Thread by @feedukorg

In light of our ongoing #FormulaIsFood campaign it’s great to see @babyfriendly confirm that public services CAN provide infant formula to families in need in these new guidelines for local authorities (LAs): tinyurl.com/babyfriendlyLA…

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (1/20)

@babyfriendly @1stepsnutrition can you please answer the following questions we have about the new guidelines so we can ensure formula feeding families & the organisations who support them get the most accurate advice?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (2/20)

The LA’s we spoke to stated there is a max number of times a family can access food via their initiatives (covering roughly 4 wks food provision in total). The crisis loans system, as alluded to in the guide, is also limited in terms of access

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (3/20)

Q1: To whom should LA & volunteer services refer formula feeding families with no recourse to public funds or who have exhausted all means of official support?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (4/20)

Q2: As mentioned in the guide, Healthy Start/Best Start will not cover the cost of formula in many cases. How do you advise families that cannot meet the costs of infant formula should access the infant formula their baby needs?#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (5/20)

The guide mentions LA ‘food distribution hubs’, ‘contact centres’ & ‘hubs’ that families should contact for help. We contacted a number of LA’s in Scotland who did not know what we meant by these terms.

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (6/20)

Q3. Can you please clarify what service you are specifically referring to with this terminology and whether all local authorities have a food hub?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (7/20)

All LA’s we contacted regarding the guidelines stated they rely on 3rd sector voluntary orgs such as Food Banks & Baby Hubs to support families in need. However, the guide states that these organisations should not provide formula.

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (8/20)

Q4. In this case, where should LA’s refer families to access infant formula?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (9/20)

The guide seems to suggest that Health Visitors take on the responsibility of infant formula provision for families in need. Local Baby Hubs are reporting to us upwards of 15 referrals a day.

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (10/20)

Q5. How do you suggest Health Visitors meet the rising demand to provide support for families experiencing food poverty whilst maintaining their current service under very difficult current circumstances?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (11/20)

Q6. What is the source of funding for infant formula that will be provided by Health Visitors?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (12/20)

Can you advise on this question for your own area @NHSGGC :)

Q7. How can third sector & voluntary organisations provide support & access to infant formula for families that are reluctant to engage with local authorities?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (13/20)

Q8. What stakeholders were consulted in the development of the guidelines?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (14/20)

The advice in the guide that Food Banks & Baby Hubs do not accept or provide formula is based on 2019 UNICEF Guidelines that suggest monetary provision tinyurl.com/BFguide2019for…

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (15/20)

Q9. Can you explain why provision of money for formula is advised, yet provision of first infant milk itself is not?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (16/20)

Q10. From what funds will the money for infant formula be provided?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (17/20)

Can you advise on this question for your own area @NHSGGC :)

Q11. How long does it take between requesting funds for infant formula and receiving it?

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (18/20)

Thank you in advance for your time in clarifying these new guidelines @babyfriendly @1stepsnutrition

#FormulaIsFood #TeamFeed (19/20)

In current times it’s crucial that families can access infant formula with minimal barriers & maximum compassionate support & it’s great to see acceptance that #FormulaIsFood & that all families should be supported whether feeding via #bottlesboobsortubes (20/end)

@threadreaderapp unroll please :)