to think MN shouldn't support boots co-advertising newborn bottle sets and "follow on" milk

[ICBINEG]

when there's a national campaign on to promote BF?

Presumably this advert passes the letter of the law regarding the non-advertising/non-special offers on formula for new born's but it defies the spirit in every way possible.

AIBU to expect a little more social responsibility from MN?

And criticising formula companies for their tactics isn't the same thing as criticising women who use formula.

Of course people are swayed by advertising. That's why it exists and why so much money goes into it!

please dont give the op failed breastfeeding stories

I don't actually agree that advertising newborn formula should be illegal. As a mother who wanted to ff I want to be able to make a choice about which brand is best etc. you can only make an informed choice like that if you know what is out there.

Sock I will answer again then.

I don't care how people feed their babies. I care about irresponsible advertising.

I do care about car safety and do find adverts that promote unnecessary travel socially irresponsible.

I don't find these things mutually exclusive.

Lots and lots of people on this thread have implied that one should not criticize FF feeding (not that I have - I have criticized FF advertising) because one may upset people who are insecure. I haven't really found people in RL that are massively insecure but I accept other posters premise that they exist.

QueenOfFarkingEverything

Its advertising bottles (allowed) and Follow on milk (allowed).

Right I'm off, theres a tv bingo advert on and the a KFC advert. So thats my afternoon planned out for me.

Looking forward to watching tea time adverts later to tell me what to do then.

Well said FairyJen

OP, it's people like you that give breat feeding, a reputation for being self righteous......I'm bloody grateful to the formula company for feeding my baby when I couldn't. The alternative is unthinkable. If they wish to advertise, crack on. Here you go

Hemlet it IS banned. If you are in the UK then you have not had leaflets advertising newborn formula.

The fact that you think you have, just goes to show how close to the wind these companies are sailing with their advertising tactics.

OP

But you do care how people feed their babies because otherwise you wouldn't care if they were swayed by the advertising would you

Actually I can see the Op's pov.
If adverts about FF for newborns aren't legal, there is a reason about it. The reason is that some women (but of course, none of the MNtters!) have been influenced in their decision to BF/FF depending on the ads. Quite often unconsciously so.
One of the reason is simply that FF ends up looking like something 'natural' to do, even more natural than BFing that isn't promoted/no adverts etc... (I for one didn't even question whether I should or not FF for my first baby. It's reading MN after I had dc1 that made me rethink about the whole BFing, feeding after 4 months old etc... issue).

So here we are in a position where we say 'Breast is best' and take steps to ensure women know about it and to try and increase bfing rates.

From that point on, yes you can wonder if it is then appropriate to accept any advert on formula milk at all. After all, whether it is a follow on formula or a newborn formula, it is still formula milk.

So I can the issue the OP raises. I can also see that FF isn't the work of the devil. It doesn't kill children (or rather it doesn't in our country. It does in other countries) and be a real help in all the situations other posters have raised.

Perhaps the question should be reframed to:
Is there ever a need to advertise formula milk?

YABU, their are so many reasons why a mother chose not to BB, and being made to feel like a irresponsible parent is not exactly helpful.

Why is it irresponsible advertising though? I am still waiting for your evidence of all these women who decided to formula feed because of an advert.

*grumpy" The data is compelling in showing that some people are swayed by advertising. Again just because the people on this thread aren't swayed doesn't mean that everyone isn't. The legislation is there for a reason.

This add doesn't break it...quite but I didn't think it was unreasonable to ask MN to go further than the government set minimum requirements...

Now I see that it is.

Right - I'm going to get deleted for this but fuck it - I'm going to tell you something I've just seen OP write on another thread:

*On the fatties in Lanzarote thread she states :
"Is anyone going to read this thread and think "oh shit - I was in Lanzarotte maybe I'm obese! Oh god I am!!!! I will give up my life of cake and eat lettuce forever! Thank you sooo much....etc. etc."

Or is it more likely that someone who is already down on themselves and their weight will see YET ANOTHER thread expressing shock and horror at how terrible fat people are and will sink just a little bit further into the darkness?"

and yet she sees nothing ironic AT ALL in slating formula feeders - oh, I forgot - those with legitimate reasons for FF.

Do people really think that seeing an ad for botles, will make someone suddenly decide to bottle feed instead of breastfeed ??

Ridiculous

OP

But you do care how people feed their babies because otherwise you wouldn't care if they were swayed by the advertising would you

Where is the advert anyway? Is it on a microsite or is it a banner? I'd like to see it before engaging in specifics about it - I was talking more generally and did say I hadn't seen it.

sirzy there is very good correlation between countries banning advertising and BF levels increasing. The NHS have data on why women (who had the choice) chose to FF and some fraction cite advertising.

I'd rather there be advertising so mothers know the options, instead of muddling through blindly.

We're intelligent people, who can ignore ads that we want to ignore. If you don't like that they promote FF, then don't pay attention.

Who are you to decide what is socially irresponsible? Others may (and obv do) feel differently.

I have yet to see the figures and evidence about the effectiveness of advertising.

Provide a link to proper peer reviews evidence then. Until then I will continue to think your talking bollocks

nutcracker well I agree...it is ridiculous. And I would never make a decision of this nature based on advertising (Nb. don't have a TV so don't get exposed much). But some people do.

Otherwise advertising wouldn't be worth the money you spend on it....

I don't know why you are getting so worked up OP. I mean it's only for 6 weeks anyway and then it's onto baby rice and jars.

I was thinking the same thing Dolomites

I wonder if everyone including MNHQ should run everything past the OP before it appears on screen...