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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

SMA GOLD ON EASTENDERS?

488 replies

Dalrymps · 03/01/2008 20:43

I probably don't know what i'm on about but i just flicked on to eastenders and during one scene there was a carton of SMA Gold on the surface in the background, it was the house of the one who has just had the baby with the ginger husband i think (not too sure cause i don't really watch it), anyway i think her baby in it is quite young...
Anyway, i was just wondering if this is allowed, i mean, isn't it like an indirect form of advertising formula for newborns? I'm not totally against formula or anything, I mix feed myself, I just think it seems like their advertising it when they shouldn't? Any thoughts on this?

OP posts:
SantaBabyBeenAnAwfulGoodGirl · 04/01/2008 22:49

if the bbc are excepting rewards for product placement that is a big issue

carmenelectra · 04/01/2008 22:49

So if we dont advertise it and pretend it doesnt exist, will it go away?

Maybe if women never get any glimpses of Sma on the telly they will think its not for sale and will jut bf. Dont think so. All the advertising bans in world wont make a bit of difference. Whether its right or wrong, its true.

SantaBabyBeenAnAwfulGoodGirl · 04/01/2008 22:52

accepting

stripeymama · 04/01/2008 22:53

Well - IMO safe formula can be a lifesaver. I accept fully that for some babies, formula is the only option.

But it shouldn't be allowed to be sold to parents in the same way as nappies/prams etc.

Of course advertising influences people's choices (your own included!) - why the hell would companies spend the money they do if it has no effect on the choices of consumers?

hunkermunker · 04/01/2008 22:54

CE, it's not true. As I said, if you want to read more about it, I'm happy to post links, but you were rude to me last time I suggested you might like to do that, so I'm a bit wary of doing it again.

IorekByrnison · 04/01/2008 22:55

Thing is though - they didn't do it on purpose did they? Presumably. Unless there's a really big story here about the BBC taking backhanders from SMA.

BabiesEverywhere · 04/01/2008 22:58

Hunker,
I would be interested in reading some links, if you have the time to post them

Promise I won't get rude

becka1 · 04/01/2008 22:58

what is all this hype about? It is down to the individual whether they want to bottle or breasfeed and bottle feeding is not detrimental to a child - speaking from someone who has been bottle fed and is bottle feeding. As a new mother I find these threads very off-putting and because of personal choices I have made makes me feel like avoiding this website for good. These messages make it sound like formula is poison - no its not - it has fed my baby very well for the last few months thank you and she is the picture of health

gr1973 · 04/01/2008 22:59

Just read all of this post (which took some time) - way back several pages there was some discussion about whether Tanya was secretly bf - as she's always swigging back v large glasses of wine I hope not!

On the subject of legality in soaps how come Dot can have a smoke in her house? Isn't that the camera-person's workplace?

Sorry for rudely interrupting the heated debate

carmenelectra · 04/01/2008 23:00

Well said iorek.

Sorry, i didnt mean to be rude Hunker. Its just i am quite well informed thanks. Might not sound it to some of you posters, but i am. Its only that i find it difficult to get my head round the fact that some posters are actually ringing the BBC to complain about a tin of milk in the background which i am sure was acidental.I am also sure that most of the viewers eithre didnt see it or didnt give it a second thought.

stripeymama · 04/01/2008 23:04

Finding it interesting that everyone has been very careful indeed not to make comments that are anti-formula, yet still people are managing to turn this into a breast/bottle debate and feeling 'got at'.

All that is being said (repeatedly) is that the placement of SMA in EE may not be legal, and as such should be reported.

Formula is not 'poison' and anyone who says it is, is a twat. But it is not permitted to be promoted in this country, as bf is known to be better for babies and to promote an alternative will have a negative impact on bf.

hunkermunker · 04/01/2008 23:04

But as I say, CE, it's NOT accidental. Didn't you see what I said about how detailed all the brand stuff has to be on TV progs?

So it will have been known that there was a tin of SMA on screen for x amount of time in this episode of EE. If - and it's a big if - the BBC took payment for it, that's highly illegal and something they'll get into massive trouble for, especially in this current climate of audience "trust".

stripeymama · 04/01/2008 23:06

And as Hunker said, nothing in soap scenery is accidental.

So either it was carefully considered and deemed to be legal, or it is an example of illegal product placement.

I'd like to know which. I'm interested. If anyone else is not interested than feel free to not complain.

SantaBabyBeenAnAwfulGoodGirl · 04/01/2008 23:07

I don't think it is about for and against breastfeeding or formula as quite obviously it's not something you can be for or against

in this instance i am now curious as to whether people are saying they are accepting rewards for product palcement which is a big story

and I think it is highly unlikely tho not impossible that someone maybe from another company could

but it seems unlikely that a formula company would be going that route

so just chance that it was there a nd readable seems most likely to me but I aminterested

carmenelectra · 04/01/2008 23:07

becka,

i know what you mean. I felt like this myself. There is some great stuff on mumsnet and some fantastic threads which i have joined in on, but the feeding ones are something else!

I have watched but not joined in many of them and often it sems like a big tribe of bf ers who i agree, make bottles feeders sound like they are feeding their babies poison.This comes from a mom who has done both and fully supports bf.

I have looked at times and thought im not going to visit mumsnet again but then realiise its silly cos most of it is fab!

Just dont get roped into a feeding discussion(like i have)

hunkermunker · 04/01/2008 23:09

I didn't phone the BBC btw. I emailed.

This is an interesting link but there are loads of others. I'm taking my sinuses to bed now though!

SantaBabyBeenAnAwfulGoodGirl · 04/01/2008 23:10

oh you can have plenty fun on mn without feeling drawn into topics u'd rather not engage with hunni

sorry not carmenelectra the other hunni

stripeymama · 04/01/2008 23:11

But this is not a discussion about the relative merits of bf/ff! Or at least it wasnt...

hunkermunker · 04/01/2008 23:12

I have nothing against formula as a product.

I would like parents to be able to make an informed choice about the milk they feed their baby. That's all. Whatever sort of milk it is, breast or formula. At the moment, there's precious little information out there about formula. Feel free to tell me this is because it's not advertised - it's not true, but I know people think that adverts tell them factual things. Tragic, really.

carmenelectra · 04/01/2008 23:13

OK, so if EE knew what they were doing a nd have broken the'law' by deliberatly advertising a banned product then so what?

I still do not see what the fuss is about. If they are wrong then there will be a big outcry and they will be sued. So what?How does that affect any of us?Their problem for breaking the law. Im not gonna ring em up and tell em!

By the way, would any of you feel so strongly if alcohol were advertised in this way?

stripeymama · 04/01/2008 23:15

No - because alcohol is not a product aimed at replacing the perfect food for babies.

hunkermunker · 04/01/2008 23:15

Nope.

And please tell me you're not likening infant formula, the sole product many, many babies have for the first formative months, to Bacardi Breezers?

SantaBabyBeenAnAwfulGoodGirl · 04/01/2008 23:15

that's what I said about formula way down the thread that that side of things hasn't been addressed..how to provide unbiased info

but this particular issue was about product placment which is different

I think the bbc will take notice of complaints because of the risk of an issue arising as u sya in the climate of scandal and things going wrong over eg the phone lines

harpsichordcarrier · 04/01/2008 23:15

carmenelectra, may I suggest you try a little tolerance and understanding for the views of others?
i.e. you don't see what the fuss is about.
other people feel strongly.
empathy, and tolerance?
why not give it a whirl?

carmenelectra · 04/01/2008 23:16

Alrite Hunker what would be your method of ensuring women make an informed choice re:infant formula?