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?

No, formula has adequate vitamin D for a start.

Of course it will never be identical but it is more similar than diluted full cream milk with a spot of added sugar. Or the earlier powdered baby milks with added vitamin D!

I don't get this

Yes I breastfed. Some women are unable to - don't know why they can't produce milk but they can't.

But just because I could, doesn't make me 'proud'. Yes my body did its job. But it does its job all day every day. I'm not proud of walking, or eating, or going to the loo. Why be proud that I produced milk?

I can list an awful of ingredients in breastmilk that's not in formula but I've got better things to do.

Something cannot be normal and amazing, hence using those words in my question.

Lot*

Agree. My baby would have died had I not given her formula as she could not feed from me.

Way to go OP for making the numerous people who are unable to breastfeed feel even worse about it

@Jamtartforme 🤦‍♀️we make vitamin D from sunlight on our skin. In this country everyone really should be taking a supplement as we aren’t the sunniest of places. Also with modern life we tend to be indoors more and covered with more clothing.

Babies, like adults naturally would be making their vitamin D from the sun, not from their milk.

@egowise baby development is natural and the same time amazing. Rainbows are natural and amazing. Glaciers are natural and amazing. Evolution is natural and amazing.

@Cowlover89 ODFOD

@Nanny0gg i know a couple of people who’ve run the marathon. They’re proud of themselves. It’s just running though. I mean everyone can run right? Why be proud of that.

I can’t run a marathon. I have no desire to do so either. I can still appreciate that for them it was an important achievement.

Normal. Normal. Normal.

Let's share dictionary definitions for you:

Normal: conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

Amazing: causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing.

HTH

I’m not that old, and can’t remember the recommended sugar addition. I suppose babies needed their vitamin C. An enema? That’s grim!

I hope the increased awareness of upf leads to increased support for mothers to breastfeed and better knowledge for health professionals. I personally know of friends who were incorrectly advised by health visitors and GPs. Eg being incorrectly told there was certain medication they couldn't breastfeed with, or being incorrectly told that if little was coming out with the pump, then little was coming out with they breastfeed. All of these friends then switched to formula.

I was so fortunate to get amazing support from nhs breastfeeding services for both my girls. I also used information from the breastfeeding network to challenge incorrect advice I received at other times. Without these, I would have either not breastfed at all, or for less time. My wish is for all mothers to have the support I did.

Of course some women can't breastfeed, and those babies lives are saved by formula.

Yes it is, but the benefits of formula massively outweigh the possible harmful effects. Babies are on formula for a year maximum, but how many toddlers/children/teenagers drink artificial squash, coca cola, eat chocolate and sweets, frozen chicken nuggets etc. They are much worse than formula that is highly regulated.

Yes it’s processed - but what is the alternative exactly?

As for the laws on advertising formula/not reducing price/not using loyalty points etc - I don’t know any ff mum who would solely choose formula because she thought the Tesco club card points would be worth it 😑

So what's the definition of astonishing?

No

@Sparklesocks the WHO code is about formula companies unethical and dangerous marketing practices. Nothing at all about persuading parents not to formula feed.

I’d still say rainbows are normal and amazing. I fully expect to see one after a storm but they still make me smile and wonder and nature’s beauty.

The pros and cons of breastmilk and formula are known

Not by an awful lot of posters on here. If they were and people were properly informed you wouldn’t get the frequent threads asking if there’s a difference between the two and hoards of replies saying no or that formula is superior because x y z made up reasons.

I understand that, but there are parents on low incomes who have to formula feed for one reason or another and rising prices (that retailers cannot reduce) mean theyre struggling.

I would’ve loved to have bf but it didn’t happen for us - DS had some major latching issues.
i’m On board w the whole upf thing in general but I don’t think you can apply it to formula milk or medicine as they are upf by design. It’s really to do with reference to actual food - crap is added to perfectly good food for reasons of profit and too much of it is detrimental to health.

Like I said, if you can’t that’s fair enough.

I do too. Speaking of rainbows. Both my babas are rainbow babies. 🌈 🌈