Have emailed Cow and Gate...

[SeriousWispaHabit]

On the side of the formula tins and also on their website it recommends their ready-made formula because it will save you from having to bring out containers of powder and separate bottles of cooled boiled water. IMO this implies that doing this would be an acceptable alternative. I know they are out to make money and all that but do they not read the guidelines? Or have any part in them?

I am especially confused as if they suggested following the guidelines that would be more faff than the cooled boiled water/powder and make their expensive ready-mixed stuff even more of a handy alternative

Looking forward to their response, but wondering what to do if they basically say they think it's fine.

these and

these are likely to be handy.

I agree, they should not be suggested that making up feeds with cooled water is ok at all.

They seem to be out to fudge the matter in the hope that people will just give up and by ready made. Emotional blackmail.

Really? You complained about this? Will you be writing to the makers of microwave meals who prey upon the lazy/thick/incompetent?

Time to get yourself a hobby toots!

yourself AlpinePony

Fair enough if the OP wants to help protect people from the myth that it's ok to use cooled boiled water.

if the formula companies admitted the powder wasn't sterile and explained the reason for the hot water, it'd be easier for all concerned, no?

Alpinepony - incorrectly made up formula has very serious implications for a baby. You are being extremely disengenious comparing formula to ready meals - infant formula is necessary for babies who do not have access to breastmilk. Ready meals aren't!

Formula (apart from ready made stuff which is UHT) is NOT sterile. It may contain traces of Enterobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica. The former can cause meningitis. Formula must always be added to water at least 70degC to kill off this bacteria. Even then, some may survive hence why you should use made up formula soon as possible or store it temporarily in the fridge to stop this surviving bacteria multiplying.

There have been cases in both Belgium, France and the where babies have died or become seriously ill due to improperly made up formula. Fortunately, due to the excellent healthcare and advance medical treatment available in these countries, the deaths have been very few (just the 2 in Belgium).
Improperly made up formula is one of the reasons why a baby who is formula fed is 5x more likely to be hospitalised with gastroenteritis than a breastfed baby.

C&G are being very irresponsible in suggesting it is safe to make up formula with cooled boiled water.

Actually, in the country I live we are allowed to use tap water, never mind cooled boiled.

Always makes me laugh with all the 'hoo haa" about FF/BF etc., that the Brits get their knickers all in a twist over Nice/Who "guidelines" - yet are strangely shtum when asked about the WHO "guidelines" on miscarriage!

I just love a bit of hypocrisy me.

Tbh, why doesn't OP write to Cow & Gate (or whomever) and ask them why they advertise food in jars when clearly "organic, home-made" is best ?

Those guidelines aren't British. They come from the WHO. So should apply worldwide as they were based on studies that have been corrected for socioeconomic factors.
It is nothing to do with so-called British hypocrisy.

And what guidelines on M/C are you talking about? And what does that have to do with the topic at hand?

the op doesn't write to c and g re their comments about their baby food cause they haven't made them.

Plus a child fed non organic non home made food is unlikely to be made seriously ill by it.

What are the guidelines on miscarriage?

seriouswispahabit do I remember correctly that you are the Doctor who returned from Mat leave and were shocked at the midwives in your area giving out incorrect info? I agree that the Cow and Gate info on their tin is questionable, to say the least, so do let us know what they say to you when they reply. But to answer your question about what to say in reply if they say that's ok - not sure, I guess it would depend on what they said (standard auto letter or genuine response).

alpinepony some questions - where do you live? And what 'guidelines' on miscarriage? If the info on the C&G tin is contrary to guidelines in this country, then what's wrong with pointing that out?

theborrower yes, that's me. Meant to do an update about that actually, midwives at hospital have had a meting and the guidelines discussed. I have a meeting with some HVs next month about it too.

alpinepony I have taken your advice very seriously and have decided to get a hobby and stop bothering formula companies in my spare time just for the sake of it. I am torn between cross-stitch, bell-ringing or your hobby of posting unhelpful comments on a parenting forum.

What guidelines on mc?