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.

absolutely agree with OP
an analogy would be own brand/basics paracetamol vs branded
companies are still making and selling the basic version, that costs pence, and people are free to buy the overpriced stuff in fancy packs if they choose
the point is, formula companies have a financial incentive to promote formula feeding and undermine breastfeeding, hence their sneaky ads for 'follow-on formula' etc
the amount of money spent promoting and supporting breastfeeding compares shamefully with the amount spent promoting formula/bottles/sterilisers/teats etc etc
of course women should choose what is right for them and their baby but that choice should be free of financial consideration
its very sad but not surprising to hear of women watering down formula and as for buying it on the black market, this is absolutely chilling
what times we live in

It's an unfortunate reality of the cost of living crisis. It impacts EVERYTHING. Including infant nutrition.

@inpixiehollow

Sold at cost price. Not free.

So who do you think is going to pay for the loss of revenue if not the tax payer?

Agreed. And bf gives a baby much more than just food.

People always spout that as if ff babies make up bottles and feed themselves.

Human infants require a lot of care. Someone’s got to change nappies and provide milk in one form or another. Bf mums spend much less time getting a boob out than washing, sterilising and mixing bottles.

I see your point about the additional cost for those who cannot breastfeed for whatever reason although we all have to pay to feed our children or use any benefits we are entitled to.

That said the Government is not going to fund formula milk mainly because the government currently has a public health initiative which aims to have most babies breastfed to improve overall health and subsequently reduce NHS costs going forward. Funding formula where it is a choice is obviously not in line with this policy so it won’t happen. Years ago you could usually request formula on post-natal wards but now the majority of hospitals will not give mothers formula unless there is some kind of medical reason for it and therefore if you want to formula feed the midwives have to emphasise that you need to bring your own formula at your expense as you will not be provided with any of you can breastfeed. They don’t even fund breastfeeding support adequately and yet pregnant women are constantly being told about the importance of breastfeeding and put under pressure to do it. The policy is based on scientific facts so I think it is right be honest about the importance of it and try to increase breastfeeding rates, however, having had a baby quite recently I think the way that the government now handles both breast and formula feeding needs to be improved I think. I’ve breastfed for some time with a few issues and I received virtually no help from the NHS. If you’re unhappy about the cost or formula (which I don’t totally disagree about by the way) I think a better target would be the formula companies who price it.

@TiddleyWink there is an awful lot of work women do that's unpaid which in turn saves the country money. Ubpaid caring, voluntary work, unpaid childcare etc.

Economist (mostly women by the way) have been looking at how to quantify the benefit to economies of women breastfeeding.

For gods sake what about taking responsibility for your own choices in life?

when you have or even plan to have kids you know you may need to buy formula, and you know what it costs.

why do people expect everything handed to them on a plate? Even at cost is taking the mick. Yes it’s crap that things cost money but grow up, it’s part of life.

i swear some of you on here live in fantasy land

And what did they come up with?

I understand where you're coming from op but I disagree. Child benefit and healthy start vouchers and in place to ensure poor parents can feed their babies, most women can choose to breastfeed or FF but with formula comes the cosy. It doesn't really matter if companies profit or not, people need to be able to feed their child and if they can't do that they rt shouldn't be having children. Circumstances change of course, which is why the above is in place.

I breastfed for only 8 weeks before stopping due to postnatal depression and switched to Formula. Whilst pregnant I found lots of great information and tips about breastfeeding because I looked for it, which is what all parents to be should do, noone should do it for them. I struggled around the 4 week mark and contacted my health visitor, again which every mother should if they need support.
I think that parents need to hold more responsibility.

"It’s only ‘free’ if you place zero value on a woman’s labour. Which, sadly, lots of people do.

Views on breastfeeding and formula feeding in this country are so messed up, it’s just used as yet another tool to bully and control women. Often by other women which is the most messed up part of all ☹️"

Couldn't agree more with this. I formula fed three babies (won't bore anyone with the story, but couldn't with the first, didn't want to with the second and managed about 6 weeks with the third but breastfeeding is just not for me) and I'm not really sure what the answer is. Yes, formula is expensive but formula feeding is, in many many ways, easier than breastfeeding. People like to say that breastfeeding is so straightforward but for lots of people it isn't, and the 'doing' of it is all on one person. Everyone says 'oh just make a nest on the sofa and watch a box set' for the cluster feeding nightmare days - but people with multiple kids or other responsibilities can't do that. Breastfeeding is hard logistically, mentally and physically for lots of women.

So I don't think it's as easy as saying 'formula feeding is expensive and breastfeeding is free' because it's not a straight choice between the two anyway.

I do think formula is 'too' expensive though, and there simply aren't enough budget options like there are with, say, nappies and clothes and other baby stuff. And even if there was 'Tesco value' baby milk - nobody is going to want to buy that or be seen buying it are they?

@Cuppasoupmonster I'd need to go and check the figure but I think it was something like A$100 million.

There's a few because it is country dependant.

Yes and I'd really like to see help from midwives from birth about making up bottles and storing bottles and sterilising etc.
we were sent home as young first time parents with just a warning from our midwife of make sure you do the formula properly or it could kill him!

Even a quick option session would be great same as loads of sessions in antenatal on breastfeeding

It’s clear that very few people on this thread have much experience working with families on very low incomes.

Absolutely anything which is visibly ‘NHS’ or distinctively aimed at very poor people very quickly develops a stigma. It’s part of the reason why National Milk was discontinued in the 70s. I work in schools and we have terrible trouble getting eligible parents to register for free school meals. The major benefit of universal FSM in infants, and of cashless catering systems in secondary schools, is that they remove any visible sign that a child receives FSM and uptake rises accordingly.

Thinking off the top of my head of half a dozen families that I work with, all would be very very reluctant to buy a generic ‘government’ milk. I am pretty sure that all of them would prefer the current system of Healthy Start vouchers to buy commercially available milk with a bit of dignity.

I’ve not even looked for the cheapest option. And I’m pretty sure that Cow & Gate from Boots isn’t it!
So the largest feeding amount there is 5 feeds of 7 scoops at 4.5kg each - so 158g a week. That 800g carton for £10 will last 5 days.

So: the government already pays enough Child Benefit to feed a baby.

All the information about making up feeds is on the tin.

Forgot the photo!

Yes formula costs too much and I do feel something ought to be done to subsidise it.
with my first I spent £1000s trying to BF, private lactation consultants, private tongue tie division then many double electric pumps in an attempt to exclusively express.
about 4 months in I gave up as I was miserable and constantly attached to the pump. I was horrified at the cost of formula , especially the ready made stuff which sometimes there was no choice but use if we were out and about.

was so relieved when my second latched at birth (luckily still had my pump for when needed, but wasn’t “free” either)

Own brand is cheaper. Aldi first milk is £8.59 for 900g.

I see what you are saying. Aldi does a reasonable formula though in terms of price.

I could have been given all of the education and support in the world regarding breastfeeding (and I am not a stupid person) but I still would have chosen formula over breast every single time, and I did for all three. I’m just grateful I had the choice.

I think this is really valid.

There's similar stigma in America around food stamps. People don't want to buy the government subsidised versions of anything.

And breast pads and shit tonne of food

Honestly? It will cost you more than £12 a week or however much a tub of formula is costing to feed your baby once they're weaned. And I say this as someone who has just done 12 months of formula feeding. Those on low incomes/claim certain benefits get milk vouchers anyway.

I don't think it's totally comparable... I never once owned a nursing bra or specific nursing clothes, and I have whacking great big boobs. Well-chosen normal clothes and bras worked just fine.

They're nice to have maybe, but they're not essential, whereas if you're formula feeding then formula is obviously pretty essential.

Anyway, to the poster upthread who said maybe we should have profit-free food too... it's an un-ironic yes from me

I'd rather feed babies with my tax money than subsidise mp's luxury food expenses

If someone doesn't want to do it, then it's their choice. There are plenty of things I'd like to choose not to do but financially I have to. I don't see why the government should support them.

I have a lot more sympathy for people who cannot breastfeed but at the end of the day we all have to buy food that is sold for profit.