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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Would you sign a petition to make formula only available on prescription?

310 replies

FourArms · 17/02/2010 08:35

I've just been sent a link to this petition.

I don't think there is any way this would happen now in the UK, but would it be better than the current situation?

The further petition details are:

Breastfeeding has always, and will always be the best way to feed a baby. If Infant Formula Milk is only available on prescription, it will mean that a mother will have to physically talk to her doctor about any issues (including physical, emotional and mental)she has with breastfeeding. This will mean that the incidence of breastfeeding will increase and the level of support that women have with their breastfeeding will also increase. It will also mean that there will be fewer illnesses in babies and young children, costing the NHS millions less in resources, and leading to a generally healthier population.

OP posts:
mrsruffallo · 17/02/2010 09:04

No
I have never used formula but I think this is nonsense

Babieseverywhere · 17/02/2010 09:06

Good grief. How can anyone think this is a reasonable idea. What a narrow minded petition.

What would a struggling mother do, with no access to formula until she saw a doctor maybe one week off and in most areas of the country very patchy breastfeeding support ?

Increase breastfeeding support and this will naturally reduce the amount of formula used. Without upsetting the mothers and babies who need formula and don't want to have the additional hassle of repeat prescriptions etc.

belgo · 17/02/2010 09:07

No of course not, GPs have enough work to do as it is, they have no time for this.

vodkaandcoke · 17/02/2010 09:09

No. I am one of those mums who just did not want to breastfeed. Personal choice.

heQet · 17/02/2010 09:09

No, I wouldn't. There is no doubt that the milk from a mother (of whatever species!) is the better choice for a baby of that species.

That's nature! It's designed that way! I don't think anyone could possibly argue otherwise!

But - you can't make people bf. You just can't. You can make sure they have the facts, you can support them if they want to bf but are having problems but at the end of the day, if a mother doesn't want to or can't breastfeed, they shouldn't have to go and beg / explain / justify themselves so they are given 'permission' to use formula.

It's just unacceptable.

onlyjoinedforoffers · 17/02/2010 09:14

no i formula fed both my ds(16 and 18) and i find this insulting actually were not monsters you know

Babieseverywhere · 17/02/2010 09:14

Thinking about the struggle some breastfeeding mothers have getting treatment for thrush in their breasts by GPs. It makes me shudder to think about these same GPs making a judgement on whether a mother should have access to formula or not. Judging if they have 'tried hard enough' or suffer enough pain Nightmare.

l39 · 17/02/2010 09:14

No.

We need to change the attitudes. Something that occurred to me seeing this - decades ago didn't people rush to have all their own teeth out as soon as they could afford it, and get a full set of dentures? False teeth were the new great thing, they didn't decay or hurt. Yet the fashion passed and people began putting their time and money into looking after their natural teeth.

We need a culture where breastfeeding is the obvious, natural thing to do - it already is in my family, 12 grandchildren all breastfed. We won't get it by forcing people. Children at school need to be told about breastfeeding, given proper information so when they're parents they won't believe the rubbish that's so prevalent today.

Deanna1977 · 17/02/2010 09:16

No. Ridiculous.

MrsJohnDeere · 17/02/2010 09:18

No

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 17/02/2010 09:20

No

PrivetDancer · 17/02/2010 09:20

No I certainly wouldn't sign.

I do agree with greenmonkies though that it should be available on prescription for people who can't (rather than won't) b/feed rather than them having to pay for it. That's a good idea.

gorionine · 17/02/2010 09:20

NO
BF all my DCs throug choice. Mothers who FF are allowed their choice too.

Kathyjelly · 17/02/2010 09:25

No of course not.

Trying to force people doesn't help anything. Mums would just start feeding their babies inappropriate food.

Eglu · 17/02/2010 09:25

No way.

McDreamy · 17/02/2010 09:29

No way

hippipotamiHasLost79lbs · 17/02/2010 09:32

No, absolutely not.

tobago04 · 17/02/2010 09:34

There does need to be more support but it's a load of rubbish that bf babies/children are healthier,i did'nt bf mine and they are hardly ever ill yet my friend who did bf her's are always getting ill

Doobydoo · 17/02/2010 09:36

No

eggontoast · 17/02/2010 09:39

Some times I wonder why pro bf try so hard to change the opinions of those who choose not to feed from their breast.

I feel concentrating on helping those who struggle and WANT to bf is the most important and worthwhile use of resources.

Let those who chose second best have it; pour the money wasted on changing their minds into support.

nickytwotimes · 17/02/2010 09:45

No way.

The ONLY way to increase bfing rates is to have PROPER support for new mothers, not a mw popping in for half an hour and saying it 'looks fine' when the mum is in agony and not coping.

Most mothers WANT to breastfeed, but they get little proper help and are left to feel like failures.

KentuckyFriedPenguin · 17/02/2010 09:48

Not a chance.

BarbaMamma · 17/02/2010 09:50

No!

Fibilou · 17/02/2010 09:53

Absolutely no way. Whatever my opinions on formula may be I certainly don't think the option to FF should be legally controlled

BonjourIvressedeNoel · 17/02/2010 09:54

No way!