To think the woman who thinks Tesco 'shamed' and 'guilt-tripped' her for buying formula

[Manumission]

is being a little bit dim?

You might not like the policy, but it's not difficult to understand that it is imposed on the retailers from above, is it?

Thread here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a2778451-No-free-parking-for-just-formula?msgid=64845878#64845878

Given she has no choice but to feed her child with formula due to a medical condition of the child, you can see her point. I thought we lived in a free society, so you have the choice to formula feed or breast feed. A blunt instrument like this doesn't always achieve the desired effect.

Ah thanks, I thought it was strange that couldn't find one

It's not tesco's fault but I can see why this woman is annoyed with the constant pushing of bf at women, as if ff is akin to neglect. Esp when she doesn't even have a choice

But she needs to lobby government scary, not Tesco.

Tesco are doing their best not to fall foul of the law. You can't blame them for that. And I am not a Tesco fan.

There is a very simple remedy. Buy other stuff while there. Tesco sell a lot of products, I am sure there would be something else there that she would use.

People do have the option to breast or bottle fee. That's a given. But shops are legally not allowed to do anything that could be seen as promoting bottle feeding, which includes clubcard points, price reductions and free parking, on formula for infants.

Exactly bew. Nice to hear some sanity

She could have grabbed just about any other useful item in less than 60 seconds. Perhaps the whole thing is a set up?

Companies are prohibited from marketing and promoting formula for myriad very good reasons, the most obvious being that since advertising is a way to increase the market share and that UNICEF are clear that no one formula is better than another, nor breast milk, neither babies nor parents gain from advertising and therefore it would be unethical to drive up the cost exponentially (through marketing) without any gain to the parents/child.

Offering free parking to someone who is purchasing formula would amount to an improper inducement, promotion or discount.

The WHO negotiated initiated the agreement in the early 80's. The mother should probably take it up with them

but they give you free parking if you buy wine or ciggies im not sure why the free parking has to apply to formula? it should just apply to a minimum in store spend

She could argue that she has no choice but to buy formula, so in charging for parking she is being penalised for doing what is medically best for her baby.

I think we need to get away from this idea that bf is always best and that to ff is to choose something shameful. Ff is sometimes the better option, as this woman's experience shows

As someone said on the other thread, it's a very OTT application of a pretty dubious law.

Because would Tesco have got in trouble for letting her park? Really?

I have such mixed feelings about this. I completely understand why it was implemented and it had to be done - the behaviour of Nestle was reprehensible, and it makes sense that no-one should gain from buying FF. However, as someone who breastfed for three months and had to move on to formula, articles like this seem to imply mothers who don't BF should be made to feel 'guilty'. I'm not entirely sure of the motivation behind the article. There are many, many new mums who struggle and articles like this, and the resulting fallout, reinforce the 'breast is best' mantra. Of course it is - in an ideal situation - but there are thousands of reasons why it isn't always the simplest solution and no woman should feel ashamed of choosing a different way of nurturing her newborn.

I do think the Tesco free parking should be for customers. So no minimum spend, not a "promotion", just "if you are a customer here you can park for free". If they are treating it as a promotion then yes, they are right, formula cannot be included.

I used to work at boots and was forever getting shouted at (literally) because you couldn't earn points on formula. Like it was my decision.

As you say op, lobby the government or the EU, not the stores that are legally bound by this stupid law.

you could easily make your point without being so rude about it.

You could have done the same but you chose not to.

the behaviour of Nestle was reprehensible,

Still is.

As you say op, lobby the government or the EU,

Why the EU?!

She wouldn't get free parking for buying cigarettes. She would for buying wine as promotions are still allowed on alcohol, although this is becoming more restricted.

This isn't Tescos fault, they are just applying the rules. Broadly speaking I think it is right that we have restrictions on advertising and promotions on infant formula, although it does lead to some slightly daft outcomes like this.

It seems pretty reasonable to me that formula companies shouldn't be allowed to promote baby formula to the extent that women would be discouraged from breastfeeding. However, It's pretty clear no-one would be put off breastfeeding for the sake of free car parking at Tesco.

I meant wilfully dim, I think dixie.

She must realise that Tesco are trying to avoid falling foul of the law but she's decid s to ignore that and do the pointless little rant anyway.

She is NOT being penalised for using formula, I know she has no choice, but I am sure she was aware of the rules however dubious the reasons for them are. Just to play devil's advocate I could argue that I did not get free parking in Tesco's just because I was using breast milk to feed my child, so she is in fact being treated the same as every other mother.

I'm impressed she managed to go in for a single item, and reach the checkout with only that item. I take a list, but I always end up remembering something else, spotting a 2 for 1 offer, or just fancying a bar of chocolate.

Why the EU?!

I thought it was brought in under EU legislation? Could possibly be talking out of my arse though

She must feed formula due to a medical condition the child has? What could that be?

Edited to add I think this is a total non story hyped by the right wing press to demonise evil Brussels refusing parking to a sickly baby and his poor mother. What a load of crap