Babies are going hungry as food banks are advised not to give out formula milk

[stumbledin]

This is from the Mirror www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/babies-going-hungry-food-banks-22977474 althought the Times also had an article but behind paywall www.thetimes.co.uk/article/food-banks-ban-on-formula-leaves-babies-to-go-hungry-tcghd25gm

From posts I have seen on facebook this is because of advice (directive) from Unicef published last year www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/Provision-of-formula-milk-at-food-banks-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative.pdf

I know there is enourmous pressure to persuade mothers that "breast is best" and that certainly companies like Nestles have behaved disgracefully in some developing countries.

But at a time of a pandemic and more and more familes depending on food banks is this really the time for hard line purity?

What about the women who for whatever reason cant breast feed?

@tofuschnitzel

I also didn't know what FWR means, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be here. Your suspicion is uncalled for, Dido.

What suspicion would that be?. This part of the forum is regularly called FWR. It seemed peculiar to say she'd never heard of the sub-forum she had just posted on.

On the other hand there seem to several posters telling the OP off for raising the topic- despite the fact there are frequently topics covered on AIBU, Chat and FWR.

But its not called FWR so that's why I didn't know i was on that forum.

@MiddlesexGirl

You sound like you have an axe to grind Dido but really, it's not relevant to this situation.

Have you read the Times thread? There are some very interesting comments from women.

The "different brands" argument seemed rather spurious.

As for "axe to grind" - good lord what a strange comment to make. You could apply it to most of MN.

I'm intrigued why several posters who aren't regular posters on FWR want to close this thread because it's been discussed on other parts of the forum.

Oh for God's sake, not this again. Clickbait at it's finest. Read the whole darn thing, the article does actually explain the rationale beyond the infuriating and initially misleading headline.

It makes for more sense for those in need and struggling to obtain formula for their baby, to obtain the specific one they use from a safe and continuous support such as health visitors. Food banks cannot rely on a consistent supply of the many and varied formulas out there, and as such families in need may be put in the position of having to switch formula brands on a weekly basis depending on what the food bank has in stock at that time (if any) - which in itself is not advised.

Also formula is comparatively very expensive alongside other essentials such as tinned tomatoes, long life milk etc and unfortunately food bank funds are not unlimited alongside demand/need for parcels increasing.

Those using food banks normally require a referral to the service (unless privately run) so should already be linked with professionals that can assist with obtaining the specific formula needed for the infant.

There's enough mass hysteria going on at the moment without it being unnecessarily added to, don't you think?

You seem more interested in MN naming conventions than the topic of OP’s thread Dido.

Those of us who’ve commented that this has been covered multiple times at length and in depth have done so in case OP or anyone else wishes to read what people have said on the previous threads, which included detailed, insightful information from all sorts of people including those who run or volunteer at food banks and can provide a relevant perspective.

It’s not a BF v FF issue, it’s a safety of the baby issue. But then you know that if you’ve read up on it.

@dementedpixie

But its not called FWR so that's why I didn't know i was on that forum.

But your only contribution was a comment that it had already been discussed- so what? Why should it not be discussed on Feminist Chat?

Many posters on here say they rarely, if ever , look at AIBU or Chat. I very rarely look at those sub- forums.

@AnneLovesGilbert

You seem more interested in MN naming conventions than the topic of OP’s thread Dido.

Those of us who’ve commented that this has been covered multiple times at length and in depth have done so in case OP or anyone else wishes to read what people have said on the previous threads, which included detailed, insightful information from all sorts of people including those who run or volunteer at food banks and can provide a relevant perspective.

It’s not a BF v FF issue, it’s a safety of the baby issue. But then you know that if you’ve read up on it.

Yes I have read up on it. A fed baby is safer than a hungry baby. The Unicef guide lines are largely based on the risk there will be no access to safe water and sterilisation equipment. Not really an issue in the UK.

Annie you say this has been covered in multiple threads yet only when I asked did anyone post one link to these multiple threads. Until then posts were very much of the tone this has been discussed - why raise it again.

I'm one who works n a food bank.

We don't carry it in stock as it:

• is expensive
• is rarely donated
• comes in many varieties, isn't asked for often
• when it is requested the parent is often entitled to other benefits

We do carry toddler follow on milk

We do signpost to oher agencies

We do buy specific forluma for specific individuals

I brought this up after the last 2 threads and we have looked again at our policy about formula and won't be changing how we deal with it. We are based about 200yds from a parenting charity that does dispense formula, vouchers etc. TIt is not based on any judgement about how a parent chooses to feed their baby! Never has been!

Hard line purity actually translates into - doing what in the real word is best for all clients. Other foodbanks will do things differently based upon their specific circumstances.

And we (me as an individual, the foodbank as a charity) avoid buying Nestle products. We accept donations but won't buy anuthing they or their subsidiaries make - if we can possibly help it.

That article, and all those stemming from ot, are demonising food banks based on very little evidence, just a good headline and a new Covid Boogey Man!

Well as others have pointed out to you, there have been a few threads on this topic already, which you may wish to read. Apparently not. The threads I read were very informative and had some replies from people working in food banks.

You may not think that the switching brands argument is valid, but food banks still aren't denying formula to babies, they are providing vouchers or ordering it in for specific clients.

There's just no need for such hostility, Dido. All you've done is discourage people from posting on the feminism boards. Well done.

If you have read my intro properly you would see that it has nothing to do with criticising charities, it is about the Unicef directive. www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/Provision-of-formula-milk-at-food-banks-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative.pdf

This is what the articles say.

If they are wrong get the news papers to correct their stories.

BPAS have issued a press release on this. www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/Provision-of-formula-milk-at-food-banks-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative.pdf

Shame if the info is wrong that Food Banks, eg the Tressel Trust, dont put out a statement reassuring women that there is help, if not from them the other sources.

Well read as mumsnet is, it is not looked at for those in need of help, as somewhere to consult!

I dont know and have no interest in other parts of mumsnet, and even if I did, if a story has a feminist perspective this is the place to post.

Its so irritating that instead of ignoring threads you dont agree with there is always one or two who just want to derail.

It just deters others from taking part because it seems it is all going to be off topic.

My local foodbank does give out formula. They have lists of stuff they particularly need and baby formula is often on there.

As long as those who need it are getting it, I don't think it matters that much whether they supply it from donations, use donated money to buy it or give vouchers.

Tf has this to do with feminism?

Sorry BPAS press release www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-restrictions-on-infant-formula-to-foodbanks/

It just seems surprising that this is getting so much traction at the moment. I started working in our local TT foodbank in 2014 and this was the case then. As with many things that we don't supply, we will signpost to others that can.

I'm sure some individual foodbanks do take it, but the majority didn't.

Foodbanks have long been a political football, which as an independent charity is not a good thing.

@stumbledin, you said "If you have read my intro properly you would see that it has nothing to do with criticising charities, it is about the Unicef directive."

But you are criticising charities for supposedly following this directive, when numerous people have pointed out to you that food banks are still providing formula. I'm not sure why you think it's derailing the thread to point out that the information you have shared is incorrect.

Not all food banks are providing formula. A quick google will show you that.

There has been campaigning against the Unicef directive when came out last year. But Foodbanks seem to have kept silent. They could have made a huge impact.

Added to which technically no Health Visitor etc., is supposed to refer a mother with a baby to somewhere that gives out formula.

If some Food Banks have decided to ignore the directive that's great. But many are complying with what is said to be accepted practice.

Also someone mentioned Healthy Start vouchers etc., these are not available to everybody.

Have just found these guidelines from the Trussel Trust:

Food banks should offer mothers who are formula feeding their infant, food to the mother for herself and her family. Formula milk should NOT be given to the mother for her infant

www.trusselltrustforum.org/uploads/136/UNICEF_UK_Baby_Friendly_Initiative_Statement_Food_Banks_April_2014.pdf

You know what? It doesn't matter. Health visitors and GPs will be able to hook a baby up with formula if needed.
The fact that people are depending on food banks not to starve to death in a G7 country is the problem.

End food banks. Ensure everyone has decent shelter and enough to eat. That's the priority for me.

Universal basic income could be a solution, or forcing employers to pay a living wage&giving enough to live on for unemployment payments.

Not haggling over what charities should or shouldn't provide to keep people from dying of hunger in one of the richest countries in the world..

[quote stumbledin]Sorry BPAS press release www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-restrictions-on-infant-formula-to-foodbanks/[/quote]
Yes, we've seen it, discussed it and decided that we won't change what we do given the circumsatnces we work in. So we will get the requested formula for specific individuals - information received at point of referral. But we won't carry it in stock!

As many others have said their food banks have been sourcing formula in a similar way, others carry some in stock.

And the UNICEF advice isn't said to be anything, it is the standard advice. Food banks make their own decisions on it based upon their local dictats!

And Healthy Start vouchers are avaiable to almost all of our client group, even the newly self referred Covid clients. Once they are in enough need to get to us they qualify! Which is why we send them down the road, to see what else they are eligbible for! we are a food bank, not an advice centre.

It REALLY isn't as simple as any of the media pieces seek to make it,even the BPAS one!

Oh, and we can't afford the kind of advertising it would take to reach our entire client base, present and future. It runs over so quickly we would have to do so every week! We haven't kept silent, we have this discussion with everyone that comes to us with a baby and/or toddler.

It is the only thing a food bank does... the dieticians and tacticians have a lot of expertise and know what they are doing., Some things just don't really cause much of a ripple in the day to day workings... this is one of them. A big media hype but very very little impact on our day to day running. Partly because we have already made appropriate adjustments to how we work!

[quote stumbledin]Have just found these guidelines from the Trussel Trust:

Food banks should offer mothers who are formula feeding their infant, food to the mother for herself and her family. Formula milk should NOT be given to the mother for her infant

www.trusselltrustforum.org/uploads/136/UNICEF_UK_Baby_Friendly_Initiative_Statement_Food_Banks_April_2014.pdf[/quote]
Be honest enough not to soundbite that statement!

Not all Food Banks are Trussel Trust Food banks, there are many independent Food Banks who have different guidelines.

I volunteer in an (independent) FB, we will give out formula milk, we are fortunate in that we have sufficient funds to buy a specific brand if requested. However I am pleased to say, in our FB we have relatively few families needing support, and I can hardly recall ever being asked for formula milk.

The main focus should be on why Food Banks are still needed in Britain today .

I am just looking though our special request list... anonymised of course.

4 requests for formula in the last 6 months. All referred to our local baby care charity, none came back looking for formula from us!

50+ new clients with babies, all referred to our local baby care charity, all but one given Healthy Start vouchers.

THAT is the data we use to underpin our decisions!

Agreed. It genuinely wasn't something I remember being asked for with any frequency, and i ran the warehousing side as well. The HV were always happy to receive any donated formula, and would put it to good use. They would also supply the women's shelters etc.

it has nothing to do with criticising charities, it is about the Unicef directive.

It's not a directive though, is it? It's an info sheet. UNICEF can't direct anyone, all the leaflet says is it's better for food banks to get vulnerable families engaged with specialist support so they have a consistent supply rather than giving them a one-off tin. There is nothing about breast feeding on it (except in the helpline list) and it doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

The TT guidance seems a little too proscriptive and I certainly hope other food banks would find a way to supply formula if there was a particular need that local services weren't meeting, but the mirror article seems exaggerated.