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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at someone on the bf/bottle feeding forum saying that formula should only be available on prescription

270 replies

pigletmania · 12/12/2009 18:48

That person obviously has found bf a complete and utter doddle and might not have encountered any problems with it. These comments do nothing to promote bf imo only reaffirm the stereotype of bf matrons. If formula were to only be available on prescription it would penalise those who are struggling to bf and need that extra to top up, or those who have made the choice not to bf though respecting their decision is a bit to me.

OP posts:
SantaWears2shoes · 12/12/2009 21:48

aitch, it will all come down to money at some point, for the GP not writing the script will be the cheaper option.

Louby3000 · 12/12/2009 21:48

Anyone know how the Scandinavian countries managed to get it so right over the course of 40y?

InMyLittleHead · 12/12/2009 21:49

Um, the power to decide how to raise your own child?

AitchTwoToTangOh · 12/12/2009 21:50

um, that takes us back to my interesting ethical question of earlier.

StealthPolarBear · 12/12/2009 21:50

"I can quite easily see a scenario where some cock doctor decides a woman hasn't 'tried hard enough' and refuses to prescribe."
completely agree, especially if he (and it will be a he) sees the £££s vanishing. Can MWs prescribe? Surely most women will know they want to ff antenatally or in the post birth period while they're being seen most days.

TAFKAtheUrbanDryad · 12/12/2009 21:51

I think formula on prescription is a terrible idea. Think about all the posts we see about, "My HV/GP said this, are they right?" They're usually spouting some shite! I don't think the HCP's who often cock up monumentally should be given the power to prescribe formula, and for that to be the only way a mother could get it.

Having said that, I would like to see a total ban on formula advertising, some actual information on formula freely available and the "breast is best" slogan ditched for all time. I think it'd also be a good idea (although unlikely to ever happen) if there was one brand of formula available, in plain packaging with nothing on it but the instructions on how to prepare and the list of ingredients.

Just my view though, not seen original thread.

InMyLittleHead · 12/12/2009 21:51

No kid is going to die if it's formula fed.

Louby3000 · 12/12/2009 21:51

aitch what was your interesting question please? I have read the thread but don't recall it.

HerBeatitude · 12/12/2009 21:52

IMLH no doctor would refuse to prescribe if the effect would be that the baby would not have access to food. Do you honestly believe that a doctor would tell a woman to go away and let her baby starve or use carnation milk?

AitchTwoToTangOh · 12/12/2009 21:53

i don't think that prescribing is the right way forward, as it happens, but i don't think it's so wrong that everyone has to start swearing about it. plus it's an interesting discussion if everyone can control their tempers.

InMyLittleHead · 12/12/2009 21:54

HB - they might if they truly believe that the woman is just not trying hard enough. Weird to see all this trust in doctors suddenly materialising...

AitchTwoToTangOh · 12/12/2009 21:55

so do you think that all women do try hard enough?

AitchTwoToTangOh · 12/12/2009 21:56

ach anyway what rubbish. they just wouldn't. if a mother said she wasn't feeding her child and the child wasn't gaining weight, a doctor would give formula. hell, they do it now for less good reason.

Louby3000 · 12/12/2009 21:57

I think that prescription formula would happen in such a different culture of post natal care that it would be done in the right way. That is what I am thinking, is that too simplistic?

MrsMattie · 12/12/2009 21:57

I honestly believe that there are some shockingly ill- informed, ignorant doctors and midwives out there, yes@HerBeatitude.

My friend was told by her GP that she 'just wasn't trying hard enough' when she said she was thinking of stopping breastfeeding because she was in so much pain. I had some beastly midwives when I had my first child, too. I was told to stop making such a fuss at one point (I was quite ill, had very high temperature, my milk had just come in and I just couldn't get a proper latch). I have little faith in either of these human beings to assess my needs adequately.

I'll say it again - pump money into improving the support system for new mothers, not funding formula on the NHS.

minnietheminx007 · 12/12/2009 21:57

I'd say dont read a post entitled "flying the flag for breastfeeding" if you didnt want to read pro breastfeeding comments.

TAFKAtheUrbanDryad · 12/12/2009 21:58

"No kid is going to die if it's formula fed."

Yes, assuming that the formula has been made up correctly, according to the new guidelines and has no nasty bacteria in it. And assuming the bottles are safe - how many babies died in China as a result of the bottles with the chemicals in the plastic?

It's time to stop saying "breast is best" and start saying "formula is worse". I know it's not what ff-ing mums want to hear, and I'm sorry, but as long as attitudes like "Well, it didn't kill my child, therefore it's fine,"
prevail bf-ing rates won't improve. And I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm aiming for a slightly better standard than "alive" for my kids!

TheCrackFox · 12/12/2009 21:58

Formual feeding originally became so popular 100 yrs ago in America when paedeatricians (sp) were paid by formula companies to prescribe it to their ladies. It was, in effect, endorsed by doctors and breast milk became to be seen as an inferior product.

I would, therefore, like to see the medical profession step away from having anything to really do with BF. They can't be trusted not to fuck it up. There needs to be a separate agency started that deals purely with this issue.

StealthPolarBear · 12/12/2009 21:58

IMLH I responded to your questions

InMyLittleHead · 12/12/2009 21:58

Do I think all women try hard enough? What does that even mean? I don't think anyone has to even make an attempt at breastfeeding if they don't want to. It's not my business, it's their own choice.

Louby3000 · 12/12/2009 22:01

IMLH can it be seen as purely as the woman's choice not to BF end of, even though her decision impacts another humans?
I acknowledge but don't agree with that choice, IYSWIM

InMyLittleHead · 12/12/2009 22:01

SPB - yes and I still think you're wrong. I think that the problem with the NHS is the fact that money is constantly pissed away on targets and managers and figures, all of which can be manipulated into justifying management decisions. If you take money from one place in the NHS and put it somewhere else in a constant cycle you are essentially making money disappear.

AitchTwoToTangOh · 12/12/2009 22:02

you're the person who said it, imlh.

MrsMattie · 12/12/2009 22:02

Do all women try hard enough? What is 'enough'? I wouldn't even begin to know how to answer that question.

Personally, I think the ideal scenario is one where all women are informed and supported to breastfeed. If they choose not to - or choose to give up for whatever reason - after that, it is none of my (or anybody's) business

Louby3000 · 12/12/2009 22:02

erm by humans, I mean the baby of course

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