advertising.

[Meredith]

From what I've read and heard, babywearing shouldn't be painful when done properly. If you are doing it properly, and it's still painful, you may have an existing back/neck problem, and if that's the case, babywearing may not be for you (and it could actually be making the problem worse).

[Sameach]

I think it's a stupid advertisement because it only applies to a very small segment of the population. What a waste of money.

I love Motrin, by the way. That shit is the magic drug for sick kids.

[PiccoloRose]

I love Motrin, by the way. That shit is the magic drug for sick kids.


Unless your kid happens to be severely allergic and it results in her ending up in the hospital. But that's us. I do realize that it works great for others.

[PiccoloRose]

I can see them wanting to do an ad geared towards mothers with aching backs, necks, sides, etc. But I found the ad to be rather condescending in it's delivery. Putting imphasis on "in theory" it being a great idea, and it "supposedly" being a real bonding experience. Whether it is in theory or is supposedly anything, it can be stated without making it sounds as if people who believe that are doing nothing but just causing themselves pain. The part about how it "totally makes me look like an official mom" was just the icing on the cake...like wearing ones baby is all about how it looks.

[Wildflower]

I think what annoys me is the insinuation that a mother who does things outside the norm is a) doing it because it's fashionable; and b) is a martyr.

But I'll admit that I might be projecting.


Exactly! I hate the assumption that I couldn't Possibly babywear because I ENJOY the closeness but I'm doing so just because it's some kind of fad.

I hate this kind of thinking. Also the line that goes, "EVERY mom does/feels XYZ and if she says otherwise, she's a LIAR" That one really bugs me.

[Camille]

Guess I'm not official either. Wearing my DD is what saved my poor back. It was a lot more comfortable than trying to carry her without one, as she would scream every single second that she was not being held when she was a baby.


Agreed. It also enabled me to wash dishes, and use the toilet, and switch laundry over, and... "lol9"


I still occasionally wear her, and she's over 20 lb.

[Babyhellfire]

Carrying my baby in my arms instead of tying her on with whatever "babywearing fashion" hurt much more for me. I'd need motrin for the reg mommy things,toting fussing - or sleeping tot- than slinging fussy or sleeping tot. I think the ad is just sadly misinformed.

[Sunnie]

It doesn't bother me at all. I wore my babies yeas ago and my shoudler and back still hurt!


Yup. In fact, I didn't wear my youngest as much as I'd have liked because it just plain hurt too much.

[RaisingThemLeft]

Well, I think it's great that they listened to feedback and took it down and plan to stop airing it. I'm another one who never needed Motrin as a result of babywearing. Although I'll admit I've needed it because my kids have given me a headache;)

[VegasLactivist]

http://www.motrin.com/images/motrin/marketing_message.jpg

[JudyJudyJudy]

The ad didn't bother me, but I'm glad that the company listened to the customers.

[Shaunsmom]

I'll admit that I did say, "WTF?" when I watched it. However, I don't really see it as an attack on babywearing, but rather, a poor way to advertise their product. They're not saying that a mom shouldn't wear her baby. They're saying that a mom needs Motrin because she should wear her baby since it's best for the baby.

I agree with this. What a very strange way to advertise their stuff.

[TuetonicWillow]

I don't get the hype over it. Even as an avid baby wearer, I see it as nothing more than mildly annoying.