GMTV a Midwife says "promoting Breast Feeding is bad"

[bjl1981]

I know this is quite a heated subject, but just thought I'd put my opinion across!

I was quite opinionated about BF before having LO and really thought that everyone could/should BF.

I'm still of the opinion that everyone should TRY to BF, but no-one should be looked down upon if it doesn't work out.

I tried to BF, and my LO would not attach, and after 3 days I was distraught, as was LO and it was the midwives who suggested topping up with FF. I then spent an extra 2 days in hospital so the MWs could assist me trying to get LO to BF, but he wouldn't and I came to the decision that I didn't want to spend the next 6-9 months expressing. I came to the conclusion that having a happy mum and happy baby was more important than trying to meet the ideal of BFing, which in our situation wasn't working out. I fully intend to try again if I have any more kids, and I appreciate all the help the MWs gave me.
I was never made to feel bad about changing to FF, infact 2 midwives said they were suprised I'd persevered so long given the problems we had. I still felt like a bit of a failure though, and if I wasnt a positive person I'm sure it could have really caused me to get depressed.

As for advice on FF, I think I was offered a leaflet at antenatal class, but didn't pay much attention as fully intended BF. I only had a few bottles in the house as I'd planned to express once a day in the future. DH had to go to the supermarket on the way back from hospital for formula though!
Hospital provided formula for those who wanted it. I can't imagine the practicality of people taking their own bottles and formula and having to wash/sterilise stuff, that must be a nightmare!!

 

[danni2609]

I FF Seren from birth, and during the last 9months I've been made to feel so guilty for FF, but I absolutely refuse to anymore.
Some comments on this thread are just bang out of order, yes yes you are pro-breastfeeding, but why do you have to put people who make a different choice down? As long as your child is getting BF then what's the problem? Why does how other mothers chose to feed their child concern you? Next time I want to try breastfeeding, but if it doesn't work out I will go back to FF without being made to feel bad about it. FF is not a last resort, it's another option, whether you like it or not. It's a shame we can all just accept that we have different opinions and leave it at that. The reasons arguements like this start is because BF's always seem to want to force their very strong opinions on how breast is best, and how FF is inadequate which offends FF's and makes them feel like they need to defend themselves, and then it goes around and around but where does it end? Can't you understand that this is a forum for FF mums aswell, and most of them are have very strong feelings of guilt (which you shouldn't) and come here as a place for support, and help on all matters, and not to have that guilt fed with comments which TBH are pretty hard to swallow. I think empathy should be a key word here.

This thread simply started as a midwife on GMTV saying that more information needs to be given on how to FF safely. What is wrong with that? It's a completely valid point, there is so much to FF, not just how to prepare a bottle which can be read on the tin. As long as there are FF babies in the world, then information on how to do it safely should always be available.

The government is never going to get everyone in the UK to breastfeed, and everyone has different reasons, so there's no reason why those who FF shouldn't be provided with more support.

I totally agree couldnt have said it better!!

 

[marley2580]

FF was actively promoted by the govt here during WWII as they needed women to go out and work in the factories, that (plus the promotion in the 60s and 70s as stated above) is why bottle feeding became the norm, particularly among the working classes. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with BF and FF being treated equally by the NHS IF formula companies were not allowed to advertise at all. The fact is that formula is a business and companies want to make money, and they bend the rules to do so. I saw on a TV programme the other day a young mum who honestly believed that Activia formula was actually powdered breast milk!

 

[candeur]

FF was actively promoted by the govt here during WWII as they needed women to go out and work in the factories, that (plus the promotion in the 60s and 70s as stated above) is why bottle feeding became the norm, particularly among the working classes. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with BF and FF being treated equally by the NHS IF formula companies were not allowed to advertise at all. The fact is that formula is a business and companies want to make money, and they bend the rules to do so. I saw on a TV programme the other day a young mum who honestly believed that Activia formula was actually powdered breast milk!

I saw that aswell, what a numpty!

 

[mz_jackie86]

Hey girls,

Firstly, someone said that FF feedin is an easy way out!! What the hell?

I BF Arianna for 10 days and it killed me i had tears runnin down my face the whole time, and the thought of it depressed me so much, i didnt switch to FF bcos it was an easy way out i switched to it because it was the only other option! I didnt want my daughter to see me cry and i certainly didnt want to be depressed!
Switchin to FF was the best thing i ever done and i dnt think anyone should be judged for the choice in how they feed their baby...

I think that ALL information should be offered even if not requested and if someone then chooses FF over BF so what its their choice, as longg as that baby is getting what they need thats what matters...

I was lucky my MW actually told me what i needed to no to make that switch over....

Oh and u no how when u have bubba u get the BF woman come round well i think they should have a FF lady come round to u no help ppl as much as poss....

And one mmore thingy lol my hosp offered my mate formula but he was a poorly baby at first so i dnt no if its just in those situations its offered...

xx

 

[Vickie]

FF was actively promoted by the govt here during WWII as they needed women to go out and work in the factories, that (plus the promotion in the 60s and 70s as stated above) is why bottle feeding became the norm, particularly among the working classes. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with BF and FF being treated equally by the NHS IF formula companies were not allowed to advertise at all. The fact is that formula is a business and companies want to make money, and they bend the rules to do so. I saw on a TV programme the other day a young mum who honestly believed that Activia formula was actually powdered breast milk!

I don't personally understand this. Advertisers certainly aren't trying to educate people on their choices. Nor do they give instructions on preparing formula, sterilizing equipment, nipple/teat size and flow and so on.

 

[marley2580]

FF was actively promoted by the govt here during WWII as they needed women to go out and work in the factories, that (plus the promotion in the 60s and 70s as stated above) is why bottle feeding became the norm, particularly among the working classes. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with BF and FF being treated equally by the NHS IF formula companies were not allowed to advertise at all. The fact is that formula is a business and companies want to make money, and they bend the rules to do so. I saw on a TV programme the other day a young mum who honestly believed that Activia formula was actually powdered breast milk!

I don't personally understand this. Advertisers certainly aren't trying to educate people on their choices. Nor do they give instructions on preparing formula, sterilizing equipment, nipple/teat size and flow and so on.

I actually agree, but they are trying to persuade people to use their product, and not to go with the free option. I think that FF should be educated in how to do things properly, but I think that the formula companies should have to fund it, after all they're the one's making the money, not the NHS

 

[candeur]

FF was actively promoted by the govt here during WWII as they needed women to go out and work in the factories, that (plus the promotion in the 60s and 70s as stated above) is why bottle feeding became the norm, particularly among the working classes. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with BF and FF being treated equally by the NHS IF formula companies were not allowed to advertise at all. The fact is that formula is a business and companies want to make money, and they bend the rules to do so. I saw on a TV programme the other day a young mum who honestly believed that Activia formula was actually powdered breast milk!

I don't personally understand this. Advertisers certainly aren't trying to educate people on their choices. Nor do they give instructions on preparing formula, sterilizing equipment, nipple/teat size and flow and so on.

I actually agree, but they are trying to persuade people to use their product, and not to go with the free option. I think that FF should be educated in how to do things properly, but I think that the formula companies should have to fund it, after all they're the one's making the money, not the NHS

See I thought that formula companies weren't allowed to advertise anyway?
You never see advertisements for them, only the follow on milk

 

[AppleBlossom]

Formula companies aren;t allowed to advertise anything other than follow on milks

 

[marley2580]

I'm aware that they're not allowed to advertise milk for under 6 months, but when you actually see their adverts, many of them are not clear that they are for older babies. I suspect if you asked most people, they wouldn't realise that formula companies can't advertise newborn milk - they don't see a difference.

 

[shampain]

You know, I dont know why some people are so bloody interested in what other people are doing.You feed your baby how you like, and we will feed ours! If you want to breastfeed then go ahead....if you wanna FF then knock yourself out. At the end of the day so long as our babies are fed and happy and healthy then whats the problem? I breastfed for 3 weeks.......3 long horrible weeks and i hated it, i didnt enjoy it once, i was miserable, in pain,depressed and basically a dummy. I stopped breastfeeding for all our sakes and hey presto one happy mum, baby and dad! I had no medical reason to stop i just didnt want to do it, i didnt like it, So guess what.......i stopped. Yeah i felt guilty.......for about a day but when my baby was sleeping properly and not waking every hour for food, and he was happy and not crying all the time then my guilt soon vanished. I refuse to feel like i have to justify my reasons for not breastfeeding.......and if im asked why i stopped the answer is simple "because i wanted to". Im sick of having it rammed down my neck that its the best, its what baby needs.......rubbish..what baby needs is love, attention,affection,someone to play with and cuddle.......Paddy couldnt care less if his milk comes out of me,a tub or a bloody sweaty sock...so long as his belly is full hes happy.
It should be mums choice how they feed there babies, not the breastfeeding police, or midwives,hvs,government,tv or anyone else.At the end of the day are these people going to be there when a few months down the line someone is still breastfeeding at hating it but to scared to do anything about it?
I DON'T LOOK UP AT YOU FOR BREASTFEEDING SO DON'T LOOK DOWN AT ME FOR FORMULA FEEDING.

 

[AppleBlossom]

You know, I dont know why some people are so bloody interested in what other people are doing.You feed your baby how you like, and we will feed ours! If you want to breastfeed then go ahead....if you wanna FF then knock yourself out. At the end of the day so long as our babies are fed and happy and healthy then whats the problem? I breastfed for 3 weeks.......3 long horrible weeks and i hated it, i didnt enjoy it once, i was miserable, in pain,depressed and basically a dummy. I stopped breastfeeding for all our sakes and hey presto one happy mum, baby and dad! I had no medical reason to stop i just didnt want to do it, i didnt like it, So guess what.......i stopped. Yeah i felt guilty.......for about a day but when my baby was sleeping properly and not waking every hour for food, and he was happy and not crying all the time then my guilt soon vanished. I refuse to feel like i have to justify my reasons for not breastfeeding.......and if im asked why i stopped the answer is simple "because i wanted to". Im sick of having it rammed down my neck that its the best, its what baby needs.......rubbish..what baby needs is love, attention,affection,someone to play with and cuddle.......Paddy couldnt care less if his milk comes out of me,a tub or a bloody sweaty sock...so long as his belly is full hes happy.
It should be mums choice how they feed there babies, not the breastfeeding police, or midwives,hvs,government,tv or anyone else.At the end of the day are these people going to be there when a few months down the line someone is still breastfeeding at hating it but to scared to do anything about it?
I DON'T LOOK UP AT YOU FOR BREASTFEEDING SO DON'T LOOK DOWN AT ME FOR FORMULA FEEDING.

Well said I stopped breatsfeeding because neither of us enjoyed it, I was always in pain even though I was told by a number of MW's that she was latched properly, I cried everytime she fed, she would wake ups constantly and cry because she was never full, I felt like shit, I really hated it. I wish I could have enjoyed it but I didn't. I gave it a go and it wasn't for me. And I don;t feel guilty about it anymore. Grace is never ill, she is thriving and follows her growth chart perfectly. I have no reason to feel guilty and I don't think anybody on here who has said they do feel guilty shouldn't. You feed your baby, that's enough!

 

[alice&bump]

you know, i really wish there was more info etc on FF. i'm very pro BF, i see it as the reason we have (.Y.)s and the natural thing to do. but not everyone can BF. i fed katie for 5 months, and for the last 6 weeks of it, she put on about 2oz! i didnt want to FF, because of the negative stigma attached to it. i felt i was failing my daughter as i should be the sole provider of nutrition for her. i kept getting told, OH just keep going, keep at it, she'll be fine. and in the end i knew i had to FF. plus i found out i was pregnant so i decided that it was best to swap to FF.

i got a leaflet on FF from the hospital and that was it. all the info i got on FF was from here, i never knew anythin about it.

yes nature intends us to BF, but its not always possible, and my poor baby was suffering for months, crying constantly, attached to me constantly and just starving hungry. yet society dictated to me that i was to feed her myself. and thats what needs stopping!!

 

[mz_jackie86]

You know, I dont know why some people are so bloody interested in what other people are doing.You feed your baby how you like, and we will feed ours! If you want to breastfeed then go ahead....if you wanna FF then knock yourself out. At the end of the day so long as our babies are fed and happy and healthy then whats the problem? I breastfed for 3 weeks.......3 long horrible weeks and i hated it, i didnt enjoy it once, i was miserable, in pain,depressed and basically a dummy. I stopped breastfeeding for all our sakes and hey presto one happy mum, baby and dad! I had no medical reason to stop i just didnt want to do it, i didnt like it, So guess what.......i stopped. Yeah i felt guilty.......for about a day but when my baby was sleeping properly and not waking every hour for food, and he was happy and not crying all the time then my guilt soon vanished. I refuse to feel like i have to justify my reasons for not breastfeeding.......and if im asked why i stopped the answer is simple "because i wanted to". Im sick of having it rammed down my neck that its the best, its what baby needs.......rubbish..what baby needs is love, attention,affection,someone to play with and cuddle.......Paddy couldnt care less if his milk comes out of me,a tub or a bloody sweaty sock...so long as his belly is full hes happy.
It should be mums choice how they feed there babies, not the breastfeeding police, or midwives,hvs,government,tv or anyone else.At the end of the day are these people going to be there when a few months down the line someone is still breastfeeding at hating it but to scared to do anything about it?
I DON'T LOOK UP AT YOU FOR BREASTFEEDING SO DON'T LOOK DOWN AT ME FOR FORMULA FEEDING.

Well said hun!! wish more people thought this x

 

[candeur]

https://www.gm.tv/lifestyle/families-and-parenting/37161-is-breast-best.html

This is the interview from today, I just watched it now, I thought it was quite good, GMTV weren't bias in any way, infact they were basically saying mothers should do what they feel is right.

 

[sparkswillfly]

The fact that the said "promoting breastfeeding is bad" as a way to introduce the segment shows that they are biased. GMTV are a bunch of morons that always come out with a load of shite.

 

[candeur]

The fact that the said "promoting breastfeeding is bad" as a way to introduce the segment shows that they are biased. GMTV are a bunch of morons that always come out with a load of shite.

I agree that the intro of the interview was pretty bad, but the interview itself was alright the two didn't really fit together.

 

[Tabs]

You know, I normally keep out of all the BF vs FF threads, but I have to just say something....

Over and over again, someone makes the point that by BF you have a strong bond with your baby.

Well, Morgan has never seen my nipples, let alone drank from one, yet we have a ridiculously close bond.

So when people say BF = bonding, yes it may well do, but it's no more stronger a bond than those of FF babies.

The bond comes from being loving and caring and baby being happy and contented, not because they're on the boob! (or drinking out of a bottle for that matter!)

Anyway, there's a lot more I would like to add to this argument, but you know, I really can't be arsed going round and round in circles.

So just feed your babies whichever way you're most comfortable with, and shut up and get on with it.... ok?!!

 

[Lu28]

So just feed your babies whichever way you're most comfortable with, and shut up and get on with it.... ok?!!

Well said!

 

[Wobbles]

Good god why does anyone give a hoot about a TV programme. Im sick of people saying that the option of formula shouldn't be advertised but we have to accept it ...Its sickening to see people are that ignorant. I often feel formula should come with a drugs warning on the side of the tub.

How you feed you baby debates are being fuelled by the people who air these discussions. IMO formula feeding gets looked down on more because they BANNED bloody commercials making some Mums feel like total **** like its the worst thing ever "Im feeding my baby something that was banned from being shown on TV adverts" W***ers imo! and then they (Mums) are in the firing line of people who should just be pro their own choices not force theirs onto others because those people will always use this fact as their weapon/point.

Either option should not be looked down on if it be formula or breastfeeding your child in public.

Why can't Mum to Mum both know that their children digest the best thing you can give ...LOVE and respect each other & stop falling into these traps of divide.