GMTV a Midwife says "promoting Breast Feeding is bad"

[Tiff]

Agree. I'm shocked by some post, like saying random strangers come up to them in the street and ask how they feed. Totally gobsmacked that anyone, anywhere would think it was their business how another Mum feeds her baby.

I got that ALL the time when Claire was smaller. Not so much now, I guess it only matters when they are younger, what they are getting?

I had one lady ask me how old she was, then if I was BF (I was at the time) and she started in on how that was "sooooooo" much better and "good for me" and blah blah blah. I had another lady ask when I had stopped, and when I said she was being FF, she wanted to know why.

Like it is any of her buisness!

Then again, when Claire was 7 weeks old we were having lunch out somewhere, and someone came up to us and started to tell us that the reason why babies look like their fathers in the beginning is Nature's way of letting the father know you didn't sleep with someone else.

Point of this drivel? People say ******** things. Period.

I suppose it's like people touching other people's bumps. Having a child seems to make some people think you are public property or something.

It certainly seems that way, eh?

 

[Vickie]

Tyff! I can't believe someone told you that bit about looking like the father

Totally off topic but when Hannah was 7/8 months old and we had Stan's birthday party his mom was commenting on how much Hannah looked like him and I just looked at her and said are you sure he's the father? The look on her face was priceless (he is of course Hannah's father ) but I couldn't resist

 

[BlackBerry25]

I get people thinking I am not Helena's mom because we look NOTHING alike.

 

[firstLO]

The tubs of formula dont tell you the formula isnt sterile and thats why you need to put it into hot water.

Aptamil does, it says it in red writing where the instructions are to make it up. This is how I knew it wasn't sterile and is why I have always added the powder to hot water instead of cooled water.

I agree that women feel pressured to breast feed. I felt like a failure when I had to start my baby on formula but she hadn't put any weight on so I really had no choice. She would have been classed as "failure to thrive" if I hadn't given her formula.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I made that comment and maybe you should go see the context it was used in. Im not ashamed or sorry for what I said.

Because there are certain posters who are always shoving down pregnant women and ff's throats that they think they should at least TRY and bf... Some people dont want to try. Its none of their business. Some people are perfectly capable of breastfeeding and just dont want to... Seems kind of a double standard when you let people post they think its wrong for mothers to not even try....

There is a fine line bettween offering support and information... and then looking down on those who dont TRY and breastfeed.

But to use a term like 'The BF Brigade' is a sweeping generalisation and offensive and I GUARANTEE you if I said the FF Facists even though I might not mean everyone you'd be the first to kick off. You're grouping everyone together by using a term like that. It's like having a debate about religion and using the term 'Bible Bashers' - it automatically gets people's heckles up.

I like offering support and advice in both sections, sometimes it maybe seems not so pro-breastfeeding because I do think people need to make their own choices as to what they feel they are comfortable doing

Ryder, that should read anti BFing.

None of my comments have been directed towards breastfeeding moms, and I don't think Ryder's were either, they were directed towards the extremists.

So please dont lump everyone under the same label.

 

[BlackBerry25]

I made that comment and maybe you should go see the context it was used in. Im not ashamed or sorry for what I said.

Because there are certain posters who are always shoving down pregnant women and ff's throats that they think they should at least TRY and bf... Some people dont want to try. Its none of their business. Some people are perfectly capable of breastfeeding and just dont want to... Seems kind of a double standard when you let people post they think its wrong for mothers to not even try....

There is a fine line bettween offering support and information... and then looking down on those who dont TRY and breastfeed.

But to use a term like 'The BF Brigade' is a sweeping generalisation and offensive and I GUARANTEE you if I said the FF Facists even though I might not mean everyone you'd be the first to kick off. You're grouping everyone together by using a term like that. It's like having a debate about religion and using the term 'Bible Bashers' - it automatically gets people's heckles up.

I like offering support and advice in both sections, sometimes it maybe seems not so pro-breastfeeding because I do think people need to make their own choices as to what they feel they are comfortable doing

Ryder, that should read anti BFing.

None of my comments have been directed towards breastfeeding moms, and I don't think Ryder's were either, they were directed towards the extremists.

So please dont lump everyone under the same label.

My posts were directed to people who have no tolerance for formula. You obviously do as you have used it.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Used it and bought a big tin of it this very day but I'm still being branded the BF Brigade and it's offensive.

 

[Lu28]

My posts were directed to people who have no tolerance for formula. You obviously do as you have used it.

^^^ I don't think this is particularly fair, you can have tolerance for formula without using it. I have used formula in the early days but now exclusively breastfeed, does that mean I now don't have tolerance with it and should be lumped in with the "extremists"?

I honestly don't care how anyone feeds their baby as long as the baby is happy and healthy, it's nobody's business IMO. I also think that sufficient information on all options should be given to mums in the early days when it's difficult to maintain a conversation, never mind have to research how to feed baby safely - or maybe that was just me in a mind fog for the first few weeks!

My two best friends ff, one because bfing didn't work out and the other because she never felt comfortable with the idea of bfing so went straight to ffing. I never ever judged them or looked down on them for their decision, they both have gorgeous healthy little girls and that's all that matters. But yet unless I explain my views, there seems to be the assumption by some that I'm anti ffing just because I'm exclusively bfing.

With the exception of some of these types of threads, I have found this board to be extremely supportive and I would hope that everyone on this thread can remain supportive of each other

 

[Mervs Mum]

My two best friends ff, one because bfing didn't work out and the other because she never felt comfortable with the idea of bfing so went straight to ffing. I never ever judged them or looked down on them for their decision, they both have gorgeous healthy little girls and that's all that matters. But yet unless I explain my views, there seems to be the assumption by some that I'm anti ffing just because I'm exclusively bfing.

My sister FF from the get go. She simply didnt want to BF. I was her birth partner and the ones telling the MW to back off when they were being politely encouraging then risking tipping towards pushy about BF. But yes it's assumed that if you BF and especially if you are proud to have BF for a long time like me, that you're a member of the BF Brigade and heaven forbid you warn a mum of the implications of topping up with formula. Even though I'm an accredited ABM Mother Supporter and what I tell them is the truth but no, it's not because there are physical consequences to supplimenting, it's because I must think that formula is the devils piss.....even though I've freely given the same formula to my own children and speak from personal experience ....

 

[Mervs Mum]

And I agree with Lu that just because you havent ever used formula doesnt mean you have no tolerance for FF! What about the poor b-stards who BF because they dont have two brass farthings to rub together? Are they all automatically anti FF. Ludicrous.

 

[Pessimistic]

Call me whatever you like, but I don't think it makes a pissing difference weather you breastfeed or formula feed.

My mother breastfed both me and my brother, I was ill a lot when young(my immune system is utter shite even still), also she died of breast cancer when I was 10(breastfeeding is suppose to help protect against this but I personally think if your going to get cancer your going to get it simple as really).
My Fiance has no co-ordination and hardly any common sense, he was breastfed, his brother is smart, just finished a degree etc and was formula fed.
My point is everyone is different. Babies get all sorts of stuff and grow up different ways/get different things etc, none of it down to how they are fed IMO.

Nout makes a difference if you ask me. The child is being fed, that's all that matters.

 

[mommyof3co]

I don't think anyone thinks that just because they breastfed their baby is better than every formula fed baby...it doesn't work that way. It's that if you breastfeed your baby would be different than had they been formula fed. It's proven facts, it's not opinion. Doesn't mean that just because you breastfeed your baby they won't ever get sick, will be a genius or there is no chance of you yourself having breast cancer. BTW I'm really sorry about your mother BUT it is proven to reduce your risk of it....sure it won't make it where no one gets it. It does things for a babies brain that helps raise their IQ, it gives them antibodies that helps their immune system...those are facts you can't deny that. But that doesn't mean that my fully breastfed son is any smarter than my formula fed son....just means the breastfed one is better off than he would have been on complete formula. Doesn't mean my formula fed son is worse off, he just didn't get the added benefits. He's still completely healthy and very smart.

 

[Neecee]

Breast milk is more beneficial than formula - that's been proven & that's why it's such a contentious issue. No new mother wants to think that they're denying their baby the best start in life. Whether or not you choose to do it is your own business.

 

[BlackBerry25]

Lisa. Quit nit picking every little thing I say. I am not talking about everyone in general. I was talking to the people on this thread who have clearly stated they have no tolerance for formula. Of course I don't think people who have never fed their kids formula are against it. I said you Lisa merv's mum have used formula therefore you obviously can't have zero tolerance for it.

 

[moomin_troll]

ive done both bf and ff and zane hated bf so i had to go onto ff and he was alot happier on it and is a very healthy child.

just because people wana keep sayin breast is best doesnt mean its best for everyone and therefore people shouldnt be made to feel bad about doing either.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I'm not nit picking I'm trying get you to understand how it sounds to me

 

[AppleBlossom]

This is still going on?

 

[BlackBerry25]

Well I read what you wrote on my phone, so I will go back and read it and post a proper reply now that I am home.

 

[BlackBerry25]

And I agree with Lu that just because you havent ever used formula doesnt mean you have no tolerance for FF! What about the poor b-stards who BF because they dont have two brass farthings to rub together? Are they all automatically anti FF. Ludicrous.

OK, well I didn't say anything about people, I was speaking to you.

You know why I keep posting on this thread, because one of my best friends comes on this board, and she feels like crap, pretty much every second day, because of a few certain people. And I specified not you and I specified why I didn't mean you. I really don't give a shit about what people think about me, I never have. I formula feed, I breastfed for a bit, I am pro breastfeeding, I am all for breastfeeding support systems, and I am equally for formula if that is what people choose.

It just is horrible that people are driven away from this board, A GREAT SUPPORT FOR NEW MOMS, because a few people have this attitude that they can put down other peoples choices, even though they are perfectly reasonable choices they are making. Why should a new mom feel guilty for using formula?

Of course people can breastfeed and not use formula, it is completely natural! Of course some people can't afford formula, why would I be against people who can't afford formula? I have never been judgemental on here, so please don't start treating me like I have.

 

[Mervs Mum]

And when I quoted you I really should have been clearer.

I should have highlighted this part too really as I was trying to say that you might not have thought Ryder's comments were to ALL BFing mum's but by using a term like 'BF Brigade' to the reader, and in particular to the BF reader, sounds like she is lumping everyone under the same label if she intended to or not.

None of my comments have been directed towards breastfeeding moms, and I don't think Ryder's were either, they were directed towards the extremists.