[Hunca Munca]

I saw an ad on EB earlier today, that linked to this site: http://www.aptaclub.com.au/expert-advice.aspx with wording something like 'get breastfeeding advice with aptaclub!' (I can't remember exactly and can't find the ad again)

Is it just me, or is it a bit odd that a formula company is giving advice on breastfeeding?

I just find it hard to believe that a formula company would be 'genuinely' supporting breastfeeding, I mean, it's basically a competing product! I find it kind of disturbing ...

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

I've seen it before too. Just another marketing ploy I guess.

[Mummy Em]

Yep, and I bet somewhere in there it states that while BF is best for baby, many parents successfully mixed feed. And also something about 'if' you are able to breastfeed. Setting up an expectation that BF is difficult and FF is more the norm.

[flushthetoilet]

Yeah. Unsurprising. Certainly not odd for a company to try to reel people in in order to sell their stuff. I doubt they are genuine supporters of much at all besides increasing sales.

This post has been edited by stopwhiningatme: 17/12/2012, 01:10 PM

[Livsh]

It's all about marketing!

They don't get to talk to you about formula, but they do get to talk to you about 'breastfeeding advice'...

[Hunca Munca]

They don't get to talk to you about formula, but they do get to talk to you about 'breastfeeding advice'...

Yes, and then when you fail (as of course you will) Aptamil is your chosen formula, they've been so 'supportive' and all.

Kind of reminds of me of how tobacco companies used to target children to get brand loyalty for when they grow up and start smoking ...

(no I'm not saying formula is like tobacco, just that the marketing approaches seem the same)

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

In America (where they seem to have no policy on the marketing of Formula like here), one formula company gives out 'Breastfeeding Kits' a the hospital/GP clinics which contains amongst other things sachets of formula for those times "you just don't have enough milk". It was a couple of years ago now so not sure if they still do it. I wrote them off an email and they came back with all sorts of justifications. It was just outrageous.

[Jenflea]

My friend in the US told me she was given formula sachets after the birth of her first baby 6 years ago, not sure about the second nearly 3 years ago though. She was upset by the implications as well.

[SlinkyMalinki]

Yep, and I bet somewhere in there it states that while BF is best for baby, many parents successfully mixed feed. And also something about 'if' you are able to breastfeed. Setting up an expectation that BF is difficult and FF is more the norm.

Breast feeding IS difficult, IMO, and its just as problematic saying it's not.

[blithely2]

Breast feeding IS difficult, IMO, and its just as problematic saying it's not.

Which is why it's important to support women through the learning process rather than pushing them to an easy solution