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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

901 replies

ICBINEG · 10/01/2013 12:30

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?

OP posts:
ChippingInNeedsSleepAndCoffee · 10/01/2013 13:12

What on earth is wrong with giving people information? It is up to them what they do with it. People who formula feed or express have every right to know what options are out there for bottles and follow on milk.

You'll want the internet banned next in case people go getting daft ideas...

There are other countries out there which might suit you more than the UK if you believe in dictatorship.

MrsKeithRichards · 10/01/2013 13:13

I think the law goes far enough.

WillSucceed · 10/01/2013 13:13

@ all the posters who think they need adverts to help them decide which brand of formula to use.

My premise is that the last way you should use to decide if a product is the right one for you is to rely on advertising. I wouldn't use adverts to decide if x washing machine id better than y. I look at technical characteristics to see which one will for my use of a washing machine.
The day where I buy a product because of the advert, I know I have bough a 'myth', an 'image' that the manufacturer wanted to sell me and that is unlikely to exists at all. Because that's the whole point of advertising. Just have a look at all the adverts for facial cream that 'visibly reduce wrinkles' that have been done on 15 people etc....

Viviennemary · 10/01/2013 13:14

I don't like Boots anyway and avoid them whenever they can't. I hate their silly points cards which never work and there three for two offers which are a total con.

MrsMangoBiscuit · 10/01/2013 13:14

If you don't care about how people feed their babies, then why do you care about the advertising and it's affect? Your arguement is not logical.

Sirzy · 10/01/2013 13:14

Exactly chipping.

sockmuppet · 10/01/2013 13:15

OP

Can you admit that you do actually care about how other women feed their children? You must care or you wouldn't be so upset about a small advert for follow on milk would you now!

FairyJen · 10/01/2013 13:15

willsuceed it's important (IMO) to advertise formula so that I, as a ff mother can make an informed choice about which product to buy based on what I think would be best for my baby.

If you remove all the advertising I lose any informed choice.

Also bottles are not just for ff babies they are also for expressing breast milk and so again it's helpful to have them advertised

sockmuppet · 10/01/2013 13:16

And then tell us why you care about something that more than often has no detrimental effect for the child whatsoever and in some cases is a life saver?

Why does it bother you?

mrsjay · 10/01/2013 13:17

Can you admit that you do actually care about how other women feed their children? You must care or you wouldn't be so upset about a small advert for follow on milk would you now!

Exactly of course they care how babies are fed or she wouldn't have started the debate in the first place, by saying Mn is socially irresponsible about bottles then she thinks formula feeding is irresponsible ( and i am not going to buy into the tosh of I didnt say that because you didn't have to

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability · 10/01/2013 13:18

willsuceed has it. OP, I think you worded it badly :)
FWIW, I agree with what I think you a trying to say.

Hemlet · 10/01/2013 13:18

Queen - fair enough to be honest I have only saved the leaflets and not looked at them extensively so it's likely that they're just advertising the bottles rather than the formula.

In that case, I can understand where the OP is coming from with regard to 'why isn't newborn formula advertised if it's ok to advertise later on formula'. I don't know. I think that mothers should be able to be made aware of all the options in case there is a problem with feeding. It is, of course, essential that babies are fed so they should have all the information available. I still disagree that special offers or adverts will persuade mothers to FF rather than BF for the sake of it though.

Trousers99 · 10/01/2013 13:18

I guess Lambert & Butler can start marketing their own range of children's toys, after all, children need something to play with and nobody in their right mind is going to link the two and be influenced by it!

WillSucceed · 10/01/2013 13:19

Can all the posters who think it's OK to have an advert on follow on milk because it won't increase the chances of FFing/people are intelligent etc... explain me why there is now a legislation banning advert for newborn formula?

And why if this is not OK to advertise formula for a newborn, it's OK for a toddler?

Where/what is the difference?
Is there not a risk that by advertising formula for a toddler you end up with the same issue than when advertising for a newborn/baby?

Genuine questions....

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 10/01/2013 13:19

They are allowed to advertise follow on milk!!! What is it with you constantly trying to put down formula feeders and their choices. First the tommy tippee bottles now this. You worry about your own children and we will look after ours. It's formula ffs not heroin !!!

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 10/01/2013 13:19

Sirzy - advertising is about creating a background climate where a product is seen as acceptable, safe, possibly an aspirational choice.

It is impossible to 'prove' in the way that you are demanding, I'm sure you know this - if you don't...

I don't care if an individual person chooses to FF. I do care that women in the developing world are being persuaded into FFing their babies with the result that they die, and I care that the revenue that allows that to happen is in part generated in Britain.

MulledWineAndScully · 10/01/2013 13:20

Sorry what's wrong with follow-on milk?? I bf to 9 months and then switched to formula when I returned to work (my work couldn't supply a fridge Hmm).

I didn't know I was being socially irresponsible Confused

Sirzy · 10/01/2013 13:20

Comparing smoking to formula. I have seen it all now!

Tee2072 · 10/01/2013 13:20

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Original poster
ICBINEG · 10/01/2013 13:20

dolomites worra yes it would be ironic indeed if I had in fact slated any decision made by anyone. But I haven't have I?

I have suggested that an advert is socially irresponsible. No-ones choices have been impugned AT ALL.

OP posts:
grumpyinthemorning · 10/01/2013 13:20

ICBINEG Show us proof. Figures, studies. Show us some real evidence to back up your opinion.

InNeatCognac · 10/01/2013 13:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sirzy · 10/01/2013 13:21

It is also impossible for the op to say that is why people feed like she insists is the case. She has said their is evidence yet she (obviously!) won't link to it!

mrsjay · 10/01/2013 13:21

because formula is seen as a replacement for breastmilk and follow on milk is a supplement drink for older babies and toddlers "hemlet" It was a government and BF campaign to encourage women to breastfeed

DolomitesDonkey · 10/01/2013 13:22

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