formula required a prescription.

[shorman]

I just a very interesting blog in the Internet and it was saying if formula was only aloud as a prescription the rates if breastfeeding would be higher it also said about banning formula advertising? In my opinion I can see both ways but in my opinion I think why should formula be made to feel ashamed of, but then would I have been more succesul if fomula wasn't so available and more help available?

 

[hopingforit]

I don't think that formula should be prescription only. That would make the mothers who give it to their babies feel guilty about it. I am 100% pro breastfeeding and think every mother should at least try it but I also know that it doesn't work for everyone. I supplement with some formula just because I can't make enough milk to fully feed both babies (though I am close so I don't feed much formula). I also don't feed from the breast. Expressing is very time consuming and is also not for everyone because you are doing double the work. So, I can see mothers who really try breastfeeding but who it just can't work out for feeling ashamed that they have to use a prescription to buy formula to feed their babies. While there is no doubt that breast is best for the baby, what is best for the mother should also be taken into account because you need a healthy mom to have a healthy baby. Now, I will however say that I think formula ads should promote breastfeeding more. They are a business of course and are out to make money but I know that they will send out samples and emails to breastfeeding mothers and take out ads in big magazines. While they have a right to advertise, they IMO, should have to really get the word out that breast is the 1st choice and only send samples and emails to those who request it.

 

[missk1989]

I don't think that's a good idea at all. I have never given formula yet but do intend to soon. My friend never tried bf but mainly because everyone around her kept saying things like it hurts or formula is more convenient for leaving lo at home. She has never regret her decision but it was based on peer and family views rather than her own so I think more support would be better than prescription.

 

[shorman]

I no I think it's weird how there no breastfeeding advertising online it's like some being said you no probably more about formula feeding than breasting before your even pregnant, I remember when I was pregnant with my oldest from the beginning I said I was going to breastfeed and I was really looking forward to it but right from the beginning I new it was going to be hard for me I was young didn't no any young mums that breast fed plus my own mum even though supported the idea of me breastfeeding kept saying negative things like how I shouldn't breastfeed in public, there defiantly needs to be more help but also saying that I got to the point of suicidal when I was breast feeding I had really bad PND and was extremely poorly from having a emergency c section and i really feel changing to formula saved me and to think if I couldn't of got it that quickly when I needed it is scary and makes other mums ff just feel even more guilty than they already do.

 

[Twister]

No I don't think formula should be prescription only (except the specialist formulas for allergies etc), and I can't see it ever happening either. I am pro breast feeding and currently bf my lo but I am also pro choice and feel that what ever the feeding method, mums shouldn't be made to feel bad about it. And let's face it, it happens whether you breastfeed or formula feed.

There are other ways to try and improve breastfeeding rates such more information on the realities of breastfeeding instead of just pushing the 'breast is best' slogan over and over again, and better support for breastfeeding mums.

Eta: I wouldn't see the problem with banning the advertising of formula (they can only advertise from follow on milk onwards as it is). People will choose/need to formula feed regardless of the advertising campaign that appears on the tv and it tends to drive up the price of products anyway as your're now paying for a 'label' as well as the product itself.

 

[Piper84]

Formula advertising is banned in Europe until the point of follow-on milk. I don't see any problem with this at all. As for it being available on prescription, an advantage would be that mothers who need it would probably not have to pay for it as it is being prescribed to a child. If they did have to pay, the prescription charge would still be cheaper than buying the stuff from the shop.

Formula is a medical requirement, so I don't see why it shouldn't be treated the same way as other substances that keep you alive. I think it's kind of sick that it's treated as a commodity the way it is.

 

[x Michelle x]

Being in Scotland i would have saved a fortune as prescriptions are free

 

[Piper84]

I think they're free all over the UK for children, the elderly, the disabled, etc. etc.

 

[x Michelle x]

I think they're free all over the UK for children, the elderly, the disabled, etc. etc.

in Scotland they are free for everyone

 

[Piper84]

As is the parking! But this would surely only effect children, so you would also be saving on formula costs if you lived in England or Wales

 

[bubbles123]

The logistics of it would be a nightmare. It would be time consuming for Doctors to decide who needed it and who didn't, all the repeat prescriptions etc. What would happen if you lost your prescription and LO needed feeding? You'd have to go to the emergency Doctors, take up their time... Would never work.
Also, it would take away womens choice to use their bodies how they wished and that is something we all should fight against.

 

[shorman]

What's upsetting I am sorry a real truth Is a lot if ff mums are made to feel guilty I would have died if it wasn't for ff as I sunk into a deep depression resenting my baby because for six months I really tried to bf even though I shouldn't of, in my opinion everyone s a right to choose I don't get how formula is medication in this country it us amazing well made full of good stuff and ok it not best in some people's opinion but to me formula my children are alive, healthy and happy why should mums who just want to ff n
Be told they shouldn't what give anyone that Right

 

[smokey]

What I find the worst about the idea of prescription formula is what on earth would they expect a mother to do one night while baby is screaming for its bottle and you have droped the last of the tin on the floor and its 3am so no possible way of getting another prescription till the morning then waiting for a appointment (not everywhere does emergancy, my mums dr has a 30 min window to get a emergancy then after 9:30 if you havnt gotten through you phone a different number to make a normal 3-4 day wait appointment) then trying to get he prescription.
In the end the baby is screaming for food anything up to 8 hours (depending on even being able to get a appointment) and most chemists round here dont open sunday so youd have to look for someplace like a tscos that has a chemist.

Also there is a potential for days of hell for a poor baby while getting a dr appointment and convincing a dr that a prescription is needed (im assuming a world where prescription was needed would mean if its medicaly not possible to BF) and undergoing medical physical and probably psychological evaluations and how such invasive, personal exams and evaluations would likely give a major bash to a womans confidance and probably greatly contribute to PND and harm towards babies because of a self worth effect

 

[smokey]

Interesting thought about the idea of if it was prescription though how children dont pay fpr perscriptions so it would be free.
Im willing to bet the government would make a loophole on that in terms of the prescription is a parents choice (or use some spin to make it along those lines) so would be the exeption to have to be paid for or made out to the parent seen as they are the ones using it.
You dont think they would miss a chance to make money on it like that do you?

 

[Piper84]

Interesting thought about the idea of if it was prescription though how children dont pay fpr perscriptions so it would be free.
Im willing to bet the government would make a loophole on that in terms of the prescription is a parents choice (or use some spin to make it along those lines) so would be the exeption to have to be paid for or made out to the parent seen as they are the ones using it.
You dont think they would miss a chance to make money on it like that do you?

If formula milk was prescription-only, do you really think the government would make it the only thing that is charged for for children? It makes no sense from a public health perspective and they would be turning the country against them and assuring miserable voting turnouts for their party. Not to mention if it did become prescription-only, the government would probably start manufacturing its own generic formula and wouldn't be buying it from Cow and Gate or whatever at hugely inflated prices.

I agree the process for deciding who should get formula could be complicated and time consuming, but I'm sure the logistics of it could be worked out fine. People with chronic asthma don't spend a lot of time having asthma attacks outside closed chemists because they've lost their last inhaler. With something that keeps you alive, don't you tend to be more organised about it and have a stash for emergencies?

 

[Dragonfly]

I only thin on prescription if you need it that way you can get it free. but people on benefits here get it free on healthy start anyway. I think more education for breastfeeding is needed more.

 

[special_kala]

I dont agree with formul only being available on prescription because it is a perfectly acceptable choice so i dont think it needs to be shunned away and people having to justify it at every turn.

Completely agree with not advertising formula though as breastfeeding does need to protecting and so do new mums and lets face it formula companies main concern is profits so if they could advertise they wouldnt do it ethically

 

[staralfur]

No, I don't think it should be prescription-only. For several reasons already stated.

The key is definitely to provide more breastfeeding support. REAL support from people who know what they're talking about... so maybe more breastfeeding education for pediatricians/health professionals that work with infants? I don't think it should come to having to track down a lactation consultant to get support, it should be easily accessible just by picking up the phone or asking questions at a regular checkup. And every hospital should have a lactation consultant on site for new moms who are struggling - my hospital didn't have one and a couple of the nurses trying to help me were lost. They ended up suggesting that we supplement because we couldn't get her latch right a mere 12 hours after she was born... I was devastated and it was seriously disappointing. I felt like if I had proper help we could've avoided a lot pain as I ended up going home with her not latching correctly and the nurses basically saying "Oh well, just supplement."

For a lot of people I'm sure that would've ended in a complete switch to formula due to not establishing a good supply, or quitting because we never got the latch right and it was excruciatingly painful. Fortunately for me, I had this forum to look to and I got things back on track. But not everyone has that, and I'm sure lack of support or information is the reason a lot of people use formula. That can be fixed without putting restrictions on formula.

 

[onetwothreebp]

Formula is a medical requirement, so I don't see why it shouldn't be treated the same way as other substances that keep you alive. I think it's kind of sick that it's treated as a commodity the way it is.

I tried to think of a decent response to you but special_kala said it best. Formula is an acceptable choice and that's all there is to it.

I dont agree with formul only being available on prescription because it is a perfectly acceptable choice so i dont think it needs to be shunned away and people having to justify it at every turn.

 

[Noelle610]

Formula is a medical requirement, so I don't see why it shouldn't be treated the same way as other substances that keep you alive. I think it's kind of sick that it's treated as a commodity the way it is.

I'm confused... Formula is food. Food keeps you alive. No one would suggest that one needs a perscription for food, right? Even if you feel formula is inferior to breastmilk, should we be forcing people to buy apples instead of chips? Where is personal choice in all of this?