Underhand tactics - formula companies

[BlackBerry25]

I don't think I was vulnerable, and I sure as hell did not just take advice from any old thing or person. Obviously people have other references to learn from, like their doctors, midwives, friends, families, the internet, etc.

Plus I don't think they are secretly brainwashing people to buy their product

 

[Hayley90]

oookay. I go away for lunch, come back and find that someone seems to think chocolate cake is more appropriate food for someone on a diet dohh Why not read the comments i make IN CONTEXT rather than taking a few words from a sentence hmm?

Back to the current topic... i dont find "artificial" offensive as such, its just a rather blunt term i think ... "formula" doesn't seem so contrived and harsh - i guess as most of you have mentioned it depends on the area

x

 

[smokey]

Oh dear. Rach27 was just pointing out that 'artificial feeding' wasn't meant as derogatory, it is a fact. No one is suggesting FF is bad, just that this particular way of advertising is sneaky and underhand. If you were to look for advice about supply issues i doubt there would be any mention of fenugreek or pumping regularly!

I actualy found very few websites refering to or indorcing fenugreek when I was looking up about increasing supply.
I think it was mostly over forums that I even found out about it from.

 

[AP]

Yes, I learnt about Fenugreek on forums, no-where else. The hospital did give me brewers yeast though. Urgh....

 

[babyblog]

I think calling ff 'artificial' is offensive and if the health authorities are being encouraged to use that term as opposed to FF then i think it is awaful.It's just yet another thing to make ff mums feel bad-when in fact, ff mums need just as much support as BF mothers.

 

[smokey]

The sma wwebsite gives general advice on eating habits

https://www.smanutrition.co.uk/Know...astfeeding/Information/tabid/465/Default.aspx

same as the nhs and government websites

https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Breastfeeding/Pages/Recommendations.aspx

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/HavingABaby/AfterTheBirth/DG_4002917

It is good for a general idea, it doesnt claim to know everything that is why it gives contact info for proper qualified breastfeeding support groups.

https://www.smanutrition.co.uk/Know...g-support-/Information/tabid/473/Default.aspx..

There are also disclaimers all over the website, you cant even access it without reading one stating how breast is best and to talk to hv,and dr before deciding on formula.
So with all this in mind its not a case of "come over to the dark side" that people seem to thinks they are trying to accomplish.
Any woman with a brain can weigh up their options and decide for themselves what is best for them and their baby.
So use common sense, ignore the fact its made by a formula company (your not going to get brainwashed just from visiting its site) and use the advice if you wish to on ANY subject it offers.
If you dont wish to use the advice then go to another website.
Why cant it be as simple as "no I dont like the company so ill try elsewhere" or "I dont ff but it is another place for info so why not"

 

[Dragonfly]

Good that the nhs state you do not need a special diet.

 

[maddiwatts19]

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.

Unfortunately many women choose to formula feed simply because it is seen as normal to them. Advertising only reinforces this. In countries where advertising of formula is allowed, breastfeeding rates are much lower. It may be condescending but unfortunately it is true.

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

You're right, however breastfeeding can be really hard and many women run into problems. Unless they get the right support, they may not know how to solve those problems and therefore think that formula feeding is their only option.

It's the helplines that bothers me the most to be honest. If a breastfeeding woman rang up in the middle of the night, worried and upset because she thought her baby wasn't getting enough milk, I'm pretty sure a formula company would give different advice to the LLL! To be honest, even most health professionals in the NHS aren't able to offer solutions to some of the more complex problems, so I highly doubt that a formula company will provide answers when a much easier and more obvious answer is to start supplementing.

and a lot more women see breast feeding as natural!! where i live, everyone assumed i would breast feed when i fell pregnant with Riley because its natural!
i dont think anyone is denying that breastfeeding is hard... but in my opinion (as a mum that has breast fed and formula fed) breastfeeding is easier. you don't have to sit about waiting for the milk to be the right temperature, you don't have to wait for the water to boil, you don't have to spend nearly £10 on a tub of milk that usually lasts less than a week! i would much rather breastfeed, but it wasn't an option with Josh. i tried my hardest but it didn't happen! so while breastfeeding is hard (and no-one is saying it isn't!!) i think formula feeding mums need help & support too!

 

[v2007]

I do find the term 'artificial' offensive.

It may be an official term to some but to some Formula Feeding Mummies its upsetting.

TBH i have never even heard the term Artificial feeding in my 10 years as a Mum and i have never read it in all the 'bumpf' i got from the Bounty Packs and stuff i signed up for online.

Vxxxx

 

[smokey]

Good that the nhs state you do not need a special diet.

None of them state you need a special diet just a healthy one.

 

[freckleonear]

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.

Unfortunately many women choose to formula feed simply because it is seen as normal to them. Advertising only reinforces this. In countries where advertising of formula is allowed, breastfeeding rates are much lower. It may be condescending but unfortunately it is true.

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

You're right, however breastfeeding can be really hard and many women run into problems. Unless they get the right support, they may not know how to solve those problems and therefore think that formula feeding is their only option.

It's the helplines that bothers me the most to be honest. If a breastfeeding woman rang up in the middle of the night, worried and upset because she thought her baby wasn't getting enough milk, I'm pretty sure a formula company would give different advice to the LLL! To be honest, even most health professionals in the NHS aren't able to offer solutions to some of the more complex problems, so I highly doubt that a formula company will provide answers when a much easier and more obvious answer is to start supplementing.

and a lot more women see breast feeding as natural!! where i live, everyone assumed i would breast feed when i fell pregnant with Riley because its natural!
i dont think anyone is denying that breastfeeding is hard... but in my opinion (as a mum that has breast fed and formula fed) breastfeeding is easier. you don't have to sit about waiting for the milk to be the right temperature, you don't have to wait for the water to boil, you don't have to spend nearly £10 on a tub of milk that usually lasts less than a week! i would much rather breastfeed, but it wasn't an option with Josh. i tried my hardest but it didn't happen! so while breastfeeding is hard (and no-one is saying it isn't!!) i think formula feeding mums need help & support too!

Of course formula feeding mothers need support, I don't think anyone is saying that they don't. But would you want formula feeding advice from a breastfeeding organisation with the ulterior motive to keep suggesting relactation and expressing to increase your supply? I doubt it! I just think that a formula company are probably not the best people to be giving breastfeeding advice.

 

[fifie123]

i dont see the problem tbh. its just a company obviously helping pregnant woman and mums to be out there, there not exacally saying ''COME TO US FOR MILK WE ARE THE BEST!!'' they are just helping!!!

 

[smokey]

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.

Unfortunately many women choose to formula feed simply because it is seen as normal to them. Advertising only reinforces this. In countries where advertising of formula is allowed, breastfeeding rates are much lower. It may be condescending but unfortunately it is true.

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

You're right, however breastfeeding can be really hard and many women run into problems. Unless they get the right support, they may not know how to solve those problems and therefore think that formula feeding is their only option.

It's the helplines that bothers me the most to be honest. If a breastfeeding woman rang up in the middle of the night, worried and upset because she thought her baby wasn't getting enough milk, I'm pretty sure a formula company would give different advice to the LLL! To be honest, even most health professionals in the NHS aren't able to offer solutions to some of the more complex problems, so I highly doubt that a formula company will provide answers when a much easier and more obvious answer is to start supplementing.

and a lot more women see breast feeding as natural!! where i live, everyone assumed i would breast feed when i fell pregnant with Riley because its natural!
i dont think anyone is denying that breastfeeding is hard... but in my opinion (as a mum that has breast fed and formula fed) breastfeeding is easier. you don't have to sit about waiting for the milk to be the right temperature, you don't have to wait for the water to boil, you don't have to spend nearly £10 on a tub of milk that usually lasts less than a week! i would much rather breastfeed, but it wasn't an option with Josh. i tried my hardest but it didn't happen! so while breastfeeding is hard (and no-one is saying it isn't!!) i think formula feeding mums need help & support too!

Of course formula feeding mothers need support, I don't think anyone is saying that they don't. But would you want formula feeding advice from a breastfeeding organisation with the ulterior motive to keep suggesting relactation and expressing to increase your supply? I doubt it! I just think that a formula company are probably not the best people to be giving breastfeeding advice.

No one expects them to give bf advice, they are not experts on it that is why if you where to stumble across the site it gives advice on where to get proper support from.

https://www.smanutrition.co.uk/Know...g-support-/Information/tabid/473/Default.aspx

I dont understand why some are saying it gives false or missleading advice when feeding is just a fraction of the info it has on there.

And if a breastfeeding site was to give me advice on where to get support and who to call on ff id gladly take it rather then calling them manipulative

 

[RainbowDrop_x]

Has anyone actually stopped to think that formula companies would need to have a source from which to print information about BFing? They wouldn't be allowed to just make it up so they've obviously got the advice from some form of "reliable" source.

But who cares anyway?? The service is there is doesn't mean you HAVE to use it!!! GET OVER IT.. Jheeze louise

 

[AppleBlossom]

This still going...?

 

[Sarah10]

This still going...?

I was just wondering that myself lol

 

[trumpetbum]

Has anyone actually stopped to think that formula companies would need to have a source from which to print information about BFing? They wouldn't be allowed to just make it up so they've obviously got the advice from some form of "reliable" source.

But who cares anyway?? The service is there is doesn't mean you HAVE to use it!!! GET OVER IT.. Jheeze louise

I hardly think anyone is suggesting that they are telling breastfeeding women that breastmilk gives babies cooters.
It is however subtly misleading and outdated in some VERY important areas despite the huge amount of funding available in order to provide accurate and up to date advice and SOME people feel that it is underhanded and counter productive.
It doesn't however mean that anyone who holds this opinion is sitting at home in a tin foil hat, painting placards. So what should we get over?
What's wrong with debate, discussion and respect for each others opinions whilst disagreeing with them.

 

[trumpetbum]

The sma wwebsite gives general advice on eating habits

https://www.smanutrition.co.uk/Know...astfeeding/Information/tabid/465/Default.aspx

same as the nhs and government websites

https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Breastfeeding/Pages/Recommendations.aspx

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/HavingABaby/AfterTheBirth/DG_4002917

It is good for a general idea, it doesnt claim to know everything that is why it gives contact info for proper qualified breastfeeding support groups.

https://www.smanutrition.co.uk/Know...g-support-/Information/tabid/473/Default.aspx..

There are also disclaimers all over the website, you cant even access it without reading one stating how breast is best and to talk to hv,and dr before deciding on formula.
So with all this in mind its not a case of "come over to the dark side" that people seem to thinks they are trying to accomplish.
Any woman with a brain can weigh up their options and decide for themselves what is best for them and their baby.
So use common sense, ignore the fact its made by a formula company (your not going to get brainwashed just from visiting its site) and use the advice if you wish to on ANY subject it offers.
If you dont wish to use the advice then go to another website.
Why cant it be as simple as "no I dont like the company so ill try elsewhere" or "I dont ff but it is another place for info so why not"

I suppose it really depends on where you are coming from on this one. I have to agree to disagree because for me, the bigger picture is that this is just a single issue in a wider problem where some formula companies are concerned.

 

[pheobe]

Shit i'm only on page 16 and I have to comment...........................................................................I bet I get admin'd but it has to be said; I'm reading shitty comments re quality of nutrician from a women who came on here and started a riot because she didn't know how to clean her own toilet and her house was a shit tip in her words 'unfit for a baby'. WTF??????

I'm out

 

[cherryglitter]

Shit i'm only on page 16 and I have to comment...........................................................................I bet I get admin'd but it has to be said; I'm reading shitty comments re quality of nutrician from a women who came on here and started a riot because she didn't know how to clean her own toilet and her house was a shit tip in her words 'unfit for a baby'. WTF??????

I'm out

Totally forgot about that!!!