Hi madasa,

I see your point, but I think that advantage points are available on pretty much everything in Boots, so allowing it on formula isn't promotion. If it was only formula that you got the reward for, then yes, that would be promotion.

Also, a few Boots points isn't going to make people change how they feed their baby, as the financial benefit of receiving points is outweighed by not having to buy formula if you BF.

I had absolutely no milk supply whatsoever, which is why I get particularly annoyed about this (prescription formula would be fab though!), but even if it had just been choice, I don't see why the gov. are interfering beyond giving their recommendations.

They recommend all sorts, like 5-a-day fruit and veg, but I can collect points on a chocolate bar!

Anyway, there is nothing wrong at all with debate on this, and thanks for your input, however, I really wanted to try and stick to petition posts here, as there is a HUGE discussion thread in Baby Club (the link in my first post will take you to it).
Jac x

I will sign, I BF for first 5 months but I still feel its wrong that u can't get points or whatever! I was shocked first time I bought milk and handed over my boots card and she said Nope u can't get them!

Signed with absolute pleasure!!!

signed xxx

Signed

I got my milk on prescription but I knew they didnt from when my niece was born!
I think its terrible!!! What difference does that make to jars or any other type of food!

Agree with petition, haven't had our little one yet but have promised myself that if i can't bf, won't beat myself up over it! And woe betide anyone else who decides to criticise

However, (and please don't have a go at me!) i disagree with daily mail article. I don't think its just ff mums that get it in the neck. I think people just generally like to have a go at mums! If we're not being told off for ff, we're being told off for bf/ing in public, or at all! And her point about people having a go for having a c/section - i know plenty of girls who've gone for the at home/all natural version, and been 'told off' for it.

I think it even starts before then - If it isn't girls having babies 'too young' its us being selfish for leaving it 'too late'. And its always the woman's fault, never the mans! As if a man never makes a woman wait to have children.... argh!

Sorry i know i've gone hugely off topic here it just infuriates me. Whats wrong with just smiling and saying how lovely the baby is?

Please forgive my huge digression

Haha! You're right, as if it isn't all stressful enough!

What I like about the article though, is that it represents FF mums, which I haven't seen a lot of.

We should start a new petition called 'Be nice to mums in general, or eff off'

That is true, it was good to see just a normal perspective too, not preachy at all! It does make me laugh, as if new mums haven't got enough on their plates... And when blokes have the cheek to comment! Feel like saying 'oh so you breastfed did you then'?

Ha ha i will definitely sign that petition

breast feeders get looked down on as well! I am the one in my family and personal friends that has breastfeed and the amount of flack I get for it! its all formula where I am. I have gotten cheeky and ignorant remarks. Even when I post up info on breastfeeding I have had formula feeding mums have a go at me because they couldn't do it even though its not aimed at them its aimed to spread breastfeeding awareness. Both sides evidently get stick over it.

I found this also when I was looking into this. Its not just boots that do this.
* The Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995

* Restrictions on promotion of infant formulae
19. No person shall at any place where any infant formula is sold by retail—
o (a) advertise any infant formula;
o (b) make any special display of an infant formula designed to promote sales;
o (c) give away—
+ (i) any infant formula as a free sample; or
+ (ii) any coupon which may be used to purchase an infant formula at a discount;
o (d) promote the sale of an infant formula by means of premiums, special sales, loss- leaders or tie-in sales; or
o (e) undertake any other promotional activity to induce the sale of an infant formula.

That would be the reason you arnt getting points.