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AIBU?

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Original poster

So is formula milk UPF?

415 replies

bumgripes · 28/08/2023 10:07

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?

OP posts:
Unknownwhere · 28/08/2023 15:04

What are the risks of UPF? There’s only one way to find out of formula is a problematic d that’s to do a very long term study. Ask everyone attending any medical appt for anything how they were fed and then also have a study group that are followed up closely for many years.
People often say ‘oh in a class of 30 there’s no difference you wouldn’t know who was ff or bf’ but actually are there differences we can’t see ? Maybe it’s time to stop being non specific and research should be funded to see if formula being an upf is detrimental?

Coffeeforus · 28/08/2023 15:06

Yes it’s UPF - this can hardly be news can it? Yes BF is better.

But some new mums can’t or don’t want to BF and it’s the best alternative. Babies will thrive on either feeding method and by the time they are 5 a teacher or a GP will have no clue who got fed what.

What needs to stop is the guilt-tripping of women for not BF. So many threads over the years of women saying they are ‘devastated’ that they couldn’t BF, or want to stop, when seriously you need to get a grip - fed is best. Formula is not arsenic. Stop feeling guilty. And bloody stop saying you are ‘devastated’ - words like that are for my aunt who lost her young son and the many other parents who have lost a child.

(And yes I EBF and switched to formula at 6 months old and feel no guilt).

Theunamedcat · 28/08/2023 15:06

THERE IS VIRTUALLY ZERO SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY sorry to shout but its true in England in my personal experience I had my first child in 2000 I was given a bit of support but then it was obvious baby was getting nothing except hungry they cup fed her we tried again and again nothing was happening so I bottle fed her years later with ds1 we tried again this time his latch was good his suck was great there was nothing there full term baby no reason for there to be no milk we hand expressed machine pumped put the baby on there was NOTHING happening by the time I had ds3 I put him on a bottle and I was made to feel SHIT about it they demanded I fed him massive quantities of formula before I was "allowed" home they even admitted if I was breastfeeding they wouldn't have done that I tipped the milk away rather than overfeed him he was a tiny baby with a tiny stomach he needed to build up ffs

It upset me when I read that a man was given a cocktail of drugs so he could lactate to feed his baby because why did he get the help and all I faced was judgment and abuse

I really really wanted to breastfeed

KnittedCardi · 28/08/2023 15:08

Formula has its own category in the Nova UFP index, because it is unique. This is discussed in medical news and papers. You can't possibly put it in the same category as cakes and crisps for example. As others have noted it is closer to medical product than food, as without it we wouldn't have an alternative, and its contents are very strictly controlled under EU regs.

Cowlover89 · 28/08/2023 15:11

Coffeeforus · 28/08/2023 15:06

Yes it’s UPF - this can hardly be news can it? Yes BF is better.

But some new mums can’t or don’t want to BF and it’s the best alternative. Babies will thrive on either feeding method and by the time they are 5 a teacher or a GP will have no clue who got fed what.

What needs to stop is the guilt-tripping of women for not BF. So many threads over the years of women saying they are ‘devastated’ that they couldn’t BF, or want to stop, when seriously you need to get a grip - fed is best. Formula is not arsenic. Stop feeling guilty. And bloody stop saying you are ‘devastated’ - words like that are for my aunt who lost her young son and the many other parents who have lost a child.

(And yes I EBF and switched to formula at 6 months old and feel no guilt).

Women are allowed to be devastated and to tell them to get a grip isn't on.

Cowlover89 · 28/08/2023 15:12

Theunamedcat · 28/08/2023 15:06

THERE IS VIRTUALLY ZERO SUPPORT FOR BREASTFEEDING IN THIS COUNTRY sorry to shout but its true in England in my personal experience I had my first child in 2000 I was given a bit of support but then it was obvious baby was getting nothing except hungry they cup fed her we tried again and again nothing was happening so I bottle fed her years later with ds1 we tried again this time his latch was good his suck was great there was nothing there full term baby no reason for there to be no milk we hand expressed machine pumped put the baby on there was NOTHING happening by the time I had ds3 I put him on a bottle and I was made to feel SHIT about it they demanded I fed him massive quantities of formula before I was "allowed" home they even admitted if I was breastfeeding they wouldn't have done that I tipped the milk away rather than overfeed him he was a tiny baby with a tiny stomach he needed to build up ffs

It upset me when I read that a man was given a cocktail of drugs so he could lactate to feed his baby because why did he get the help and all I faced was judgment and abuse

I really really wanted to breastfeed

I'm sorry you went through that. There needs to be more support

Twizbe · 28/08/2023 15:14

@Coffeeforus i recommend you read the book ‘why breastfeeding trauma matters’

please do no disregard women’s emotions in this regard. We’re allowed to feel devastated, or any other emotion. Telling women to ‘get a grip’ or to not talk about it just makes things worse.

gogomoto · 28/08/2023 15:16

Of course it is, along with all those plant based foods touted as healthy ... the only natural option for babies is breastfeeding but where that truly isn't possible then obviously artificial fortified formula is the only option. Mine never had it as weaned at 15/18 months

GreyGrid · 28/08/2023 15:17

Coffeeforus · 28/08/2023 15:06

Yes it’s UPF - this can hardly be news can it? Yes BF is better.

But some new mums can’t or don’t want to BF and it’s the best alternative. Babies will thrive on either feeding method and by the time they are 5 a teacher or a GP will have no clue who got fed what.

What needs to stop is the guilt-tripping of women for not BF. So many threads over the years of women saying they are ‘devastated’ that they couldn’t BF, or want to stop, when seriously you need to get a grip - fed is best. Formula is not arsenic. Stop feeling guilty. And bloody stop saying you are ‘devastated’ - words like that are for my aunt who lost her young son and the many other parents who have lost a child.

(And yes I EBF and switched to formula at 6 months old and feel no guilt).

Not being able to BF made me feel suicidal. I am not exaggerating. Telling women to "get a grip" and ban them from naming their feelings is part of the stigma. Please stop.

ItstimeToMoveagain · 28/08/2023 15:17

It wouldn't have stopped me using it. If I'd have known how much I'd end up hating bf and that I'd be doing it for 3 years I'd have ff ds4 as well

gogomoto · 28/08/2023 15:19

@Jamtartforme

Very few cannot breastfeed. The lack of support from medical professionals and the wider community, lack of good role models is the issue. Many countries have 80% rate's because they support new mums

ErrolTheDragon · 28/08/2023 15:22

Unknownwhere · 28/08/2023 15:04

What are the risks of UPF? There’s only one way to find out of formula is a problematic d that’s to do a very long term study. Ask everyone attending any medical appt for anything how they were fed and then also have a study group that are followed up closely for many years.
People often say ‘oh in a class of 30 there’s no difference you wouldn’t know who was ff or bf’ but actually are there differences we can’t see ? Maybe it’s time to stop being non specific and research should be funded to see if formula being an upf is detrimental?

What you describe is just a longitudinal study on bf vs ff. It doesn't say anything about 'the risks of UPF' - that would require comparing formula to some other substance that was neither breastmilk nor a 'UPF'.

SouthLondonMum22 · 28/08/2023 15:23

Technically, of course it is but I agree with those saying it's closer to a medical product and that it can't really be compared with cake.

I have formula fed from birth and would make the same decision again. Guilt free.

RosieS22 · 28/08/2023 15:25

@Unknownwhere there are studies. Formula is so widely available and normalised that people forget that there are also risks.

RosieS22 · 28/08/2023 15:26

gogomoto · 28/08/2023 15:19

@Jamtartforme

Very few cannot breastfeed. The lack of support from medical professionals and the wider community, lack of good role models is the issue. Many countries have 80% rate's because they support new mums

This. 1000 times over.

Parker231 · 28/08/2023 15:26

gogomoto · 28/08/2023 15:19

@Jamtartforme

Very few cannot breastfeed. The lack of support from medical professionals and the wider community, lack of good role models is the issue. Many countries have 80% rate's because they support new mums

Very few may not be able to bf but some of us don’t try and chose to use formula from day one. I didn’t lack bf role models (odd title imo) as DM and DMil both bf.

Parker231 · 28/08/2023 15:28

RosieS22 · 28/08/2023 15:25

@Unknownwhere there are studies. Formula is so widely available and normalised that people forget that there are also risks.

There are risks in everything. DS’s are now early 20’s - using formula hasn’t done them any harm. Shock horror - they were also weaned on jars and pouches.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/08/2023 15:29

What needs to stop is the guilt-tripping of women for not BF. So many threads over the years of women saying they are ‘devastated’ that they couldn’t BF, or want to stop, when seriously you need to get a grip - fed is best. Formula is not arsenic. Stop feeling guilty. And bloody stop saying you are ‘devastated

Victim blaming. People who don't understand those feelings most certainly shouldn't guilt-trip women though.
Sure, the guilt may not be rational - new mothers awash with hormones and sleep deprivation can't just stop their feelings ffs.

RosieS22 · 28/08/2023 15:36

@Parker231 just because it hasn't done your kids 'any harm' does not mean that applies to all.
People should be aware of the risks which I often don't think is the case.

SouthLondonMum22 · 28/08/2023 15:37

Parker231 · 28/08/2023 15:26

Very few may not be able to bf but some of us don’t try and chose to use formula from day one. I didn’t lack bf role models (odd title imo) as DM and DMil both bf.

Show quote history

I didn't either. My mum breastfed, including twins and my sister breastfed both of her children for 2+ years, she had her children several years before I had my baby.

I still didn't want to breastfeed.

Unknownwhere · 28/08/2023 15:40

ErrolTheDragon · 28/08/2023 15:22

What you describe is just a longitudinal study on bf vs ff. It doesn't say anything about 'the risks of UPF' - that would require comparing formula to some other substance that was neither breastmilk nor a 'UPF'.

Show quote history

Well maybe it would be a good idea for someone to do a study on it ?

Parker231 · 28/08/2023 15:42

RosieS22 · 28/08/2023 15:36

@Parker231 just because it hasn't done your kids 'any harm' does not mean that applies to all.
People should be aware of the risks which I often don't think is the case.

Baby formula is safe - babies thrive on it. It’s amazing! All these threads do is try to criticise those who use formula (making less good choices for their baby) and try and scaremonger.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/08/2023 15:44

Well maybe it would be a good idea for someone to do a study on it ?

I don't think you've quite thought that one through.

RosieS22 · 28/08/2023 15:46

@Parker231 I didn't say baby formula wasn't safe 😂 But there are still increased health risks between that and BF. You can't argue with that I'm afraid.

Unusualactualname · 28/08/2023 15:51

Parker231 · 28/08/2023 15:28

There are risks in everything. DS’s are now early 20’s - using formula hasn’t done them any harm. Shock horror - they were also weaned on jars and pouches.

Show quote history

The differences between FF and BF can be seen at a population level, not individual. What you describe is anecdote, not data.

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