Do you think that hospitals should provide formula milk?

[dani_tinks]

I was completely lost after giving birth, in so much pain, confused, highly medicated and unable to move from my pelvis down. Thank God our hospital had formula! My DF was tired and confused with it being his first child and me being in such a mess. I think hospital should provide, i'm so glad they did with us.

 

[karlilay]

Been watching this thread and couldnt decide weather to post or not. I never wanted to breastfeed, i was always going to FF. I think its great that the provide it as people have a choice.

Although, if my hospital hadnt provided it. I would have been more than happy to take it in myself.

 

[Blah11]

I think they should have an 'emergency' supply but after the mother has decided to FF then she should provide the milk NHS money doesn't grow on trees.

No it comes from the taxes I've already paid!!!

I've paid mine too. It doesn't work like that. How much do you think it cost the NHS for you to have a baby? You can't just add up your tax money and say I'm entitled to X amount so I'll have some formula too please. The NHS is amazing cos it means everyone is entitled to care if they need it. However, it isn't a bottomless pit of money. It runs out and whats a couple of bottles to you, all adds up when 80,000 babies are born per year in the UK.

I'm sorry but everyone - whether they are newborn or 100yrs old - should be treated the same. If my meals are free then so should those of my baby. As I put in a later post there are areas that the government could save a hell of a lot more money than denying my baby a couple of bottles of formula.

Like what? Sorry I missed the post you are referring too. Unless you mean methadone? i don't think thats very practical. you can't pick and chose who is more entitled to MEDICAL treatment (which methadone is). I don't think providing formula to mothers who can afford milk for their babies is a medical issue.

I actually put mp's expenses.

Oh right. Well like I said, they come out of different pots so even if the expenses were stopped, the NHS would still need to make cut backs.

 

[NG09]

...... so because I didn't want to bf when my son was born he should go hungry at the hospital or I should have to pay for him to eat when every other patient there eats for free????? Am I missing something here???? This can't be serious

 

[special_kala]

...... so because I didn't want to bf when my son was born he should go hungry at the hospital or I should have to pay for him to eat when every other patient there eats for free????? Am I missing something here???? This can't be serious

Who said he should go hungry?

Yes other patients eat for free but then they dont have a alternative do they?

 

[Blah11]

Been watching this thread and couldnt decide weather to post or not. I never wanted to breastfeed, i was always going to FF. I think its great that the provide it as people have a choice.

Although, if my hospital hadnt provided it. I would have been more than happy to take it in myself.

But you have a choice They aren't banning it on the wards, just not paying for it.

did you take your own nappies and cotton wool/wipes in or did you expect to just be provided with everything ? (not directed at karlilay, just in general).

 

[tu123]

Surely methadone is cheaper for the NHS in the long run? rather then dealing with heroin overdoses, dirty needles, aides?

I dont see how drug addicts are revalent to this discussion though

It isnt relevant. Because it is the same as saying that obese people shouldnt get free healthcare and diabetics who dont look after themselves shouldnt get care either. Obesity is the biggest cost to the NHS.

 

[bigbetty]

Also, the NHS puzzles me sometimes. On one hand they are busy investing in breastfeeding, training up support workers, employing them in hospitals, working within the community etc but then on the other hand providing free formula. It is a mixed messag and really it makes no economical sense (unless ofcourse the taxes from Cow and Gate and the like are too good to pass up on).

It's not about mixed messages, it's about freedom of choice and being supported no matter what decision a woman makes.

 

[jenkins]

Does anyone know what it actually does cost the nhs to provide it?

imo yes of course it should be provided, as soon as baby is born he is a patient and should be fed while he is in hospital the same as every other patient.

 

[Blah11]

TBH, making a bottle of milk up is a lot easier than cooking an entire meal for an adult. I don't think they're comparible. Maybe if adults just ate milkshake replacements it could compare.

 

[Lightworker]

Please no offence intended here please but I think the problem lies with the "didn't want to BF" in that you declined your first choice to feed your child and are asking for a 2nd one when other patients don't get that. During uni I temped as a domestic at a hospital and if patients didn't like what was on the menu, that was it. Shouldn't that apply across the board? I don't mean it in any negative way.

 

[NG09]

...... so because I didn't want to bf when my son was born he should go hungry at the hospital or I should have to pay for him to eat when every other patient there eats for free????? Am I missing something here???? This can't be serious

Who said he should go hungry?

Yes other patients eat for free but then they dont have a alternative do they?

You know, I'm not even going to get sucked into this 'debate' anymore. IMO it's crazy. I didn't BF, I didn't want to, had no intention to and will never BF. End of. So no, my son had no other alternative than formula.

 

[karlilay]

I just mean, i like the fact they have it there, readily available, should you choose to FF, or struggle with BF and have to FF.... Should you choose to FF, you just have to ask, and they bring you a bottle. Which after giving birth and first sleepless night is a relief.
They actually gave me a couple of bottles to bring home with DD so i didnt have to rush around sterilising and making bottles after having her.

I didnt take alot in with me, because my midwife told me all the stuff they provide you with. The bounty packs have enough in for the first night anyway lol. Could have got away with taking 2 nappies an outfit and some wipes in with me with DS as i was in there such a short time!

 

[Janidog]

...... so because I didn't want to bf when my son was born he should go hungry at the hospital or I should have to pay for him to eat when every other patient there eats for free????? Am I missing something here???? This can't be serious

Who said he should go hungry?

Yes other patients eat for free but then they dont have a alternative do they?

You know, I'm not even going to get sucked into this 'debate' anymore. IMO it's crazy. I didn't BF, I didn't want to, had no intention to and will never BF. End of. So no, my son had no other alternative than formula.

Same as me

 

[bathbabe]

Please no offence intended here please but I think the problem lies with the "didn't want to BF" in that you declined your first choice to feed your child and are asking for a 2nd one when other patients don't get that. During uni I temped as a domestic at a hospital and if patients didn't like what was on the menu, that was it. Shouldn't that apply across the board? I don't mean it in any negative way.

But thats just it. We have a choice. There isnt a first choice and second choice. They are both equal choices when your baby is born.

 

[Puddingpea11]

The hospitals probably shouldn't provide it, but at the same time if your caught short you may forget to pack your formula, or bfing doesn't work out and you need formula even though you had intended to bf. Perhaps the ability to buy it is a good idea, after all formula is expensive...you don't see the hospital supplying nipple cream to BF mothers.

Ohhh I don't know now, difficult question.

 

[Blah11]

I still don't understand why people expect people to provide for YOUR baby I didn't expect breastpads, lansinoh and nursing bras did I? Or a pump.

 

[special_kala]

...... so because I didn't want to bf when my son was born he should go hungry at the hospital or I should have to pay for him to eat when every other patient there eats for free????? Am I missing something here???? This can't be serious

Who said he should go hungry?

Yes other patients eat for free but then they dont have a alternative do they?

You know, I'm not even going to get sucked into this 'debate' anymore. IMO it's crazy. I didn't BF, I didn't want to, had no intention to and will never BF. End of. So no, my son had no other alternative than formula.

ok....and thats fine

So why wouldnt you be willing to pay for it?

oh and please note

https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/8824_156212135772_515030772_3283651_6519061_n.jpg

We used those bottles but i dont see why it would be a big issue to pay for them

 

[NG09]

Please no offence intended here please but I think the problem lies with the "didn't want to BF" in that you declined your first choice to feed your child and are asking for a 2nd one when other patients don't get that. During uni I temped as a domestic at a hospital and if patients didn't like what was on the menu, that was it. Shouldn't that apply across the board? I don't mean it in any negative way.

But thats just it. We have a choice. There isnt a first choice and second choice. They are both equal choices when your baby is born.

Exactly

When I was in hospital there were loads of choices. I'm a veggie so had my own list to choose from. When my son was in hospital there they were offering god only knows what for his lunch but I said he usually has a banana so the nurse went and got me one for him. Maybe I should have paid her for it as it wasn't on the menu??

 

[Blah11]

aw! NEWBORN!