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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Infant formula - they know it's illegal to discount it...

88 replies

hunkermunker · 16/01/2006 22:52

..but they do anyway.

Twice in the last week, once in Moss and once in Boots, I've seen cut-price infant formula.

Both times I took it to a member of staff and told them very politely it was illegal to do this.

Both times they said (in hushed tones) things along the lines of "Ah, yes, I think we knew that" or "She's right, actually".

So why do they do it?

OP posts:
misdee · 16/01/2006 23:22

because breastfeeding rates are so low?

paolosgirl · 16/01/2006 23:22

I wonder if they would discount the drugs they aell that are nearing their sell-by date?

Somehow I think they would stick to the law there, regardless of the 'waste'

starlover · 16/01/2006 23:22

qv... how do you feel about associating with cut-rpice formula purchasers? are you sure you still want to meet up with me?

rickman · 16/01/2006 23:23

Message withdrawn

starlover · 16/01/2006 23:23

oooooooooooh discount drugs... now that WOULD be worth tracking down! lol

paolosgirl · 16/01/2006 23:24

They might not be quite so effective, but up the dosage a bit, and I'm sure they'd be fine!

starlover · 16/01/2006 23:28

well yeah and if you can get more for your money who cares? lol

skerriesmum · 16/01/2006 23:36

Canada has quite a long maternity leave (1 year) and a high rate of breastfeeding, and yet shops have the right to sell formula at discount, I see it advertised all the time. I just wonder if it really makes that much difference. If the UK had a better maternity leave scheme I'm sure the breastfeeding rate would go up.

carlk · 16/01/2006 23:40

genuine question, what are the reasons that contribute to the illegallity?

moondog · 16/01/2006 23:43

Hunker,would join you on this one,but just too tired....
Can't we (ie someone who isn't me) do a link to that old thread so everyone knows precisely why it is despicable,immoral and vile???

Original poster
hunkermunker · 16/01/2006 23:52

This sets out some of the ways it undermines breastfeeding

Think that a year's maternity leave would encourage women who already do to breastfeed longer, but it's the starting that's the issue. And when formula's cheap, easy to obtain and "the norm" in a society, why would you bother unless you really, really want to and are stubborn as all hell?

OP posts:
skerriesmum · 17/01/2006 01:45

But don't most people know now that breastfeeding is better than bottle? Every mother I know has set out to breastfeed, some couldn't keep it up after the first few weeks, but not from lack of trying.

HRHQueenOfQuelNoel · 17/01/2006 01:55

oh this debate again

In the early days of struggling to Breastfeed DS1 (who was breastfed for 14 months) I saw LOADS of special offers on formula - but never once did it occur to me to buy some.

Of course when it all went wrong with DS2 and I packed DH off at 1.30am to Tesco to buy bottles and formula and sterlising stuff (which I had got a few of when I had DS1 - but never used) it cost him an arm and a leg (sweety that he is bought me a breastpump too - so I could at least try and express and continue to give DS2 breastmilk). Could have done with those special offers then

HRHQueenOfQuelNoel · 17/01/2006 01:57

It's illegal to park on the pavement - but people do it. - Wonder how many staunchly anti-special-offers-on-formula people park their cars up on the kerb outside their house as there's nowhere else to park - and if they parked fully on the street would block up the road?

Off to bed now - didn't realise it was this late - bet this thing has kicked off by the time I get back on tomorrow sometime

HRHQueenOfQuelNoel · 17/01/2006 02:01

"IBFAN supports generic labelling (that is, labels without brand names) of products when there is a genuine need for them."

But when do IBFAN think a genuine need would be?? They've just stated before that statement that bottlefeeding infants in emergency situations (ie where emergency relief is needed) increases infant mortality rates.??

bobbybobbobbingalong · 17/01/2006 02:01

So we can't object to one law if we have ever, ever broken another one? Surely no laws would ever be passed if we applied such rigid standards.

If you don't like the law - then help to change it. I'm sure those multi million dollar formula companies could do with some help fighting the ban.

HRHQueenOfQuelNoel · 17/01/2006 02:06

I never said anything about 'objecting' to the law. I said that people make a huge thing of stickling rigidly to the formula advertsing law, but are quite happy to break others, or let others break it and do nothing. An accquaintance down the road is staunchly 'anti' bottlefeeding (and I mean "anti" bottlefeeding - hence the reason I don't call her a friend) and will fight tooth and nail for the laws on formula advertising. Yet people park all the way up our street - including parkly illegaly when picking their children up from school - making it VERY dangerous for our children (her DS goes to the school too) yet while she's happy to grumble about the situation, she's one of the worst on the road for parking her car RIGHT up to her wall - so no-one can get past without going onto the road.

Alipiggie · 17/01/2006 03:06

Good job reading these threads doesn't give me a complex about being a dreaded bottle feeder. . See I couldn't produce milk, although ds1 and 2 could latch on beautifully. So sadly ds1 lost 26% of birth weight in five days and was hospitalised. I know it's best for baby. But hey my baby's life and health at the end of the day was far more important than struggling on producing only colostrum. DS2 got one week's worth and then formula as I was not prepared to risk his health. Hats of to those who can breastfeed, many of my friends have. Just remember some of us couldn't even though we tried.

jabberwocky · 17/01/2006 03:19

This is a reall interesting thread. I have no idea whether it's legal or not in the US although I've never seen formula discounted here. I just honestly (shoot me down if you like) don't see that saving a few dollars on formula is going to convert someone from breastfeeding to bottlefeeding. Ds had severe nipple confusion after I went back to work. So, at 7 months, I did start doing 1/2 and 1/2 with bm and formula although I did wind up doing expressing until he was 13 months. It was sheer hell and if I hadn't supplemented with formula I think I would have gone mad. So, I guess my take is, it would have been lovely to save a few dollars on the formula we did buy, as it is quite expensive.

Alipiggie · 17/01/2006 03:24

jabberwocky where abouts in the US are you? I'm in Colorado. Moved here in October. Like you no idea about discounting on formulas. Haven't needed it for so long now don't even look

jabberwocky · 17/01/2006 03:35

I'm in Nashville, TN. I love Colorado - my nephew is in Denver. Where are you?

Alipiggie · 17/01/2006 03:37

I'm in Erie so just off the I25 north of Denver. And I've always wanted to visit the Old Opry (spelt right??/) I love it here. Are you American or did you emigrate here too???

jabberwocky · 17/01/2006 03:40

I'm American - one of the few on here I think. I found MN when I was in the depths of PND and it was a real lifesaver.

I'll bet the skiing is wonderful right now

Alipiggie · 17/01/2006 03:46

Apparently the snow's the best in Vail... with two small ds's and a dh who travels alot he's in Israel at the moment. The plan is to head up to Eldora resort for the day it's an hour's drive away. Mumsnet is a godsend and really helped me to read the messages whilst here.

jabberwocky · 17/01/2006 03:53

Haven't been to Eldora but i'm sure it's great. I have loved all of colorado - as well as New Mexico and Wyoming, oh and Arizona is nice too! . You are in a wonderful area. I may be coming to visit there sometime next year. It would be great to meet someone from MN IRL.

Gotta run now, though.

I am on sporadically...working part-time, will look for you when I'm here

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