Underhand tactics - formula companies

[freckleonear]

Okay, I think I'll add my 2 cents, now that I have blurry eyes from reading all of that!

I have no problem with how women choose to feed their babies. I myself was a FF baby. Out of 4 nieces/nephews, only one was bf, and only until 6 months. I fully supported my sister's decisions to FF, despite my strong feelings about BFing.

I knew before I even TTC that I would BF my child(ren), and if it was difficult, I would do absolutely EVERYTHING in my power to BF before moving on to formula. I researched everything I could about BFing prior to even giving birth, so I would know what to expect.
Despite my strong convictions, when Devin was born, and had severe jaundice, the nurses recommended I top up his feeds with formula. I was scared, emotional, worried for my son's wellbeing, etc, etc, etc, as many of us are during the first few days of parenting. I took the nurse's advice, and topped up 2 feeds. I wasn't swayed by an advertisement, I wasn't told that I " had to" choose formula, I knew the "breast is best" that was shoved down my throat at prenatal classes.

But when it comes down to it...when a woman feels insecure, and unsure that she's doing the right thing, her choices will be swayed. Maybe it's from an ad, maybe it's from those around her. But when people are pushing formula in your face 24/7, you start to question your convictions. And when it's become the "norm" to FF (whether it's a perceived norm, or actually is the norm), women start to question their choices. I nurse in public fairy often. In the beginning, I wouldn't even nurse with anyone but OH in the room. It just wasn't the norm to nurse in front of people. Luckily I built up my self esteem pretty quickly, and now I don't care who sees me caring for my child. Because in the end, that's exactly what I'm doing...caring for my child the best way I know how. If someone else cares for their child by FF, it's no skin off my back. They're also caring for their child the best way they know how, whether it's because of a medical reason, or just their personal choice.

I guess, in all that rambling, what I'm trying to say is this...when women are insecure, they tend to look to others for assistance. If they're surrounded by formula ads, and people who are pressuring them to use formula, they're more likely to sway to formula. Unfortunately, there just isn't the funds available to advertise BFing the way big formula companies can, so FFing ends up being perceived as the norm. I know many women who just want to "fit in", and "go with the flow" so to speak. By banning formula ads, hopefully the norm will swing back to BFing.

Thanks for sharing your story and well said.

 

[smokey]

I wish some ladies from the trimesters would give some input into weither the advert realy is brainwashing or not, after all its them its aimed at.
We have already made our choices and live with them so realy the advert wouldnt have the same affect on us and we are free to moan about it either way

I honestly dont think a woman who is planning on bf is persuaded by adverts like that and any woman who is would have to have had the idea of ff in mind to begine with.
Very few women will ever think sod it that advert makes me want to ff, the desision to ff comes from many reasons and those reasons would still be there advert or no advert.

I've had weird moments when I've seen an advert for formula and thought it sounded so good that maybe it would be better than what my body would make!

I still decided to breastfeed but I imagine that people who are sitting on the fence about breastfeeding or who are struggling might be encouraged to just give up and give formula because of the way they word things. Using phrases like 'if you decide to move on from breastfeeding' and targeting it at 6+ months to me is encouraging people to stop earlier than the recommended time xx

Interesting to hear from the perspective of someone who's still pregnant, thanks hon xx

Exactly!

For some reason I always thought BF'ing lasts about 6 months but then someone asked me when I was going to give it up and start formula and I was like "wait a minute...why do I have to do that?!" Another issue with the early stages is that things happen so fast and a single decision, based on perhaps innacurate or biased advise, could be one you end up regretting for the rest of your life.

I'm actually starting to find this thread quite infuriating now. The reason why the OP posted this was due to the effect such advertising might have on pregnant ladies. We have debated how we think we may or may not have been affected but of course it's easy for us all to say now as we've already made our decisions. People have asked for input from ladies who are pregnant now - and when someone does take the time to post, her comments are hardly acknowledged because some are too busy trying to get one up in a point scoring contest

Actualy I was too busy dealing with my baby, sorry if thats inconvieniant

 

[Tiff]

When you search for "breastfeeding advice" on Google the third link is Aptamil and the third advert on the left is SMA. When you search for "breastfeeding problems" the first link is Aptamil.

I was curious about that so I did a google search and this is what I came up with:

https://x2f.xanga.com/c4af712232030271821634/m216801057.jpg

Nothing at all about formula.

Edit: Did for Breastfeeding problems, and got this:

https://xc4.xanga.com/e45f712653d30271821851/b216801193.jpg

Nothing with formula there either.

Seriously, I wish there were 50+ pages of us all building up and supporting each other's parenting choices rather than 50+ pages of everyone bickering about who is right and who is doing what's best.



I don't think the advertisements are bad, personally. At least, they aren't here. They do say "breast is best" but even THEN people are unhappy because they feel its being shoved in their face when BF didn't work for them. No one is ever going to be happy with this topic, there are always going to be people getting upset no matter what way anything is presented.

Would I go to a Formula Company to get advice? No. When I was having problems BF I didn't call up Enfamil and ask them what to do. I called the Public Health Nurse, Lactation Consultants, my Doctor and the Hospital. I think Moms in general need to be given a bit more credit than seeing a few adverts then all of a sudden chuck BF out the window.

Just my 2.5 cents.

 

[indy and lara]

I'm not saying "If you intend to give your kids crisps in the future then you shouldn't breastfeed because it's hypocritical" and it was a general observation, not targeted at anyone particular in here. I know people who do/have BFed and their kids eat oven chips, frozen pizza and the like. All I'm saying is people are so quick to tell FFers that what they feed their children is artificial and I have read, not necessarily on here, that formula is "junk" before. But then many of them go ahead and feed their children foods full of artificial additives. So, I understand where the previous poster is coming from. Unless you intend to feed your children mainly fresh homegrown/organic food then you should you really tell FFers that what they feed their child is 'inferior'?

I know what I mean but it's not coming out right...

I get what you are saying.
If people are so concerned with the first 6 months (or however long you BF) are you as concerned with the rest of their eating lives? It is hilarious to me. I bet you all are feeding your children "artificial" food. THATS ALL OUR SOCIETY EATS THESE DAYS. Everything is pumped full of crap.

I love you and get you 100%!

I Bf Emma until 13 months and now she drinks organic cows' milk. She most certainly is not 'pumped full of crap' thanks very much.

I cook lunch and dinner from scratch every night and as we did BLW she eats the same as us, always has. I have always cooked from scratch- it is cheaper and you can pay very close attention to ingredients. Not everyone chooses to eat a processed, convenience food based diet.

 

[cherryglitter]

When you search for "breastfeeding advice" on Google the third link is Aptamil and the third advert on the left is SMA. When you search for "breastfeeding problems" the first link is Aptamil.

I was curious about that so I did a google search and this is what I came up with:

https://x2f.xanga.com/c4af712232030271821634/m216801057.jpg

Nothing at all about formula.

Edit: Did for Breastfeeding problems, and got this:

https://xc4.xanga.com/e45f712653d30271821851/b216801193.jpg

Nothing with formula there either.

Seriously, I wish there were 50+ pages of us all building up and supporting each other's parenting choices rather than 50+ pages of everyone bickering about who is right and who is doing what's best.



I don't think the advertisements are bad, personally. At least, they aren't here. They do say "breast is best" but even THEN people are unhappy because they feel its being shoved in their face when BF didn't work for them. No one is ever going to be happy with this topic, there are always going to be people getting upset no matter what way anything is presented.

Would I go to a Formula Company to get advice? No. When I was having problems BF I didn't call up Enfamil and ask them what to do. I called the Public Health Nurse, Lactation Consultants, my Doctor and the Hospital. I think Moms in general need to be given a bit more credit than seeing a few adverts then all of a sudden chuck BF out the window.

Just my 2.5 cents.

WSS!!

 

[Missy86]

When you search for "breastfeeding advice" on Google the third link is Aptamil and the third advert on the left is SMA. When you search for "breastfeeding problems" the first link is Aptamil.

I was curious about that so I did a google search and this is what I came up with:

https://x2f.xanga.com/c4af712232030271821634/m216801057.jpg

Nothing at all about formula.

Edit: Did for Breastfeeding problems, and got this:

https://xc4.xanga.com/e45f712653d30271821851/b216801193.jpg

Nothing with formula there either.

Seriously, I wish there were 50+ pages of us all building up and supporting each other's parenting choices rather than 50+ pages of everyone bickering about who is right and who is doing what's best.



I don't think the advertisements are bad, personally. At least, they aren't here. They do say "breast is best" but even THEN people are unhappy because they feel its being shoved in their face when BF didn't work for them. No one is ever going to be happy with this topic, there are always going to be people getting upset no matter what way anything is presented.

Would I go to a Formula Company to get advice? No. When I was having problems BF I didn't call up Enfamil and ask them what to do. I called the Public Health Nurse, Lactation Consultants, my Doctor and the Hospital. I think Moms in general need to be given a bit more credit than seeing a few adverts then all of a sudden chuck BF out the window.

Just my 2.5 cents.

Tiff always the voice of reason

 

[Wobbles]

Oh boy

Is it me or is the longest lasting thread on breastfeeding, formula feeding and the adverts surrounding the subject?

In the next couple of days I plan to give up smoking again, do you think the conversation could end by then? I get slightly irritable

 

[pheobe]

Thank goodness that made sense to someone else! My brain is fuzzy from too much reading, and I'm dealing with a lack of sleep because of a sick baby. (Just a cold and nothing serious, but still devastating for my little man!) I was worried I wouldn't get my point across!

your point was beautifully made very balanced. I *think* it highlighted the OP's point very well Please feel free to correct me Rach if i'm wrong

We FF because Niall refused to BF after trying everything within my power I had no choice but to feed formula. Took me a while to get my head around it esp as he now suffers from reflux which has been aggrivated by the formula, he never spit up the ebm i managed to express. It stings a bit that formula advertising is banned it took me months to find a formula which suited him and relieved his symptoms some what. but this thread has enlightened me a little to the reasons why the advertising is so tightly regulated.

Hope your wee man gets better soon

xxx

 

[Rach27]

Oh boy

Is it me or is the longest lasting thread on breastfeeding, formula feeding and the adverts surrounding the subject?

In the next couple of days I plan to give up smoking again, do you think the conversation could end by then? I get slightly irritable

No guarantees

 

[Tiff]

Oh boy

Is it me or is the longest lasting thread on breastfeeding, formula feeding and the adverts surrounding the subject?

In the next couple of days I plan to give up smoking again, do you think the conversation could end by then? I get slightly irritable

I'd say!

 

[Wobbles]

OH (stircrazy) told me I wasn't allowed on

 

[polo_princess]

Only slightly?

 

[xpatchx]

I wanted to BF when I was pregnant but all of the girls in my family struggled and dried up, so I looked up about formula too. Handy to have it all in one place!

 

[indy and lara]

Honestly, what is with all the snipping. If I spoke in the curt, short and snippy way that people are talking to each other in this thread then in RL then I would expect someone to give me a bop in the mouth. I just don't get all the digs. There is no need for people to be rude. I am aware that things can sound different when they are written down but not that different.

BF will always defend their corner fiercely. By in large we are in the minority and minorities tend to feel the need to fight their corner. However, the vast majority of us don't look down our noses at FF.

 

[Tiff]

EDIT:

That was at PP's comment. You all post too fast for me.

 

[forgodssake]

Oh for god sake.

Did somebody call

 

[Wobbles]

Oh for god sake.

Did somebody call

 

[curlykate]

When you search for "breastfeeding advice" on Google the third link is Aptamil and the third advert on the left is SMA. When you search for "breastfeeding problems" the first link is Aptamil.

I was curious about that so I did a google search and this is what I came up with:

https://x2f.xanga.com/c4af712232030271821634/m216801057.jpg

Nothing at all about formula.

Edit: Did for Breastfeeding problems, and got this:

https://xc4.xanga.com/e45f712653d30271821851/b216801193.jpg

Nothing with formula there either.

Seriously, I wish there were 50+ pages of us all building up and supporting each other's parenting choices rather than 50+ pages of everyone bickering about who is right and who is doing what's best.



I don't think the advertisements are bad, personally. At least, they aren't here. They do say "breast is best" but even THEN people are unhappy because they feel its being shoved in their face when BF didn't work for them. No one is ever going to be happy with this topic, there are always going to be people getting upset no matter what way anything is presented.

Would I go to a Formula Company to get advice? No. When I was having problems BF I didn't call up Enfamil and ask them what to do. I called the Public Health Nurse, Lactation Consultants, my Doctor and the Hospital. I think Moms in general need to be given a bit more credit than seeing a few adverts then all of a sudden chuck BF out the window.

Just my 2.5 cents.

I may be wrong....
However, I think Google tailors their search results for the Geographical Area you live in. For example, when I look up info on "North Bay" (a city close to me), it comes up with info on that city first, then moves on to results in San Francisco, who also has a North Bay. I'm assuming those near SF, would get those results first, instead of the city closer to me...if that makes any sense?
So because we in Canada are a little more restrictive on formula advertising, and advocate "breast is best", I'm assuming those search results would be more prominant.
Does that make any sense?

 

[Blah11]

I'm sure the poster was referring to the reddish click things on the side of google and not the actual google searches IYKWIM?

 

[curlykate]

Oh for god sake.

Did somebody call