What to say to people who say "this formula is CLOSEST to breastmilk" -

[Lucy1977]

Hi

I don't want to cause offence to anyone, but in my mind an infant formula cannot be "closest" to breastmilk but I cant get my words together to explain this to people who say "I use "x" formula because it's supposed to be closest to breastmilk".

Anyone help?

Thanks
Lucy

SEA sorry are you asking me, because I don't really understand the question.

SUTBID - yes, I agree. I was too quick to type my first post and I apologise.

I meant about one formula company claiming to be closer to breastmilk than another company. However please bear in mind that the purpose of my post was to find some words in a post that previously had given me a clear understanding in my mind.

Sorry ladies.

well it's the "close" that I object to I think hairy.
I would say it would be less misleading to not use the word close or closest, that's it really.

no i'm just asking generally..

NOPE hairy mclary, it said AN infant formula cannot be closer the breastmilk. take out the AN and you get a different interpretation.

read this:AN infant formula cannot be closest to breastmilk.

now this: infant formula cannot be closest to breastmilk.

the AN is makes all the difference from a linguistic pov.

ah ha, i shall get myself a weasel for next time then. just in case.
are they easy to milk do you know? or should i just let baby suckle?

asking what, though?
how do they market it?
or how should they?
personally, I would prefer they didn't market it at all I think it should be much more strictly controlled and distributed

stop apologising and don't get this thread deleted. it is the most interesting discussion - not arguement - discussion i have had in a long time on MN. and with nobody being rude to each other!

Lucy,stop pologising.
It's a perfectly valid question and once we delve into the semantics of it,the whole thing is exposed as a very shaky house of cards.

Formula companies ruthlessly exploit women's vulnerability in this way,knowing that many people wont actually be brave enough to ask for fear of offending

Meanwhile,thier profits soar and fat blokes in suits rub theri hands with glee over the fact that women have been fucked over yet again in the name of

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SEA (hi ) - an example: Milupa ran an Aptimil ad over here when ds was a newborn. It took over about 1/4 of each page (vertically) on a double page spread. On one side - mother holding baby, bf, silvery lines snaking round the baby, line of copy something like 'Breast milk provides the best for your baby.' Other side - same mother bottlefeeding same baby - copy something like 'And after bf Aptimil goes on protecting.' This time little silvery lines consisting of repetitions of the word 'Aptimil' around the baby. Gives a very clear message 'Aptimil is near as dammit to bm'.

but do we really know for sure that one isn't a bit beter than another?
after all, they aren't all the same are they

hairy, i see that you have thrown in that old red herring instead of discussing my earlier posting - or you've not seen it yet?

yep, that is my reply to it.

i am playing devil';s advocate a bit i know, but also curious too

there is very little difference between the different brands of formula
however, there is a really big difference between formula and breastmilk
would that make a good slogan, do you think?

does it really make a difference in the long run?

I wonder if they have an ex[planation of why they say theirs is closer though.
scientific like?
hmmmm. someone ring them and ask!

when the formula companies submit to scrutiny of their product by an independent lab then i will start to listen to them.

SEA - yes it certainly does.
do you seriously doubt it?

That was on page 157 of Sainsbury's magazine with a lovely picture of a happy smiling chappie on it.

oh, nice one QV.
I love formula advertising, it makes me nicely cross

Use of comparitives and superlatives always puzzles me in advertising (not just formula adds)

Am always wondering with what they are comparing.

Similalry use of the term 'helps with' which suggests that product is supporting the actions of another agent.

This a toothpaste ad spiel tells us that it 'helps create stronger teeth.

Helps what??? Stronger teeth than what?????

(Am a linguist thus spent inordinate amount of time each day ruminating on such stuff..)

Apologies for the typo's in that, but its late, and im ill

But you get the gist.....

words such as "prevent asthma, eczma, coughs, colds" and "Immunologist expert" "prebiotics" "milupa leading the way"

scroll down to the 'twins postcard' SEA to see why it matters that formula companies do not make the claims they do.