Nestle launches first innovative (!!) complete feeding system for babies

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A BB member visited one of these third world places a few years ago and saw a huge billboard by Nestle for formula: 'Be Like Your Western Cousins' - they will do whatever they can get away with to mess with people's mind so they buy a product that was designed to feed orphans, that had no other access to breastmilk. Now its a FMCG. Sad what they've done to women's confidence in their own bodies.

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I've seen similar, but with a Coke billboard. My brother is a combat cameraman, and has a picture he took just outside of the Ugandan refugee camp after the Rwanda incident. There was this huge billboard and underneath was lined hundreds of bodies of people who had died of cholera and were waiting to be bulldozed off into a mass grave. It was the closest thing they had to a tombstone. Perhaps the Nestle billboard could have that honour for the next human disaster seeing as they are spending good money making these billboards while the people around them starve, dehydrate etc.

As for the machine, another gimmick that I'm sure will appeal to some. I can actually seeing it be a lot more work in the end. I couldn't BF DD, but I would make up all her bottles in the morning in one big batch. In comparison, this is so fiddly and expensive.

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Perhaps the Nestle billboard could have that honour for the next human disaster seeing as they are spending good money making these billboards while the people around them starve, dehydrate etc.

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In 2007 their advertising budget was estimated at $17.2 billion :o
That's a lot of billboards.

I think it is about bfing vs ffing. I was shopping last week and saw a young pregnant girl and her partner in the baby aisle having the discussion about which formula/steriliser/bottles etc to get and were going back and forth justifying each by the ads they'd seen or what their friends do, or with the old 'this is the most expensive so it must be the best'. Another girl was with them and said, "Are you going to try to breastfeed?" to which the girl looked at her and said, "Oh yes, for the first month, then I'm switching". A bit of well-targeted marketing and there's someone who's gonna get one of these things because they've been told ff is best/most convenient, and this will be an expensive ffing gadget so it must be good, and 'new' technology always means better technology, doesn't it?

If this forum encourages critical literacy, then it's doing it's job. I just hate to think of the people out there who don't have the skills to discern bias or understand the difference between fact and opinion in what they read/hear (including in this thread - which is great. People are entitled and welcome to express opinions). And if people still want to buy this machine, how can we stop them?

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I think it is about bfing vs ffing. I was shopping last week and saw a young pregnant girl and her partner in the baby aisle having the discussion about which formula/steriliser/bottles etc to get and were going back and forth justifying each by the ads they'd seen or what their friends do, or with the old 'this is the most expensive so it must be the best'. Another girl was with them and said, "Are you going to try to breastfeed?" to which the girl looked at her and said, "Oh yes, for the first month, then I'm switching". A bit of well-targeted marketing and there's someone who's gonna get one of these things because they've been told ff is best/most convenient, and this will be an expensive ffing gadget so it must be good, and 'new' technology always means better technology, doesn't it?

If this forum encourages critical literacy, then it's doing it's job. I just hate to think of the people out there who don't have the skills to discern bias or understand the difference between fact and opinion in what they read/hear (including in this thread - which is great. People are entitled and welcome to express opinions). And if people still want to buy this machine, how can we stop them?

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Yes, but then it's about being informed, and making an informed choice (I almost hate using those words because you hear them so much here! but that's what it is)

It's not about the women who couldn't breastfeed for whatever reason, it's not about judgement at all. And if someone chooses to breastfeed for a month & then switch because she believes it's best, or that there's no difference, then she's doing her best, too.
(and I'm not saying your post said any different JLeigh, just addressing those who felt it was an attack on FF mothers. I don't think it is.)

Fleur - ;) Definitely not meant as an attack on ff mothers. Just saying that this system can be perceived as just another reason not to bf.

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I am sure Nestle is not the only company to advertise in such a manner. I think we could all think of pmany comanies not just related to baby stuff that over emphasis/ under emphasis, misrepresent, lie etc. It is unethical- but its the nature of the beast...thats advertising for ya!

And all of what you have said is right....

But its not this machine or the next machine or the one after that that one can 'blame'. Given- education etc is important but at the end of the day its all choice and if people choice to FF because its a status symbol then all we can do if provide them with the tools to make it as safe as possible. A machine that delivers the 'correct dose' can change the 'watering down of formula' cant it?

...Its not Nestle in isolation that causes the tragedies that you have mentioned...its peoples choices.

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Perhaps there are others, yes in fact Coca Cola are guilty too. I can be driving in the middle of nowhere and there will be billboards and signs for Maggi noddles, stock (owned by Nestle) and Coca Cola. A friend owns a supermarket in PNG and he told me that Maggi have a 90% market share of instant noodles. There are cheaper products imported from Indonesia, there are locally made products, none of which have the capacity to compete with the advertising of Nestle. Friends of mine honestly believe that Maggi noodles are better purely because of advertising. They think they are better to give their children than fresh veggies because that's what the signs say.

But i don't really see how that is relevant. Sure, there are other companies that do the wrong thing. But just because others do it too or 'if Nestle didn't some else would', doesn't make it right.

And as for choice, most of the people i see are not given the opportunities we are which makes us capable of choice. They are uneducated, by that i mean most have never been to school, and the ones that have went to grade 5. They don't read or speak English, if they could the newspaper is about an hours wage, so not many people would buy it. And even then the journalism is less than informative. They have never left the village they are from because the bus fair to the city, 2.5hrs away, is too expensive. They don't have television, certainly not internet, hell, these people sleep on sarongs on the floor, in a small hut, which is one room. They all sleep together. They cook outside on a fire and all eat from one or two plates because that's all they have. How are they able to make a good choice about anything like nutrition? How are they supposed to be educated about it? To blame them and say it is their choice, is really unfair.

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Fleur - ;) Definitely not meant as an attack on ff mothers. Just saying that this system can be perceived as just another reason not to bf.

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Yeah, I agree :(

Junglemum - great post :clap:

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Fleur - ;) Definitely not meant as an attack on ff mothers. Just saying that this system can be perceived as just another reason not to bf.

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While I do agree I don't think it is as simple as that.
A mother who would choose this machine over BF didn't have a real strong conviction to BF in the first place.
She obviously has the money to buy it so she would also have access to information to make an informed choice.
This machine is not targeted to impoverished uneducated woman...it is marketed more toward the more middle to upper class (I am sure it would come with a hefty price tag)

I don't like the way nestles goes about there business I try to boycott Nestles products...I think what they do in third world countries is not only deplorable but immoral.

I haven't read everyones replies but I can just see it now.... Nesspresso machines in every parenting room in the world, airports, cafes, motels.... Taking over the world! :( They will probably start Nesspresso Cafes where breastfeeding isn't welcome, have Nespresso bottles with designer artwork on them which are must haves for all the hip modern day mums to use. While they are at it maybe they can select different flavourings for the bottle too, banana, pumpkin etc OKAY so I'm getting carried away. I'd better stop posting, I'd hate to give them more ideas on their world domination mission... Don't laugh I'm sure Nestle have reps reading ALL the parenting forums to see how this new wiz bang baby feeder is being received!

In regards to the WHO legal BF statement....

Has anyone been to the babynes website??

I had it translated..... Is it also necessary to have a WHOLE section on the benefit of breastfeeding??

It actually has a few sections on bfing......

"Breast milk is the ideal food for the infant. Its composition changes during a feeding and it grows to meet all their nutritional needs." then a section of how Breastmilk changes according to baby needs

'Feeding your baby gives you invaluable benefits in terms of health and well-being. It is also a unique experience that enriches your relationship." then a section on all the benefits of bfing


"Nothing is more natural than to breastfeed. But some advice can be valuable to get the best benefits of breastfeeding" then a section on expert advice (which I havent read - I am at work LOL)


I'm Just saying you know.........


BTW - In my nestles research and TOTALLY off topic...... Nestle bought out Jenny Craig - bit ironic really

MummyDuck, you wouldn't be looking at the site for breastfeeding help and advice, most likely, you'd be looking for info on their amazing, you-beaut, whizzbang infant feeding products.

I think those pod things are awful. I know, I'm not perfect, I do create waste and landfill, but I try to limit it a bit. Krystals' living below the line thing has really made me think a lot more about food waste recently - I'm sure we throw away 10 times more food than some people eat. And now my mobie provider is offering me a free upgrade - but there's nothign wrong with my phone! But hey, I'll just chuck it in a heap, so it can be shipped over to some dirt-poor, toxic dump of a town in China or somewhere to be 'recycled', so I can get a newer one :D

As for Nestle.... I feel sick to my stomach about the babies they have harmed and killed, and the families impoverished, all to make a buck. How much is a 3rd world baby worth? A lot less than the baby of a swiss multinational's exective, I'd imagine.
I don't care how many other companies do it, it's not right.

Are they really trying to promote breastfeeding first, or try to replace nature?

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‎"Dr Raoul Furlano, a paediatrician at the University of Basel, advocated breast milk as the best option for a child's first six months but said the system "provides parents with advantages; there are six different formulations, which are different in proteins, calories and micro nutrients, it evolves in line with the growing needs of the child, it imitates nature."

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This is a violation - they cant say it imitates/replaces nature.

Oooh, yes, an advantage! Over what? The product that already had them and is free? Ummm...come on, give the intelligent people something else to go on, here, you're killing me, Nestle!

I don't care much for nestle the babynes or a debate on ff v bf ....... Really I'm more worried that my child gets fed......

( not that it matters but I bf - dd did have formula when I was in hospital - without her - and it wasn't the end of the world..... It would have been in she starved though. )

I was just saying that's all....... As with a lot of things in life we tend to focus on bad and forget about good.

I don't think it's either bad or good.

Btw the answer to how the bottles are made....... Filtered water is used.

So I guess on top of buying pods you might need to change filters.



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Thanks MD...your right.

Its so easy to lose track of what actually is important. Especially in heated discussions like this .

As long as bubs is fine thats all that matters.

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Geez, I never saw it get heated? It's been invigorating and challenging, I wouldn't have said 'heated', though.
And 'bubs is fine' is really the point here - Nestle doesn't care. 'Bubs is fine' by what measure? Nestle's measure? FF mums must trust that formula companies are working towards this at the very least and there is so little you guys can do to take them to task...because they are commercial enterprises, not pharmaceutical companies or government agencies. The point is that they are not transparent about ANYTHING, so how can that serve the mum who wants the best for her child?

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Geez, I never saw it get heated? It's been invigorating and challenging, I wouldn't have said 'heated', though.
And 'bubs is fine' is really the point here - Nestle doesn't care. 'Bubs is fine' by what measure? Nestle's measure? FF mums must trust that formula companies are working towards this at the very least and there is so little you guys can do to take them to task...because they are commercial enterprises, not pharmaceutical companies or government agencies. The point is that they are not transparent about ANYTHING, so how can that serve the mum who wants the best for her child?

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LOL...I tried to think of a word besides heated as I thought someone would have something to say about it.

And as for the rest...bahhh....:rolleyes:

I have to say as someone who has formula fed, and breastfed and supported friends who both breastfed and formula fed I don't see this as being heated. I don't see why people can't be upset about this product. How is it any different for people to voice their opinions on anything. Just because someone doesn't agree with something doesn't mean it's a personal attack, and I have not seen that here. As another poster said, I hate the actions of the formula companies... not the actions of people who use formula. Not to be harsh, but I'm seeing a lot of posters being up in arms, and that in turn is causing the us vs. them, and it's not those who don't agree with the product.

I agree totally about the transparency. It's a ridiculous product. And I agree with the environmental impact to, I hate those pod coffee machines, and this is the same. I have no doubt that the prices of this product would be just as expensive as the coffee pods.

I have posted an extract from an article that I wrote a couple of years ago. It provides some specific examples of Nestle's conduct for those who may be interested in learning more about Nestle's behaviour. The IBFAN website is worth a look too. :)

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In November 2007, the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) published a report entitled ‘Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2007’. The report includes global monitoring results from 67 countries, gathered between 2004 and 2007. The results demonstrate that companies continue to violate the Code in a ‘systematic and institutionalised way’. The market leader in breast milk substitutes, Nestle, stands out as the worst offender. The report states, in part:
‘In China, Nestle provides wrist bands for newborns with the Nestle name and logo as used on formula...In Indonesia, a number of hospitals receive discounts from Nestle for infant formulas. Health workers give samples to new mothers. Nestle pays to be allowed to supply free infant formula to a hospital in Saudi Arabia. In Hungary, mothers receive samples of [Nestle] formula through the mail’.

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Nuff said, really :(

Those wrist bands horrify me - 'branding' a newborn baby.:shakehead:

There has actually been a similar device around since 2006/07. My DH saw it at the Pregnancy, Baby, Child Expo. He'd love one. We sometimes found it difficult with a screaming child to get everything ready quick enough - waiting for that water to boil to heat the bottle.

The device we saw had the formula in one section, water (that got heated to the right temp) in another, and the bottles were in a different compartment. From memory you loaded the bottles and they were sterilized - you did have to clean them first. Then you just pressed the button, the bottle came down, was filled, you added the teat and off you went. All in less than 2 minutes. It took the guess work out of making sure you had the right temp for the bottle. Have you ever heated your bottle in the microwave for a quicker feed and it been too hot? Even though it's not recommended you heat in the microwave. Or been so sleep deprived you've stuffed up a bottle? I have - and I can tell you the guilt associated with that. As a first time mother who was struggling with feeding her baby, I would have done anything to make it as simple as possible. You might think that there is nothing hard about getting formula ready (and I did develop a system to make it easier for myself), but as an overwhelmed first time mother, nothing is simple.

So I can see how such devices would be attractive to certain people. I can also see how something like this would be attractive to the techno savvy generation (or IT geeks like my DH!), or even those who love their coffee or coffee machines (sadly, my DH falls into most of those categories!).