Underhand tactics - formula companies

[cherryglitter]

I really don't know why mothers who want to formula feed don't get help in hospita. Basically I was told to pick my formula and I was never spoken to again about formula. I asked a midwife 3 times over 2 days to help me with feeding from the bottle as my LO wouldn't eat (she went from 7lb 12 to 7lb 6 in 2 days) and was never helped. I was pretty distraught

My baby could have went home not being able to feed from the bottle and they have been none the wiser!

I don't know whether some midwifes take the guidence on breastfeeding to the extreme or midwifes are so short staffed they don't have time to help anyone

I went through the same thing - we must've been typing at the same time!

 

[Jolinar]

How odd about the MW and HV's refusing to tell people about formula, both mine were helpful and showed me how to make bottles up when it became apparent I couldn't soley BF my LO. I even got a book which covers years 0-5 and it has things in there about formula.

Sounds like consistency is needed across the board with regards to the information people are given.

 

[Dragonfly]

by the look of it does seem to be a lottery, some are not getting help on breastfeeding and some not on formula feeding. Now if you have to formula feed I think you should get teh help that would feel awful to be told you cant get it because breast is best when you tried or have some other reason you cant. Though looks like formula feeders have less help as in anti natel classes have classes on breastfeeding and hvs to help where as formula feeders have nothing? I did see a leaflet in the hospital once and its in the pregnancy book I was given in hospital , covers a few things in there but for practical help which is better as you can ask questions its not good ,

nothing wrong with sma having a helpline for formula feeders but they shouldnt be pulling in breast feeders there enough helplines for breatsfeeders by people who are not selling formula if you get me.

 

[smokey]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/pdfs/bottle_feeding.pdf

HVs saying they cant discuss it is a load of TOSH.

They can discuss how to use bottles and how to safely make up a bottle but they are not allowed to dicuss different brands of formula or anything about the differances between them

 

[bluebaby]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/pdfs/bottle_feeding.pdf

HVs saying they cant discuss it is a load of TOSH.

Well they certaining don't go handing them out at every oportunity thats for sure

 

[cherryglitter]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/pdfs/bottle_feeding.pdf

HVs saying they cant discuss it is a load of TOSH.

That's such a good leaflet! Why couldn't they have given something like that to me in hospital!!!

 

[Blah11]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/fe/bottle_feeding.html

more info.. idk why people make it out like the NHS pretend that formula doesnt exsist

 

[Sam9kids]

noooooooooooo this cant still be going???!!!???!!!???

 

[Shiv]

I'd like to make a suggestion -(as interesting as this debate about numerous subjects not mentioned in the OP has been,) how about from now on, unless you have something to say on whether the sma helpline advert is underhand or not then don't comment - that way nobody will get offended and the thread might end on the note it was intended to!

 

[Blah11]

I do think they have those leaflets in most mat wards but you need to ask I assume.

 

[dani_tinks]

When it was clear I wasn't going to be able to BF after giving birth, the midwifes just were not helpful at all. One came and said, so what formula is it going to be... I was still drugged up and looked confused and she simply said to me ''you're going to have to give me an answer NOW I cant suggest or tell you any of the makes'' and that was it. I picked SMA as I knew my Mum had given me it. I had no help on how to feed it to him, no one helped me at all even when he was screaming and wouldnt take the bottle . I think it's mean, especially for new mums.

 

[Blah11]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/pdfs/bottle_feeding.pdf

HVs saying they cant discuss it is a load of TOSH.

They can discuss how to use bottles and how to safely make up a bottle but they are not allowed to dicuss different brands of formula or anything about the differances between them

well no but thats probably so the NHS isnt seen as promoting one brand over another and so they dont get sued in the process lol

 

[bluebaby]

Just to throw another little story in -

When I was in hospital I had real problems with Jake feeding from a bottle. He just wasn't interested and would get so worn out from trying to feed because he just couldn't suck properly.

I was in hospital for 3 days and I was made to feel like crap everytime I asked for help. I almost felt like I had taken the easy option, so why did I need the midwives help? Was awful. I remember one night I rang them bell 4 times to get someone to come and help me. I was just given a bottle and a teat and told to get on with it (basically!)

It was only when OH brought in one of our own bottles on day 3 did Jake take a full 3 ounces. He'd been starving the whole time and was tiring himself out from trying to suckle but just not getting anywhere. Was so sad. I could finally go home after that though! It's funny how the midwives can be real bitches.[/QUOTE]

My LO was the same she fed really well when we get home from the hosptial. I think it was a combination of the glass bottle and teat and it not being warm

 

[smokey]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/fe/bottle_feeding.html

more info.. idk why people make it out like the NHS pretend that formula doesnt exsist

iv never made this claim, iv linked a few times here the advice the nsh has on their website.
They even gave ne a book with it in, I think I got more info about bottle feeding then breastfeeding in hospital and after.

 

[Blah11]

i didnt mean anyone in particular really, just in general.

 

[cherryglitter]

No i've never said that the NHS pretend formula doesn't exist.

 

[bluebaby]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/fe/bottle_feeding.html

more info.. idk why people make it out like the NHS pretend that formula doesnt exsist

Where I am I honestly do think the NHS pretend that formula doesn't exist.

 

[NIfirsttimer]

Some people say formula, some people say artificial
Some people say couch, some people say sofa
Some people say pram some people say stroller

......... it's just what you are accustomed to.

People are not going to change how they naturally word things because of a forum.

i would?
if you told me that you were offended by me saying that your baby was born 'artificially' because you had a c section, then i wouldnt say it to you? in fact, didnt you post a reply in another thread yesterday saying 'id punch someone who told me i hadnt given birth'?
there are people out there who think nothing of calling our children b*****ds because they were born out of 'wedlock' it is the 'correct' term, the dictionary says so, but people would be offended by it, so its not used! come on, you need to look at the bigger picture here!

and also.. its not even the same thing, pram or stroller, its not offending anyone is it?

 

[Wobbles]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/pdfs/bottle_feeding.pdf

HVs saying they cant discuss it is a load of TOSH.

That's such a good leaflet! Why couldn't they have given something like that to me in hospital!!!

I had a leaflet like this with Megan but not with Caitlin although they advised me to give Caitlin a bottle ...

 

[cherryglitter]

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/en/pdfs/bottle_feeding.pdf

HVs saying they cant discuss it is a load of TOSH.

That's such a good leaflet! Why couldn't they have given something like that to me in hospital!!!

I had a leaflet like this with Megan but not with Caitlin although they advised me to give Caitlin a bottle ...

It's a shame they don't give it out, I got ones about pelvic floor exercises, that's it!

I even had to ask a midwife how to use the steriliser in the hospital !