Underhand tactics - formula companies

[trumpetbum]

To be honest, I don't understand why everyones so bothered about formula milk. If you want to breastfeed. Great. If you want to formula feed, great! Why are we all so concerned about breast being best. It's nothing to do with you how other people feed their baby.

Be it formula milk or breastmilk. We're all aware of the benefits of breastmilk. Well done the NHS. We can all make our own decisions. Why is everyone so concerned with the fact that breastfeeding figures are falling etc?! Just curious?!

I can only answer for myself, but the issue of interest to me because public health is of interest to me. Poor breastfeeding figures relates to poorer health in general which relates to allocation of funding and resources. Again, of personal interest to me.
If all babies were breastfed for the first 3 months (and I'm not implying that ALL babies can be breastfed or implying anything negative about anyone who chose not to) it is estimated that the NHS would save over 50 million a year on gastroenteritis treatment alone. So anyone in the UK with any opinion on NHS resources, funding, quality of care and treatment provision probably SHOULD be interested in this issue overall.
On an individual basis, it is sod all to do with me how people choose to feed their babies and I support those around me who choose either and recieve the same in return from most of them. I support personal choice 100%.
On a wider level the issues of informed choice and health promotion and it's challenges are the business of all current and training health professionals, but also of interest to all who have any interest in the health service, and as everyone in the UK will be an NHS user at some point in their life it is likely to be of interest to many imho.

That may be true but I didnt stop bfeeding cos an ad told me too which seems to be the point of this thread.

Neither did I. I don't think this IS the point of the debate, but if that's not clear from the entirety of the discussion I don't know how to change that impression.

You cannot take away freedom of choice cos then we would live in a nanny state

I can't see anywhere that I, or anyone else has suggested removing choice from individuals. In fact I know I have stated repeatedly that I am 100% for personal choice.

My Mw was very good when I decided to ff, told me how to make up bottles and what not

Good. That is how it should be, good advice on safe feeding by a health professional.

cos the advice SMA give you about making up bottles is wrong

Well, that reaffirms a point that has been made regarding the difference between formula promotion and the promtion of safe formula feeding several times in this thread, imo.

That was my point if a mother decides to ff she should not be scared of going to her mw and the mw should be giving her practical advice about making up bottles

I agree.

My SIL told me a story while pregnant that a baby died cos her parents (who had LD) were feeding her ready brek

Also MIL told me that years ago in her street a baby died cos its mother was making the bottles up wrong.

(I do not know the ins and outs of the stories so please dont get mad)
Now information needs to be available across the board in my view

That's very, very sad My granny in law used to feed fil powdered malt drink (horlicks or ovaltine or something like that) when she ran out of formula, but this was many moons ago. Anyway, if and when things like that happen it is a failure somewhere in the system that needs to be adressed. I know there is a problem in my area with asylum seekers kids falling off the system that the HVs are working to find solutions to. You would hope that authority involvement with vulnerable adults and children would mean that these stories are few and far between now.

 

[trumpetbum]

I wish my baby could read, he's due a nap and this thread would most certainly send him to sleep. The last 20 pages or so are just going round and round in circles.

Meh, I've enjoyed seeing what peoples POV on the subject is and putting my views across on the subject, even if I don't necessarily agree with all the points made or understand why people post just to tell everyone how pointless and circular the discussion is.

It has taken me hours to read the whole thread and everyones opinions (some of which are posted numerous times) the thread IS going round in circles - I can post what I like. It was a J-OOKKEE - babies don't read internet threads.

I got it. The reply was dry, but it wasn't meant to be mean spirited. Not my style.

 

[trumpetbum]

Sorry, another thing.. The support IS there if you need it. People need to be more proactive and if they need help they need to ask. People expect everything to be handed to them on a plate and for the HCPs to be psychic or something?

Completely agree. I was discharged following my readmission with the helpful words "I wonder if she will ever latch on?!". Went home and got advice from B&B. In fact I had a thread up that OH posted when I was still in. And when problems persisted I went to a breastfeeding support group. I definitely didn't have to fight to get support, just a thread on B&B and a visit to a coffee morning.

While I agree parents should be proactive, I do think that information needs to be easily accessible, accurate and offered to all. I'm all for personal responsibility but I also think that considering the information needs to reach a range of people including vlnerable groups that good information shouldn't need to be actively sought out, but jmho.

 

[Missy86]

To be honest, I don't understand why everyones so bothered about formula milk. If you want to breastfeed. Great. If you want to formula feed, great! Why are we all so concerned about breast being best. It's nothing to do with you how other people feed their baby.

Be it formula milk or breastmilk. We're all aware of the benefits of breastmilk. Well done the NHS. We can all make our own decisions. Why is everyone so concerned with the fact that breastfeeding figures are falling etc?! Just curious?!

I can only answer for myself, but the issue of interest to me because public health is of interest to me. Poor breastfeeding figures relates to poorer health in general which relates to allocation of funding and resources. Again, of personal interest to me.
If all babies were breastfed for the first 3 months (and I'm not implying that ALL babies can be breastfed or implying anything negative about anyone who chose not to) it is estimated that the NHS would save over 50 million a year on gastroenteritis treatment alone. So anyone in the UK with any opinion on NHS resources, funding, quality of care and treatment provision probably SHOULD be interested in this issue overall.
On an individual basis, it is sod all to do with me how people choose to feed their babies and I support those around me who choose either and recieve the same in return from most of them. I support personal choice 100%.
On a wider level the issues of informed choice and health promotion and it's challenges are the business of all current and training health professionals, but also of interest to all who have any interest in the health service, and as everyone in the UK will be an NHS user at some point in their life it is likely to be of interest to many imho.

That may be true but I didnt stop bfeeding cos an ad told me too which seems to be the point of this thread.

Neither did I. I don't think this IS the point of the debate, but if that's not clear from the entirety of the discussion I don't know how to change that impression.

You cannot take away freedom of choice cos then we would live in a nanny state

I can't see anywhere that I, or anyone else has suggested removing choice from individuals. In fact I know I have stated repeatedly that I am 100% for personal choice.

My Mw was very good when I decided to ff, told me how to make up bottles and what not

Good. That is how it should be, good advice on safe feeding by a health professional.

cos the advice SMA give you about making up bottles is wrong

Well, that reaffirms a point that has been made regarding the difference between formula promotion and the promtion of safe formula feeding several times in this thread, imo.

That was my point if a mother decides to ff she should not be scared of going to her mw and the mw should be giving her practical advice about making up bottles

I agree.

My SIL told me a story while pregnant that a baby died cos her parents (who had LD) were feeding her ready brek

Also MIL told me that years ago in her street a baby died cos its mother was making the bottles up wrong.

(I do not know the ins and outs of the stories so please dont get mad)
Now information needs to be available across the board in my view

That's very, very sad My granny in law used to feed fil powdered malt drink (horlicks or ovaltine or something like that) when she ran out of formula, but this was many moons ago. Anyway, if and when things like that happen it is a failure somewhere in the system that needs to be adressed. I know there is a problem in my area with asylum seekers kids falling off the system that the HVs are working to find solutions to. You would hope that authority involvement with vulnerable adults and children would mean that these stories are few and far between now.

Yes I think the NHS needs to work on providing information and care on all aspects of parenting

 

[trumpetbum]

I found it

https://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/1999/jul/28/familyandrelationships.features101

Desperately sad. Oasn but that article came out the day I was induced with my eldest. The difference in the guidelines, NHS literature and even the way HVs are obliged/expected to practice these days is phenomenal.

 

[smokey]

Oh come on I only had a nap and now I have another 11 pages to read, hold up and wait for me will you

 

[leelee]

We have the NHS and formula companies telling us that "Breast is Best". Breast is NOT best. Breast is the normal and natural way to feed a baby and formula is an inferior substitute. The reason that breastfeeding has become so difficult is because formula companies have saturated us with information about formula over the last century and therefore formula has become the norm.

The best way to increase breastfeeding figures is to normalise breastfeeding again. Part of this is to remove the influence formula companies have on mothers by restricting and monitoring their advertising.

If more women are breastfeeding and breastfeeding is normal then people will have more support..... from their families, friends, neighbours. I'm sure that there are many women who would no more ask their friend for breastfeeding position advice than they would for sex position advice. 100 or so years ago when most people breast fed it was talked about, girls saw women breastfeeding and therefore had a better idea of what to do when their babies where born.

And before I get flamed for the use of the word "inferior", it is an accurate way to describe the relationship between something that is not "best". Lets not get all pedantic on wording again.

And you know full well that by using the word 'inferior' you are going to offend, upset and cause more anger on this thread. So why use it?

As you said yourself, you had issues with your LO latching so you would think that you would have more empathy for others who cannot BF due to a number of reasons outlined in this thread. But I guess your not an empathic person.

It's people like you, who use words like 'artificial' and 'inferior' knowing full well that they will offend, that will deter me from using the BF'ing section in Baby and Bump when I have another baby.

There is definitely much nicer and better support from people in the 'real' world. Some people in the online community are horrible.

 

[polo_princess]

Ive just eaten half a box of roses catching up with this!!

 

[aob1013]

Ive just eaten half a box of roses catching up with this!!

Lucky girl .. i'm on a diet starting from today

 

[Dragonfly]

Whats LD?

Learning disabilities (?)

Yes sorry I have to be quick cos my dinner is ready I wanna eat it before master of the house wakes up

whats wrong with ready brek? I just got that for William

I got a tin of roses from tesco at £5, saving them for later

Edit: I see link now,. very young to be feeding a baby that stuff! I thought I read it was 3 years before you could give ready break., think i will dump the box I have now and back to wheetabix.

 

[smokey]

Are we still on this

Why doesnt someone phone the line, say they are pregnant and see what sort of response you get about bfeeding

I did as I have said befor in this thread, I was given good advice about they are not experts and I was given contact numbers for proper breastfeeding helplines and places where to get official advice.

 

[Rach27]

Are we still on this

Why doesnt someone phone the line, say they are pregnant and see what sort of response you get about bfeeding

I did as I have said befor in this thread, I was given good advice about they are not experts and I was given contact numbers for proper breastfeeding helplines and places where to get official advice.

That's great but not what we're talking about. We're discussing a company developing a positive brand association with a target audience they are not leagally entitiled to approach.

 

[Missy86]

Whats LD?

Learning disabilities (?)

Yes sorry I have to be quick cos my dinner is ready I wanna eat it before master of the house wakes up

whats wrong with ready brek? I just got that for William

I got a tin of roses from tesco at £5, saving them for later

Edit: I see link now,. very young to be feeding a baby that stuff! I thought I read it was 3 years before you could give ready break., think i will dump the box I have now and back to wheetabix.

If you read the article I posted it says they were using ready brek instead of baby rice at 3 months cos it was cheaper

its to salty for a small baby

 

[Missy86]

Are we still on this

Why doesnt someone phone the line, say they are pregnant and see what sort of response you get about bfeeding

I did as I have said befor in this thread, I was given good advice about they are not experts and I was given contact numbers for proper breastfeeding helplines and places where to get official advice.

That's great but not what we're talking about. We're discussing a company developing a positive brand association with a target audience they are not leagally entitiled to approach.

Sorry I though the topic had moved on
my mistake

 

[Dragonfly]

Sorry I left them came back and loads of posts and I was stuck on thread. I know ready brek at that age is not suitable or smash or gravy for that matter. No food at 3 months is. Sad all the same. I have to look into the salt in ready brek though as I dont even know if thats suitable for my son and I just got it as he seems bored with what he has.

 

[smokey]

Ive just eaten half a box of roses catching up with this!!

And you didnt think to share? tut tut

 

[Rach27]

Sorry I though the topic had moved on
my mistake

Eh?

 

[trumpetbum]

I'm funking starving. Surgically removing oneself from laptop for 5 to make food, maternity leave is making me lazy.

 

[Missy86]

Sorry I though the topic had moved on
my mistake

Eh?

I thought that the problem was that a formula company had a help line for pregnant women and you were worried they were gonna force formula on mums to be

and they topic has moved on their is so much going on in this thread now

 

[Blah11]

I wish my baby could read, he's due a nap and this thread would most certainly send him to sleep. The last 20 pages or so are just going round and round in circles.

That's so rude. No one is forcing you to be in here and read it