No boots advantage points on infant formua!? - punishing us bottle feeders!wrong - Page 2

pinkpolkadot · Apr 16th, 2012, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andella95

I see both sides of the argument....but it's not the formula companies that would be benefiting, is it? That's why it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Promotion of a product = more sales for that product = benefits the formula co

Also I don't know what you guys think but I find that Boots is quite expensive. I can find most of the stuff in there cheaper elsewhere. I guess their prices have to be a little higher to cover the advantage points they give out (you don't get owt for free and all that...) So if this law didn't exist I am guessing you would get points on formula but you would pay the price!

summer rain · Apr 16th, 2012, 03:52 AM

^I certainly agree with this, in boots they do sell much more of items that are reduced price or that have advantage card points on and this does profit the company whose product it is I find boots a bit of a con and only shop there at airports etc but a lot of people love the idea of collecting the advantage points and using those machine things to get additional money off coupons in the shop. Also formula In the UK is cheaper than the US and even many developed countries where incomes are much lower and in those countries promotions on formula are not restricted, even with coupons you can just about get formula for the same price as in the UK. It's a bit like value brand stuff, it's so cheap because the companies keep the packaging simple and don't usually advertise these ranges or offer 'money off' promotions on them, formula is somewhat the same in this regard, it's the lack of special offers that is keeping uk formula at some of the lowest prices in the world xx

sg2011 · Apr 16th, 2012, 06:22 AM

If the government is that worried about the promotion of ffing before 6 months then why bother having it on the shelves at all...why not just make it a law that formula can't be used unless you prove your baby's age? (this is said with tongue in cheek of course!).

Jayneypops · Apr 16th, 2012, 06:29 AM

Thanks for your replies, some interesting points!

My main issue with Boots was that they offer their Advantage points on ALL other items in the store, and even give more points than usual on baby items. Infant formula is a set price (Cow and Gate £7.99) wherever you buy it from, I believe the government dont allow promotions. I dont see the Boots points scheme as a specific promotion as its something they do on all items, all of the time. I felt that I was being singled out for formula feeding, like I was being a bad mother.
It was not out of choice that I am now FF, I tried BF for 4 days and LO was so hungry I had to do what I could to feed her.

I agree BF is best, but I dont think that FF moms should be singled out in the way the government enforce currently.

summer rain · Apr 16th, 2012, 07:03 AM

BF mums don't get any boots advantage points for BF and there are some other exclusions for advantage card points not just infant formula, when I was FF my son it was a comfort formula so cost more. But it didn't bother me there weren't points on infant formula just like it doesn't bother me that there are no points/offers on some types of medicines etc xx

vintage67 · Apr 16th, 2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sg2011

If the government is that worried about the promotion of ffing before 6 months then why bother having it on the shelves at all...why not just make it a law that formula can't be used unless you prove your baby's age? (this is said with tongue in cheek of course!).

Agree sg. Just lock those moms up and be done with it.

midori1999 · Apr 16th, 2012, 08:47 AM

I'm sorry that you're having negative feelings about having to FF, there is absolutely no need for you to feel like that, you can only do your best after all and please rememeber that any breastmilk your baby has had will benefit them. Colostrum has more white cells (antibodies) than blood and your baby has had all the goodness of that.

Regarding promotions on formulas, this is done to protect both breastfeeding and formula fed babies and is put in place due to the WHO code of marketing breast milk substitutes. The WHO code does apply worldwide, but it is not meant to penalise FF Mums, but to protect babies that are FF from the appalling and underhand marketing an d promotion practices of the companies that make formula.

Jayneypops · Apr 16th, 2012, 10:59 AM

Thanks all. I am disappointed to be FF I must admit, but understand it is the first choice for many moms for various reasons. I guess I always assumed I would be able to BF. that's the one thing I've learnt since having my LO.....assume nothing!

I do see the reasoning behind the governments decision to a degree but I think it Gould be handled more sensitively by retailers, maybe ensuring we are all better informed.

andella95 · Apr 16th, 2012, 12:57 PM

I still don't get it, lol. I just figure that people aren't going to buy more formula than they need just because they get points for it. I feel neutral.

fantastica · Apr 16th, 2012, 13:36 PM

I think it's a it ott. I mean, it's not as though someone is going to choose to ff solely on the basis that they can get more boots points, and tbh if you based your decision on that then there is more to worry about then whether you breastfeed or not!

A lot of people do not choose to ff, and what about people who adopt, or single fathers. It's ridiculous. Why can't people do whatever the hell they want without the government constantly concerning themselves.

Apr 16th, 2012, 03:52 AM	#12
summer rain Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 16,377	^I certainly agree with this, in boots they do sell much more of items that are reduced price or that have advantage card points on and this does profit the company whose product it is I find boots a bit of a con and only shop there at airports etc but a lot of people love the idea of collecting the advantage points and using those machine things to get additional money off coupons in the shop. Also formula In the UK is cheaper than the US and even many developed countries where incomes are much lower and in those countries promotions on formula are not restricted, even with coupons you can just about get formula for the same price as in the UK. It's a bit like value brand stuff, it's so cheap because the companies keep the packaging simple and don't usually advertise these ranges or offer 'money off' promotions on them, formula is somewhat the same in this regard, it's the lack of special offers that is keeping uk formula at some of the lowest prices in the world xx

Status: Online

Apr 16th, 2012, 06:22 AM	#13
sg2011 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 200	If the government is that worried about the promotion of ffing before 6 months then why bother having it on the shelves at all...why not just make it a law that formula can't be used unless you prove your baby's age? (this is said with tongue in cheek of course!).

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 06:29 AM	#14
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	Thanks for your replies, some interesting points! My main issue with Boots was that they offer their Advantage points on ALL other items in the store, and even give more points than usual on baby items. Infant formula is a set price (Cow and Gate £7.99) wherever you buy it from, I believe the government dont allow promotions. I dont see the Boots points scheme as a specific promotion as its something they do on all items, all of the time. I felt that I was being singled out for formula feeding, like I was being a bad mother. It was not out of choice that I am now FF, I tried BF for 4 days and LO was so hungry I had to do what I could to feed her. I agree BF is best, but I dont think that FF moms should be singled out in the way the government enforce currently.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 07:03 AM	#15
summer rain Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East England Posts: 16,377	BF mums don't get any boots advantage points for BF and there are some other exclusions for advantage card points not just infant formula, when I was FF my son it was a comfort formula so cost more. But it didn't bother me there weren't points on infant formula just like it doesn't bother me that there are no points/offers on some types of medicines etc xx

Status: Online

Apr 16th, 2012, 08:47 AM	#17
midori1999 Other BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3,457	I'm sorry that you're having negative feelings about having to FF, there is absolutely no need for you to feel like that, you can only do your best after all and please rememeber that any breastmilk your baby has had will benefit them. Colostrum has more white cells (antibodies) than blood and your baby has had all the goodness of that. Regarding promotions on formulas, this is done to protect both breastfeeding and formula fed babies and is put in place due to the WHO code of marketing breast milk substitutes. The WHO code does apply worldwide, but it is not meant to penalise FF Mums, but to protect babies that are FF from the appalling and underhand marketing an d promotion practices of the companies that make formula.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 10:59 AM	#18
Jayneypops Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worcestershire, UK Posts: 538	Thanks all. I am disappointed to be FF I must admit, but understand it is the first choice for many moms for various reasons. I guess I always assumed I would be able to BF. that's the one thing I've learnt since having my LO.....assume nothing! I do see the reasoning behind the governments decision to a degree but I think it Gould be handled more sensitively by retailers, maybe ensuring we are all better informed.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 12:57 PM	#19
andella95 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,023	I still don't get it, lol. I just figure that people aren't going to buy more formula than they need just because they get points for it. I feel neutral.

Status: Offline

Apr 16th, 2012, 13:36 PM	#20
fantastica Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Jersey/Leeds Posts: 1,694	I think it's a it ott. I mean, it's not as though someone is going to choose to ff solely on the basis that they can get more boots points, and tbh if you based your decision on that then there is more to worry about then whether you breastfeed or not! A lot of people do not choose to ff, and what about people who adopt, or single fathers. It's ridiculous. Why can't people do whatever the hell they want without the government constantly concerning themselves.

Status: Offline

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