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Original poster

Baby milk firms to drop nutrition claims

211 replies

Nip · 14/03/2007 11:27

here

I guess those who bf this is a good thing, but i didnt bf and this now makes me feel like cack!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 14/03/2007 11:31

I don't think they're out to make anyone feel bad about decisions that have already been taken - and I bet your kids are happy and healthy, no?

All they're trying to do is make sure there's more accurate information available for people making decisions in the future, which has to be a good idea.

hunkermunker · 14/03/2007 11:37

At LAST!

NOW they have to back this up with decent support to establish breastfeeding and more INFORMED choice for new mums.

Miaou · 14/03/2007 11:41

I am really pleased to see this, it's a great move forward.

Quote from the article: "These phrases may be accurate - although there are doubts about some - however it has been decided they should not be permitted because they undermine breastfeeding."

Take heart Nip, it's not meant to make you feel bad, as MrsB says

AitchYouBerk · 14/03/2007 11:51

Nip, it's just meant to make things clear for people swithering. i'm clinging to the thought that i paid squillions for my dd to have 'the closest thing to bm'.
it's a good step forward though.

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 12:06

Dont feel bad -I certainly dont!!! I dont understand why it isnt a valid alternative to bf though? if you cant breastfeed then it is a valid alternative surely??? We can't exactly give a newborn baby a healthy balanced solid meal can I??? - I totally agree with them promoting breastfeeding but bit sad its at the expense of mums who cant or choose not to

LucyJu · 14/03/2007 12:09

I was pleased to hear this.

Hope it also applies to so-called "follow-on milk" and "growing-up milk." In fact, isn't it time that those products were banned altogether? Or at least that manufacturers were completely prevented from advertising and promoting them? I think that would be more effective than changing the wording on the packaging of "ordinary" infant formula.

AitchYouBerk · 14/03/2007 12:10

not at all, cleaninglady. they're merely taking advertising off the packs so as to discourage talk of formula being 'like' BM when it's nothing like it at all.

NormaStanleyFletcher · 14/03/2007 12:15

I totally agree with what hunker said.

From the article..
"The government must stop all promotion of all breastmilk substitutes to protect mothers and ensure they receive accurate and independent information from health workers," he said."
Unfortunately health workers don't always provide that do they?

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 12:19

Aitch - totally agree with them not being able to say its "like bf" was just a bit concerned about the statement that its not a valid alternative to bf - which isnt to helpful for mums who cant bf - I personally think educating mums with regards to breastfeeding starts with the midwives as with both my dc's I had half telling me one thing and half telling me another ! 5 years on I am releived I'm not having to make these choices

AitchYouBerk · 14/03/2007 12:24

but it's not a valid alternative, is it? one is better than the other. (unless you can't bf for whatever reason and the you just have to wear the fact that you are using second-best.) being a parent is filled with accommodations and disappointments, and that's just one of them in my case.

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 12:36

but if you cant bf then you need an alternative - therefore formula?? does that make sense ? I would be surprised if any mum would deny that "breast is best" - its what is naturally given to us by nature and therefore formula would be the lesser of the two options......

I suppose I just feel a bit sorry for the ones who desperately do want to bf and cant and then to add to their guilt they are told their alternative is second best - of course they know that but it just seems a bit mean ! I am a big softy though

Totally in agreement with not advertising it as "close to bm" or "like bm" though - no need IMO

Enid · 14/03/2007 12:37

breast feeding IS better than formula feeding though

agree with aitch it is just one of those things you have to live with

lulumama · 14/03/2007 12:43

i think it needs to be addressed, that formula is often promoted at the expense of breastfeeding , and health care professionals can often give the wrong advice

i formula fed both of mine, and yes, i have regrets, but nothing i can do about it now!

formula is not the same as breastmilk, but it is the only alternative, so you have to use it if you can;t or won;t breast feed, breast milk adapts and changes, formula is the same , regardless !

what i don;t like is the fact there are so many different brands, there is follow on milk, toddler milk, 'closest to breastmilk', 'enriched with omega 3' etc....some HVs recommend one over the other, and say some are better than others...i would warrant they are all much of a muchness
re impressed if formula manufacturers prom
toddler milk absolutely infuriates me!! what is wrong with moo juice after 12 months !!!

and promotional info given to HVs and in bounty packs.....

emphasis, should be on starting and continuing breastfeeding....

and bounty packs should contain the numbers for La Leche League, NCT, ABM and other breastfeeding support !!

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 12:44

I said bf was better than formula ........

"its what is naturally given to us by nature and therefore formula would be the lesser of the two options...... "

They do have to live with it - my point was not to make them feel any worse than they already do !

lulumama · 14/03/2007 12:44

re impressed if formula manufacturers prom

not sure where that came from !! LOL! weird random sentence !

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 12:45

agree with lulu.....

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 12:46

except for the weird random sentence

zippitippitoes · 14/03/2007 12:47

I think it is important that parents are able to make a valid choice and the argument that marketing is essentila for choice is finally being quoshed

AitchYouBerk · 14/03/2007 12:52

i mix-fed and then ff, cleaninglady. the absence of the words 'closest to bm' wouldn't have made any difference to my ability to produce milk so i would have used formula either way. their presence, as i recall, didn't make me feel any less shit about ffing.

Callisto · 14/03/2007 12:55

Hurrah, this is fantastic news. How, though, are the govt going to "step up efforts to promote breastfeeding as the best health option for new-born babies" when there is a midwife crisis (so no help for new mothers in hospital) and most HV's don't know their arse from their elbow? Still it is a step in the right direction.

Those bloody Bounty packs should be banned imo. All it is is promotional literature and baby milk/food vouchers. I binned the lot of mine.

hunkermunker · 14/03/2007 12:58

Also agree that follow-on and growing up milk should be taken off sale. Pointless product (for babies and children, though not for brand awareness managers or whatever job title they have).

hunkermunker · 14/03/2007 12:59

I think I will write to my MP to ask what is going to be done re midwife shortage/HV training, etc in light of this new wording. It's a lack of joined-up thinking, IMO. Again.

percypig · 14/03/2007 13:00

I think this is a good step forward.

Those who wanted to bfeed but couldn't are not going to change their attitudes towards formula feeding in general because of claims like 'closest to breast milk'. As others have said these women already know the advantages of bfeeding.

For other women who know very little about bfeeding, or are scared of it etc, removing such claims will hopefully help put across the message that breast feeding is best, and that formula feeding, while unfortunately a necessity for some mothers, is not.

cleaninglady · 14/03/2007 13:01

Ive bf dd and ff ds - and didn't feel bad about ff if I'm honest - had no choice at the time !

The point I was highlighting was saying that formula is not an alternative to bm when it obviouly is - thats it - have no issue with anything else honestly!!!

"Totally in agreement with not advertising it as "close to bm" or "like bm" though - no need IMO " (12:36 post)

Callisto · 14/03/2007 13:01

Pleeeeease don't use the phrase 'joined-up thinking', it makes me heave. (unless you were using it ironically in which case ).