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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:
eggontoast · 19/02/2010 09:04

I thought tiktok was saying that someone had started another thread saying that some on mn were 'bf nazis'. It's not this thread or comments on it that I was appalled at.

It was the thought of a thread named this. But, I believe I have taken the wrong end of the stick and now I am covered in ink!

gorionine · 19/02/2010 09:05

OOPS sorry, eggontoast!

eggontoast · 19/02/2010 09:08

gorionine - I am not sure whether that other thread exists though, good bloody job it doesn't!! Sometimes, it is hard to understand what someone is saying when it is written down without emphasis and the ability to check what someone has said to make sure you understand where they are coming from. It is difficult to 'listen' properly or convey your meaning without sounding wrong.

gorionine · 19/02/2010 09:26

I do not think the other thread exists, I think Tiktok was refering to the post just before hers (someone who probably had not read the thread anyway otherwise they would have realised not a soul was in favour of this petition).

No worries, I often misread things too (proof is my post wondering why you wanted to change this thread title) and might actually have been the one misunderstanding Tiktok's post!

tiktok · 19/02/2010 09:42

I was referring to pootle's post, on this thread, just before mine, timed at 20:27:52, which denounced 'bf nazis' on mumsnet, implied the petition had started here, took a swipe at smuggery, and imagined that people would jump on her for not breastfeeding.

This changed the tone of the discussion, into one of resentful unpleasantness, and this is why I suggested the poster might think of withdrawing it, and why I think this thread has run its course, now that it has attracted that sort of response.

ilovesprouts · 19/02/2010 09:45

NO ! sorry its a late post ,but just read this thread

singsong · 19/02/2010 10:00

I'm pro breastfeeding and it's worked out the best choice for me but I would not sign this petition. As has been said before women should have choice. I could see this costing the NHS a lot rather than saving money, and could it possibly encourage some women to formula feed as they would be able to get it free on prescription? The cost of formula for me was one (of the many) considerations factored into my personal decision to BF.
Also, as has previously been mentioned, as a breastfeeding mother I find it reassuring to know that formula is easily available for my baby in case urgent need in unforeseen events e.g. if I was suddenly taken ill I would hope DH could easily access formula to feed our baby and not need to panic about getting urgent GP appointment for a prescription.

LadyThompson · 19/02/2010 10:00

I don't like the use of the word 'Nazi' in that context - I think it is most unpleasant and I wish people wouldn't use it - same with 'Breastapo' - horrid, distasteful, unfair.

However, there are a few bf zealots on MN (a minority, though, I think) - I was on a thread this week where it was posited that people who ff are such an evil drain on society's resources that they ought to have their use of (eg) emergency services restricted and that ff was a 'damning indictment' of women as human beings (particularly those who had chosen to do so). One just hopes that these things are not meant seriously. I think I had better stay off such threads, they're no good for me

LadyThompson · 19/02/2010 10:10

Oh, and Tiktok, if you have a moment there is a lady who needs your help here I know as much about bf as I do particle physics so I can't help but it means a lot to her

ladylush · 19/02/2010 10:50

I agree with Tiktok but I also agree with Ladythompson. There are some militant pro bf on MN and imo often make offensive comments.

docpriya · 19/02/2010 11:37

No, I do not think formula should be available only on prescription. its naive and simplistic to think that this will improve breast feeding rates.
Instead, more information about advantages (bonding, ease of bf, NO cost, weight loss, best for baby, possibly prevention of breast cancer, obesity in baby) and support for mums to breast feed from other breastfeeding mums also, rather than midwives only, will help.
I am a first-time breast feeding mum of a 4month old, apart from being a physician as well.
Also culturally, I am from India, where i had never heard of formula feeding unless the mother dies or is sick/unable to feed the child.

eggontoast · 19/02/2010 11:39

I just get angry when people use words haphazardly that really should only be reserved for what they actually describe. I agree, it is lovely to be pro bf and to do it yourself, even try to encourage others, but learn to know when you are going too far and leave others to their own points of view if your view is so extreme as described by LadyThompson.

Gosh, some peoples views do seem really extreme to me. I guess my views often seem extreme to others, but I try to make sure I don't downright offend or belittle others with them.

ladylush · 19/02/2010 11:40

docpriya - weight loss should not be used as a marketing tool for bf. I know many women who only lose weight when they cease bf (myself included)

1istrulyscrumptious · 19/02/2010 12:13

no.. even if we did need to talk to the Gp it would make no difference in my opinion..It depends on your gp but mine if there is a hint of feeding problems will suggeset bottle feeding.. they dont in my experience promote breast.,My baby didnt gain weight for two weeks and straight away the suggestion of formula was discussed not help with increasing my production..

itsallaboutpootle · 19/02/2010 12:16

get. over. yourselves.

nappyzonecantrunfortoffee · 19/02/2010 12:18

no

itsallaboutpootle · 19/02/2010 12:20

And thankyou lady T as those were exactly the kind of MNers I was referring to. I am also pro BF but anti FF discrimination.

tiktok · 19/02/2010 12:20

pootle, I take it you think it's fine to take a mostly polite and sensible discussion of 150 + posts and introduce abusive, offensive epithets and resentment, then?

Nice.

CoteDAzur · 19/02/2010 12:25

YANBU, get over yourself as previously said, and I heart the term "breastapo"

itsallaboutpootle · 19/02/2010 12:27

No, but I think it is okay to have a strong opinion about something and to share it. Just as others have when I have posted.

MN is about sharing ideas and opinions, not agreeing with each other all the time.

BF "nazis" do exist - if the term nazi offends, for that I do apologise - but for the rest of my post I do not.

I was not suggesting all posters here are BF smugs. I was making a general statement about some MNers - represented here or not - who as Lady T identifed, make huge value judgements about women who FF.

loubielou31 · 19/02/2010 12:30

No, What a stupid idea

tiktok · 19/02/2010 12:39

pootle, when you are at a party, or a meeting, or any sort of conversation where a group of people are discussing something in a polite and pleasant way, even sharing strong opinions but managing to avoid insults and generalisations, do you leap in and start saying people not involved in that conversation are 'Nazis' and getting all defensive about people jumping on you?

Perhaps you do. In that case, you'll understand why people sometimes regard you askance.

chibi · 19/02/2010 12:40

bf nazis

itsallaboutpootle · 19/02/2010 12:44

tiktok, you clearly think you are right about this so I am disengaging from this "discussion". I think you need to get some perspective. MN as I said before is about sharing opinions. if you don't like my opinion thats ok, but YOU are the one making this an argument. As I said earlier, get over yourself.

And to compare posting on MN with normal conversation is perhaps tenuous!

PavlovtheCat · 19/02/2010 12:48

Not read any posts, i am sure this is an emotive topic. My response is to the OP (waves, hey btw!)

Absolutely not. How we choose to feed our children is completely our right. To make it something to be frowned apon, or to have to do only as a medical decision is appalling. I choose to breastfeed, one of my best friends chooses to bottle feed. Personal choice, both have great healthy, happy children.