Motrin tries to get on moms' side, misses horribly
Filed under: Health
Motrin just wants to let you know, mamas: the company feels your pain! Or so goes the tagline in its newest campaign. The one launched during International Babywearing Week. The one which has moms on blogs and Twitter so incensed they're making videos explaining to Motrin how that no, the company does NOT feel their pain.The animated text video was probably supposed to be edgy and sympathetic, starting by saying that "Babywearing seems to be in fashion," and going on to point out a few of the benefits, like keeping babies from crying as much. "But what about me: do moms that wear their babies cry more than those who don't?" the ad asks, pointing out all the places that babywearing hurts (back, neck, shoulders, BACK) and grudgingly accepting the practice.
Moms who do wear their babies were in shock over the video, most mentioning that, if you wear your baby correctly, you won't feel this all-over pain; and feeling scarred that Motrin is, with its sarcasm, castigating a practice that moms believe is central to their relationship with their babies. Seriously?
Several moms on Twitter promised never to use Motrin again; even babywearing dads (including my husband) are incensed. Perhaps Motrin's marketing team will be crying like the little iconic woman pictured here come Monday morning.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
11-16-2008 @ 3:54AM
Jessica Gottlieb said...
Blame me.
http://jessicagottlieb.com/2008/11/16/blame-me-for-motrin-moms/
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11-21-2008 @ 5:18PM
stephani said...
Whats the big deal, so you don't get a back ache. There are much bigger things to worry about. Chill out.
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11-16-2008 @ 1:53PM
Molly6 said...
Oh, people just take themselves WAY too seriously !!! I'm tired of hearing this is right and that is not right and this is best and that is not best for your baby! You rear yours as you see fit and I'll rear mine as I see fit and I won't judge you if you'll stop judging me. As my oldest are getting into their teen years, I've witnessed some "Earth moms" who had a communal bed and carried their babies everywhere, have cute little Earth teens who are smoking natural substances like weed. There are some kids whose moms had to work & couldn't carry the babies all day long who are smoking weed too, but there are also some who are independant, confident, good kids, good students and so far, have stayed away from substances and trouble. The best you can do is do your best at the time & don't be so hard on yourself or others who do it differently than you do.
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11-16-2008 @ 10:03PM
sparkles pederson said...
Seriously? Certain things ARE better for children, others are not. Seatbelts DO save lives........baby aspirin can lead to Reyes syndrome......balloons can choke a child, and playing in the kitty litter can cause serious complications. There is no debate about breast-milk vs. formula..........just ask any pediatrician. We all do our best but there is always the opportunity to learn from each other. There is nothing at all wrong with trying to be a really good parent. Of course there are no guarantees in life but there are some fairly simple truths out there.
11-18-2008 @ 2:54PM
Karla said...
I agree. Why make such a big deal of this advertisement? Parents will do what is best for them to cope and what they feel is best for their babies. We all know that drug companies continually look for some condition to tell us we need to treat and I believe most of us are intelligent enough to figure that out. Do we really believe that this advertisement will keep someone from "wearing" their baby if they are so inclined?
11-18-2008 @ 3:22PM
terri said...
I agree, everyone needs to get a grip....the commercial is just telling you that IF you back hurts, from baby-wearing then MOTRIN can help.... I did not wear my babies, but I carried them alot and I had back-pain.....so I used motrin...like I sais its a commerical, you need to think about more inportant issues then a motrin commercial.....
11-18-2008 @ 5:20PM
amy said...
THANK YOU!!
11-18-2008 @ 9:06PM
kingmambo said...
I'd like to know, who has enough time on their hands to come up with some inane idea like "International Baby Wearing Week"??? Hire a Nanny and get a job!!
11-16-2008 @ 3:32PM
Jamee said...
This reads as though you are judging "earth moms."
People turn to drugs and other harmful lifestyles for all kinds of reasons.
The point is that Motrin made an advertisement that suggests that parents who hold their babies in slings do it because its cool and they will suffer for it.
I think holing my babies in slings is easier.
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11-16-2008 @ 6:07PM
Elizabeth said...
I think people who have the luxury to be angry at a CORPORATION lololol should count their blessings and thank their Divinity that they are able to get upset about an ADVERTISEMENT. They don't have babies who have been harmed by Motrin, the parents haven't been HARMED by Motrin, NO ONE HAS BEEN HARMED, for crying out loud. Get a grip folks, we don't need an upcoming generation of Drama Queens and Kings.
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11-18-2008 @ 3:21PM
LMarie said...
Amen
11-18-2008 @ 2:49PM
BLAIZE said...
EXACTLY THANK YOU
11-18-2008 @ 3:06PM
JESSICA said...
A-FREAKING-MEN!!!
11-16-2008 @ 9:29PM
Joyce Schwarz said...
Did any of you see that I was the first blogger/media to actually call/reach TAXI the ad agency of record for Motrin -- see my posts at http://tinyurl.com/motringate Email me: joycecom@aol.com. My name is Joyce Schwarz, www.joycecom.com and I'm an ad agency consultant and media futurist who is also an author
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11-17-2008 @ 6:07PM
Arecely said...
You might want to check out MOMbo TV's perspective on the Motrin fiasco. I agree that some people got way too worked up, but MOMbo's criticism of the ad is one that I can understand. http://www.mombotv.com
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11-18-2008 @ 2:39PM
Jane said...
Oh for heaven's sake--just put on your big girl panties and get over it. Stop believing that you're so all-fired important that the ad was created to offend you.
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11-18-2008 @ 2:58PM
karla said...
Well said! You gave me a great chuckle!
11-18-2008 @ 3:12PM
Sharon said...
Hear hear !!
11-18-2008 @ 6:20PM
Carol said...
lol
11-18-2008 @ 8:02PM
Jamie said...
You are so right. People need to stop looking for a fight. If you don't like a commercial turn the channel and don't buy the product.