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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Ethical formula?

27 replies

ShhHesSleeping · 24/05/2007 20:47

This might be a stupid question but can anyone tell me if there is any formula brand that is more ethically acceptable than the others?

OP posts:
colditz · 24/05/2007 20:48

how about Farley's? (although it is made by heinz, not sure about the ethic there)

lulumama · 24/05/2007 20:48

hipp?

Peachy · 24/05/2007 20:50

I was going to say Hipp Organic too, all the fairtrade things seem to indicate that if you cant get fairtrade or whatever, organic is next best.

tiktok · 24/05/2007 20:53

Sorry. None of the formulas in the UK is marketed ethically.

Contents - no idea, sorry.

Original poster
ShhHesSleeping · 24/05/2007 21:25

Thanks, will try Hipp first and see how that goes down.

OP posts:
Peachy · 25/05/2007 09:13

Its worth a go and fairly easily available

I sort of agree with tiktok in regards to the amrketing, the trouble iis that eventually most women use formula (some through choice but yes, some through need) and it would be nice (from my own experience) to for someone somewhere to have a list of what's best.

tiktok · 25/05/2007 09:18

Peachy, I agree. I think the lack of independent, honest comparisons and testing of manufacturers' claims is a shame, and it helps no one (except the manufacturers).

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 21:53

although, you don't see Hipp marketed in the way you do sma et al
but you know what? you might not have a choice- we found it was trial and error with ds. sma made him constipated, aptimil made him sick and we ended up using cow and gate which was the only one he could stomach

Twinklemegan · 27/05/2007 21:54

I got a whole brochure from HIPP in with the pack I got when I registered DS's birth!

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 21:55

yeah, i'm not saying they don't market it, but it isn't as heavily marketed as SMA is it?

Pixiefish · 27/05/2007 21:56

Peachy- can I clarify and I'm not looking for a barney at all but I wouldn't agree with your wording- 'most women use formula'.

I didn't and neither do a lot of mothers that I know, here, on other forums and in real life. i'm sure there could be 'a lot' but not most-

Twinklemegan · 27/05/2007 21:57

Actually (not being argumentative here btw) I haven't seen any marketing for SMA. I wonder if it depends where you live . I was marketed at alot by Cow & Gate which had no bearing whatsover on using their formula since it happened afterwards. Breastfeeding helplines - I ask you. I can guess what advice they're offering...

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 21:59

half the magazines I look in seem to have ads for SMA follow on milk.
plus they advertise on tv too- hipp don't

Kathyis6incheshigh · 27/05/2007 22:00

I'm fairly sure Peachy is right, Pixiefish -given the context of the thread she is surely talking about women who use formula at some point rather than than those who never breastfeed.

I don't know that many mums who have never used formula.

Wheelybug · 27/05/2007 22:02

Think the stats do prove most (not all) do use formula at some point.

I'm sure there is a little no 'more ethical' organic formula that I remember being sold in a trendy, organic cafe in Hampton Hill once. Can't remember what its called though and its not available in supermarkets so not much help. sorry.

(waves at HairyMc - am I right in thinking congrats are in order ?)

Twinklemegan · 27/05/2007 22:03

Ah yes I'll give you that one. Can't comment on magazines cos I don't read them much. I reckon C&G are the worst though (I can say that cos I use it).

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 22:10

only problem with hipp is that not everywhere stocks it. we used it for a while, but could only get it in sainsburys, our local tesco and boots didn't stock it.

bionicley · 27/05/2007 22:11

How old is your baby?
Follow-on milk for infants over 6 months of age are completely unnecessary and are specially adapted to the needs of the formula companies' profit margins. They also are part of a marketing strategy that tries to get around restrictions on the advertising of artificial baby milks directly to the public (widely disregarded in any case). There isn't actually any research to establish that formula is better than normal cows' milk.

Wheelybug · 27/05/2007 22:13

great news HairyMc... Hope all is well !

Apologies for hijack Shh...

adath · 27/05/2007 22:34

Agree that Follow on milk is a cunning marketing ploy and not necessary over cows milk or even an alternative formula if you would rather not use cows milk. I did use Hipp organic with DS when he was just turning a year because mainly I am crap at expressing and for a few weeks we had a major nursing strike and he would not drink anything else at all and after much trial and error found the Hipp organic.

also have to comment on Peachys remark that yes MOST women do use formula because unfortunately we live in a society with poor bf stats and formula is seen more as the norm.

hairymclary · 27/05/2007 22:41

just wanted to say, I was the one who mentioned follow-on, when talking about marketing.

don't think the OP is planning on using follow-on. she didn't say how old LO is

Pixiefish · 28/05/2007 07:56

Well as I said earlier I personally never used any formula at all and neither did any of my friends from La Leche or BFing group. Not that I want a barney but I do think that the term most is rather generalising

NotQuiteCockney · 28/05/2007 08:18

I only used a tiny bit with DS1 and none with DS2. But honestly, most women do use formula. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't something like 90% in the UK. Or higher, really.

NotQuiteCockney · 28/05/2007 08:19

14% of babies are still being breastfed at 9 months. So 86% of babies are given formula, for sure, and I'd bet the real number is quite a bit higher.

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