Underhand tactics - formula companies

[RainbowDrop_x]

IMHO to term formula feeding as "artificial" is underhand to me

 

[Sam9kids]

When i was doing my nursing artificial feeding were those that were being fed by tube either in the nose or into the stomach

I wouldnt class formula feeding the same

 

[Rach27]

IMHO to term formula feeding as "artificial" is underhand to me

Not that this has anything to do with my OP but:

ar·ti·fi·cial (ärt-fshl)
adj.
1.
a. Made by humans; produced rather than natural.
b. Brought about or caused by sociopolitical or other human-generated forces or influences: set up artificial barriers against women and minorities; an artificial economic boom.
2. Made in imitation of something natural; simulated: artificial teeth.
3. Not genuine or natural: an artificial smile.

So, formula milk is definitely artifical. Some will always like/use that term, others always won't so it's a very fruitless topic to debate IMHO.

 

[maddiwatts19]

I think i've heard the term "artificial feeding" not even a handful of times over 2 and a half years of being on the site and we have members from all over the world, must be a "new" thing, i guess with the recent push for BF'ing

i've never heard it called that either till this thread... but once again that just re-enforces the feeling of making FFing mums feel like failures! there is nothing wrong with calling it formula feeding because that's what it is! and apart from a few people in this thread, there doesn't seem to be much of a fuss being made about it... but if breast feeding was changed to be called something derogatory then all hell would break loose! and quite rightly!! neither type of feeding should be refereed to as something derogatory, so i don't get why it seems to be OK for formula feeding to be called artificial?! xxxx

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Many people call things different names. I'm an ff mum and I see it as atificial. I don't think people meant it offensive or used it in a derogatory way.
Xx

 

[smokey]

When i was doing my nursing artificial feeding were those that were being fed by tube either in the nose or into the stomach

I wouldnt class formula feeding the same

exactly, thats what the term means to me, im not perticularly offended by it because I dont care enough to be but yet again it seems like experts, officials whatever you want to call them are again attempting "lets use the most degrading sounding term to describe it so people will be discusted by the idea"

 

[Justagirlxx]

I believe a company should be able to advertise their product. No one is holding a gun to my head and forcing me to buy formula over breastmilk when I see these ads. An ad is just that. The only thing I would have a problem with is false advertising. If a formula brand started saying it was better for baby than the breast then I would start being concerned. Anyways companys have never actually had the consumers best interest at heart, all they care about is selling their product. This is not a new thing.

OP I understand your problem is with the fact that they are being sneaky about it. But you dont have any actual proof that they are advertising their formula with this help line do you? It could be that they are genuinely helping people who NEED to FF like I do by providing a help line. I had many questions when I first started using formula so I can see the need for a hotline like that.

 

[AP]

Hold on, SMA are only not allowed to advertise the 0-6 months milk. Thats it really. Follow on etc are fine. They are allowed to advertise that

So what really is the big deal about the advert?!

 

[Kate&Lucas]

I've not read the whole thread (I get the jist), but regarding the original post I do agree. I find that formula companies are far too 'helpful' for new mums and mums-to-be. If they really were just intent on giving advice, and not pushing their product to an often vulnerable audience, they'd do it without splashing their frigging brand all over the place.

 

[smokey]

IMHO to term formula feeding as "artificial" is underhand to me

Not that this has anything to do with my OP but:

ar·ti·fi·cial (ärt-fshl)
adj.
1.
a. Made by humans; produced rather than natural.
b. Brought about or caused by sociopolitical or other human-generated forces or influences: set up artificial barriers against women and minorities; an artificial economic boom.
2. Made in imitation of something natural; simulated: artificial teeth.
3. Not genuine or natural: an artificial smile.

So, formula milk is definitely artifical. Some will always like/use that term, others always won't so it's a very fruitless topic to debate IMHO.

Just because it is technicaly correct via the dictionary doesnt make it a good word to use.
There have been plenty of words in the past that are technicaly used right but that still doesnt make them appropriate.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I don't get why people get upset by artificial. I carried a lot of guilt for not bfing but this word doesn't upset me
Xx

 

[BlackBerry25]

I've not read the whole thread (I get the jist), but regarding the original post I do agree. I find that formula companies are far too 'helpful' for new mums and mums-to-be. If they really were just intent on giving advice, and not pushing their product to an often vulnerable audience, they'd do it without splashing their frigging brand all over the place.

Well thats how products sell, splashing their frigging brand all over the place. Some of us who chose to formula feed, should be able to learn about products without having to mail away for some brochure. We get to see adverts for every single other product, including tampons and toilet paper, so why not formula?

 

[Kate&Lucas]

I've not read the whole thread (I get the jist), but regarding the original post I do agree. I find that formula companies are far too 'helpful' for new mums and mums-to-be. If they really were just intent on giving advice, and not pushing their product to an often vulnerable audience, they'd do it without splashing their frigging brand all over the place.

Well thats how products sell, splashing their frigging brand all over the place. Some of us who chose to formula feed, should be able to learn about products without having to mail away for some brochure. We get to see adverts for every single other product, including tampons and toilet paper, so why not formula?

I formula feed, I've never had any issues. The point that was being raised was that it's against the law to advertise formula for babies under 6 months. In posting an advert in a magazine aimed at mums-to-be, that's what SMA were essentially doing. Just because they didn't say 'buy this product for your newborn', means they're getting away with it.
The point was that it's an underhand tactic. My reply was that I agree with this.

 

[MissBroody]

The word artifical does offend me - for others it may not for me it makes it sound subordinate to breastfeeding. I know it is literally artificial as it's not human milk, but I would much prefer the term formula or bottle feeding and would never say to someone 'Hi, I artificial feed'. If I did that around here I don't think anyone would know what I'm on about.

Where I'm from, it's hard to escape the Breast is Best talk. So by the time my baby was born, I was certainly aware of that fact (though, without being condescending I think the majority of people are aware of that without it being pushed down your throat) but I find it a shame that formula companies aren't allowed to advertise until 6 months+ because, by then, I know what I'm doing. It was at the start when I had to make the transition from breast to bottle that I could have done with the help, the advertising... I was clueless on how to sterilise bottles, what bottles and teats to use, which formula to go for and how much to make... I find it quite condescending that the government think people who would have perhaps chosen to breastfeed would change their minds and be swayed by formula adverts. Once I'd chosen to breastfeed I was going to stick to it, but when the reality hit that I physically couldn't, then I needed advice on formula.

 

[smokey]

I think a few are missing the point that this advice line and info they provide isnt just about ff, it is also about breastfeeding, what to eat when breastfeed, how to stay health during pregnancy and after, what nappies to use, different current advice on a whole world of baby matters.
I have used the advice and website a few times and found it rather good especialy the breastfeeding info they sent me with lists of what to avoid eating while bf.
So what if its run by by a formula company.
Give more credit to most new mums who are not going to be looking at it and thinking "right thats it sod bothering with bf when I can just make up a bottle" not everyone thinks like that

 

[maddiwatts19]

Many people call things different names. I'm an ff mum and I see it as atificial. I don't think people meant it offensive or used it in a derogatory way.
Xx

i think its just me... since having Josh i have been constantly judged for ffing him, because Riley was breastfed. i just feel that it makes it sound like its wrong... everyone knows breastfeeding is whats best, personally i'm just fed up of being judged and bullied for deciding ffing was best for me and Josh.. sorry if what i said came across wrong hun xx

 

[smokey]

well artificial also means fake.
Would anyone dare go up to someone and say "oh I see your fake feeding your baby"
Certain terms and words just dont need to be used.

 

[Missy86]

I think a few are missing the point that this advice line and info they provide isnt just about ff, it is also about breastfeeding, what to eat when breastfeed, how to stay health during pregnancy and after, what nappies to use, different current advice on a whole world of baby matters.
I have used the advice and website a few times and found it rather good especialy the breastfeeding info they sent me with lists of what to avoid eating while bf.
So what if its run by by a formula company.
Give more credit to most new mums who are not going to be looking at it and thinking "right thats it sod bothering with bf when I can just make up a bottle" not everyone thinks like that

Yes I agree

 

[MissBroody]

I think a few are missing the point that this advice line and info they provide isnt just about ff, it is also about breastfeeding, what to eat when breastfeed, how to stay health during pregnancy and after, what nappies to use, different current advice on a whole world of baby matters.
I have used the advice and website a few times and found it rather good especialy the breastfeeding info they sent me with lists of what to avoid eating while bf.
So what if its run by by a formula company.
Give more credit to most new mums who are not going to be looking at it and thinking "right thats it sod bothering with bf when I can just make up a bottle" not everyone thinks like that

Exactly! New mums do deserve more credit than that! As if I'm going to switch to formula and make a massive decision just because I got sent a cuddly polar bear and a fridge magnet?! Pampers, Bounty, SMA all have this type of service and so what? Besides health professionals, who else would set up a service like that? B+Q? Isn't it fitting that these are baby related products. Whats the biggie?

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Many people call things different names. I'm an ff mum and I see it as atificial. I don't think people meant it offensive or used it in a derogatory way.
Xx

i think its just me... since having Josh i have been constantly judged for ffing him, because Riley was breastfed. i just feel that it makes it sound like its wrong... everyone knows breastfeeding is whats best, personally i'm just fed up of being judged and bullied for deciding ffing was best for me and Josh.. sorry if what i said came across wrong hun xx

I know what you mean hun and I can see where your coming from. Its hard when you feel judged. Our children were fed thats all that matters sweetie
Xx