GMTV a Midwife says "promoting Breast Feeding is bad"

[Blah11]

Judge on whether or not it's the right thing to do--if baby is happy than it's right for the mother, whether or not we have a good bond with our baby, judge exactly on how hard it is to make bottles and whether or not FF need access to information like the most recent guidelines.

I see judgments from both directions, I'm not saying it's all against FF but it is out there

Oh I see. No, no one should judge you on any of those points.
I don't want to seem like I'm saying formula is evil or anything because I don't think that. I think it's great for certain mothers and certain babys, I just wish the people who aren't clever enough to make up their own minds (none of you!) wouldn't follow the mass and FF just because their friends all do it.

I'm not making much sense anymore

 

[BritExpat]

It really isn't that simple... You only have to look in the FF section to see how many new mums or pregnant ladies ask about it. It really is minefield, and made even more difficult by the amount of conflicting information. Let's not forget that not everyone has the internet aswell, and has easy access to this type of information.

I'm afraid it really is that simple. If I can prepare for it then anyone can. Plenty of bookshops, libraries, etc.etc.

 

[ChloesMummy]

Blimey this thread got a bit out of hand...


I don't recall any FF mothers getting looked down upon in this thread I stick by what i said - In general, BF should be PlanA and if for some reason it doesn't work out formula feeding info should be given in post natal wards or after youve had the baby on labour suite, not in an antenatal class. I just don't understand people who refuse to even try to BF and decide when they're pregnant they don't want to. How can you possibly know what it's like if you've never tried?

Oh and I admit I'd have no clue whatsoever on how to make a bottle up.

Your post is coming accross as looking down on FF mothers. I am one of those FF who did not, from the very start of my first pregnancy, feel comfortable with the idea of BF. I am not ashamed of that and I do not feel guilty. You dont need to understand it was and is my decision just as any mother. I fully support Mums that BF.

 

[Blah11]

Blimey this thread got a bit out of hand...


I don't recall any FF mothers getting looked down upon in this thread I stick by what i said - In general, BF should be PlanA and if for some reason it doesn't work out formula feeding info should be given in post natal wards or after youve had the baby on labour suite, not in an antenatal class. I just don't understand people who refuse to even try to BF and decide when they're pregnant they don't want to. How can you possibly know what it's like if you've never tried?

Oh and I admit I'd have no clue whatsoever on how to make a bottle up.

That's a two way street though, how can people judge on FF if they've never done it or tried? I don't understand.

Judge on it in what way? Make bottle, feed baby ?

Claim it as WRONG! Its not your choice so its wrong ...thats JUDGING! Don't act an idiot and belittling like its make bottle and feed sure how could anyone be confused by that type attitude. You'd be wrong. I remember worrying about scoops asking questions about sterilising storing water temp ways to warm up bottle reflux colic.

Uhh, I've already said I don't know how to make a bottle up so I wouldn't belittle anyone on that Wobbles. I was confused about what vickie meant, I thought maybe she meant how do you not know you wont like FF if you don't try it.

 

[Wobbles]

Im staying off this its going back and forward to vs the other again - I hate it.

I felt uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding thats just me (Ive worded this wrong before) Id not feel comfy in town I knew that for various of reasons ....But thats me what is someone elses comfort is nobodys business Id probably notice a feeding mother when out but I wouldn't have a problem she is feeding her child.

Damn GMTV!

 

[Blah11]

Blimey this thread got a bit out of hand...


I don't recall any FF mothers getting looked down upon in this thread I stick by what i said - In general, BF should be PlanA and if for some reason it doesn't work out formula feeding info should be given in post natal wards or after youve had the baby on labour suite, not in an antenatal class. I just don't understand people who refuse to even try to BF and decide when they're pregnant they don't want to. How can you possibly know what it's like if you've never tried?

Oh and I admit I'd have no clue whatsoever on how to make a bottle up.

Your post is coming accross as looking down on FF mothers. I am one of those FF who did not, from the very start of my first pregnancy, feel comfortable with the idea of BF. I am not ashamed of that and I do not feel guilty. You dont need to understand it was and is my decision just as any mother. I fully support Mums that BF.

I don't need to understand a lot of things but I still find it interesting. Like I said to wobbles anyway, i wasn't even asking a direct question.

 

[Blah11]

Im staying off this its going back and forward to vs the other again - I hate it.

I felt uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding thats just me (Ive worded this wrong before) Id not feel comfy in town I knew that for various of reasons ....But thats me what is someone elses comfort is nobodys business Id probably notice a feeding mother when out but I wouldn't have a problem she is feeding her child.

Damn GMTV!

That's exactly what I mean when I say that BF isn't seen as the norm yet. It's terrible and very sad that any mother would be uncomfortable with feeding her baby

 

[Wobbles]

It really isn't that simple... You only have to look in the FF section to see how many new mums or pregnant ladies ask about it. It really is minefield, and made even more difficult by the amount of conflicting information. Let's not forget that not everyone has the internet aswell, and has easy access to this type of information.

I'm afraid it really is that simple. If I can prepare for it then anyone can. Plenty of bookshops, libraries, etc.etc.

I hate ignorant people like you ...

Theres plenty of Mums out there who are nervous with their first want to know they are doing it right and should be given the information to both feeding methods. I have seen leaflets on sterilising bottles but only when my baby left hospital after her first week of life and the special care unit gave us an information pack that every Mum gets.

If its your first or second choice the information to hand is a positive step and some Mums who do BF combination feed.


Like mentioned Mums ask questions on formula feeding, double check & are nervous/paniced with their first esspecially ...they don't need people like you saying 'buy/borrow a book' like they are alien from people who breastfeed.

Bloody know it all there

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think peoples experiences can be affected by so many factors. support and the kind of information available to Mum's can vary enormously depending on where you live and the type of NHS trust your hospital is in. I am fortunate that mine gave info on both feeding methods. Although I will say that I as a BFer and my sister as a FFer both got most of our info from other sources than ante natal classes or the mws. But maybe that's us. We both like to be armed with everything.
I'm not surprised to see this thread getting heated and people being rude to one another. It seems to be par for the course. The only part I've really got an issue with is how its ok to use terms like 'The BF*Brigade' I find that derogatory and I'm sure if someone grouped all FF Mum's under a term like 'The FF*Facists' people would raise an eyebrow so can I ask admin that they don't allow those kind of terms to be used please

 

[Wobbles]

Im staying off this its going back and forward to vs the other again - I hate it.

I felt uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding thats just me (Ive worded this wrong before) Id not feel comfy in town I knew that for various of reasons ....But thats me what is someone elses comfort is nobodys business Id probably notice a feeding mother when out but I wouldn't have a problem she is feeding her child.

Damn GMTV!

That's exactly what I mean when I say that BF isn't seen as the norm yet. It's terrible and very sad that any mother would be uncomfortable with feeding her baby

Its not about it feeling out of the norm generally its about me ...just me. I have very low confidence VERY low and have panic attacks (quite mild now) when Im out and about esspecially when on my own so its more personally than what the world says is right/wrong

 

[Blah11]

Im staying off this its going back and forward to vs the other again - I hate it.

I felt uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding thats just me (Ive worded this wrong before) Id not feel comfy in town I knew that for various of reasons ....But thats me what is someone elses comfort is nobodys business Id probably notice a feeding mother when out but I wouldn't have a problem she is feeding her child.

Damn GMTV!

That's exactly what I mean when I say that BF isn't seen as the norm yet. It's terrible and very sad that any mother would be uncomfortable with feeding her baby

Its not about it feeling out of the norm generally its about me ...just me. I have very low confidence VERY low and have panic attacks (quite mild now) when Im out and about esspecially when on my own so its more personally than what the world says is right/wrong

That may be so but you're not the only person who feels like that. PLENTY of people do and lots of BFers are too scared to do it in public so they express (which is really really time consuming and frustrating). They shouldn't feel uncomfortable in the first place and if more and more people do BF then it will start to be seen as a normal everyday occurance (which ofc it is anyway).

 

[Wobbles]

I think peoples experiences can be affected by so many factors. support and the kind of information available to Mum's can vary enormously depending on where you live and the type of NHS trust your hospital is in. I am fortunate that mine gave info on both feeding methods. Although I will say that I as a BFer and my sister as a FFer both got most of our info from other sources than ante natal classes or the mws. But maybe that's us. We both like to be armed with everything.
I'm not surprised to see this thread getting heated and people being rude to one another. It seems to be par for the course. The only part I've really got an issue with is how its ok to use terms like 'The BF*Brigade' I find that derogatory and I'm sure if someone grouped all FF Mum's under a term like 'The FF*Facists' people would raise an eyebrow so can I ask admin that they don't allow those kind of terms to be used please

1st one - I never got any for either with my first. I was a nervous wreck. So thats good and as you says 'armed with the information anyway'.

2nd one - I didn't see that ...I won't ask who but will agree it should not be used maybe something we should add to the rules. Neither of the terms you mention are nice

 

[Wobbles]

Blah - Ah I get you. You just mean those who are uncomfortable for no reason or reasons that should not exist. Your right a nursing Mum shouldn't be made to feel its not the norm and be scared of other peoples reactions.

 

[Vickie]

Blah - Ah I get you. You just mean those who are uncomfortable for no reason or reasons that should not exist. Your right a nursing Mum shouldn't be made to feel its not the norm and be scared of other peoples reactions.

agreed 100%

 

[Tiff]

Man, here we are again! Why does this topic have to be rehashed over and over and over again??? It's one of those "too heated" discussions and people end up getting offended.

Even though I know that none of the post on here were meant to be mean, or upsetting, I as a formula feeder found them very upsetting. I'm not going to get into specifics because its my own issues, but I would like to point out that endless discussions like this topic scare people off wanting to post questions, for fear of being 'ganged up on'.

Even if that isn't the actual case! Can't we just let this stupid topic die? At the end of the day, our kids are fed and happy and healthy... shouldn't that be what matters?

Sorry, had to edit that in... it's just crazy how often this topic comes up.

 

[Samemka]

I see no reason why the NHS should have to teach parents to perform a relatively simple task like make up a bottle of milk, let alone do/provide it for them.

I don't think it is relatively simple - yeah, it sounds it, but in reality how many people can honestly say they'd know to boil the water and add the powder when the water is above 70degrees because powder isn't sterile? I had no idea - initially I was boiling my water, letting it cool and then adding the powder when Emma needed a bottle! The Dept of health guidelines say you should make up feeds 'on demand' - ie don't make up 6 in the morning and stick them in the fridge - again, a lot of people (me included) had no idea about this. Then when you ask older parents, friends, relatives etc who 'used to do it that way' (making them up and putting them into the fridge) - how are you to know you're doing it 'wrong'?

Didn't you buy any books? Read the NHS website etc? Visit your local library? The info's all there, that's how we prepared ourselves.

Yes - I did, and it's bloody confusing! You read one thing on one site, one thing on another. I bet I could go to a library and come out with 5 different ways of doing it because how to make up bottles has changed so often! My point is when the guidelines are so specific, they should be given out to parents for them to read IF THEY WANT TO - rather than parents having to search for them themselves. A lot of people DON'T have access to the net still, and wouldn't bother going to a library say - and if they ask their parents, I bet they'd get told a different way to what the NHS guidelines say now!!!!!!!!

 

[sparkswillfly]

It really isn't that simple... You only have to look in the FF section to see how many new mums or pregnant ladies ask about it. It really is minefield, and made even more difficult by the amount of conflicting information. Let's not forget that not everyone has the internet aswell, and has easy access to this type of information.

I'm afraid it really is that simple. If I can prepare for it then anyone can. Plenty of bookshops, libraries, etc.etc.

It really isnt that simple. Dont be so patronising.

 

[Wobbles]

Man, here we are again! Why does this topic have to be rehashed over and over and over again??? It's one of those "too heated" discussions and people end up getting offended.

Even though I know that none of the post on here were meant to be mean, or upsetting, I as a formula feeder found them very upsetting. I'm not going to get into specifics because its my own issues, but I would like to point out that endless discussions like this topic scare people off wanting to post questions, for fear of being 'ganged up on'.

Even if that isn't the actual case! Can't we just let this stupid topic die? At the end of the day, our kids are fed and happy and healthy... shouldn't that be what matters?

Sorry, had to edit that in... it's just crazy how often this topic comes up.

Its allowed me to blow out some steam lol Im in a foul mood that actually I think Im behaving But I couldn't read every page.

 

[Abz1982]

Some of these replies ahve reminded me why I depressed myself and tried to suffer the pain when feeding Emma, to the point where I locked myself in the bathroom and refused to feed her as I was in so much pain - after ibuprofen etc.

Because I was scared of being judged.

That will make some more timid mothers not bother to ask about formula feeding, too scared to pick up a leaflet at the doctors on it in case they get asked questions about it. So they wont ask, and they may get it wrong and the baby could get ill. It can be done! I have witness - thankfully - OH making a bottle from cold water in the kettle and putting the water in after the powder, and thankfully I intercepted that bottle.

I would have thought having 6 cousins who he has helped look after he would know what to do but he didnt.

 

[Abz1982]

It really isn't that simple... You only have to look in the FF section to see how many new mums or pregnant ladies ask about it. It really is minefield, and made even more difficult by the amount of conflicting information. Let's not forget that not everyone has the internet aswell, and has easy access to this type of information.

I'm afraid it really is that simple. If I can prepare for it then anyone can. Plenty of bookshops, libraries, etc.etc.

It really isnt that simple. Dont be so patronising.

It really isn't! There are folk out there that cant read properly, don't have computers and maybe don't live near a library. There are people out there who will have or do have babies who maybe have difficulties with simple tasks. I have seen a few locally. I have also seen a person with a MSc look at a box of milk and bottle and not figure out what to do.

I can get my leg over my head. I figured out cos I saw a thing online...........doesnt mean that others can do the same.

Basically............there are some proper dafties out there