to be annoyed that national express trains won't heat baby milk?

[trixie123]

On a National Express train from york -London the other day and buffet car staff refused to heat the bottle of milk I had managed to keep fridge cool all day ready for the journey home. Produced a letter from managaement backing up their "health and safety" excuse. This might be slightly more believable if the changing table wasn't lacking a safety strap - not fun on a train hurtling along and rocking from side to side. Bloody H&S and bloody jobsworth staff who sympathised "I've got children too" but would rather my 3 month old screamed the place down or drank cold milk then give a me a pot of hot water (which I would have used there, not carried down the train). Can't help but assume it is profiteering so you buy a herbal tea or something to get the hot water.

ISNT you are going completely over the top. This thread is not about helping people (am shocked at people not allowing you to sit down on the tube!)
Perhaps many of us just don't perceive the OPs request to be a necessity and it does read a bit like "I didn't bother to take what my tiny baby needed ( OP acknowledges that she didn't forget, she just expected it yo be provided) and so I will lead MN on a rant about 'modern socuety' ". There is plenty wrong with today's society that is worth campaigning about - this is not one of those issues. Please don't assume that those of us encouraging the OP to use other methods are all lacking in care and empathy.

It is NOT a genuine need to heat a bottle. Get it out of cool bag (ignoring the fact that the evil health and safety people say don't make up formula in advance) and let it get to room temperature. Put it under your arm/between your things/whatever.
No-one is saying the baby couldn't be fed. Your reaction is verging on hysterical!!

Agree with clemette.No one has said that feeding a baby isn't a genuine need. No one stopped the mother from feeding her baby.

I still think that if you have a baby who will ONLY accept milk at a certain temperature, the onus is on the parent in charge of the child to be prepared. Not make assumptions about what other people will provide.

Many babies are more flexible and will drink milk at room temperature. But if you know your baby won't, then why on earth go out knowing you aren't prepared

okay, that was going to be my last post before but just to clarify, I was under the impression that it was not good for babies digestion to have milk colder than room temp and that it should be heated up quickly to avoid bacteria issues ( I am actually not a total hygenie nut and am fairly relaxed about what DS can tolerate but never had given him milk this cold before). I have read the responses with interest and there are some helpful suggestions for which I am grateful but it does all seem to be getting a bit over the top now - I thought it was allowed to come on here and just have a little moan without being villified for being unprepared. Shutting up now!

This is why breastfeeding is so much easier.

I don't think comments about how much easier breastfeeding is are particularly helpful. They are only going to annoy people.

I think it's sad when a three month old baby can't get exactly the milk they are used to.

Maybe so but its not a train company's responsibility is it ?

no technically it's not the train company's responsibilty but it's just sad that society is so damned uncaring when it comes to small babies and children in general.

It is sad that not providing hot water is perceived as uncaring if it is by a company but not if it is by a mother!

We have a very nice local real ale pub that provides no changing facilities or high chairs. It is their choice. There are alternatives!

Sadly, I´m afraid Clemente is right.. certianly I remember always travelling with a flask of hot water.. you can not depend on anyone else to take care of your baby´s needs.

trixie what did you do in the end/ (apols if I have missed you saying it's a long thread!).

Yes I do get worked up about this sort of thing. That's what MN is for, isn't it Just some of the replies were really depressing.

I thought there was a law about underage drinkers in pubs tut tut

There is a law against encouraging formula feeding...

OP had already made her own choice though - she wasn't breaking any laws by not breast feeding - not breast feeding isn't yet against the law

No, but companies that promote, encourage or facilitate bottle feeding under 6 months are breaking the law. Perhaps this is what lies at the heart of the NE policy - who knows?

john lewis is breaking the law?

They get around it by saying their bottle heating facilities are for babies aged 6mnths and over...

It is not against the law to bottle feed your baby, ramming breast feeding like this does so much damage, you make a choice in hospital not in a rail car on a train journey or in a JohnLewis department store.

It would be illegal for manufactors to produce sterilizing equipment for bottles as it would be seens as providing equipments for under 6 months - as baby over 6 months don't need to have sterilized bottles

The steriliser manufacturers argue their case as they can be used to sterilise bottles for EBM, and for toys, dummies etc.
It is not ramming it down anyones throat, it is just the law. Lots of companies are able to bypass the law but some don't want to.

It is not the law - it is not uk law it is a code a code that the goverment vote onevery two years - if you want it made law lobby your mp

???

here another thread on a similar topic with similar responses, some of you might like to go and join in telling the OP how utterly unreasonable she is.

I despair I really do. It's all so fucking depressing.

John Lewis, Ikea, every motorway service station I've stopped in since having kids...

they all offer a microwave or bottle warming facilities which are used by adults who take responsibility for their own actions.

All it takes is a sign stating that it is your responsibility to make sure that you don't scold your children.

Also slightly confused about the sterilising comments above about manufacturers not making equipment for sterilising bottles for babies under 6 months? Did I read that right?