Bottle feeding starter kit as prize in MN competition

[jugglingwiththreeshoes]

Hope this is a good place to post my reaction to this, though perhaps could be one for AIBU ?
Basically, having read about this weeks prizes on the MN home page, I was alarmed to see a "closer to nature" bottle feeding starter kit from Tommee Tippee as one of the prizes.
I just feel new mums need as much encouragement as possible to establish breast-feeding, and that Mumsnet should not be promoting bottle feeding over breast-feeding, however subtley, by accepting advertising, prizes, and products from bottle feeding manufacturers.
Of course, breast-feeding is not always possible for everyone and some mothers will choose bottle feeding for their babies. But there are many benefits to breast-feeding and I feel MN should be pro-active in the support it gives new mothers in establishing breast-feeding, and not allow the formula feeding or bottle feeding manufacturers to undermine this choice in any way.
So, do others agree, or AIBU ?!

Discussing formula isn't promotion - many mothers need advice and information.

Glad to see MN being consistent.

The WHO code is about protecting breastfeeding and protecting all mothers and babies from inappropriate marketing of formula and its accoutrements. If you decide to use formula or a bottle, then surely this should be a decision based on health grounds, among other factors. Advertising and competition prizes and free gifts are designed to sell and promote and they contribute to the weakening of the already fragile social and cultural support for bf.

Discussion of formula and bottles is not marketing and is entirely appropriate here.

I used those bottles with newborn teats to give my son ebf. He was used to sucking hard to get his milk so the newborn ones suited him for months.

I don't see it as promoting ff.

EBM not ebf

Am not at all impressed with the competition being pulled. Whereas I accept breastfeeding is best for the child it is the mother's choice. Pulling the competition is going to feed the many people on this site who find it acceptable to judge women for bottlefeeding for whatever reasons.

And, if you really want to breastfeed, you are unlikely even to enter the competition.

Advertising is a subtle art though ( as is breast-feeding ! )

People are easily influenced by quite subtle suggestions - look at what happened to tobacco advertising for all those years before there was a complete ban, but with all those pictures of luxurious silk in a certain colour. But not a word spoken. They obviously still found it a worthwhile enterprise with an effect on consumer behaviour.

Yes we are all adults with our own minds. We may think that we are able to make entirely independent decisions and that advertising in no way sways us, but in reality this is not true. Sadly, no-one is completely immune to the powers of advertising and anyone who claims to be is deluding themselves.

Objecting to giving away a free bottle may seem like a petty overreaction, but something like that is the thin end of the wedge in my opinion.

I think this is the right decision by MN.

And well done to jugglingwiththreeshoes for sticking her head above the parapet too.

The WHO code covers breast milk substitutes as well as bottles and teats.

Here is 'The Code' for anyone who cares to read it.

If the promotion and marketing of formula milk and its accessories had no effect, then you can be sure it would stop - large budgets are set aside for this activity, and while it may have no direct effect on some individuals (very few women will change their minds about feeding solely after seeing an ad or taking part in a competition where a bottle kit is a prize) it is part of the cumulative effect on our culture.

Supporting the WHO code on marketing is one way that organisations (inc mumsnet) can refuse to play a part in all this.

It is irrelevant that some women use bottles to give expressed breastmilk.

It is really not about that.

Good work juggling. Thanks for supporting bf in this way mn.

If you are unsure why this matters i'd suggest you read "politics of bf".

"Politics of BF"? Any link MoonFace?

The Politics of Breastfeeding is a great book, very eye-opening.

I agree with Yesmynameis about this being the thin end of the wedge. Well done to MN for sticking to the code and pulling the competition.

thanks eaurouge sorry little miss, i mn on my phone so links are difficult but eaurouge has provided.