DO NOT CALL 111 for baby formula

[MinkowskisButterfly]

I am posting this in the hope it STOPS one person from ringing 111 for baby formula. I saw this posted on fb this morning. Just another example of stupid.

I truly despair.

Also, don’t ring the formula companies as they won’t dispense free formula to you (probably won’t even let you buy it direct either) and pharmacies will only order in prescription formula with a prescription.

Your only option is really is to ask people you know and hunt every supermarket

Amazon have some brands of baby formula. Unsure of prices. But I recommend having a look.

if i can help someone
i purchased a aptamil milk no 3 the other day for my grandson but did not know he is now not on it
i will pop it in the post for free if anyone is in need for one
now is the time to all pull together xxx

FFS, if people weren't such selfish cunts this wouldn't be a problem.

Sorry, that was a bit extreme, I know people who have had issues sourcing calpol and formula and am getting wound up.

Unfortunately acts of kindness arent always great either.

I know several people posting on local FB that they saw some formula, so bought it. Their intention is to give it to people locally who need it. I get what they are trying to do, but they should have left it on the shelf.

@sqirrelfriends, it wasn't extreme, it was entirely justified.

Too many people are behaving like animals imo.

I'm quietly panicking about not being able to find formula, but it would never have occurred to me to ring 111. My baby is 8 weeks and I have enough formula in the cupboard for the next 2 weeks. None came in my Tesco delivery this morning, I'm praying Ocado has some next week when they deliver.

is that aimed at me???

Ffs.

Do people not have any empathy or understanding for what people may be going through. A desperate mother who can't find formula, possibly doesn't drive, possibly on limited income and a while other fucking set of problems should absolutely ring 111 if they can't find fucking baby formula. And if the other selfish cunts who are either bulk buying baby food or buying it for coffee just fucking stop doing that then mothers can go to their supermarkets or corner shops to buy milk for their babies.

And if they can't then they need to ring 111 because it doesn't take long for a baby to be seriously compromised by not being fed.

I think rather than laying into desperate parents who can’t get hold of formula to feed their babies and will therefore do whatever they think it takes to do so, lay into the shameless fuckwits who have bought formula in bulk and are selling it on for a huge profit (one local to me was selling one brand for £50 a tin!). I would say a starving baby is an emergency but also agree with the OP that 111 while no doubt sympathetic, most likely can not help and are mad busy.

@highlea3 no, it wasn't at all. I've seen people buy for their tea, Someone on a local buy and sell group is selling it for an inflated price on Facebook and others just seem to be stockpiling it massively knowing there's people out there who can't get any. My faith in humanity is wearing thin.

There needs to be an announcement by the PM tonight "baby milk tastes rank in tea, anyone found buying it for their own use will be shot on sight"

@Greggers2017 She has been trying to get formula for six days. Babies can’t just eat anything, the only thing a baby of that age can have is milk.

Could shops ask to see a baby’s birth certificate before selling formula to customers? Would stop people buying it to put in coffee.

If I had a baby and no way of feeding it then yes I would call 111. The people blocking the number are those with just a fever /cough.

And if selfish fucker weren't buying formula nfor their tea / because its "super milk" babies wouldn't be at risk of starving to death.

How long is it going to be because babies die because desperate parents are making up half scoop feeds to eke out the remaining mix.

Being unable to feed a baby is a medical emergency.

@Frouby no they don’t like I’ve said above there’s a few stockpilers here trying to minimise the problem!!!

Yes I’ve had children.

I’m not saying don’t ring 111. If you are absolutely desperate, of course ring. But considering someone I know took 24 hours to contact anyone on 111 and her daughter needed antibiotics with scarlet fever, you’re best off asking friends/family and hunting about

People are desperate and scared so cut them some slack.

I saw an ebay listing on another thread with formula selling for £120 for three tins.

I dont think anyone is annoyed at worried parents.

But people putting call 111 arent helping.

The fucking government need to do something. This is a really serious issue.

Buying restrictions obviously isnt helping....at all.

This needs to be a priority.

So many unsympathetic cunts on here today. I'd imagine that she was in a pretty desperate place to call 111, I doubt she did it on a fucking whim.

If I ran out of formula for my baby I'd be desperate too, and would be calling anyone and everyone I could.

Worse case scenario, giving a baby ordinary fresh cows milk for a week or so won't do any harm at all. Or even tinned evaporated milk diluted to normal cows milk strength. I'd supplement with baby vitamins if possible too. It is not the perfect nutrition that is advised, but it would be fine in the short term as an emergency.

There is plenty of fresh milk in the shops. It is the long life stuff that is being hoarded.

Please don’t give your babies cows milk or evaporated milk. Contact your HV.

Just wanted to remind you all (and pass onto your friends and family) that you can give your baby any brand of first stage infant formula until they are 12months. It’s perfectly safe to switch brands. So if you usually use, say, SMA and can’t find it then any other brand (including supermarkets own) is fine as long as it’s first stage 0-12 months.

Also just a reminder not to give second stage (6 months+) formula to a baby under 6 months.