to think baby formula should come in plain packaging?

It's part of an entire brand image. Why is Aptamil £3 per tub more expensive than Cow and Gate when one is not demonstrably better than the other and they're made by the same company? Because it's the "premium" brand. If there was no brand image they'd have no way to get that across

That. It's hard enough for women to deal with not being able to breastfeed without being psychological shamed by having to purchase food for their baby which is treated in the same way as cigarettes.

This action would basically put formula on the same level as something that is both socially unacceptable and kills.
What a cruel thing to do to a mother whose already feeling terrible

I can't believe that you can't see that,@Yoyoyozo

I completely agree.

Most people I know (including myself) formula fed was due to difficulties in breast feeding not because formula advertising made them think formula is better. It's made very clear that 'breast is best' but unfortunately not everyone is able to breastfeed exclusively. People like you are just adding to the shaming in this country that mothers experience when they have to formula feed. A fed baby is best!

No it hasn't, tobacco companies are arses aren't they. And in fact you're right, so are formula companies. They would just charge the same and pocket the extra as profit. So yes I'm wrong.

Well you are coming across as pretty patronising.

Do you not think new mothers will have considered they might have to formula feed?
Wether it's a choice ti formula feed or a medical or a medical need, the baby still needs to be fed .

No one has ever bought a tub of formula because it's pretty.

Please don't accuse me of faux concern, you've no idea what's in my head and it's very rude.

Main reason behind the formula we chose when we were in a situation where we pretty much HAD to abandon BF - what brand was most widely in stock in the supermarkets near us? One was often out of stock so we went for the option that seemed to be solidly in stock because we didn't want to add the stress factor of running around multiple stores when we needed a tin and it was out of stock locally.

Then one child ended up on Neocate anyway - which is prescription only, gated behind an absolute arse of a GP refusing to prescribe and a battle involving dietetics, two HVs staging a sit-in in the GP reception until she actually issued a prescription and me ending up with crippling PND as a result of the battle. No shiny attractive packaging or adverts or anything.

Well babies need , feeding
So if a," poorer family " has chosen to formula feed ,I'm sure they have factored this into their budget ,I don't think they need your g
faux concern.

I agree. We established BF really easily and me and baby were really happy, but one day I walked into a supermarket and saw the fancy formula and decided what the heck! Look at that fancy packaging, I will formula feed instead.

(Said no one ever)

So do you feel the same about baby food companies with their bright colourful packaging ? Formula is not shameful Formula is a baby food, a viable option for many babies and their carers wrapping your views up as "concern" Is not only insulting but dangerous for those parents and carers who just want to nip into the supermarket and choose the brand the in peace.

So much of the cost of cigarettes is tax.

Sorry, yes, you're right. I was typing quickly while getting the kids ready and forgot the important category of those who would like to breastfeed and can't regardless of support.

I just hate the attitude on these threads of formula being acceptable for those who want to breastfeed but can't or struggle, but often a judgement towards those who don't even try and just choose formula for their own reasons.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8491802/

This review shows that the evidence regarding common and preventable harm to neonates associated with breastfeeding insufficiencies is sufficient to warrant fundamental changes to early infant feeding policies and practices. Current protocols and their implementation, such as the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding codified by the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, emphasize exclusivity in breastfeeding. This emphasis assumes that lengthy neonatal starvation periods are rare when they are common, and safe when they are risky, and that formula (or other best available milk) supplementation necessarily undermines breastfeeding when the evidence is insufficient to establish that claim. Instead, early infant feeding guidance should advise that all neonates be offered adequate milk within two hours of birth and after every nursing session until their mothers’ milk has come in and supply has been established as sufficient, e.g., through typical infant weight gain, behavior, and waste output.

Default early, adequate, and often formula supplementation is consistent with widespread prelacteal feeding traditions and behaviors worldwide. It applies the precautionary principle to act when grave hazards are possible and stakes are high. At the same time, prior prelacteal feeding traditions were heterogeneous and should be updated according to the best available evidence, including to support safe breastfeeding. This return to prelacteal feeding as the recommended norm would avoid lengthy, risky starvation periods for a substantial minority of neonates. There is insufficient evidence to establish that it would cause harm in turn, including by lowering breastfeeding rates."

Has the price of ciggies come down due to no pretty packaging?

Personally I remember buying a nice gold pack of 20 for less than £2 I bought some for my neighbour recently nearly £20 not even 20 and a grey box

This would be true of all foods - the whole process of making them appealing generally also makes them more expensive, sadly.

Over exaggerated/false claims of what they do don't help either.
Formula milk is never going to be exactly like breast milk, so they need to stop trying to suggest it is, however it's still a perfectly acceptable food source for a baby!

I was able to BF, and it was the best option for us, but I also support anything which could make formula cheaper while still meeting the best quality standards posdible.

I think the problem is the Price! The cheapest on the market is about £7 which is outrageous.

Low rates of breastfeeding in the UK is due to multiple factors in which culture and lack of support are important factors.

I have three children the age gap from first to last is 12 years in that time breastfeeding advice and support has gone from there there head pats it will get better just persist to nothing zero are you not going to even bother breastfeeding? (I failed with the last two children so no) well we can't let you go home till he is drinking (vast amount as reccomend for a one month old) as an experienced if reluctant FF mother I ended up pouring some away telling them yes he was drinking that huge amount every feed they told me at every feed my child would be fat sick unhealthy the one thing they didn't do is offer me any help or support to breastfeed

That is why breastfeeding rates are low zero support and information not pretty packaged powder

My point is that if there was plain packaging and no advertising, the company wouldn't be paying for that and so the cost of producing formula would be cheaper, hopefully resulting in cheaper formula. I thought it obvious what my point was.

If the mum can't produce breastmilk it's an essential medicine like insulin for someone who can't produce insulin. Mum can't just feed the baby any old food to save money, it has to be the expensive formula.

It's baby food not a medicine although you can get formula on prescription if the baby has an allergy.

It just sounds like another way to shame parents who formulae feed. Categorising formula in with cigarettes.

I think if there is a medical need for formula it should be on a prescription like any other essential medicine. I don't think it's fair to just assume that a mum who can't make enough milk can pay out that sort of money for formula.