Please sign this petition to Gordon Brown!

[zoe0504]

Signed! I actually work in Boots, the opticians, so it's easier for me to get Oliver's milk, i think it's very unfair to penalise mothers who can't physically do something. As long as your LO is growing and healthy then whats the problem!!!
x x x

 

[tmr1234]

Signed

 

[xkirstyx]

signed

 

[mrsraggle]

I'm hoping to breastfeed but I think it's awful that we're not given a proper choice - being penalised for FF is awful. I signed! x

 

[Shazzy-babee]

signed xx

 

[classyburd]

Is it true also thats why they never put any of the stage 1 or 2 forumlas on promotional offers like BOGOF etc??? They will only do promotions and money off the follow on stuff

 

[jacs]

Yeah, you're right classyburd (love the name!), that explains why there are always follow on milk vouchers in Evan's 1st stage Cow&Gate - I always wished they'd out 1st stage vouchers in, but that's not going to happen now is it?!

 

[Jody R]

Signed. And I loved the article too.

It's ridiculous that in this day and age we can't just say "this is how we're doing things and I don't have to justify why" on any of our pregnacy, birthing or parenting choices and whatever method we use to feed our children.

And it's ridiculous that a high street store or supermarket feels so intimidated by guidelines that they are telling people it's against the law to give loyalty points to a customer buying baby food or allow them to purchase baby food with the points they already have.

It's not like we are trying to buy crack cocaine for our babies, we are buying them food.

The last point in the article made me nod in agreement, I honestly believe Joseph would have starved to death if we didn't have access to formula because breastfeeding did not work for us.

I don't shop in Boots for other reasons but if I did I can't see that them offering me a few store loyalty points would chance my mind about breast feeding and convince me to formula feed instead.

But they might make me think it was worth the slightly higher price they charge for the formula we use and buying it from their store rather than our local supermarket.

Joseph needs the formula no matter what and with no incentive but price I will buy it at the cheaper store but if the loyalty points were allowed I might just be loyal to the store offering them and that's what they are there for.

Loyalty points are not an evil scheme by the makers of formula milk when you can buy everything else in the same shop from a lipstick to a bathmat and get the same reward.

But I think I might be preaching to the choir, so sorry, rant over.

 

[jacs]

This is going really well, we've got 31 signatures (plus 4 that were already there).

A lot of us obviously feel really strongly about this, and there's not much else we can do about it, except this.

I'm getting hubby and my parents to sign (be nice to see a few male names on the list!!)


Viva la Revolucion!

 

[madasa]

To promote any kind of formula goes against the code set out by the World Health Organisation.... I don't agree that the rules should be changed to make it easier for formula to be promoted, because I think that would cause bfdg rates to fall even lower, and that would not be in the best interests of mums and babies.

BUT - for mums who CAN'T bfd I think they should be able to get formula on prescription. Its not fair to be made to feel a failure for not being able to do the best for your kid (I know mums who feel like this when they didn't manage to bfd) AND to be penalised on top of that by always having to pay top whack for formula milk... which is not cheap!

 

[jacs]

Hi madasa,

I see your point, but I think that advantage points are available on pretty much everything in Boots, so allowing it on formula isn't promotion. If it was only formula that you got the reward for, then yes, that would be promotion.

Also, a few Boots points isn't going to make people change how they feed their baby, as the financial benefit of receiving points is outweighed by not having to buy formula if you BF.

I had absolutely no milk supply whatsoever, which is why I get particularly annoyed about this (prescription formula would be fab though!), but even if it had just been choice, I don't see why the gov. are interfering beyond giving their recommendations.

They recommend all sorts, like 5-a-day fruit and veg, but I can collect points on a chocolate bar!

Anyway, there is nothing wrong at all with debate on this, and thanks for your input, however, I really wanted to try and stick to petition posts here, as there is a HUGE discussion thread in Baby Club (the link in my first post will take you to it).
Jac x

 

[Lucy_lu_84]

I will sign, I BF for first 5 months but I still feel its wrong that u can't get points or whatever! I was shocked first time I bought milk and handed over my boots card and she said Nope u can't get them!

 

[Tabs]

Signed with absolute pleasure!!!

 

[kyesmummy]

signed xxx

 

[lorna84]

Signed

 

[Laura2919]

I got my milk on prescription but I knew they didnt from when my niece was born!
I think its terrible!!! What difference does that make to jars or any other type of food!

 

[Maybe75]

Agree with petition, haven't had our little one yet but have promised myself that if i can't bf, won't beat myself up over it! And woe betide anyone else who decides to criticise

However, (and please don't have a go at me!) i disagree with daily mail article. I don't think its just ff mums that get it in the neck. I think people just generally like to have a go at mums! If we're not being told off for ff, we're being told off for bf/ing in public, or at all! And her point about people having a go for having a c/section - i know plenty of girls who've gone for the at home/all natural version, and been 'told off' for it.

I think it even starts before then - If it isn't girls having babies 'too young' its us being selfish for leaving it 'too late'. And its always the woman's fault, never the mans! As if a man never makes a woman wait to have children.... argh!

Sorry i know i've gone hugely off topic here it just infuriates me. Whats wrong with just smiling and saying how lovely the baby is?

Please forgive my huge digression

 

[jacs]

Haha! You're right, as if it isn't all stressful enough!

What I like about the article though, is that it represents FF mums, which I haven't seen a lot of.

We should start a new petition called 'Be nice to mums in general, or eff off'

 

[Maybe75]

That is true, it was good to see just a normal perspective too, not preachy at all! It does make me laugh, as if new mums haven't got enough on their plates... And when blokes have the cheek to comment! Feel like saying 'oh so you breastfed did you then'?

Ha ha i will definitely sign that petition

 

[Dragonfly]

breast feeders get looked down on as well! I am the one in my family and personal friends that has breastfeed and the amount of flack I get for it! its all formula where I am. I have gotten cheeky and ignorant remarks. Even when I post up info on breastfeeding I have had formula feeding mums have a go at me because they couldn't do it even though its not aimed at them its aimed to spread breastfeeding awareness. Both sides evidently get stick over it.

I found this also when I was looking into this. Its not just boots that do this.
* The Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995

* Restrictions on promotion of infant formulae
19. No person shall at any place where any infant formula is sold by retail—
o (a) advertise any infant formula;
o (b) make any special display of an infant formula designed to promote sales;
o (c) give away—
+ (i) any infant formula as a free sample; or
+ (ii) any coupon which may be used to purchase an infant formula at a discount;
o (d) promote the sale of an infant formula by means of premiums, special sales, loss- leaders or tie-in sales; or
o (e) undertake any other promotional activity to induce the sale of an infant formula.

That would be the reason you arnt getting points.