Parents penalised for formula feeding

[thechristmaspudding]

I just wanted to open up a discussion to find out the perspectives of other parents on this subject. I would also be interested to hear the opinions of midwives, health visitors and other health care professionals involved with families.
To give a bit of background information, I am a member of the Boots parenting club, which has many parents are likely to be aware gives you access to discounts and offers on baby related items in store. I went into my local boots today to buy my son's formula, hoping to get a good deal as I had been notified of an offer in store. Now, in my sleep deprived state I did not read the offer properly and it did clearly state that it was an offer for follow on formula and not infant first. The cashier was very polite and explained that due to government regulations shops are not legally allowed to offer discounts on infant first formula due to the government expectation that breastfeeding should be encouraged for the first six months. To be clear, I am not taking issue with Boots or any other shop, but it got me questioning whether this is fair? No, I do not believe that formula companies should be able to dissuade women from breastfeeding through aggressive marketing campaigns that encourage parents to buy their product. But surely parents have the right to weigh up the pros and cons of bottle feeding and make an informed choice that reflects the needs and circumstances of their own family? I tried really, really hard to breastfeed but found it extremely difficult and due to a lack of postnatal support gave up (the inadequate breastfeeding support in this country is another issue in itself). This is something I still regret and struggle with. However, my personal experience aside, formula feeding is a valid choice to make whether parents decide to feed this way from birth or at a later stage.
I also remember watching an episode of dispatches a few years ago on how due to the cost of formula many families resort to watering down their baby's feed or even to stealing. This is a situation that is likely to have worsened as a result of the cost of living crisis.
So my question is, AIBU in thinking that it is wrong to penalise bottle-feeding parents when it comes to the cost of formula?

Bit like when I went into boots to get some 1ml syringes for my baby's medication and the lady behind the till gave me a disgusted look and said that she would sell me the syringes but I wouldn't be getting any new needles because I'd come on the wrong day. I knew that I was using them for my baby's medication but it still upset me that she thought I was using drugs.

Omg I had a similar experince in Boots. I went in, at around 38 or 39 weeks pregnant, to get syringes for colostrum harvesting. The man behind the counter totally started quizzing me about why - it felt like an interrogation, and was quite public. I ended up getting really upset and leaving - I felt like a criminal! I bought some syringes on ebay in the end and froze loads of colostrum (luckily, as the baby needed it!). That experience was horrible though.

I don't agree you should get points but I do think formula companies should be capped at how much they can charge for a tin above production costs. It would stop all the unnecessary branding but also not penalise those families who can't breastfeed.

But it is true . Let’s be honest , my hubby family is from a African country , there is no midwife’s or breastfeeding support etc and a huge part of the population will breastfeed , there isn’t even the thought of an alternative as formula is expensive and most cannot afford it or find it easily available . So it beats the question , if millions are able to breastfeed with nil support for sure it’s not a fact that most women “ cannot “ breastfeed in the U.K.

Actually, when you look at it at population level, it is hugely important.

Some examples… formula fed babies are more likely to get ear infections, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal issues… the list goes on. Women who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancers. At an individual level, the differences in risk are fairly small. But at population level an increase in breastfeeding rates would result in significant decreases in many common illnesses. It’s not a quick fix but, over time, an increase in breastfeeding rates would have a positive impact on the health of the general population.

So everyone should care how babies are fed (especially given that the NHS is at breaking point!). And we should be demanding better education for health professionals (who are often frighteningly misinformed) and accessible support for women who wish to breastfeed.

The vast majority of women who stop breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks wish they could have continued (it’s around 90% I think). This is not ok. Women’s feelings matter. Their grief and guilt over switching to formula matters. Please don’t dismiss them.

I don’t have the figures or the research to hand but, if anyone is interested, Professor Amy Brown is doing incredible work in this area and her book “Breastfeeding Uncovered” is well worth a read.

Whoops - have been awake for 37 hours as my daughters epilepsy is being a right turd and I had completely missed half the post!
That said - Im not sure why you couldn’t just scroll by the comment though…the comment isn’t harming anyone, isn’t providing false information etc. But, hey…gave your life a purpose for 13 seconds. Learning to scroll on by is becoming an important life skill….you’ll get there one day.

It's generational exposure to breastfeeding. That's the difference. If you grow up seeing it, you know how to do it and you know what to expect in terms of frequency and duration of feeds etc.

Doctors need to get the medical history down. As you didn’t breastfeed it’s important for the doctors to know why in case there was a medical problem. I was asked the same question for my teenager as part of the the hospital doctor getting all the information down. I said that yes I had breastfed. They also asked when my teenager had first turned over and walked. They won’t ask if it’s not necessary.

It’s not nil support though. It’s family support with older women helping and advising. Women don’t have that kind of familial support in the U.K. They’re kicked out of hospital and left to get on with it.

I struggled to breastfeed in hospital, had no milk, only managed it when I got home because I was lucky enough to have a home visit from a totally relaxed (Aussie) midwife who brushed off all the wrong things I'd been told in hospital and just knew what she was doing.
I'm the only successful breastfeeder in our family. Two sister in laws who couldn't make "good enough" milk. One was told to time her feeds on each breast, so the baby never got to the hind milk and was always hungry and unsettled. Another, whose baby lost a small amount of weight, was told she was being neglectful if she didn't switch to formula. Other family members have similar experiences.

All those women feel they weren't physically able to breastfeed, there will be many more like them. Yet, they would have been able to with the correct support. None of us had Mums who'd breastfed. Those ladies in Africa would have had a family network of supportive experienced breastfeeders.

If women don't want to bf, that's fine. But it's such a shame that a good proportion of women who feel they can't feed and wanted to have been let down.

If you think people in most countries in Africa have tons of family support you are mistaken , most don’t even have basic Health care or housing, let alone people helping non stop . But I do agree it’s a cultural thing , midwife’s are fast at pushing formula , they are not trained to help and if you ask advise every single one person I’ll give you different advise . What the U.K. and other western culture needs is a change towards breastfeeding and what that entails , better maternity leave , better acceptance , etc .
Iam by no means saying I agree that formula should not be easily accessible, I successfully breastfeed 2 children and my 3 rd was combi feed mostly due to terrible pressure from the midwife and bad advice .
Im simply saying that breastfeeding has massive benefits and should have much higher numbers

It's an insult that people are speaking on Africa a whole continient. Have you actually visited and lived the culture? If not I don't think its right you are actually comparing UK to a whole continent.

Firstly Africa is a 3rd world Country. Where people often don't even have basic clean water, they don't have all the options of food we do here so to start bringing breast feeding into this is a low blow. How many kids are dying daily because they are malnourished? In UK?
You would have to breast feed if you had no money. We all would so that's a weak and offensive argument.

This! Can't believe it took so long for somebody to point this out.

Because it's not true. They don't want you switching milk because they want your buying their products.

It's not a weak argument at all. It's demonstrative that there are actually very few physical barriers to successful breastfeeding. Of course Africa is not homogeneous culture, but we can still recognize that it is very different than here.
I lived for many years in an African country. My first child was born there, and the attitude towards breastfeeding was a million miles from what it is here. And it does make an enormous difference. The statistics speak for themselves.

Africa is not a country ! And yes I have visited and lived , hence why I know it’s the norm . It’s nit a low blow . This was in response to people saying they cannot breastfeed . I’m not against the choice but I don’t think the majority of women cannot breastfeed , they choose not too .

Breastfeeding support is available here. Position and attachment is key. Anti natal classes are available and give information not advice. Mums are contacted after birth and on the wards . It’s a free service to get mums to breastfeed with support. Formula feeding costs £1250 a year. Boots points can be used for nappies or other baby stuff. All formula is same government recipe, some add stuff like extra vitamins. Usually just peed out .

@Cucucucu I know I said continent and in my head I thought of a particular place and typed Country. I'm well aware thanks though. Yes I've been following the companion is applesauce oranges. I don't see how it's a similar comparison. Like I said.... it's the norm because people often how no choice. That's the difference money buys choice 😬 totally different way of living.

Breastfeeding support here is absolutely shit. Available? Yes. Adequate? Not even close.

Breastfeeding support is available here. Position and attachment is key. Anti natal classes are available and give information not advice. Mums are contacted after birth and on the wards . It’s a free service to get mums to breastfeed with support.

The problem is the advice and help is often poor and unhelpful. Womens healthcare in general is often woeful.

Different way of living. Africans do many things we don't do here in UK. Parenting is far different for one. I don't see your point. Many people simply can't afford to buy tinned milk or feed their kids daily. Let's not dress up to be something it's not. Many people are living a life of poverty funny how you haven't included that in a factor as to why the African mothers likely have no other option but to breastfeed.

I switched around a few milks with one of my children. No issues. Perhaps some babies are more sensitive. But this was when he was a few months old so don't know if that helped too. Settled on aldi own brand due to cost.

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER we started on cow and gate. Baby was miserable, uncomfortable and constipated. Since moving to aptamil she's been right as rain.

I didn't choose it so it would be better, I chose it because it was a different brand. C&G owned by Danone, aptamil by Nutricia.

I fully planned to breastfeed, and tried to for two weeks but I wasn't producing milk and my baby lost too much weight.

We're not being stupid - trust me.

You also shouldn't sum up africa as a place defined by poverty alone. Cultural, nutritional, and parenting choices are dictated by much more than poverty alone. You're wrong if you think African mothers only breastfeed because of poverty.

*@DisquietintheRanks
*
I think most people have some idea that children cost money, yes? Are you saying you were unaware of the existence of bottle feeding until you gave birth? That's quite unusual, esp in a country like the UK where bottle feeding really common.

I didn't say I was unaware of the existence of bottle feeding. I said I didn't know how expensive formula was. As I'd planned to breastfeed I hadn't factored in the cost of formula when I was looking at my finances for maternity leave. It was a total shock that I didn't actually produce any milk to feed may baby. And a bigger shock at the price of the formula. And then a slap in the face that I couldn't even get some nectar points in Sainsbury's to help with the cost. Hey ho... it was years ago. I'm over it. But it's sad to see the same discussion on MN. After 14 years nothing has changed.