Is it still illegal for retailers to reduce the price of formula?

[JennyWreny]

If so, does it include follow on milk -

www.ocado.com/products/aptamil-2-follow-on-baby-milk-formula-tabs-6-12-months-578936011

I didn't mean infant milk and follow on were the same- I meant the make up of the infant formulas is the same.

The branding is superfluous.

Unless it's an allergy formula that's prescribed.

That book is fantastic and very small so it's an achievable read

Lol.

So they aren't the same' as the increased iron isn't suitable for newborns. But there's also no reason to change babies to stage 2, even though it's less expensive AND it's got more iron (which is useful as 6m+ is when iron reserves start to drop).

Sounds a bit contradictory to me. They are either different enough to merit using one and not the other, or they are the same and it doesn't really matter, and people may as well use the cheaper one.

There used to be 'national formula'. My mum, now in her late 70s, remembers it as a child. Seemed like a sensible idea.

Her own mother BF her but used to express so she could go to the Bingo 😂

Looking online, stage 2 is thicker and can be harder to first, and had higher levels is silver other minerals as well as iron. So not the same, and not interchangeable.

The follow on is probably better for getting iron reserves back up though, especially with mix feeding, as breast fed babies levels are often v low by 6 months.

It may have been invented to get round the bansb on advertising, promotions etc, but it also sounds as if it is slightly better for older babies as well.

Given breast milk composition changes as a baby grows, formula milk also changing makes sense to me

@Babyboomtastic the point is the formula companies created these milks to get around advertising bans. There's no benefit to baby of switching. Of course if it's cheaper and just as easy to get for the parents that's fine.

Again the problem lies with formula companies making parents think they HAVE to change at 6 months.

They also word things in their adverts to strongly suggest that breastfeeding women should stop at 6 months and switch to follow on milk.

The WHO guidelines on advertising do actually include follow on milks etc but UK law hasn't taken that bit on.

Again the issue isn't with formula, it's the formula companies that are in the wrong.

I agree that's why they were created, but, if iron reserves get quite low after 6m (especially in bf babies), then the higher iron content in follow on milk is surely marginally better for them?

Personally, I think some of the restrictions around formula do a lot more harm than good. I'm not saying we should go back to the 60's here, and unethical practices shouldn't be allowed, but to not even allow clubcard points, not allow thek in food banks etc, all these do is harm families and the babies. No one is going to chose not to breastfeed so they can get clubcard points on formula.

Vouchers for formula are available for families in need.

A big reason for not having formula at food banks is the consistentcy of supply. They cannot guarantee to always have the milk babies need.

That iron can be replaced via solid food or other vitamins. You do not need to stop breastfeeding or change formula at 6 months.

The restrictions are how they are because time and time again the formula companies show that they cannot be trusted to act ethically.

It's to stop the practices that exist in other countries eg my dd was born in the USA, I got offered a "free" changing bag which as a young mum I couldn't resist so I signed up, bag was cheap looking but free ... then 2 weeks before my due date (I had to tell them my due date to get the bag) a case of 12 cans of nestle formula arrived at my house! Pretty sure other companies had the same thing going

The higher iron contact in follow in formula is risky rather than good for babies. The increase in gastroenteritis in formula fed babies is because of the amount of free iron in formula (necessary to enable absorption).

Iron in breast milk is lower in quantity and bound with lactoferrin which reduces its availability to bacteria. Follow on formula with its even higher amount of free iron is even riskier.

I actually cannot believe the price of some formula (I was interested as training as a breastfeeding counsellor). £16.50 for a tub of aptimil in boots!!

There is actually a lot of merit in the idea of one standard government regulated formula.

UNICEF published research a few year ago about how some parents were watering down formula to make it last longer which is obviously dangerous for the baby. But formula companies probably have lobbyists to prevent such common sense measures.

www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/cost-of-infant-formula-inquiry/amp/

I’d love to see formula taken out of the hands of private business. With the cost of living crisis can you imagine the unsafe practices that will go on? It was a problem before, which a U.K. gov. Report confirmed a few years ago. It will just be awful.

The next big scandal will be allergen milks. Costing the NHS millions. Who runs the main info website on CMPA and who trains HCPs on CMPA? This is such a good lecture showing how they market and get around the FSA in the U.K. For anyone interested who has 30mins to watch.

@User98866 it's disgusting the treatment of CMPA.

My son has it and I'm so lucky I had an amazing dietician who encouraged me to continue breastfeeding. Although I did combi feed with the special formula, her treatment plan kept breastfeeding at the centre. It made sense as my son never reacted to my milk. He's still allergic at almost 6.

So many mums I met through the process were told by doctors etc that they either shouldn't or couldn't breastfeed a CMPA child.

Unfortunately promotions on formula are unlawful but only on 0-6 m formula. It’s ridiculous.

We're you actually going to raise a legal concern for a company reducing the price of follow on milk op? I know some people really look down on formula mothers but objecting to price drops on follwo on milk seems extreme

Why then is there an NHS recommendation to supplement iron for non formula fed babies? Equally fortified flour and milk have been extensively studied in the developing world and have shown only benefits.

As discussed on this thread there are many very good reasons why these codes are in place.

There’s no evidence of any companies that produce formula in the uK doing any such thing. It is beneficial to switch (each milk is tailored to the stage - eg follow on is less filling so babies can eat more). Also it’s cheaper.

the moronic demonisation of “formula companies” is utterly daft. They’re just food companies and no evidence any of them have done anything wrong. Formula in the uK is a healthy nutritious food for babies. It would be good if it were cheaper but the anti formula nutters are a big part of why it isn’t.

there really isn’t. Discounts and promotions on formula would be beneficial to mums and babies in the uK.

It’s disgusting to compare baby formula to drugs. It’s not- it’s a healthy nutritious food for babies. Nestle don’t produce formula in the uK anyway and there is no evidence of any significant wrongdoing by anyone.

I really think it’s time to stop shaming mums who formula feed. There’s nothing wrong with it. And the companies who produce it are not sinister drug lords either. Just regular food companies.

unfortunately some women think being able to breastfeed Is a big achievement so like to pick on those who can’t or choose not to.

the moronic demonisation of “formula companies” is utterly daft. They’re just food companies and no evidence any of them have done anything wrong. Formula in the uK is a healthy nutritious food for babies. It would be good if it were cheaper but the anti formula nutters are a big part of why it isn’t.

Theres a massive amount of evidence, and tragically many many dead infants. Formula companies are up there with the very worst.

No one is shaming mums by talking about unethical practices of formula marketing. Many here have said there should be free or very cheap formula for all who need it. It’s a very cheap product.

My DS is 3 now so I'm well past formula but the price gives me rage. I tried to BF DS. He has reflux (I didn't know this at the time) so I couldn't find a position to feed him in that he was comfortable enough to take a substantial feed and as a result the weight was dropping off him. He also cried constantly because he was hungry. I tried expressing but was exhausting myself past the point of actually enjoying my baby. So I switched to formula.

I bought the cheapest available which was Aldi and he thrived on it. I look at the various different types of formula available some at almost £20 a tin and I imagine a new mum wanting the best for their baby and taking food out of her own mouth to afford the "best". One formula with everything a baby needs at a regulated price would be ideal, failing that a profit cap on first stage milks because it's disgusting to see those prices on the shelves.

@SueVineer I formula-fed from very early on, but these companies 'only being as bad' as regular food companies (which many also are) isn't exactly a glowing compliment! The stuff that is allowed to go into most of our processed foods is horrendous.

The Nestle representative has arrived!