Breast is not best, language, guilt and lactivism musings

[alaskagrown]

Where I live, breastfeeding is the norm. I've always perceived it this way, and my mom says over the last 20 years the community has switched to a "formula is the norm" attitude to "breastfeeding is the norm" attitude. There's a program offered to everyone in my community for FREE (that's saying a lot for Americans when it comes to healthcare) that offers education and a TON of support regarding breastfeeding. They have a number you can call anytime to talk to a lactation consultant, the lactation consultant will come over any time to your house (even at 1am!), do free weight checks, and they loan free breast pumps to all mothers. I even am borrowing a top-of-the-line double-electric hospital-grade pump for free and the lactation consultant calls me every other week to see how I'm doing!

My baby had breastfeeding issues up the wa-heezy. She can latch just fine, it's just that she never would suck...not even with a nipple shield and not even with a nipple shield with a syringe injecting milk through the hole...she just sits there So I'm exclusively pumping and I know I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for the support and education I received through the program offered here where I live.

Unfortunately I can't continue to pump when I return to work in July. My boss won't let me and has me scheduled to work 8 hour shifts by myself and I can't temporarily shut down the store to pump :'( Unfortunately not everyone is supportive........

 

[Dragonfly]

I am too busy being a Mom to argue this nonsense...

Then dont. Simply just dont read or post no need to announce your flounce.

 

[Missy86]

I think that people over interpret everything everyone says.

Which is the crux of the matter as far as I can tell. The vast over interpretation of the 'breast is best' slogan. And the remarkable ability of some people to be able to start an argument in an empty room lol

I could so do that lol

P.s your baby is soooooo cute

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Where I live, breastfeeding is the norm. I've always perceived it this way, and my mom says over the last 20 years the community has switched to a "formula is the norm" attitude to "breastfeeding is the norm" attitude. There's a program offered to everyone in my community for FREE (that's saying a lot for Americans when it comes to healthcare) that offers education and a TON of support regarding breastfeeding. They have a number you can call anytime to talk to a lactation consultant, the lactation consultant will come over any time to your house (even at 1am!), do free weight checks, and they loan free breast pumps to all mothers. I even am borrowing a top-of-the-line double-electric hospital-grade pump for free and the lactation consultant calls me every other week to see how I'm doing!

My baby had breastfeeding issues up the wa-heezy. She can latch just fine, it's just that she never would suck...not even with a nipple shield and not even with a nipple shield with a syringe injecting milk through the hole...she just sits there So I'm exclusively pumping and I know I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for the support and education I received through the program offered here where I live.

Unfortunately I can't continue to pump when I return to work in July. My boss won't let me and has me scheduled to work 8 hour shifts by myself and I can't temporarily shut down the store to pump :'( Unfortunately not everyone is supportive........

I would look into laws in Alaska. I'm pretty sure this is illegal.

 

[alaskagrown]

Where I live, breastfeeding is the norm. I've always perceived it this way, and my mom says over the last 20 years the community has switched to a "formula is the norm" attitude to "breastfeeding is the norm" attitude. There's a program offered to everyone in my community for FREE (that's saying a lot for Americans when it comes to healthcare) that offers education and a TON of support regarding breastfeeding. They have a number you can call anytime to talk to a lactation consultant, the lactation consultant will come over any time to your house (even at 1am!), do free weight checks, and they loan free breast pumps to all mothers. I even am borrowing a top-of-the-line double-electric hospital-grade pump for free and the lactation consultant calls me every other week to see how I'm doing!

My baby had breastfeeding issues up the wa-heezy. She can latch just fine, it's just that she never would suck...not even with a nipple shield and not even with a nipple shield with a syringe injecting milk through the hole...she just sits there So I'm exclusively pumping and I know I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for the support and education I received through the program offered here where I live.

Unfortunately I can't continue to pump when I return to work in July. My boss won't let me and has me scheduled to work 8 hour shifts by myself and I can't temporarily shut down the store to pump :'( Unfortunately not everyone is supportive........

I would look into laws in Alaska. I'm pretty sure this is illegal.

Unfortunately, not Only companies with 50+ employees are legally obligated to provide their employees breaks to pump or breastfeed. I'm the only employee...

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Bummer

 

[xemmax]

I think everyone missed the point of the thread entirely. The way BF and FF are marketed at the moment in some countries makes FF considered the common option. We were discussing what marketing tactics woukd work to ACTUALLY promote BF and not make FF the #1 option. If you don't want to discuss the marketing idea behind it, you're definitely in the wrong thread.

This. The "breast is best" message makes it sound like formula is the normal option and breastfeeding is extra, like a private tutor hired by pushy parents.

Hmmmmmm I do not understand saying something is "best" how it makes it an option. Like a tutor? I think it says exactly what is says "it is BEST". Nothing to red into there... Here in Canada...no ONE who gives birth in a hosp or goes to prenatal classes can come out feeling like formula is a good option...leads to severe guilt as previously mentioned. Here in Canada I feel that the marketing of formula always mentions breast is better...yes even formula makers promoting their products indicate that WHO supports breast feeding over formula. I find it hard to believe that Canada is so progressive over other countries?

How could it not make it an option? By using the word 'best' it implies that it is the best of something - ie, the best option available. But the fact is that formula was invented as a substitute for breast milk, it has nothing to do with breast milk being 'better' or formula being 'worse', it is marketed completely wrong. Breast milk is breast milk and formula is a substitute for breast milk, but the slogan "breast is breast" wouldn't have the same effect...

I have to say this thread is a disappointing read. It has strayed from what could have been a very interesting topic of language use. For those who said it's just semantics, or that the language used isn't that important, I really disagree with this. Language constructs our world, concepts don't exist without language and issues such as this which arise from an incorrect use of language are proof of its importance.

 

[creatingpeace]

I think everyone missed the point of the thread entirely. The way BF and FF are marketed at the moment in some countries makes FF considered the common option. We were discussing what marketing tactics woukd work to ACTUALLY promote BF and not make FF the #1 option. If you don't want to discuss the marketing idea behind it, you're definitely in the wrong thread.

This. The "breast is best" message makes it sound like formula is the normal option and breastfeeding is extra, like a private tutor hired by pushy parents.

Hmmmmmm I do not understand saying something is "best" how it makes it an option. Like a tutor? I think it says exactly what is says "it is BEST". Nothing to red into there... Here in Canada...no ONE who gives birth in a hosp or goes to prenatal classes can come out feeling like formula is a good option...leads to severe guilt as previously mentioned. Here in Canada I feel that the marketing of formula always mentions breast is better...yes even formula makers promoting their products indicate that WHO supports breast feeding over formula. I find it hard to believe that Canada is so progressive over other countries?

How could it not make it an option? By using the word 'best' it implies that it is the best of something - ie, the best option available. But the fact is that formula was invented as a substitute for breast milk, it has nothing to do with breast milk being 'better' or formula being 'worse', it is marketed completely wrong. Breast milk is breast milk and formula is a substitute for breast milk, but the slogan "breast is breast" wouldn't have the same effect...

I have to say this thread is a disappointing read. It has strayed from what could have been a very interesting topic of language use. For those who said it's just semantics, or that the language used isn't that important, I really disagree with this. Language constructs our world, concepts don't exist without language and issues such as this which arise from an incorrect use of language are proof of its importance.

Hmmmmmmm Obviously I didn't make myself clear...that is EXACTLY what I was attempting to say...an "option". Meaning that Breast is BEST...not a secondary option! When I read on a formula can WHO indicates that Breast is best...it leads me to believe that Formula is the secondary option. This is what I was referring to! Make better sense now?

 

[katiekittykat]

I think that people over interpret everything everyone says.

Which is the crux of the matter as far as I can tell. The vast over interpretation of the 'breast is best' slogan. And the remarkable ability of some people to be able to start an argument in an empty room lol

I could so do that lol

P.s your baby is soooooo cute

Thanks It was a lucky photo xx

 

[xemmax]

I think everyone missed the point of the thread entirely. The way BF and FF are marketed at the moment in some countries makes FF considered the common option. We were discussing what marketing tactics woukd work to ACTUALLY promote BF and not make FF the #1 option. If you don't want to discuss the marketing idea behind it, you're definitely in the wrong thread.

This. The "breast is best" message makes it sound like formula is the normal option and breastfeeding is extra, like a private tutor hired by pushy parents.

Hmmmmmm I do not understand saying something is "best" how it makes it an option. Like a tutor? I think it says exactly what is says "it is BEST". Nothing to red into there... Here in Canada...no ONE who gives birth in a hosp or goes to prenatal classes can come out feeling like formula is a good option...leads to severe guilt as previously mentioned. Here in Canada I feel that the marketing of formula always mentions breast is better...yes even formula makers promoting their products indicate that WHO supports breast feeding over formula. I find it hard to believe that Canada is so progressive over other countries?

How could it not make it an option? By using the word 'best' it implies that it is the best of something - ie, the best option available. But the fact is that formula was invented as a substitute for breast milk, it has nothing to do with breast milk being 'better' or formula being 'worse', it is marketed completely wrong. Breast milk is breast milk and formula is a substitute for breast milk, but the slogan "breast is breast" wouldn't have the same effect...

I have to say this thread is a disappointing read. It has strayed from what could have been a very interesting topic of language use. For those who said it's just semantics, or that the language used isn't that important, I really disagree with this. Language constructs our world, concepts don't exist without language and issues such as this which arise from an incorrect use of language are proof of its importance.

Hmmmmmmm Obviously I didn't make myself clear...that is EXACTLY what I was attempting to say...an "option". Meaning that Breast is BEST...not a secondary option! When I read on a formula can WHO indicates that Breast is best...it leads me to believe that Formula is the secondary option. This is what I was referring to! Make better sense now?

I see what you mean but I think there are crossed wires. The point is that by promoting it as an option, it also promotes other options as all options are available. Even though it implies it is the better option, it is the fact that it is promoted as an option at all which is disputed here because really, they shouldn't be seen as options. One is normal and one is a substitute. Options would be do x or y, not do x or a substitute for x. If you see what I mean...

I really do understand how these kind of debates flare up emotions but it isn't about one being better than the other, it's just about formula promotion. I'm sorry if anyone's feelings have been hurt by it x

 

[creatingpeace]

I think everyone missed the point of the thread entirely. The way BF and FF are marketed at the moment in some countries makes FF considered the common option. We were discussing what marketing tactics woukd work to ACTUALLY promote BF and not make FF the #1 option. If you don't want to discuss the marketing idea behind it, you're definitely in the wrong thread.

This. The "breast is best" message makes it sound like formula is the normal option and breastfeeding is extra, like a private tutor hired by pushy parents.

Hmmmmmm I do not understand saying something is "best" how it makes it an option. Like a tutor? I think it says exactly what is says "it is BEST". Nothing to red into there... Here in Canada...no ONE who gives birth in a hosp or goes to prenatal classes can come out feeling like formula is a good option...leads to severe guilt as previously mentioned. Here in Canada I feel that the marketing of formula always mentions breast is better...yes even formula makers promoting their products indicate that WHO supports breast feeding over formula. I find it hard to believe that Canada is so progressive over other countries?

How could it not make it an option? By using the word 'best' it implies that it is the best of something - ie, the best option available. But the fact is that formula was invented as a substitute for breast milk, it has nothing to do with breast milk being 'better' or formula being 'worse', it is marketed completely wrong. Breast milk is breast milk and formula is a substitute for breast milk, but the slogan "breast is breast" wouldn't have the same effect...

I have to say this thread is a disappointing read. It has strayed from what could have been a very interesting topic of language use. For those who said it's just semantics, or that the language used isn't that important, I really disagree with this. Language constructs our world, concepts don't exist without language and issues such as this which arise from an incorrect use of language are proof of its importance.

Hmmmmmmm Obviously I didn't make myself clear...that is EXACTLY what I was attempting to say...an "option". Meaning that Breast is BEST...not a secondary option! When I read on a formula can WHO indicates that Breast is best...it leads me to believe that Formula is the secondary option. This is what I was referring to! Make better sense now?

I see what you mean but I think there are crossed wires. The point is that by promoting it as an option, it also promotes other options as all options are available. Even though it implies it is the better option, it is the fact that it is promoted as an option at all which is disputed here because really, they shouldn't be seen as options. One is normal and one is a substitute. Options would be do x or y, not do x or a substitute for x. If you see what I mean...

I really do understand how these kind of debates flare up emotions but it isn't about one being better than the other, it's just about formula promotion. I'm sorry if anyone's feelings have been hurt by it x

Gotcha makes sense

 

[leelee]

1. I honestly don't care how other women feed their babies.it is sad that the information readily available is not correct and is biased,however if a woman truly cared like the op(I think) they would do their own research and see for themselves.I'm from aus and everyone here knows breast is best.the advertising and information on formula is so so strict that I have never in my life hear someone say it's as good as breast milk.so honestly here I feel the information is not a reason for peoples choices
2.I feel very bad for the women who desperately wanted to breastfeeding and suffered by not being able to..I have conflicting feelins on this honestly though as I think a lot of the time some actually could do it if they kept it up(not saying all I agree there is a lot of issues that could make it impossible)I really wanted to bf and I did..despite losing 2 liters of blood at birth,not being able to sit for 4 days and being hooked up to blood transfusions for four days.followed by an extremely low(if not non existent) supply due to the fact that I had mostly someone elses blood circulating my body instead of my hormone filled blood.my daughter got so dehydrated she was admitted to special care nursery with fevers.due to the lack of supply my poor baby sucked non stop causing my nipple(no joke)to actually almost come off it was flapping it was so cut up.I used nipple shields and expressing and managed to breast feed for the time I had chosen way previously(6 months)I just wanted to do it.stopping wasn't an option.
Of course there is lots of women who have much more serious issues with them and baby which prevents bf.but I so often hear women say they couldn't bf cos of this or that and I feel that THEIR excuse is a cop out.they could have if they wanted to.
Once again please don't shoot me down I'm talking about people and situations I know personally and I am not saying anyone here is like this

Sorry, I don't want to offend you, but I honestly don't think continuing BF'ing to the point where your child is admitted to hospital for dehydration is the correct thing to do. I would rather my child had formula and was well than be dehydrated.

A good friend of mine lives in Oz (Sydney) and said BF was rammed so far down her throat that it caused PND for her. She had poor supply and her child was absoutely starving. Her midwife bullied her into continuing BF despite her own worries and by the time she took the child to the doctor he shouted at her for starving her own child. She still feels terribly guilty for that.

 

[cattattat]

So what are the risks of breastfeeding?

I know you are gonna disagree with me but it my case PND

I've only skimmed some of the risks, they aren't risks IMO, the chance of being affected by one of those in the list rises when you FF but BF babies can also suffer with those complaints. Risk is the wrong word.

How would you word it? Smoking increases the risk of cancer, that doesn't mean non smokers don't get cancer. formula increases the risk of x, y and z, but doesn't mean exclusively breastfed babies aren't affected.

I would simply say is gives you a better chance of avoiding x, y and z. I think demonising FF to promote BF is wrong.

COMPLETELY agree with this. I couldn't agree more.

In respect of the rest of the discussion, bf is normal and natural and every mother in the world should be encouraged to do it for as long as possible, but I think where the 'best' part comes into it is in cases such as MikaylasMummy. I completely believe that it is important for women who have not been able to bf for an extended period to not feel guilt for this. If simple semantics mean that women are not beating themselves up every day because they have not been able to do what is 'normal', I don't see the harm in the phrase.

You only have to do a tiny bit of research to know that formula doesn't even compare to breastmilk, so I don't think changing the phrase from 'breast is best' to anything else would make any difference whatsoever to people who already have their hearts set on FF from the start.

I hope that makes sense, I do have a tendency to ramble!

 

[SnuggleMum]

Sorry, I don't want to offend you, but I honestly don't think continuing BF'ing to the point where your child is admitted to hospital for dehydration is the correct thing to do. I would rather my child had formula and was well than be dehydrated.

A good friend of mine lives in Oz (Sydney) and said BF was rammed so far down her throat that it caused PND for her. She had poor supply and her child was absoutely starving. Her midwife bullied her into continuing BF despite her own worries and by the time she took the child to the doctor he shouted at her for starving her own child. She still feels terribly guilty for that.

I think that is quite an offensive thing to say - how would it be taken if I were to say to you that I think you made the wrong choice in giving your newborn supplemental formula?

There are failings in the situation you describe - there are alternatives to a baby being undernourished - expressed milk or donated milk, both have less health risks than formula. There are many poorly trained and poorly educated HCPs who will say a baby is 'starving' when they aren't, or who don't know how to properly manage a situation where baby is not feeding optimally.

For every woman bullied into breastfeeding, I bet there is another who is bullied into formula feeding, like I was. Or whose baby was given formula without consent.

 

[leelee]

Sorry, I don't want to offend you, but I honestly don't think continuing BF'ing to the point where your child is admitted to hospital for dehydration is the correct thing to do. I would rather my child had formula and was well than be dehydrated.

A good friend of mine lives in Oz (Sydney) and said BF was rammed so far down her throat that it caused PND for her. She had poor supply and her child was absoutely starving. Her midwife bullied her into continuing BF despite her own worries and by the time she took the child to the doctor he shouted at her for starving her own child. She still feels terribly guilty for that.

I think that is quite an offensive thing to say - how would it be taken if I were to say to you that I think you made the wrong choice in giving your newborn supplemental formula?

There are failings in the situation you describe - there are alternatives to a baby being undernourished - expressed milk or donated milk, both have less health risks than formula. There are many poorly trained and poorly educated HCPs who will say a baby is 'starving' when they aren't, or who don't know how to properly manage a situation where baby is not feeding optimally.

For every woman bullied into breastfeeding, I bet there is another who is bullied into formula feeding, like I was. Or whose baby was given formula without consent.

I am not trying to be offensive. Just being honest saying that I don't think it is a wise decision to continue exclusively BF if it is posing a danger to a baby's health. Surely supplementing (with EBM, donated milk or formula) alongside BF (until supply is up) is better? I'm sure most mothers would agree with this.

The situation I am describing is a real situation so I don't know how you can say there are 'failings' in it! The baby was dehydrated and actually the GP was right to say that he was starving and it was the midwife at fault for not listening to the mother.

 

[SnuggleMum]

I am not trying to be offensive. Just being honest saying that I don't think it is a wise decision to continue exclusively BF if it is posing a danger to a baby's health. Surely supplementing (with EBM, donated milk or formula) alongside BF (until supply is up) is better? I'm sure most mothers would agree with this.

The situation I am describing is a real situation so I don't know how you can say there are 'failings' in it! The baby was dehydrated and actually the GP was right to say that he was starving and it was the midwife at fault for not listening to the mother.

Well, I'll be honest and say I don't think it is wise to give formula to a 5 week old when there are alternatives ;-)

I don't know enough about the situation of the OP or your friend to comment any more, only I was told to admit my baby with dehydration, when he wasn't dehydrated, so I know it does happen.

 

[xemmax]

So what are the risks of breastfeeding?

I know you are gonna disagree with me but it my case PND

I've only skimmed some of the risks, they aren't risks IMO, the chance of being affected by one of those in the list rises when you FF but BF babies can also suffer with those complaints. Risk is the wrong word.

How would you word it? Smoking increases the risk of cancer, that doesn't mean non smokers don't get cancer. formula increases the risk of x, y and z, but doesn't mean exclusively breastfed babies aren't affected.

I would simply say is gives you a better chance of avoiding x, y and z. I think demonising FF to promote BF is wrong.

COMPLETELY agree with this. I couldn't agree more.

In respect of the rest of the discussion, bf is normal and natural and every mother in the world should be encouraged to do it for as long as possible, but I think where the 'best' part comes into it is in cases such as MikaylasMummy. I completely believe that it is important for women who have not been able to bf for an extended period to not feel guilt for this. If simple semantics mean that women are not beating themselves up every day because they have not been able to do what is 'normal', I don't see the harm in the phrase.

You only have to do a tiny bit of research to know that formula doesn't even compare to breastmilk, so I don't think changing the phrase from 'breast is best' to anything else would make any difference whatsoever to people who already have their hearts set on FF from the start.

I hope that makes sense, I do have a tendency to ramble!

Instead they beat themselves up over not being able to do what is 'best' for their child. Being unable to breastfeed if a mother intended to will carry feelings of guilt and failure (hate the word) however breastfeeding is described, that isn't what is relevant in this debate. This is about how breastfeeding and formula is promoted, not how it makes women feel about their own breastfeeding experiences whether successful or unsuccessful.

Also I just wanted to add that in my experience breastfeeding isn't seen as normal, certainly not past 6 months. I don't know anyone else still feeding a child of Oli's age and as a result I feel embarrassed when people say "oh, you're still feeding him?". People in my everyday life may well accept that 'breast is best' but they don't accept that it is normal.

 

[creatingpeace]

Sorry, I don't want to offend you, but I honestly don't think continuing BF'ing to the point where your child is admitted to hospital for dehydration is the correct thing to do. I would rather my child had formula and was well than be dehydrated.

A good friend of mine lives in Oz (Sydney) and said BF was rammed so far down her throat that it caused PND for her. She had poor supply and her child was absoutely starving. Her midwife bullied her into continuing BF despite her own worries and by the time she took the child to the doctor he shouted at her for starving her own child. She still feels terribly guilty for that.

I think that is quite an offensive thing to say - how would it be taken if I were to say to you that I think you made the wrong choice in giving your newborn supplemental formula?

There are failings in the situation you describe - there are alternatives to a baby being undernourished - expressed milk or donated milk, both have less health risks than formula. There are many poorly trained and poorly educated HCPs who will say a baby is 'starving' when they aren't, or who don't know how to properly manage a situation where baby is not feeding optimally.

For every woman bullied into breastfeeding, I bet there is another who is bullied into formula feeding, like I was. Or whose baby was given formula without consent.

I KNOW this is way off topic from original post and for that I am sorry but just responding to the above quote. Also not sure how she was being offensive at all? What in her post was offensive to a BF mother?

When I was in hosp after having Avery (I was there 5 days) he began to lose weight. I was pumping every three hours around the clock and not getting any milk...small amounts of colostrum, he continued to lose weight until he lost 14 percent of his birth weight. The doctor "prescribed" one once of supplemented formula at every breast feed. I was DEVASTATED. I did the syringes to avoid nipple confusion as I was determined to eventually wean him off of supplemented formula. I was so upset about giving him formula. NEVER in the hosp was I offered donor milk (so not sure that really is an option as you say). I may be under educated regarding this topic but I would not be comfortable giving him donor milk (for no other reason then I just wouldn't be). No one ever told me my baby was starving they just showed me the facts...he is losing a SIGNIFICANT amount of weight...this weight loss is risky beyond 10 percent as it will begin to impact his central nervous system, his brain, his growth, etc. I had support, no one was under educated, ignorant...it was what it was!!! OBVIOUS!

My understanding after HOURS UPON HOURS with lactation consultants, is that YOUR breast milk is tailored to YOUR baby's needs. Hence the reason it is so covetted to breast feed. Therefore, if your baby becomes ill your body begins to produce more antibodies, immunity in your breast milk, etc. How would donor milk do this?

Anyways they agreed to eventually allow my baby to come home with me only if I agreed to seeing a breast consultant every other day and attending the hosp every day to have him weighed...you can imagine the stress of this after a c-section and first baby. I plodded on and on determined as hell. I took herbs, prescription drugs, ate, slept, drank water...I was able to exclusively breastfeed him for one week, sadly he lost even more weight. I succumbed to combination feeding...thinking at least he was getting some breast milk. So much work, stress, and guilt. At three months old my body literally STOPPED producing milk...that is with herbs, prescribed drugs and pumping every three hours

Sorry I have gone off in a tangent about my own story and it is the first BF or FF thread I have even got involved in only because it was about promotion...figures it comes to this.

Anyways...with all that Doctors, consultants, weigh ins, nurses. Never was I educated, offered, donor breast milk.

 

[SnuggleMum]

I KNOW this is way off topic from original post and for that I am sorry but just responding to the above quote. Also not sure how she was being offensive at all? What in her post was offensive to a BF mother?

My understanding after HOURS UPON HOURS with lactation consultants, is that YOUR breast milk is tailored to YOUR baby's needs. Hence the reason it is so covetted to breast feed. Therefore, if your baby becomes ill your body begins to produce more antibodies, immunity in your breast milk, etc. How would donor milk do this?

Anyways...with all that Doctors, consultants, weigh ins, nurses. Never was I educated, offered, donor breast milk.

(Hope you don't mind me trimming it, trying not to go too far off topic!)

I think it was an offensive thing to say purely because I think it is offensive to tell a Mother what she did was wrong. It might not be what you, or I or Mrs X might do, but to say someone was wrong is offensive and hurtful IMO.

Donor milk wouldn't be ideally suited to your baby, but it would still have superior nutrition and immunological benefits. It is still a live, living substance, with all sorts of stuff in it that isn't in formula.

Donor milk isn't offered in a lot of cases, but can be sourced from other places than hospital milk banks. Informal milk sharing is on the rise

 

[Pramaholic86]

I think it was an offensive thing to say purely because I think it is offensive to tell a Mother what she did was wrong. It might not be what you, or I or Mrs X might do, but to say someone was wrong is offensive and hurtful

unless you choose to formula feed your child, apparently.