To be really annoyed you can't get points on formula?

[Jengnr]

Due to 'Government legislation'

How about the Government fuck off? I've made the decision (actually, it was made for me but that's neither here nor there), I'm spending the bloody money, why should I not be able to collect advantage points on that?

Wankers.

Saw something up thread about milk banks. Every hospital should have one as far as I'm concerned.
There is an amazing community on facebook called Human Milk for Human Babies (think they used to be Eats on Feets). Lots of women on there offering breastmilk to mothers who can't feed. Bloody amazing.

And you don't need be on benefits to need to make savings as a new parent.

I wouldn't touch milk bank milk.

Banning short term discounts on formula is about protecting UK babies, not helping African mothers.

The only people penalising women for formula feeding are the formula companies that make massive profits off them. Campaign for price control on formula, not occasional discounts through points.

I don't think legislation that tries to make formula companies more ethical is pointless, especially when the actions of formula companies has and still does lead to the deaths of babies.

And you may need/want to make savings but you are not entitled to them.

Milk bank milk that is properly screened and tested is an amazing thing that saves the lives of premature babies. If I could have accessed it for my two bottled children I would have done, it would have been better for them than formula milk. Formula milk is great and I am pleased its available but breast milk is better and I don't expect to be entitled to points for my use of formula milk.

Breast milk maybe better but not better enough for me to ever consider milk bank milk of which I would have no info on the donor's hygiene,diet,drug,alcohol,cigarette use,diseases or lifestyle.

I also would have no info on hygiene during collection,storing and defrosting.I like my pasteurised formula thanks made extremely safely following strict guidelines.

As I said bonus points have buggar all impact on African mothers and therefore it is ridiculously unfair.

Personally I would be more than happy to use milk from another mother over formula. If in doubt it can be flash heated.

Formula companies are utter bastards who prey on women's insecurities. They really don't give a shit. Formula is disgustingly expensive, but I don't think you should be able to get points on it.

I think all formula advertising should be banned & much more support should be available to women who want to breastfeed. It's all very well putting 'Breast is Best' posters up round maternity wards, but unless all the staff are on board it is pointless.

I thought that formula wasn't made following extremely strict guidelines though? It's not even sterile, hence why you have to add boiling water to it to kill anything bad? In recent years glass and bugs have been found in batches of formula. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong? My brain is bloody knackered today.

You can buy formula from pkent of companies that do not do points then you won't be subsidizing any bodies points. Some online companies is kiddicare? I think do bulk buy schemes etc. Vote with your feet and shop elsewhere if it bothers you.

And milk from a milk bank is tested and treated to be make sure it is free of disease etc, a mothers diet doesn't have an affect really on the quality of milk and it is still better than formula.

Breastmilk that is donated how's through a pasteurisation processed and there are very strict guidelines controlling it.

Formula is not that tightly regulisedat all and never has been, hence recommendations to make it with 70deg water to kill bugs in it!

pickled you aren't wrong :)

Ahh thank you 5madthings!

YANBU this annoyed me when my dd was a baby, I was bfing but also gave the occasional bottle and as a single parent every penny counted.

Formula is perfectly safe if prepared properly.

Sorry I don't want milk from a donor who only eats utter crap.Crap diet in pregnancy has been linked to diabetes and obesity in children,concerns have been raised re the same in bm.

Science changes all the time and tbf who knows what risks will be linked to all sorts of drugs,alcohol,nicotine traces kind in bm.

Yes like Chunderella. I was scrupulous re diet,alcohol,drugs etc when bfing,I know several mothers who weren't,scarily so.

Mothers who smoke or drink are not allowed to donate milk, they can test for alcohol etc.

Its annoying if you can't shop elsewhere, we use hipp and for a while our only local store that stocked it was wait rose, thankfully yesco, sainsburys sand morrisons now stock it, not sure about our local asda.

Its annoying but points are not an entitlement and you can still get them in bottles, teats etc. I just think in the big scheme if things the legislation is needed and that us because if formula companies so tell them to change the way they operate and then if they do the legislation could be relaxed. Ultimately its the formula companies who are to blame.

I have never bought it from kidficare just read that you could, some other companies let you order in bulk tho I think.

Sorry I'd want proof they weren't plus proof that zero drugs were taken and info on diet,crap taken-not keen on feeding my baby the breast equivalent of a McDonalds day in and day out.

Breast milk is not affected by diet and even if it is its still better for than formula. The milk banks can provide proof of it being disease, alcohol, drug free etc. You don't want to use it fine, no-one is making you and tbh there isn't enough milk for the premature babies that need it and I would rather they got it first as they need it the most.

I would have opted for it if I could, as it is there of mine were exclusively bfed and two were for a while before switching to formula. I did the best I could in my circumstances and am happy with that but if donated milk had been available then I would have chosen it for my children.