NOT permitted to use Boots points for milk

[kirk33]

I am currently extremely upset with Boots the chemist.
I am a working mother and my husband stays at home to look after our 5 month old son.
My husband has just been told at Boots that we can NOT use our Boots points to buy the formula milk we feed our son !.
Apparently its company policy as they do not want to be seen to be promoting non breast feeding !!!!!!!!
This policy applies to all the formula even milk designed for older babys.
This policy is not advertised or displayed in store anywhere. As a customer who regularly spends a fortune in Boots the points seemed like a nice bonus, saving up for a rainy day !, i feel very aggrieved that i cannot use them against things we need. They advertise that they are parent and baby friendly but this seems very anti parent to me.
What if my husband were a lone parent ?. He would not be able to breast feed anyway.
My husband and I will no longer be shopping at Boots for any products and He will be informing the other parents in his coffee group about this situation.
Does anyone else feel we should be able to use the points on products we need ?

[Algebra18MinusPiEquals16]

that's a helluva lot of nappies and shampoo you'd have to buy!

or one pot of designer hair cream :o

I just read the whole thread properly and "I'm G2G baby!!" has almost made me PMSL.

better get some TENAlady on my Boots points! or maybe they don't let you do that as it's discriminatory against those with strong bladders...

[japhrimel]

FWIW formula in developing countries is dangerous not because Mums don't feed enough, but because of the lack of clean water and sterilising facilities (and information about the importance of these!) means that it usually isn't made up safely.

Breastmilk is the best food for babies under 6 months, no matter which country you live in.

[SauvignonBlanche]

I'm going Boots later, shall I complain or maybe start a petition?

[SkiHorseWonAWean]

Actually japhrimel, it is a factor. Women try and stretch out their rations and the babies sometimes die of starvation as a result because they don't have enough money to feed their babies. This report (in 1971 I believe) in turn leds to the WHO advising women to use breastmilk - I am extremely lucky in that I have clean sanitation AND enough money to buy formula.

This (breast is best) is not a one-size-fits-all theory and all would do well to keep up with modern research and not rely on outdated information from WHO guidelines drawn in the early-70s.

[GetOrfMoiLand]

lolol at this thread - cackling at bye.com and some randomer calling us all cunts in Spanish.

[tiktok]

SkiHorse - you are right that formula feeding in situations of poverty is dangerous because of its cost and the impact on the family budget which can lead to lack of feeding, as well as the risks inherent the feeding method itself.

Why would that situation be out of date, just because it was first noted in the 1970s?

Why is 'breast is best' a 'theory'??? No one sensible thinks that all babies should be breastfed at all costs, and that mother's own needs and preferences should not be part of the equation. But as guidelines, there's nothing wrong with the observation that breastfeeding can be socially and culturally fragile and that therefore, unethical marketing which undermines the choice to breastfeed should not be permitted.

[tiktok]

And SkiHorse - you can't surely be sticking to your crazy idea that poor mothers actually need Boots to extend their advantage points to cover formula?

[Bubbles1066]

You can use your boots points to by all bottle feeding equipment - I've bought bottles, teats and even a powdered milk dispenser with points. Also, you get points on follow on milk if you choose to use it. If I ever go over to follow on, I will get it at Boots for the points. Might not get much with the points but every little counts as they say! So it's really not that bad OP!

[MigGril]

Hum I just think it's a shame that the UK doesn't follow the whole of the WHO's guidlines. If we did all baby milk and infant food advertising would be banned for children upto 2years of age.

I guess that would mean no points on follow on milk or baby food either. Just made me think though where do the baby foods who state on jares from 4months stand. Suraly they shouldn't be incuded in offers either, or is the law very specificly just baby milk?
I'll have to go look that one up now.

I did read something recently about the international BF week, that some courties are calling for it to be made compusary and not just a guid line. As many counctires aroud the world don't ban advertising at all.

[Algebra18MinusPiEquals16]

yes the law only covers infant milk IIRC, it's really ridiculous that companies get away with putting 4m+ on their food. they really should put 6m+. if people really want to give their baby food before 6m (as I did with my first) just mash up a banana!

but that's a whole other thread innit. :)

[Bubbles1066]

I'm genuinely curious - why should there be restrictions on baby food? Is it in case people feel pressured to buy it when they could just feed baby regular food or because some companies (not all though) advertise as being OK from 4 months?

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

I dont think baby food should be stopped from promos etc but I do think they should have 6 months+ ages on them.

BTW If you are a member of the boots mother and baby club you get 10 points per pound on all baby related products. (excluding all milk for under 6 months of course!) So if you are buying all your baby stuff from there you rack up points very quickly.

[Algebra18MinusPiEquals16]

both, bubbles - just as a lot of naive mums genuinely think formula is powdered breastmilk (seriously!) the advertising makes people think it's better/healthier/superior to buy a jar of food than to boil a carrot and stick it through a sieve.

[petisa]

Sorry to disappoint, but cono means cone in Spanish.
Cunt is coño.

Soy pedante.

[TheOldestCat]

Where oh where is kirk33?

I am dying to know how MrKirk33's denouncement of Boots the Chemist went down at his coffee group.

Do tell.

[Algebra18MinusPiEquals16]

el MNer es loca

or whatever (never did spanish!)

[SirBoobAlot]

So do you regularly call people "cones" the, petisa?



Disagree about baby food. DS was weaning early (on HV advice) and I bought a few jars to see the consistency I should be making his food to. Other people who have been advised for medical reasons to wean early have found the 4 months jars helpful. There are very few of them that actually say "from four months", so I don't think its pressurised advertising at all.

[pluperfect]

Algebra18MinusPiEquals16 : babies can have cows milk as a drink as soon as they've turned one it must be full fat though, at least until they're 2 IIRC, and they aren't allowed fully skimmed until age 5.


I'm not allowed skimmed milk yet. Full-fat milk is my WHO requirement!

Seriously, who else thinks that skimmed milk is just water with a bit of white paint mixed in?

[Algebra18MinusPiEquals16]

I'm fussy - can't stand fully skimmed or full fat. has to be semi skimmed for me!

[jemjabella]

'There are very few of them that actually say "from four months", so I don't think its pressurised advertising at all.'

Really? 'Cause I walked down the baby food aisle recently (taking a shortcut, don't normally stray down there ) and I saw rows and rows of 4+ months crap.

It works. Advertising works. That's why it's a multi million (billion?) £ industry.