So I keep seeing the same toddler formula ad on tv. The general idea I get from the ad is that breastfeeding is best for the first year (so this may have been determined from my own pov), but then it says something about when it's time to move on from breastfeeding then toddler formula/milk is best.
Here's my question though, has anyone breastfed for 12mths, then moved onto toddler formula?
I'm not judging, but it occurred to me the last time I saw it, it was funny marketing in that after breastfeeding my girls for 12mths, moving onto a formula wasn't something that I gave any thought, let alone considered. Just curious
I didn't bf DS for a number of reasons so he was on formula but when he got to 12months and was looking at the next formula I asked the gp and she said just to go to cow milk.
Yeah, seems unlikely that a Breastfeeding Mum would be inclined to go the formula option at 12 months, it's an odd pitch for the add isn't it. I suspect they are trying to keep the BFers onside to acknowledge Breastfeeding is best to 12 months. There are tight guidelines around formula adds though aren't there?
Although having said that I've heard quite a few mums talk up the nutrients of toddler formula for iron intake etc. I always feel the need (and often do) to point out all the natural sources of iron rather that paying for unnecessary formula.
This ad annoys me every time I see it, but for a different reason. It states that
9 out of 10 mums would recommend it to other mums which makes it sound like 9 out of 10 babies use the particular formula. It should mention that this is only out of mums who formula feed at that particular age which is going to be way less than 9 out of 10 babies.
the guidelines are actually pretty loose and the current government recently scrapped the advisory panel that are supposed to oversee compliance with the MAIF agreement (a voluntary agreement between manufacturers and importers regarding the marketing of breastmilk substitutes). So we have no one overseeing whether companies stick to a voluntary agreement...not ideal
The MAIF agreement stipulates that infant formula can't be advertised, so they advertise toddler formula instead...only they use babies that look much younger than 12months old, and phrases like 'when you decide to move on from breastmilk' (because who goes from breastmilk to, you know, FOOD) in the hope of maintaining breastmilk substitutes as a normal thing to feed babies and also building brand awareness - they know a large portion of babies under 12mths are given formula at some point so they want women to think of their specific brand when they go to the shop to buy it.
They aren't allowed to advertise formula for babies under 12 months. By saying "when it's time to move on from breastfeeding" I feel they're actually being a bit vague - that could be three months, 6 months, 12 months, whenever. They're also putting in your mind that when you finish breastfeeding, you use formula. It's just something I accepted before getting pregnant, after breastfeeding you just give your toddler formula. The advertising works, especially if you don't do any research about it.
In reality, toddler formula is not needed, they can have cow/goat/whatever milk. But how else is a formula company going to advertise to parents? So they create the toddler formula so that they can advertise, they compare it to breastmilk - based on breastmilk, next best thing etc - and tell you it's what your child needs to be healthy when they're not breastfeeding, whatever age they are.
I know people who's kids actually did move onto toddler formula. I'm pretty sure none of them were breast fed by that stage, but people thought of that as the next step.
I'm pretty sure toddler formula wasn't around, or at least wasn't advertised when I had my oldest, so moving straight to cows milk was normal for me. And my younger 2 bf til 2.
My ff son 2.5 still has formula he refuses normal milk mainly because dd started having a few formula bottles a day from 6 months and he insists he has the same but he has never liked normal milk I don't care really it's only $10 a month for a tin
Milk from other species isn't a necessary part of the diet anyway. It is absolutely just underhanded advertising for infant formula. The message that this is what you use after breast milk is aimed squarely at mothers of young babies, just as much as mothers of toddlers.
There's milk in cans aimed at 10 year olds, for goodness sake. It's all about money, that's it.
My GP told me that there is nothing in toddler formula that provides anything a good diet of solid foods and dairy cant give them. Waste of money in other words.
That's right, toddler formula contains nothing that kids can't get from eating food. If you have a toddler who won't eat *anything* (I mean, nothing, not just picky or whatever) and you're not breastfeeding, they are better off staying on infant formula not toddler formula, which is not a complete food and is basically just milk powder with some added vitamins etc and a whole lot of sugar.
Not the product, per se, but the companies that peddle it. And yes, I know, that's capitalism for you. But they play on the very good motives of parents to make a buck. That does not sit right with me, and particularly where we're talking about infant formula which accounts for all or most of a baby's nutritional intake.
I know its a marketing gimmick, and about the marketing of infant formula. But putting that aside, and my own pov about formula etc, my reaction to the ad was "really why after 12mths of breastfeeding, would I wean so I can give my child formula?"
My assumption, and its only an assumption, is that breastfeeding is hard. We all know it, if it were easy then formula wouldnt exist in the abundance that it does now, and the average length of a time a child is b/fed for would be longer too. But to get to 12mths is a huge accomplishment, something that many of us celebrate. But because it is such a bumpy road, many have a strong stance towards formula and the companies that make it. So wouldnt it be pretty pointless marketing a product that is not necessarily viewed kindly upon by the audience?
Or is it sneaky advertising at those already using formula, and not at all aimed at b/fed babes?
Yes I know I am more than likely overthinking something pretty pointless, but perhaps the sneaky message, advertising aim was totally lost on me lol
Peace, that part annoys me too. It can be interpreted in so many ways, which of course aids their advertising. But at the same time it confuses me, because Im like "What 9 out of 10 mums who b/fed for 12mths are happy to switch over to formula on their childs 1st birthday? Perhaps they could get said child to open a birthday present, where inside is a lovely shiny tin of formula? Or the 9 mums could stand in a group pointing fingers at the one mum who doesn't recommend it? Is that because she still b/feds her child? or does the child have a little cup of milk (from whatever crazy natural source the mother chooses)?" (please note all said in sarcasm)
I think the same thing beansbeans everytime I see the ad - I dont know of any mother on earth who would put in the hard yards of breastfeeding til 12 months......................just to switch to toddler formula. Unless there was a medical reason which would be rare.
I know a few mums who had a 12m target, and stopped bfing at 12m. So people don't always keep going until their children leave home just cos they manage more than 2 months .
Don't know if they used formula or not, but they reached a good target, celebrated it and themselves, and did what was right for them.
I had a 12 month goal but I only made it to 6 months full time got a vomiting bug ended up in hospital and lost most of my supply I switched to formula and only bf morning and night feeds I could have tried to get y supply back up but I was struggling as it was so I was happy how far I made it and advertising didn't play any role in my changing lol if anything it turned me away from particular brands like that karicare ad with the creepy laughing kid
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