I have now seen the link to Milupa on the home page

[tiktok]

As a result, I have to leave Mumsnet.

It's more than an ad, it's a real link between Milupa and this useful and supportive site. I can't give my time to this board any more; it would not sit well with my feelings about the way formula milk manufacturers promote themselves to mothers.

It's been a great four years or so - I have enjoyed the posts and the discussions, and I know (because people have kindly told me!) that some of what I say about bf has helped.

But that's it

I hope Mumsnet thinks again, but I doubt it. I was one of the few who have subscribed (with real money!) to this site (I can't remember when - it might have been ages ago). I know it is impossible to make money from subscriptions to websites, so it's not surprising they have taken this way out of a cash difficulty. But it still doesn't make it at all ethical, and it borders on the illegal, too.

Good luck to all and bye bye!

Oh tiktok, really really sorry to see you go, but totally understand your reasons. I hope Mumsnet see your message.

You've been great help to so many people on this site - you're going!

tiktok I am too. You provide so much useful information and help to women experiencing difficulty with breastfeeding.

I understand why you feel you need to leave though.

Tiktok, please don't go - no-one else on this site can give the help you give daily to women who are in real need of honest, unbiased, demythologised information.

This is a sad day for Mumsnet.

tiktok, I've been far past the breast feeding stage myself but read your posts and others last year when dd2 was struggling with bf, I am very sorry to see you say goodbye...

but I understand your reasons and also wish mn would re-consider...

Tiktok, what MN have made in much needed money will be nothing compared to the loss of you from this site.

You helped me greatly when I was stuggling with DS (have now realised that tongue tie was probably the cause of all my 'issues') and I would like to thank you for your wonderfuls support. I really hope you will re consider.

tiktok...I understand completely.It devastated me to see it and I started a thread on Site Stuff about it. FWIW, the team say they know how many of us feel and may have a rethink.

You are a true treasure and it never fails to amaze me how much time and energy you have given women on this site.

I am going to alert people to your decision. You are of far more benefit to this board than a bloody formula ad.

gosh, I'm sad that you're going to leave and i' don't even think we've spoken, but I've read a lot of great advice from you over the past 3 years and i know you'll be HUGELY missed.

like you, i hope MN rethinks this.

Tiktok - I understand your reasons but find it very sad to hear. I have learnt so much from your posts and your support to so many ladies has been crucial. I have really appreciated reading your posts and I am one of the fortunate ones for whom breastfeeding wasn't such a difficulty. You will really be missed.

I do hope that you'll reconsider, tiktok. I don't like the Aptamil advert at all, I consider it unethical and illegal too, but I think that there are more women here on MN who would trust your advice than who would trust the advice of a formula company. While you are here, I think MNers would always turn to you first.

I understand your reasons completely but would be very sad to see you go, and for MN to lose the benefit of your excellent advice.

Tiktok

I have the utmost respect for you and your knowledge and your seemingly unending desire to help complete strangers breastfeed succesfully.

Over the years I have seen you bring posters back from the brink with a warm and easy approach in your writing style.

I appreciate that you are a principled individual but I would urge you to reconsider.

The Milupa link is totally legal, possibly unfortunately in your view, and above-board, I for one do not see an issue in the site benefiting from their marketing spend as by doing so they continue to provide a forum for people like you, amongst others, to continue to reach out and guide new mothers through the sometimes worrying new life they have entered.

The only people who will be hurt by your leaving the site will be the people who you have helped and those who reach out for your help in the future.

I urge you to reconsider.

But if you don't, know that you continue to have my respect and gratitude

Twig

TikTok, i hope you reconsider. when the ad appeared and people didnt agree with it, mn hq said they will have a meeting about it when everyone is back from hols or soemthing, iwill go find the thread i na bit.

Maybe MN should stick a link to a genuine bf site in the same area as the ad on the homepage.

I've read your unfailingly wise advice over the two years I have been here and you will be greatly missed. I completely understand and respect your decision to go though. Would you be prepared to come back if MN pull the advertisement? I hope so.

Really very sorry indeed to see this, Tiktok. Totally understand your decision too, and agree with it, to the extent that I am very likely to join you (I realise this will not have the impact you leaving will!).

Reading the other thread about the "advice" to supplement with formula from the Milupa line makes me very angry. They are effectively undermining the work done by unpaid breastfeeding counsellors all over the country. Bastards.

hm..have a look at the thread on 'Site Stuff'!

tiktok ill drag you back kicking and screaming if i can

rise above it please. ill really really miss you

if my babies could talk they would say thank you (well one of them can, but thats beside the point )

please stay

I, too, understand your unease, TikTok and I'm be very sorry indeed to see you leave MN. I admire and respect your knowledge of breastfeeding and your compassion for all mothers, not just bfing ones. You're a fantastic counterweight to the likes of Milupa and it's a sad day for us all that you feel you must go. I hope MN Towers can see their way to doing something that would enable you to stay.

The homepage is my home page but I have not noticed the advert and so went to find it just now

I usually come straight to talk and only look for adverts if I am looking for a particular company

Sorry tiktock if you feel you have to leave

How many people who post here or on the other parts of the site actually PAY the SUBS???

I am sure there are loads who are here and on other parts that don't contribute

For everyone annoyed with Milupa (but not with Mumsnet for taking an ad).

It might be worth putting your comments in writing to Trading Standards.

Mumsnet are not in the wrong but Milupa are with their advice which undermines breastfeeding to the extent that anyone reading their ad will have seen that they "lead the way in making their milk as close to breastmilk as possible".

It's rubbish - formula will never ever compare to breastmilk and Milupa are breaking the marketing code for infant formula by saying so.

And I am not a member of the breastapo - I bottlefed my DS after problems with breastfeeding.

Formula milk does an adequate job of feeding a baby, they are all pretty much alike although you may find one suits your baby better than another. Your baby will grow and develop normally with formual milk and if that's what you've chosen and that's what you are happy with then great.

They give NONE of the benefits of breastmilk

antibodies,
perfectly designed for your baby,
decrease in the risk of breast and ovarian cancers for the Mum in later life (although not total prevention sadly)
Less risk of obesity
Decrease in the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers for baby in later life.
etc etc etc.........

A formula company should never be allowed to get away with advertising their milk as "close to breastmilk". It's not and never will be.

Sorry to see you go tiktok - will miss your advice.

Message withdrawn

I'm a relative newbie but I too have the utmost regard for you tiktok and your posts have been so wise, heartfelt, informative, readable, helpful ....
Again, I understand and respect your decision but perhaps MN would be persuaded not to repeat this mistake? Don't they, and we, deserve another chance.

All the best.

Tiktok

Like the many others below just want to add my thanks for all your posts encouraging those breastfeeding. I struggled terribly with feeding DS1 and if it hadnt been for your advice and encouragement on MN I would have faltered as was under pressure from DH, friends and family to quit. Have now successfully breastfed DS2 as well. Thanks for all your help and I sincerely hope you dont leave MN.

Tiktok, I admire you greatly for your decision. I have been debating whether or not I too should leave, and the strength of your convictions have persuaded me.

Mumsnet, I hope you will reconsider your decision, mumsnet will not miss me in the slightest, but the loss of Tiktok will be immense.