So is formula milk UPF?

[bumgripes]

It is, right? I mean, the ingredients list certainly is. And it’s listed on the BBC website as an UPF.

Going to be interested to see if this influences the BF/FF debate now that it looks like awareness of UPF is about to skyrocket. Does it even matter when they’re only on it for about a year? Does that fact that it’s an UPF actually add any info to the pre-existing evidence on BF/FF?

It very obviously is, but I suppose it’s a different argument to the one about ‘adult’ junk for. For babies who can’t be BFed, it’s more like a (processed, of course) medicine that they can’t survive without.

It’s another reason why BF is best, but if that can’t happen (or the cases where mothers don’t want to), it’s not really helpful to classify it as such.

Yep it is

UPF label is useful to help adults make choices about their own and their children's food. For example swapping out a processed cake for a whole food snack.

Applying that logic to formula is deeply unhelpful as formula is the only suitable alternative to breast milk. And it IS a suitable alternative whatever your opinions on how babies are fed.

It probably is. But it's also the only reasonable option for babies who can't have breastmilk for whatever reason, which is exactly why black-and-white judgements of "all XYZ are bad" (whether it's UPF or whatever else) are unhelpful.

If breastmilk isn't an option, the risks of undernourishment from other foods massively outweigh the risks of UPFs.

Of course it is. I think you know this and are looking to add to the anxiety of new mums who couldn’t breastfeed.

Technically I suppose yes but if I'd seen this 3 months ago when I was struggling to establish breastfeeding and was already devastated to be giving baby formula it might have sent me over the edge.

It is but I think it is not reasonable to place concern for that on mother's. The systems around mother's make actually exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months then 12 + months almost impossible. Significant resources and legislative changes are needed.

Of course it is.

Of course it is. I wanted to avoid using it for that reason before I had heard the term
UPF. But I did end up supplementing with formula because BF was bloody hard, I was knackered and couldn’t get much out with a pump. I feel guilty about it but my MH was important too.

Yes, it is. As TPN would be. And lactose free milk. And gluten free foods.

It's one of the reasons why UPFs being demonised is such a shitty way to operate - it appeals to people who attach moral value to dietary choices and weight, but doesn't actually represent what is actually needed; food that is affordable and appropriate nutritionally for all sectors of the population.

Of course it is a UPF. It is the original UPF and it is amazing stuff, just what babies need.
The problem with UPFs is that adults don't need something akin to breast milk.

Yes it is. Which is going to feel like a punch in the gut to to mothers who feel guilt/have no alternative to feed their infants but it’s still important information to prevent false equivalency between the biological norm for humanity and a mass-manufactured and extremely lucrative product

Exactly. This is a faux innocent thread designed to guilt trip new mums. The list infers it’s a UPF, the BBC say it is, so she knows the answer.

What is the point of discussing it when there’s no alternative for mums who cannot breastfeed? Of course going by her previous threads OP breastfed, so she can watch posters get upset about it on here while congratulating herself.

I’m EBF my 6 month old by the way so I can’t be accused of projection.

Labelling formula as a 'UPF' is simply irresponsible.

It will do harm to women who for whatever reason can't or don't want to BF.

It is liable to cause physical harm to babies if mothers who can't BF are led to believe that something other than formula might be preferable if it's not got this label attached to it.

Course it is, obviously. But it’s better than a starved child tyvm!

Exactly. This is a faux innocent thread designed to guilt trip new mums. The list infers it’s a UPF, the BBC say it is, so she knows the answer.

Agree with this 100%

Most mums that formula feed do so because they don’t want to breastfeed. Not because they can’t.

It’s good this information is getting out there. If you can’t then fair enough, but if you can but choose not to you should know the risks.

Obviously it is.

Best avoided, unless medically advised.

All medicine is, similarly, a UPF. Penicillin, Calpol, milk replacements for those with lactose intolerance ir milk protein intolerance, insulin for diabetics m, gliten free products for coeliacs etc etc. Indiscriminate demonisation of the process of manufacture rather than the need for the product is unhelpful.

It's generally "medically advised" not to let your baby starve

Exactly so.

People can only make an informed decision if they have the information. Let's not blame facts for being inconvenient.

Breastmilk is to formula as legs are to wheelchairs.

Exactly. Fair enough if you can't for whatever reason but if you can. Well you need to know.

I'm hoping the Iceland campaign will divert attention to the right place instead:

https://about.iceland.co.uk/2023/08/23/its-time-to-change-the-law-on-infant-formula/

if you can but choose not to you should know the risks

The "risks" of formula feeding are well known already.

Adding the label UPF to baby formula is pathetic. It is an attempt to emotionally blackmail women who choose "wrongly" - ie you can have bodily autonomy but we'll make you feel like shit if you make a choice we don't like. And any women who can't breastfeed and feel crap about it are just collateral damage.

When my exclusively breastfed ds2 was in hospital at 6 weeks old, having lost 10oz from his birthweight and regained almost none of it, and when the staff were describing him as 'Failing to Thrive', formula was the only option I had - other than letting him carry on failing to thrive.

Some women physically cannot breastfeed, others struggle with it - I seem to produce something akin to skim milk because none of my children have thrived on my milk - they only gained weight when formula was added or when it replaced breastfeeding altogether. Women like me, and our babies, need formula.