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Original poster

To think it is shocking boots don't give points on first formula

384 replies

Mrswhiskerson · 07/09/2011 14:34

This was brought to my attention again because a friend of mine has just had a baby tried to breastfeed suffered mastitis and started feeling really down so she switched to formula, when she handed over her advantage card she was told points were not given on first formula , she felt bad enough she could not breast feed and now it feels like she is getting penalised for it elsewhere.

I found the same thing when I had ds a year ago when I was told ,you don't get points for first milk I felt really bad too it's like your being punished for not breastfeeding in a way .

This is in no way a bf vs ff debate I just think it's wrong of boots to do this.

OP posts:
upahill · 07/09/2011 15:18

Mrswhiskers - take it up with your MP if you are not happy.
Boots didn't come up with this law.
I nfact I would imagine would be happy to give points because of the loyalty it creates.

Cereal · 07/09/2011 15:19

Filibear where did the OP say she didn't get much support? It's a much-peddled myth that everyone can BF if only they had enough of the right support. For an unlucky minority, even with all the right support, it still doesn't work.

Vallhala · 07/09/2011 15:19

Well said notonmywatch.

iskra · 07/09/2011 15:20

I find it astonishing that people think it's "unfair" that formula is expensive. Who ever said that capitalism was going to be fair?

belgo · 07/09/2011 15:21

'If you don't want to pay then bf.'

I disagree. If paying for formula milk is a problem, then don't have a baby. Because they only get more expensive as they grow.

Alibabaandthe80nappies · 07/09/2011 15:22

OP you have neatly avoided the central point (see what I did there? Wink), which is that it would be illegal to do so. End of story.

Can we not get one if these threads stickied? It comes up so regularly.

CamperFan · 07/09/2011 15:22

You find it "shocking"? Wow, you need to get out more. What a really odd thread!

Deliaskis · 07/09/2011 15:25

belgo I understand that giving points is a form of promotion, but I doubt that there is one tiny shred of evidence that getting 30p off a tin of formula would persuade a BFing mother to spend the remaining 8 quid odd and give up BFing, which is after all free. FF is never a good deal, no matter how great a special offer or discount, if you breast feed. It just doesn't make sense. It's still massively cheaper to breast feed.

If there is any evidence that the points would stop people BFing, then I will admit I am wrong but I seriously doubt it.

I agree with the advertising ban though, because that is a little bit about perception and what is 'normal' etc. but loyalty points isn't.

D

Cleverything · 07/09/2011 15:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

qwepoi · 07/09/2011 15:28

Vallhala - eh? Trying to disincentivise women from ff???

Years ago there was a surplus of milk and someone came up with the idea of drying it and selling it as artificial milk to mothers who would, on the whole, have nursed their children themselves. They cleverly branded it as 'formula' to give an impression that it was in some way a superior product made by scientists. Then spent huge amounts of money promoting ff and undermining bf. Eg giving artificial milk free to women in hospitals so that bf would be screwed up. They have conned millions of women into thinking they need this product when the majority don't. And it is not as good as the real thing! Not disagreeing that in a few cases it is needed - hence my argument that it should befree on prescription.
That's what I'm angry about.

Cleverything · 07/09/2011 15:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ormirian · 07/09/2011 15:30

Shocking? Really?

Hmm

Mildly disappointing for her I suppose but not shocking.

CamperFan · 07/09/2011 15:31

Totally agree qwepoi. infact there's nothing to agree with - what you've stated is just historical fact. There's plenty of shocking things about the baby milk industry and not receiving Boots Advantage card points ain't one of them!

Crosshair · 07/09/2011 15:32

I think its some sort of conspiracy and you should boycott boots forever.

Filibear · 07/09/2011 15:34

This reply has been deleted

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upahill · 07/09/2011 15:35

from the OP 'This is in no way a bf vs ff debate'
That didn't last so flippin' long!!!

SamWidgiz · 07/09/2011 15:35

Point or no points, if you can't breastfeed for whatever reason, the only alternative is to buy formula.

The lack of points wasn't enough to put me off FF and leave my baby to starve, so it's neither here nor there, really.

Vallhala · 07/09/2011 15:35

qwepoi, years ago isn't now.

There is no doubt in the minds of the public that formula isn't superior to breast milk now. There is no tolerance of formula companies undermining BF now. I understand that in some, if not all hospitals formula is not supplied to those who don't wish to BF now.

And there are millions of women, all perfectly capable of making their own decisions, who are in no way "conned into thinking they need this product" but who for a variety of reasons wish to use it now.

I don't care if it's free or paid for, if it comes with or without loyalty points, but I do care that the EU and UK government sees fit to try to influence how I feed my babies when, despite all the propaganda, formula milk used in this country is not a fecking poison now!

Nanny state, I told ya. Hate it!

Filibear · 07/09/2011 15:35

This reply has been deleted

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qwepoi · 07/09/2011 15:41

But they do still spend lots of money promoting and advertising. Eg inventing 'follow on milk' and packaging it identical to the 'first milk' to get round the advertising ban. If people aren't influenced by advertising do you really think they'd bother. ANd the effects of the past are still with us - for example my DM and MIL think FF is better and pressurised me to stop 'just give her a bottle' etc. In the past they would have bf'd themselves and been able to help me.
We don't make decisions in vacuum and it's niave to think that people do. Every image of a baby and a bottle (refer back to follow on milk ads - 6 months should be using cups but in the ads it's a bottle) makes a little impression subconciously.

mrjellykeepskidsquiet · 07/09/2011 15:42

It's the same everywhere...I think there is some kind of legislation against it.

nickelbabe · 07/09/2011 15:42

it is illegal

they would be prosecuted for giving points on first milk

that's it.
end of debate.
you don't like it, contest the law.

upahill · 07/09/2011 15:43

qwepoi
I would imagine Boots and the like would do everything in the power to advertise their stock even if it is FF.
However they (and others ) can't reward it's purchase.
NOT THEIR FAULT.

qwepoi · 07/09/2011 15:43

So, Valhala, is your argument that you would rather be influenced by big industry with money as it's goal, than 'government' with scientific research behind it trying to improve our health (and yes reduce healthcare costs in doing so).

Really?

upahill · 07/09/2011 15:44

nicklebabe you, I and loads of others have said that but other posters want to turn in to a FF/BF debate.

My view on FF or BF is I don't give a shit what anyone does as long as it works out well for you and baby.