Yes to formula ad?

Do you know I have had a look at the first three or four pages of their website and I can't for the life of me see what the fuss is about. I have just read a lot of pro-breastfeeding info and quite a bit about how breast/bottle combined may reduce your milk supply. (I wish I had been told that by my HV!)

The fact is, some mothers can't (ie find it too difficult in their circumstances, whatever they are) or don't want to breastfeed. The fact that a formula milk manufacturer is addressing breastfeeding mothers over a weblink won't make them switch to bottles on its own - there are a lot of factors behind the decision to switch. Most mothers receive support from bfing counsellors if they discuss it with their HV - and if they're reading mumsnet they're not going to be short of information about counselling and support. I wish I had known about MN when I was bfing, I may have gone on longer. The fact is I didn't - I made a choice that was right for me and my baby has not suffered as a result. I breastfed for a while, then I swopped to bottles. I also chose Aptamil as IME, it's the one my DSs liked best.

I am more than a little hacked off by the assumption that breastfeeding is the only way to give your child a good start in life, and you are somehow failing your child if you don't prolong the experience. Of course it's the ideal, and it should be promoted and supported, and it is. But if for whatever reason you choose to bottlefeed then I don't see why you shouldn't be able to access information to support and inform that choice. Formula milk is not like tobacco smoke or alcohol. You are not poisoning your child. And yes I KNOW the issues in the third world, but we in the developed world are not in that position.

I think the Milupa site is fine. The link is fine. If you want to make an informed choice then I would say on MN you probably have more than an even chance of coming down on the side of breastfeeding, given the amount of 'propaganda' there is about it on the talkboards - and yes I use that term advisedly, and yes I think that the bfing advice on here is great. Just credit people (even the 'vulnerable' ones) with the intelligence to recognise that, will you?

it is worse that it is editorial....

Anyway, this thread was for people to state they didn't mind or care wasn't it? Isn't there another thread for those who want to rant about how awful it is?

GGK, how about "I disapprove of Milupa being given a paid-for editorial mention that appears to carry MN's endorsement (because that's the whole point of ed. mentions) in an attempt to get round the law that prohibits advertising formula milk for babies under six months' old." Would that work for you?

Sly? Underhand? You must be talking about Milupa, GDG.

What are they being? Open? Honest?

tbh it is not the formula advertising itself that I object to, but the tactic of providing a so called BF support line, targetting vulnerable new mothers who are seeking information, whilst having an agenda to market their product - if they were genuine in their support of b'feeding they could link to the NCT/LLL. It's position within the editorial also looks as if it is wholly endorsed by MN.

Were it to be a straightforward, legitimate ad I think I'd find it more acceptable.

Well I've seen it on other sites too.

If I read the words 'sly' or 'underhand' in one more post tonight I'm gonna put my foot through the screen!

4

Only if you top up with it after meals Unlike formula after breastfeeding in the early days if you want breastfeeding to continue

i dont mind either as I bf for 3wks but failed miserably. Had to change to formula.

I thought choccy was good for you

Isn't it????

Message withdrawn

Yes, Aloha. See one of the original Milupa threads for evidence. Have also heard it elsewhere

Plus...do you really think they wouldn't? What do they gain from keeping women breastfeeding? It's like a diet sponsored by Cadbury's.

Oh no mizmiz - as moondog and I are both here it will be beneath her notice (assume that's what you mean?)

Jan,referring to earlier post of 9:41.
(D'you think peachskin might pop up??)

Do they really suggest that Hunkermunker?

Ah, well, I hadn't got that far, hunker (being xx years down the line from baby feeding). If they are doing that then it is wrong.

Life never used to be this complicated did it?

The advert is not about giving information to women who want to formula-feed. It is sly and underhand - it seemingly promotes the advantages of breastfeeding, offers support for when breastfeeding is going badly, but if you get as far as phoning the helpline, they suggest formula-feeding.

That is NOT on. I have no problem with how anybody feeds their baby, but to say you support a company which is trying to make vulnerable women give up something they want to do is very wrong.

I dont' mind it and didn't evenr realise it was there.
I bottlefed my ds's for my own reasons, and they had nothing to do with advertising!

What is, moondog?

And that's offensive whatever you're bloody advertising whether its wet wipe warmers,feminine wipes,cosmetics or cars!!

Janh, i was a breastfeeder for 2 years, but after 6mths of hand expressing whilst at work, i decided enough was enough and gave dd formula at those times. So no i don't have a prob with the ad and as with purchasing any product, its good to know whats out there on the market.

I've had a quick glance at the milupa ad and don't understand the problem. They blatently tell you breast is best, you're not going to be under any illusion that formula is better than breast, but still a decision can be made to use it, or for some people have no choice but to use it!

good post Jan