What are you good people at MN doing getting involved in a tie in with *Aptamil*???????

[moondog]

Wonder how many feel as disappointed as me????

Yeah I know it's illegal but I don't see why it is thats all.

So them advertising it would take away peoples choice would it ??? Erm no

Aragon - I had no idea formula contained things breastmilk contained. I had no idea there was a difference between formulas. And I had no choice but to use formula. Therefore, the marketing would have targeted me, as I may have switched to aptimil, rather than cow and gate.

nutcracker - this is what I think basically. I also think it being illegal to discount formula is ridiculous too. It's between 6 and 7 pounds a packet!!!!

I think advertising should be available for women who want to bottlefeed so that they can make a decision about the milk they are going to use. At present many people just go with what the baby was given in hospital (where there isn't usually alot of choice) or use the brand their Mum/sister/friend uses.

I just get very suspicious when they start advertising to women who are going to breastfeed. Why? What's in it for them?.

They are certainly not spending this money to create a nice warm fuzzy feeling in themselves. No - they do it because it works.

i've been told that years ago, formula companies would go the hospitals and give free samples of formula away, is that true?

Its illegal to discount as it is a form of promotion.

Must leave this thread quickly. It's going to get hairy! Horrendous subject.

i am outraged that yet another large profit making organisation thinks we are all as thick as a donkeys donger.

i object to the fact that they think - we are too stupid to understand the manipulation they are doing.

i am not never have been and never wanted to be a breastfeeder btw.

They're still running a business!!!! I saw a pampers ad the other day saying a pampers nappy takes the same amount of time to decompose as a cloth nappy! Not the point!

I don't know why breastfeeding mothers would click on a link saying breast is best - if they know it. I'd have thought bottlefeeding mothers would have.

Custardo you have a great way with words!

Agree with KatieRocket.Really don't care. Bfed ds1 to 13 months, ds2 was mix fed to over 2 (mainly breast after weaning)- have struggled and struggled with ds3- so he gets a tiny bit of breast and the rest formula. Funnily enough I WANT to know whats in formula, because actually I want to buy him formula with LCP's if I can't bfeed him. I would LOVE to have some money off as well- the ban pees me off (can't even get Boots points on it- although you can on follow on). Aptamil was no good though- brought ds3 out in a rash.

But you can find out whats in formula without it being advertised, lets face it they probably wouldn't put that in the advert anyway.

Not that long ago I heard an advert on the radio for formuale. Can't remember for which company. At the end of the advert they said "not intended for babies under 6 months and is not a substitute to breast milk". More or less the exact words I think. I thought that was ok as most use formulae after 6 months anyway and it clearly said to bf first 6 months.

My problem with advertising formuale at all in this country is that we have a long way to go to get the bf-rate up. I think a lot of women don't have the confidence to bf. I have heard even from HV's that if baby is not putting on weight straight away or if seems you have not enough milk, then add some formulae. The truth is you have to be patient with bf. Sometimes you have to build up your milk supply. I think it's one of the biggest problems that women don't have confidence in their own milk. I think many thinks if it's being advertised by a reputable company then it must be good quality.
we know from the third world that formuale companies do not have a conscience when it comes to promoting their products.

Nutcracker,women are under enormous pressure to bottlefeed (whether or not they realise it.)

The history of commercial formula is truly truly shocking-far more so than most people realise. As a result,stringent laws are in place to stop formula companies emplying some of the nasty tricks they used to use (eg dressing up formula promoters in white nurse-like outfits to tour hospitals and give out samples to new mothers in parts of Africa.)

Stuff like this got so bad in PNG where I used to live (ie many babies actually died) that the government took the very brave step of making bottles only available on prescription.

Trouble is,these companies have so much money that they use ever trick in the book to circumnavigate the law (Eg In Britain,advertising the totally unnecessary 'follow on' milk as they are not allowed to advertise formula and setting up these helplines,guides,packs and videos which undermine women's confidence in themselves as mothers.)

They will be running their hands in glee at the potential there is on the countless parenting websites and forums that exist.

Consider by comparison the fact that something like the Association for Breastfeeding Mothers' is staffed entirely by volunteers,women who make their personal phone numbers available to the public so that they can offer altruistic advice whilst running their own homes and caring for their own families.

I don't care whether people formula feed or not. What i do care about is people'sefforts being thwarted for no better reason than financial greed fromthe word go.

Actually they do tend to put about LCP's etc in ads- because its a selling point. Having done both I can't imagine why anyone who can bfeed would bother with bottlefeeding- it's a lot less hassle. Really don't think people are that stupid. Just can't get bothered about a bottlefeeding ad (developing world is different).

I've just looked at the site. What's with linking Aptamil and Caesarians!?!? They also say that you can't change your mind if you decide to stop breastfeeding, which ain't true.

yes but FM you have to be realistic- yes I knew how to build up my breastmilk supply- had fed 2 previous after all- but I had 2 other children so couldn't actually give it the time it needed. Even my very pro bfeeding midwife said I was sensible to supplement. Having made that informed decision I then needed to know what was in each brand. And yes one of the things I looked for was lcp's.

Astonished,you're dead right. They may bleat about the LCPs but they sure as hell aren't going to trumpet the rest of the ingredients to the world. Read the tiny panel on the side of the packet. You'll be horrified.
It would be fun to have a practical demonstration a la Jamie Oliver and the turkey twisters!

well that's nice moondog- so what are all we evil bottlefeeders meant to feel like now. Given the choice I like many other bottlefeeders would be breastfeeding. Didn't work like that this time round. I have a choice whether to feed my childfren turkey twizzlers- I don't whether to bottlefeed.

You may not have done,but most do,jimjams.

You're a scientist right? Don't people deserve to know exactly what is in the prodicts they or their children ingest?

I suspect that comment comes from someone who found bfeeding easy.

Maybe I should start pureeing turkey twizzlers to add to his diet?

I always find the suggestiojn that bottlefeeders are lazy a complete joke- it's far more of a PITA if bfeeding is running smoothly.

No jimjams,had enormous difficulties both times. Anyway,we are moving off the point,and you are someone that I really don't want to fall out with.

I think the assumption that everyone has an easy choice is bollocks tbh. I completely agree that bfeeding should be encouraged- but scare mongering to compare formula to turkey twizzlers is bang out of order. Yes the ingredients list is huge, yes the food is highly processed, because it has to be. Would you rather people fed their babies organic unpastuerised cows milk if they can't bfeed.

Jimjams - I agree. I'd love to have breast fed, and I intend to breast feed future children. I had tons of support with it but it didn't work for us. However I had no advice or support about bottlefeeding, apart from 'your child will overfeed and will most likely be overweight when older'.