Paid to Breastfeed: would it have encouraged you to do it?

nodiscount

I couldn't breastfeed for medical/personal reasons

sacha28 wrote: »

I can see this topic evokes quite a bit of emotion, as it should. I guess this is the well being of our future generation at stake, but I really dislike the way the government are going about this.

I remember, after finding out very quickly that I wasn't going to be able to breast feed, going to Boots to buy formula and I wasn't allowed to get advantage points. Do you know what the (probably 16 year old) girl serving me said? 'Oh we've been told that people who refuse to BF shouldn't be allowed to gain from their choice. Therefore we won't offer points as you really should be BF'. It doesn't matter that I WANTED to but COULDN'T. No amount of vouchers would make my body work, that's the long and short of it.

Do you think they will offer the vouchers to people that have tried but have found it impossible, through no fault of their own? No, didn't think so.

Legislation prevents retailers from discounting or offering any promotions on formula for babies under six months yet the government gives out free formula to those on low incomes.

How Wrong IMHO.

peachyprice

nodiscount wrote: »

Legislation prevents retailers from discounting or offering any promotions on formula for babies under six months yet the government gives out free formula to those on low incomes.

How Wrong IMHO.

Yeah, let the beggars starve if they can't/won't conform.

poet123

I don't/haven't breastfed - no I wouldn't have done it

nodiscount wrote: »

Legislation prevents retailers from discounting or offering any promotions on formula for babies under six months yet the government gives out free formula to those on low incomes.

How Wrong IMHO.

So you are in favour of a financial penalty for those who won't breastfeed?

poet123

I don't/haven't breastfed - no I wouldn't have done it

sacha28 wrote: »

I can see this topic evokes quite a bit of emotion, as it should. I guess this is the well being of our future generation at stake, but I really dislike the way the government are going about this.

I remember, after finding out very quickly that I wasn't going to be able to breast feed, going to Boots to buy formula and I wasn't allowed to get advantage points. Do you know what the (probably 16 year old) girl serving me said? 'Oh we've been told that people who refuse to BF shouldn't be allowed to gain from their choice. Therefore we won't offer points as you really should be BF'. It doesn't matter that I WANTED to but COULDN'T. No amount of vouchers would make my body work, that's the long and short of it.

Do you think they will offer the vouchers to people that have tried but have found it impossible, through no fault of their own? No, didn't think so.

That girl needs to be retrained in diplomacy. I would have hit the roof if she had said that to me.

Gigglepig

poet123 wrote: »

So you are in favour of a financial penalty for those who won't breastfeed?

In fairness, i don't thinkn that was what nodiscount said.
And Not handing out freebies does not equal a financial penalty.

I think it is nice that the state provides free things for those on low incomes but i think it would make more sense if formula was free only on prescription, for anyone who cannot bf for medical reasons.

nodiscount

I couldn't breastfeed for medical/personal reasons

peachyprice wrote: »

Yeah, let the beggars starve if they can't/won't conform.

poet123 wrote: »

So you are in favour of a financial penalty for those who won't breastfeed?

No I didn't say that.

I'm pointing out the discrepancy. On one hand the government gives out free formula to those on low incomes (I thought that's what CB and tax credits was for - stupid me) but on the other hand legislates against the promotion of formula (no discounts in supermarkets etc).

In the same vein, giving out free formula but then wringing hands wondering why those on low incomes don't breastfeed i.e providing a financial incentive for something then wondering why so many people are doing it. It's madness!

poet123

I don't/haven't breastfed - no I wouldn't have done it

Gigglepig wrote: »

In fairness, i don't thinkn that was what nodiscount said.
And Not handing out freebies does not equal a financial penalty.

I think it is nice that the state provides free things for those on low incomes but i think it would make more sense if formula was free only on prescription, for anyone who cannot bf for medical reasons.

So only free if it is not a choice?

nodiscount wrote: »

No I didn't say that.

I'm pointing out the discrepancy. On one hand the government gives out free formula to those on low incomes (I thought that's what CB and tax credits was for - stupid me) but on the other hand legislates against the promotion of formula (no discounts in supermarkets etc).

In the same vein, giving out free formula but then wringing hands wondering why those on low incomes don't breastfeed i.e providing a financial incentive for something then wondering why so many people are doing it. It's madness!

Allowing choice is not the same as promoting or not promoting it.

If you can't afford something effectively you don't have freedom of choice, which, when it comes to our bodies is something we should all have.

Gigglepig

Poet123 yes I think limited resources should first be allocated where they are needed for medical reasons, before we contemplate paying for lifestyle/parenting choices. the state is never going to afford to pay for absolutely everything, we must prioritise and imo needs are more important than wants. There is still a choice for people to spend their child benefit and other benefits on formula, or on other things they would rather have.

As far as lifestyle choices go, i would rather subsidise for example full time nursery spaces to give women more of a real choice whether to work full time, than the lifestyle choice to feed formula if there is no medical reason not to. I see the societal benefit in women working and contributing to the economy but I don't see the societal benefit in women feeding formula so my vote would not go to promoting/subsidising it in cases when not medically necessary.

peachyprice

Gigglepig wrote: »

I think it is nice that the state provides free things for those on low incomes but i think it would make more sense if formula was free only on prescription, for anyone who cannot bf for medical reasons.

The fact is we live in a free society (thank goodness) where a mother has the choice of how she wants to feed her baby. Believe it or not formula feeding isn't harmful, it's not neglectful, it's not abusive so why should that choice be taken away and women be made to jump through hoops to be able to feed their baby as they want.

What benefit is there to a baby forcing a mother to breast feed when she hates it? That is not building a bond, it's building deep rooted resentment, how is that better for a child?

Gigglepig

Not saying anyone should be forced, just that it seeems fair enough that people pay for it themselves. Should imo only be free if there is a medical need.