Mrs Rob was looking up information about “follow-on milk”, which according to manufacturers is especially blended to provide exactly the right nutrients for a 6-month old baby. She found this:
I’ve been told that follow on milk is a bit misleading, in that the contents are virtually identical to new baby formula milk, but is produced (or should that be “Specially formulated!) in order to get around new strict EU regulations prohibiting the advertising of formula milk to babies.
This is why the packets now have eg. big 1, 2 and 3 on the packets, so a product advertised as 3 will mean your mind will recognise 1 and 2 without advertising being necessary. Maybe I’m just being cynical but I’d check the ingredients/vitamin breakdown very carefully.
I can’t verify this, but it sounds plausible. It’s certainly true that it is illegal to advertise formula for babies up to 6 months old.
The National Childbirth Trust, Save The Children and Unicef say the current partial ban is not enough, and parents have been left confused.
They want the government to extend a ban on infant milk adverts to include “follow-on” milks for older babies.
I don’t really understand why the breastfeeding movement is so vehement. As far as I can tell, breast milk is slightly better for a baby than formula, but formula is a marvel of modern technology and perfectly good enough. Certainly a mother who prefers to use it for whatever reason shouldn’t feel guilty.
So why the scare-mongering and bansturbating?
Update: Lisa from All About the Voluntary responds.
