formula

[Emma2506]

Ok so I don't want to turn this into a whole ff vs bf war but I find it highly offensive to ff mums who can't collect advantage points/clubcard points, shops aren't allowed to have any offers on etc for formula. I understand it's the LAW but why is it acceptable to have deals on alcohol yet ff mums are penalised for choosing to ff or not being able physically able to bf? I know the excuse is shops promote breast feeding but I'm struggling to get my head around why a bf mum would buy formula just because it's on offer if she is doing well bf and it's FREE!

Weeeeell, I don't get clubcards for my milkers, so fair's fair I guess

The issue of formula feeding parents being judged and criticised for not breastfeeding is, imo, a separate one. There's a long history involved in the law that stands today about this. Formula companies, as mentioned above, can and have been (some continue to be) unscrupulous bastards. It's all about profit.

Also mentioned above is the issue that competing offers and discount/points could persuade some parents to switch brands according to what's cheapest that week, which is not recommended. If you think about it, formula is a unique, niche product meant to feed and keep babies alive - in my opinion the less you fuck with the way it's sold the better.

Exactly how is it 'highly offensive'?

Not irony at all ofa.

Have you ever seen people on here blatantly insulting people who formula feed? I never have.
The nearest I've seen is 'breast is best.' I've certainly never seen FF mothers being degraded and openly insulted and derided.

Anywhere, actually.

Actually I have seen ff insulted on here several times.

I've seen them told that they don't care as much about their babies. One poster actually said that formula should be a dirty shameful secret.

Pardon me, Ohshutup, you seem very sensible, and I do not think you would even think of doing that, but I have seen plenty of example of shitty behaviour and language from BFeeders towards FFeeders, on here, FB, forums, real life...

OhShutUpThomas

I've seen ff be described as less close, people insisting that bf have a better bond, accusations that ff like to "feed their baby at arms length", that we must have hang ups about boobs, that we are risking our children, that we aren't "natural mothers", loads of things

I tried to bf it didn't work. I probably could have tried harder but it was painful, my baby was stressed, I was stressed, and I wanted to not feel crap. Breast wasn't best for my baby.

Almost as if formula feeding is dirty and unsavoury

It isn't. Not at all, but the actions of formula companies are as dirty and unsavoury as they could possibly be. Fake nurses handing out freebies in developing countries with no clean water supplies...

The law protects all of us, and has nothing to do with trying to discourage formula feeding.

It's not a competition!

I've seen mudslinging from militant twats on BOTH sides.

Neither side is blameless.

Pook while that's pretty awful, it was in the 70s and I don't understand why loyalty points for western women would undermine bf in third world places

Oh dear, CatsMeow, no, it's going on in 2016.

Think you need to read up on Nestlé and their current practice in developing countries.

Also, we don't say 'third world' anymore.

Yes, cats but they move into new areas all the time, with the same agenda. [[http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/nestle-baby-milk-scandal-food-industry-standards "Grown up but not gone away"

The CEO of Nestle claims that clean drinking water is not a "right"... and it's these questionable scruples that the law is protecting us and our babies from.

lilac is right - it's still going on.

I mix fed my DD to start with, and I think the formula companies are disgusting. I don't judge parents on how they feed their baby, but I DO judge big businesses on how they treat their vulnerable customers.

Why does it matter if you switch to a different brand of formula? How is it harmful to the baby? My DD is 6.5 months and I have used a few different brands. Never crossed my mind it would be harmful in any way

DS had an upset stomach when we had to try different formulas not sure if it is the same for other babies bisher

Lilac pook what does loyalty points in western countries have to do with bad marketing practises though? How does that affect breastfeeding in lesser economically developed countries?

There is judgment on both sides, but I think formula feeders are treated with more contempt. I was shocked at the attitudes of HCP after my baby was born. When I told them I planned on EBF until weaning, they thought that it was ok to share with me their thoughts on formula feeders. Opinions like 'these women don't try' or 'they only care about their own bodies', it's just awful. As long as a baby is being fed safely, who cares how. Companies shouldn't take advantage, more support and accpetance is needed on both sides.

Why should you get rewarded for not doing the best for your child? What a bizarre idea. Women sold be discouraged at all cost from formula feeding. Breastfeeding is the best start you can give your child. If you choose not to, or are in the small minority who cannot, then you shouldn't be rewarded. Why should you?

I physically couldn't breastfeed but my son is fed and happy and healthy. Just as I was 20 odd years ago on formula milk.

There is really no need for snarky comments regarding FF

Nutella, don't be so sanctimonious. Are you saying you've never given your child a less healthy option of something? Never given white bread, chocolate, crisps, salted chips? Women should have a choice, especially after spending 10 months sacrificing their bodies to carry the baby. As far as I'm personally concerned, a safely fed baby and happy mother outweighs the ff vs breastfeeding argument any day. Anything that makes the early weeks easier should be encouraged and made easier.

What an odd post Nutella. Was it meant to be satire?

Marketing in other countries has buggar all to do with mothers buying formula in this country.

Leaving aside their behaviour in poorer countries, formula companies have shown time and again that, if allowed to advertise, they reduce bf ing rates. You just need to read up a bit on the US to see that.

Loyalty points aren't about penalising people for ffing. It's about the fact that, when given any window at all, formula companies try and advertise. They do it with follow on milk, they would do it with loyalty points.

And because advertising of formula is destructive to bfing rates, and because at a population level supporting bfing is considered a good thing, we draw a clear line and ban all promotion.