To not have a problem with this voucher which allows poorer mothers to purchase, amongst other things, formula?

[dizietsma]

The offending voucher.

Someone I know has a serious issue with this because it mentions that you may use the voucher to buy formula. It doesn't say you must buy formula, and in fact you could look at it as a better deal for breastfeeders as they can spend it on other things for their baby apart from formula.

I think she's overreacting, AIBU?

surely the price of formula is high because the company that makes it makes as much profit as they can?

you can hardly blame the promotion of breastfeeding for the high cost of formula

No promotions or discounts on formula suitable for under 6 months including using gift cards or points to buy etc.

That is punishing enough! Imagine how much nappies would be with no discounts EVER.

I remember being delighted that I found a dented tin of formula because it meant I could haggle for a discount when I was mix feeding DD. I stood at the supermarket for half an hour to get that discount, we were so damned poor that few quid off was a godsend. Christ knows how we'd have coped with the cost of exclusive formula feeding. Eating nothing but beans on toast, I expect.

well I think it is a disgrace that such an essential item should be so expensive that people have to rely on discounts.

God knows how you afford to feed your babies if you can't breastfeed - formula costs £££. I am wholly in support of the promotion of breastfeeding but not everyone can do it. I really, really struggled and knowing that I had formula to fall back on if I needed it helped.

It's NOT a gift voucher though, it's a charity gift card as other people have said you pay the £10 and the charity invests that where they see fit, you get a card to give to the person you are buying for to tell them you have donated on thier behalf.
so the advertising/discounting of formula argument does not apply here.
even as an avid breastfeeder, i fed 3 of my children for over 12 months and number 4 for 3 months, i say freedom of choice. let mothers choose how they wish to feed thier babies.

Ok...I breast-fed both my DDs but not everyone is as fortunate as I was...what is the big hoo-hah about?..because you can buy formula???..I did buy follow-on milk does that make me evil???

You're right hotch - it's just that are people arguing that it doesn't matter that it's a charity gift, it's still promotion of FF and shouldn't be allowed.

I think those people are foolish, and should bloody hope they are never in a position to be grateful for such assistance.

YANBU. I don't understand the problem with the gift card - the cash goes to a family to buy food and nappies - that may include formula. It doesn't promote ff or undermine bf - it just recognises that some babies are ff. Even ff babies need to eat!

The reason that formula is not allowed to be disounted or bought with reward points etc though is because it's very important that people are able to afford it and budget for it effectively, to avoid a situation where formula is bought on promotion, the parents get used to buying it at this price, the next week the price goes up and it's an unexpected expense, so compromises are made.

Formula companies sell their product at a massive mark up in the first place though.

Why do people have problems with trivial things such as this?
People are being murdered around the world, concern yourself with that ffs!

I think milk vouchers are available and income based for those struggling to buy milk.

yanbu
but then you will be told a lot that you are as ff is so bad..........!!!!

YANBU

As for the breastfeeding argument..... well not everybody wants to or can.

I wanted to breastfeed my dd, I assumed it would be so straightforward, didnt even buy any bottles, steriliser etc.

Would have been great except...... I didnt produce any milk, at all. it just didnt happen, without formula what would we have done ??

Happily I fed ds for 13months and loved, unfortunately not everybody is so luckey.