Should formula be prescription only?

[AislinCarys]

After reading and thinking some more I certainly don't think formula should be prescription only. I don't think the way to go is restricting parents' access to formula. I think we need to restrict the formula industry'saccess to parents (and health professionals, as through them they get access to parents). And I really think we need to somehow restrict the formula lobby's unlimited rein on breastfeeding "facts", and in general disproving breastfeeding myths.

And I absolutely think we should put a legal demand on health professionals to get updated training on breastfeeding, and make it harder for them to give advice that would conflict with breastfeeding (i.e. make it not ok for them to insist it will be better if baby is put on a schedule, or that the allergic baby should be weaned to formula, and that they must offer good breastfeeding support - or refer to someone who can - if baby isn't gaining well, rather than just go straight to supplementing. While still listening to what the mother wants. This is difficult, because I suspect that a lot of doctors and nurses who had trouble breastfeeding or didn't enjoy it, may read that into a mother's worries automatically, which is why you get comments like "You know you don't need to feed her every 3 hours" or "You know you can give her a bottle of formula here and there, it won't hurt"or "You know he doesn't need to feed at night any more").

As well as putting some major press on formula manufacturers to control the safety and standard of their products. It certainly would be preferable if there were specialists outside the formula industry who were knowledgeable enough to control this (as it is they're largely self control, as they know more about it than anyone else, if I understood it right).

[kiwimummy]

Yep, I believe it would make a huge difference if every GP and nurse had breastfeeding advice included in their training!

[kiwimummy]

Giving formula the label of an essential 'medical supplement' to support those mums who can't bf was one of the main reasons behind this train of thought. we need the mums who ff to give us some input on this hey?

[Nic9]

I haven't read the other posts but imo (and this is my opinion) I think it should be sold in health shops and/or chemists/pharmacies. My reasoning being that I think it may encourage women to possibly BF and not think FF is the easier option. I think there may be more info available about sterilising etc - maybe if they are BFing and running into problems they may be able to talk it out with someone rather than thinking milk supply is low, etc.

I also think it could maybe be subsidised too if it was perscription. I was think drs bills too though for this. And I know children under 6 are meant to be free but some places do surcharges on this.