Oo oo oo, thanks for posting this Kelly! Will you be importing them for Nestle on behalf of all the mums in Australia?
I MUST have one. It'll look so uber-cool in my kitchen. I'm a sucker for a fashion statement! Gotta keep up with those damn Jones', from next door.
:rofl: Me too... :rofl::
I think the issue that I have with the product that this thread is about is not any one specific thing, but the whole combination.
1) It is Nestle - although I don't think any Nestle products are bad on their own (they do good chocolate ;)), I don't like their advertising and the way they market their products, especially their baby related products. I don't like the way this "article" makes it out like natural mothering is soooo hard and this thing is the magic solution.
2) I don't like the pod dispenser thing - I too thought "what about waste/landfill/sustainability" when I read that.
3) It is another unnecessary gadget that can only be used for one thing. Although I can see how some people might want one for the "cool" factor, I don't think that anyone would ever really need it. That's purely my opinion, but it sometimes scares me thinking about how many "things" there are out there, that only have one use. What do you do after three years and your child no longer needs this? Would the expense of getting it be worth it? It may be for some, but for me, I prefer something like a microwave or a kettle that has multiple uses.
^ Then make sure you remember to order it in a custom colour, just to really stick it up those fancy-pantses next door ;) I heard they ordered one in Pillarbox Red, but it doesn't go with their decor ;)
No, you're right. that's why I said good lactation support. I had a heck of a lot of support with BFing my first and I still ended up with him so sick and underweight and had to comp feed. Thankfully I then got some good lactation support and we managed to turn it around. I struggled badly second time too but got there in the end. I do know what it's like to struggle to BF. It was not plain sailing for me. But having been told that I just couldn't and when in fact it turned out I could I don't believe that that many woman actually couldn't.:
Which brings me back to my comment that the cost of this machine and the throw away formula pods (at least $1K-$2K surely?) could probably easily pay for good lactation support. My issue is the lack of good support and women being made to believe they can't BF when they want to and they probably actually can if our society supported BFing more.
I completely agree with the environmental issues with this machine. I couldn't bring myself to be throwing those things out every feed!
If it wasn't nestle it would be another company. Would it have been posted if Wyeth bought it out first. Or if delonghi teamed up with a company and bought one out? Each to their own. If someone wants to buy it fine, their decision to do so does not effect me.
Actually it does because they're killing the same planet that you live on ;):
Absolutely, each to their own. I am not, have not, and will not judge someone else for FF.:
But i see first hand how powerful Nestle is and the devastating effects their marketing have. Because of marketing;
I've seen babies fed watered down formula to make it last longer.
I've seen mothers formula feed because it's a status symbol.
I've seen families chose to buy expensive nestle products, lacking in nutrition over fresh affordable veggies because the marketing tells them that is better.
And i've seen babies die due to poor nutrition.
Not once, not twice, but i've seen these things many times. That is horrific and unethical.
I didn't say the machine was horrific and unethical, i said nestle was and that this was just another strike for them.
It's only a strike for them if it is successful, and only time will tell that.
Junglemum we all know that good nutrition comes from whole foods over prepackaged rubbish anyday but i'm just wondering out of pure interest if Nestle are the main culprits in selling or advertising there products in unfortunate countries that don't have the choices like we have?
why is it only a strike for them if it's successful? i don't understand.:
I meant this is just another product that has just been released, it is just another way of making formula. Granted I read jungle mums last line a bit wrong.
I personally don't see anything wrong with it at all
People still have a choice to buy it or not.. To me it is no different to buying different types of prams or baby carriers.. This is my opinion
I did both so I'm a cancer-causing hippy?:
I wouldn't buy that machine but I do think it looks funky and could see why FF mums would happily have it on their bench tops. Why not? If they can afford it, like the look and happily FF then why the hell not? A waste of money for some, a funky addition to their kitchen for others. Who cares?
I can also see why some mums buy the wipe warmers - have those of you that bagged them ever tried them on your LO's bum in winter? It's a whole lot nicer than a stone cold wipe or wash cloth on their exposed little butt! Some of the parent rooms at our local shopping centre have them and when I've tried them on DD, she's really seemed to like them. So much so I had considered buying one as she hates the cool air and wipe on her bum now it's winter. And I don't blame her! I wouldn't fancy a cold wipe or cloth on my bum either!
Gimmicks are everywhere. Don't like them, don't buy them. Simple :)
Well said Taurean :thumbsup:
Yep and some people have more slings then they could possibly use.:
Each to their own.
I totally agree the advertising is pathetic but what advertising isn't nowadays?
I also don't get the 1k pram bashing? Our first pram was $50, which was reused for DD after my SIL had used it for her first born, so it was 3rd hand by then. My current car is very small and so far the only pram I can find to fit in it is 1k+.....so what?
Anyway back on topic, I don't like it and I don't see a point. What if there's a power outage? I'm sure the capsules are probably going to be super expensive. What do you do when your out? It's a complete gimmick but I'm sure we all have one or two things in our houses that fall into that category.
I haven't actually heard of wipe warmers? I don't see why people make so much fun of them? When I get a face washer out to wipe the kids faces in winter I use warm water :dunno: can't say I would buy one but it doesn't seem completely useless.
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.
When Nestle gives women in developing countries just enough sample product to interrupt their supply and they switch to formula then I hold Nestle directly responsible. When the baby dies of amoebic dysentery because the mother can't prepare the formula in sterile conditions and doesn't understand then need to boil it then I hold Nestle responsible for that death.:
Nestle is directly responsible for killing children in developing nations. Nestle regularly violates regulations that are in place to protect vulnerable women and children.
It is not people's choices that cause these tragedies, it is Nestle's commitment to protecting its bottom line regardless of the social and environmental costs, it is Nestle's continual exploitation of the easily exploited, it is Nestle's aggressive marketing and it is because Nestle puts money ahead of human lives.
And if it wasn't Nestle it would be another company (unfortunately :()
Thats where information and empowerment becomes important to influence choice.
It is absolutely tragic..there is no denying that. We do however see this kind of 'vulturism' all over the world Eg tobacco companies, alcohol etc. Our best line of defense is information and empowerment to make the right choice.
Thats what I meant when I said 'choice'.