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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why anyone buys that 'Growing Up' milk stuff?

358 replies

bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 18:42

No one expects to get their iron content from milk - you get it from the food you eat alongside it (although you shouldn't really drink milk alongside a meal anyway because calcium inhibits iron absorption) so why would you spend money on this product? Does anyone on MN buy it? If so - why?

OP posts:
ronx · 03/05/2011 19:43
Biscuit
yousankmybattleship · 03/05/2011 19:49

Why do you care?

I bought it because my DS never really liked cows milk, but liked the growing up milks. Although my children always ate really well, I just thought why not give them a few extra vits etc in their milk. All mine had it at bedtime until they were about two and loved it.
Never thought my choice would bother a total stranger - I guess some people just don't have enough going on in their own lives!

MarianneM · 03/05/2011 19:57

Do people really think that it is ok not to teach their children to eat properly but give them "growing-up milk" instead and think that they get everything they need from it? Hmm

YANBU

allbie · 03/05/2011 20:03

A decent bowl of readybrek with cows milk is loaded with iron. YANBU

Sirzy · 03/05/2011 20:04

Has anyone said that marianne?

However, if using things like growing up milk mean the parents know the child is getting what they need meaning they aren't as stressed about it surely that has to be good? That means they can focus on small steps of progress rather than having to worry about getting enough nutrients in.

It is never going to be a long term solution but it does provide a handy stopgap.

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:05

Doesn't bother me at all - I just think it's a bit pointless and I think it's playing on parent's fears that their children aren't getting enough vitamins when chances are they are! :) Not doing bf v ff either but if you are bf when out and about then surely you wouldn't need it. Also, why doesn't it need to be refridgerated? Surely if it is milk then it would need to be kept cool. There are other alternatives to cow's milk if your DC won't drink it - neither of my sons have ever had cow's milk.

Good point too Marianne! :)

OP posts:
Flounder · 03/05/2011 20:07

Scam and a waste of money

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:07

Sirzy - would it not make more sense to just read up on the vitamin and mineral requirements and reassure yourself that they are getting enough in their diet rather than just assuming that they aren't and paying out for something they don't actually need?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 03/05/2011 20:09

Like I said, I have never used it but a) even if they are getting enough if it gives the parents piece of mind it has to be a good thing anyway? its hardly going to harm the child is it and b) there will be some children where it does provide a vital top up of vitamins and something is better than nothing!

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:17

I don't know Sirzy - it's a bit too processed for my liking. I'm not sure where all the vitamins come from and how available they actually are in the milk. I think I'd rather blend up a smoothie or hide some veggies in a sauce or something. Maybe even add a sachet of spatone to the juice if I was really worried!

OP posts:
strandedbear · 03/05/2011 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

allbie · 03/05/2011 20:19

Some parents don't feed their DC's an appropriate diet so follow on milk is probably aimed at them. It's easy to make up and they don't need to think...job done.

BlackSwan · 03/05/2011 20:20

Spoke to my paed about this - he said to use it if DS was not eating properly & therefore not getting enough nutrition from food. Not a scam... just a way of supplementing their diet.

We use the pre-made liquid which could be compared to 'long-life' carton milk - it doesn't require refrigeration. Isn't that obvious?

A bit Hmm about this thread. OP seems hung up about something I can't quite put my finger on. Oh, that's it - it's FF! Shock Get over it.

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:22

stranded bear - oat milk/Rice milk/ soya milk/ goats milk - there are lots of alternatives :)

Allbie - so are you saying it's just for lazy parents? Wink

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 03/05/2011 20:22

bubbleymummy oh how I wish we were all perfect mothers like you Smile

Sirzy · 03/05/2011 20:23

but Bubbley thats your choice and it seems like you are judging people based upon decisions they have made for whatever reasons which arent going to harm the child therefore really its none of your business!

Ninx · 03/05/2011 20:24

No I don't think that people are teaching their children not to eat properly Marianne. My neurotypical DD for example has an exemplary diet. DS is also BF at the age of four. I don't think it's unreasonable to want to get some sleep at night and freedom from night feeds now that he is somewhat bigger than a baby / toddler. He wouldn't accept any milk but mine for over a year so I'm glad to have found something he accepts.

Even if he would tolerate cows milk I'd use the cartons for convenience rather than have to get up and go downstairs to fill a cup from the fridge. I would buy cows milk in little bottles if available and do agree there isn't any magical nutritional purpose to follow-on.

Ninx · 03/05/2011 20:26

"I think I'd rather blend up a smoothie or hide some veggies in a sauce or something. Maybe even add a sachet of spatone to the juice if I was really worried!"

You'd soon worry if they refused that and all other food and liquid for days on end.

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:26

Blackswan - It's an unnecessary milk substitute that plays on parent's fears. I wouldn't really compare it to formula because at the age it is introduced there are plenty of alternatives - it is just clever advertising that has convinced parents that they need it.

OP posts:
allbie · 03/05/2011 20:27

Creating a balanced diet can be tricky, bubbley!Grin

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:28

Oh my how people get so bothered when someone questions their logic! :) if you're happy with your decision then great - why get bothered by someone asking why you buy it?

OP posts:
constantlywrong · 03/05/2011 20:30

YANBU. Scam.

MerylStrop · 03/05/2011 20:31

Marianne you are talking tosh, as are you Albie

Yeah, it's a marketing ploy. But apparently (according to my not at all loony and very pro-BF HV) current thinking is that follow on milks are quite a good idea in the same way as fortified cereals, for example, help with optimum nutrition.

It's often feast or famine with the toddler brigade. Some weeks in this house, the only acceptable food is raw carrot. It's a way (not necessarily an ideal way, or a cheap way but certainly a convenient way) of ensuring that most of the nutrition a child needs is provided.

Lighten up people.

Original poster
bubbleymummy · 03/05/2011 20:32

If by judging you mean I question the logic of it and don't understand why people do it then yes, I judge! If you mean i would tut and stare daggers at the woman in front of me buying it at the supermarket then, no, I don't :) I don't really see the harm in the former. I'm sure some people would judge me for not giving cow's milk :)

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 03/05/2011 20:33

My children are long past needing growing up milk ..its a wonder they managed to grow up at all really ,considering I ff all of them Smile

I just question your need to start these sort of threads all the time