To think formula feeding parents are bent over a barrel?

[inpixiehollow]

Just been discussing this with a friend and interested to know peoples thoughts.
Am I being unreasonable to think that the NHS/govt should manufacture a nutritionally complete formula for babies, sold at cost price to families? Not disputing the importance of real access to proper breastfeeding support but we have to acknowledge that some women cannot/don't want to breastfeed and instead are victim to formula companies turning over huge profits. If people want fancy formulas/special additives then the option should be there but with rising cost of living I don't think its acceptable that something so necessary for many babies is getting to the point of unaffordable.
I am a massive advocate for breastfeeding so please don't take this as an attack or downplaying the massive lack of help for bf in the UK, I just wish both options were made more accessible for whatever feeding choices people make.

You could say the same over all food for children. Aldi own formula is much cheaper. But honestly I wouldn’t say bf necessarily works out ‘free’ for most people.

It's not the government's job to do this.

We should have much better support for breastfeeding. It's free and it's the best option for your baby's health.

@EezyOozy I doubt anyone thinks FF should be made more difficult!

I EBF'ed and still bf my nearly 2 year old and I completely agree with you OP.
Small side note- bf isn't "free" as you have to eat your own body weight in food pretty much 247 to stave intense hunger!!!

It’s not the government’s job. And breastfeeding is free… And it should be better supported.

I breastfed and I agree.

Unfortunately there are people who absolutely do think that, its not unusual for them to show their dickhead attitude on threads like this. it’s fucking awful

yeah we should have much better support but as a country we're pretty poor at it and I know it won't be improving in my local area at least due to budget cuts. This also doesn't take into account that some women cannot or do not want to bf, why should they be penalised?

@roarfeckingroarr that not what I said. Nobody mentioned making it more difficult. But a resistance to making it easier.

@inpixiehollow I agree with what you are saying.

This always stuck out as madness for me.

I bf, then moved to mix with dd1.

Dd2 I was very unwell, so mix fed quicker.

Formula, ten a tub, basic cow and gate, fine.

Dd2 was so colicky, unbelievable. Doctor was convinced she was dairy intolerant. So I cut out dairy, and she prescribed formula, 30 a tin, six tins to start.

A few days in, clearly worse, back to doctor, try something else.

Can I return the prescription formula. NO!

No I did manage to get rid of it on FB free, but for the same price as 18 tins of formula, I had been prescribed 6 as a trial.

So in the scenario where a doctor says you must introduce formula, let's say for argument sake, they cannot prescribe that, but if specialist formula, they can.

Scotland so prescription free.

This also doesn't take into account that some women cannot or do not want to bf, why should they be penalised?

I completely agree.

Couldn’t you apply this more generally to the cost of feeding a child? And breastfeeding isn’t free for everyone- tongue tie specialists, lactation consultants, breast pumps, bottles for expressed milk, nipple shields, breast pads, nipple cream etc. And personally no I wouldn’t want the NHS in its current state or this shitshow of a government manufacturing anything I would give to my baby.

I do think it’s patronising as fuck though that formula is exempt from promotions and rewards, as if anyone would actually sack off breastfeeding just for the advantage card points.

But like you say, it’s a feeding choice. It’s a choice that’s valid but it’s still a choice.

When parents don’t have a choice because their babies need specialist formula on prescription, then of course it should be free. But otherwise, no. People choose to have children knowing that they have a responsibility to feed them and that’s pretty much the most basic responsibility a parent can have so I don’t think there’s any need to provide it for free.

If the NHS is going to start paying for people’s food then I’d rather see people that don’t have a choice about eating expensive foods get help, like those that have to be gluten/dairy free for the sake of their health.

@IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece

yep. And

“if people don’t want to pay for formula then OBVIOUSLY they should just BF!”

and a load of stats about how few women physically cannot BF, so saying that you can’t isn’t true. Etc etc.

I FF my now 8 month old old daughter and have done since birth due to medical reasons (mine not hers).

In those 8 months, the cost of formula at the major supermarkets has increased by 2 pounds per tub. 2 pounds. In 8 months!

It's unreal! She was tested for Cows milk allergy and I was weirdly hopeful she'd need the prescription milk as at least it would be free!!

Don't even get me started on the formula shortage. 😒

You can’t really compare the two as you HAVE to feed a baby formula if you don’t breastfeed.

Once the child eats food, the choice is food or food there is no “free” alternative.

The government already supports low income parents, why is infant formula, which is much much cheaper than feeding a growing teen, any different?

Healthy start vouchers can be used to buy formula for low income families in the U.K. The real scandal is the tactics formula companies use to sell it in 3rd world countries where it really is unaffordable and also inadequate facilities to prepare it safely.

I did say SOLD at cost price, not 'free' (unless of course cmpa formula for instance). This just removes profit and adds no strain to nhs funds.

I'd like free nursing bras and nursing pillows and nursing tops, etc. Thanks.

I’m just wondering where it ends though? We’ve already got schools feeding children free in the early years, free breakfast and holiday lunch clubs. Does the British taxpayer really have to take over feeding children from birth? Where is the parental responsibility in this?

Oh yeah as PP said you get formula with healthy start vouchers

If families on low incomes get healthy start then they can use it to buy (for instance) the cost price nhs formula therfore getting it 'free' and those families that don't get that support could purchase it and get it at cost price.. nowhere did I say free formula for all FF babies.