I don't agree with this ....

[patch2006uk]

I don't think BFing is fundamentally more in need of medical support than any other method of feeding, but society tells us that babies sleep for 3-4 hours between feeds, feed to a schedule, don't fuss, etc. Breastfed babies don't behave like that. Cluster feeds, not wanting to be put down, refusing to sleep anywhere but on mom, crying more, etc. studies show that breastfed babies aren't as 'content' as formula fed babies, but they behave in a way that's natural for human infants and reduces the risks of things like SIDS (frequent waking and less deep sleep is thought to be one of the protective things. Babies shouldn't sleep like a log for 8-12 hours by week 2, it's not natural)

A lot of breastfeeding support is encouraging women that babies aren't like you see on TV. Society expects babies to be formula fed and behave that way. Breastfed babies do behave differently, and it's often perceived as a problem. Family members telling you it can't be right for LO to be feeding again so soon. Being told that a bottle will help them sleep longer. Being told that your supply can't be very good because LO is always feeding. It's nonsense, but it's what society expects a baby to be like.

I don't have that pre-conception of FF or BF at all, can't say that I've seen many women who have had babies have those mis-conceptions either. I've seen FF babies wake up at all sort of time and feed more or less some days. I think those are misconception of babies, not about feeding methods. I certainly don't expect my baby to sleep 8-12 hours straight at 2 weeks whether he's FF or BF.

I don't like to risk coming across as patronising, but you'll see what I mean when baby is here. People don't expect a breastfed baby, and they don't expect a breastfed baby to behave like a breastfed baby.

 

[NoodleSnack]

I don't understand why promoting breastfeeding = shoving it down your throat. Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby, so it should be promoted. By not giving formula to new moms when they ask for it for no medical reason, they are encouraging breastfeeding.

They're not saying there's no formula allowed in the hospital and if you want to formula feed you must have your baby elsewhere. THAT would be shoving it down your throat.

If you want to FF you are free to do so, just buy your own before you have your baby. Why is that such a problem?

It's when it goes pass promotion into something else. I can see not allowing advertisement as equivalent to no advertising for certain medicines to protect consumers, not providing formula to FF mums at birth since BF mum aren't automatically given it either, but not allowing certain healthcare professionals to talk about it prior to birth, making companies print "breast is best" on their tin and websites (it's not on them to put out that message, if the government wants it out, put it on a bus or posters), no information leaflets etc.

We know epidural increases the risk of interventions, imagine if there's a campaign to suppress information about it so women would choose "natural labour" to the extent that's being done with BF and FF. While we may still be "free" to get them, the actions and the policies do have an effect on many people.

Honestly though, the info is there. It's on the tin. Pick a brand and go for it. It's all going to be fine. If there are allergy issues down the road, the doctors will help you with it at that point but what prenatal advice on FF is actually needed?

What's in the the formula (if they can go into details about different types of breast milk, they can also tell us about the ingredients in formula and why they are important for baby)? How to store them and equipment? Is it a good idea to use those dispenser thing - would it cause contamination? How much should baby have with each feed for each stage? What are the problems baby might have when taking formula? What signs and symptoms to look for? What type of nipple/bottle do most parents find best for their baby?

Most of us know how to breastfeed - put the baby to the breast - but when it comes to doing it, there are much more to know about then simply that, in the same way, saying "it's on the tin" is just inadequate.

I'm sure that you can find all that info and more online, from a forum, or formula company websites. Or even from a health professional if BFing has failed. I think it is the setting out from the beginning to FF without even trying BFing that is heavily frowned upon by the medical community and there are well supported reasons for this in terms of health outcomes for babies AND moms. Giving equal attention to both is misleading and makes it seem like there are fewer health consequences than there are actually are.

Also, all of that info on FF can be easily understood when read. Whereas BFing needs coaching, support (emotional, mental and in terms of pain - it almost always is uncomfortable and difficult at first). BFing is NOT about just sticking a baby on a boob and going for it. Not even close. Sure, after it's established, it's like that and way easier than FF, but getting started is hard for babies and moms and a lot of people give up because they never ever expected that to be the case. Waving formula under a stressed mom's nose as an easy escape is like pushing drugs on people in pain. It's just not going to help them get there in the end and it's really really worth it to help them get there. This is the rationale for focusing on BF.

Of course BF is not about just putting baby to the breast, just as FF isn't just about "choose a brand and read the instruction".

What I don't accept is that I can only talk about FF after I have "failed" to BF. I asked questions about epidural even though I don't intend to get it, I asked questions about forceps/c-sections, possible after birth complications before they happen so I can prepare myself. Why wouldn't I do the same with how to feed my baby? If for some reasons I can't BF my baby, I shouldn't be left to stress out even further because I'm left with no clue which bottle to choose, how to safely prepare the formula and store it, how clean the equipment, etc in those few days. I have those questions now, they should answer me now, not wait until I've "failed" at their first choice.

There's nothing misleading about giving equal time to both, the facts are quite clear that BF is better than FF, giving all the facts will naturally show that one is superior to the other.

 

[patooti]

I don't understand why promoting breastfeeding = shoving it down your throat. Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby, so it should be promoted. By not giving formula to new moms when they ask for it for no medical reason, they are encouraging breastfeeding.

They're not saying there's no formula allowed in the hospital and if you want to formula feed you must have your baby elsewhere. THAT would be shoving it down your throat.

If you want to FF you are free to do so, just buy your own before you have your baby. Why is that such a problem?

It's when it goes pass promotion into something else. I can see not allowing advertisement as equivalent to no advertising for certain medicines to protect consumers, not providing formula to FF mums at birth since BF mum aren't automatically given it either, but not allowing certain healthcare professionals to talk about it prior to birth, making companies print "breast is best" on their tin and websites (it's not on them to put out that message, if the government wants it out, put it on a bus or posters), no information leaflets etc.

We know epidural increases the risk of interventions, imagine if there's a campaign to suppress information about it so women would choose "natural labour" to the extent that's being done with BF and FF. While we may still be "free" to get them, the actions and the policies do have an effect on many people.

Honestly though, the info is there. It's on the tin. Pick a brand and go for it. It's all going to be fine. If there are allergy issues down the road, the doctors will help you with it at that point but what prenatal advice on FF is actually needed?

What's in the the formula (if they can go into details about different types of breast milk, they can also tell us about the ingredients in formula and why they are important for baby)? How to store them and equipment? Is it a good idea to use those dispenser thing - would it cause contamination? How much should baby have with each feed for each stage? What are the problems baby might have when taking formula? What signs and symptoms to look for? What type of nipple/bottle do most parents find best for their baby?

Most of us know how to breastfeed - put the baby to the breast - but when it comes to doing it, there are much more to know about then simply that, in the same way, saying "it's on the tin" is just inadequate.

I'm sure that you can find all that info and more online, from a forum, or formula company websites. Or even from a health professional if BFing has failed. I think it is the setting out from the beginning to FF without even trying BFing that is heavily frowned upon by the medical community and there are well supported reasons for this in terms of health outcomes for babies AND moms. Giving equal attention to both is misleading and makes it seem like there are fewer health consequences than there are actually are.

Also, all of that info on FF can be easily understood when read. Whereas BFing needs coaching, support (emotional, mental and in terms of pain - it almost always is uncomfortable and difficult at first). BFing is NOT about just sticking a baby on a boob and going for it. Not even close. Sure, after it's established, it's like that and way easier than FF, but getting started is hard for babies and moms and a lot of people give up because they never ever expected that to be the case. Waving formula under a stressed mom's nose as an easy escape is like pushing drugs on people in pain. It's just not going to help them get there in the end and it's really really worth it to help them get there. This is the rationale for focusing on BF.

Of course BF is not about just putting baby to the breast, just as FF isn't just about "choose a brand and read the instruction".

What I don't accept is that I can only talk about FF after I have "failed" to BF. I asked questions about epidural even though I don't intend to get it, I asked questions about forceps/c-sections, possible after birth complications before they happen so I can prepare myself. Why wouldn't I do the same with how to feed my baby? If for some reasons I can't BF my baby, I shouldn't be left to stress out even further because I'm left with no clue which bottle to choose, how to safely prepare the formula and store it, how clean the equipment, etc in those few days. I have those questions now, they should answer me now, not wait until I've "failed" at their first choice.

There's nothing misleading about giving equal time to both, the facts are quite clear that BF is better than FF, giving all the facts will naturally show that one is superior to the other.

Fair enough, and this is where we disagree. Everyone's entitled to their opinion.

 

[NoodleSnack]

I don't think BFing is fundamentally more in need of medical support than any other method of feeding, but society tells us that babies sleep for 3-4 hours between feeds, feed to a schedule, don't fuss, etc. Breastfed babies don't behave like that. Cluster feeds, not wanting to be put down, refusing to sleep anywhere but on mom, crying more, etc. studies show that breastfed babies aren't as 'content' as formula fed babies, but they behave in a way that's natural for human infants and reduces the risks of things like SIDS (frequent waking and less deep sleep is thought to be one of the protective things. Babies shouldn't sleep like a log for 8-12 hours by week 2, it's not natural)

A lot of breastfeeding support is encouraging women that babies aren't like you see on TV. Society expects babies to be formula fed and behave that way. Breastfed babies do behave differently, and it's often perceived as a problem. Family members telling you it can't be right for LO to be feeding again so soon. Being told that a bottle will help them sleep longer. Being told that your supply can't be very good because LO is always feeding. It's nonsense, but it's what society expects a baby to be like.

I don't have that pre-conception of FF or BF at all, can't say that I've seen many women who have had babies have those mis-conceptions either. I've seen FF babies wake up at all sort of time and feed more or less some days. I think those are misconception of babies, not about feeding methods. I certainly don't expect my baby to sleep 8-12 hours straight at 2 weeks whether he's FF or BF.

I don't like to risk coming across as patronising, but you'll see what I mean when baby is here. People don't expect a breastfed baby, and they don't expect a breastfed baby to behave like a breastfed baby.

Most in my mum's generation BF their babies (they are from a third world country) so how could they not expect what they already raised? As I said, my SIL FF her babies, and my MIL still expect the baby to wake up at all time in the night and feed all the time, so how can you say that she doesn't expect that? See it's all to do with our individual experience.

 

[patch2006uk]

I don't think BFing is fundamentally more in need of medical support than any other method of feeding, but society tells us that babies sleep for 3-4 hours between feeds, feed to a schedule, don't fuss, etc. Breastfed babies don't behave like that. Cluster feeds, not wanting to be put down, refusing to sleep anywhere but on mom, crying more, etc. studies show that breastfed babies aren't as 'content' as formula fed babies, but they behave in a way that's natural for human infants and reduces the risks of things like SIDS (frequent waking and less deep sleep is thought to be one of the protective things. Babies shouldn't sleep like a log for 8-12 hours by week 2, it's not natural)

A lot of breastfeeding support is encouraging women that babies aren't like you see on TV. Society expects babies to be formula fed and behave that way. Breastfed babies do behave differently, and it's often perceived as a problem. Family members telling you it can't be right for LO to be feeding again so soon. Being told that a bottle will help them sleep longer. Being told that your supply can't be very good because LO is always feeding. It's nonsense, but it's what society expects a baby to be like.

I don't have that pre-conception of FF or BF at all, can't say that I've seen many women who have had babies have those mis-conceptions either. I've seen FF babies wake up at all sort of time and feed more or less some days. I think those are misconception of babies, not about feeding methods. I certainly don't expect my baby to sleep 8-12 hours straight at 2 weeks whether he's FF or BF.

I don't like to risk coming across as patronising, but you'll see what I mean when baby is here. People don't expect a breastfed baby, and they don't expect a breastfed baby to behave like a breastfed baby.

Most in my mum's generation BF their babies (they are from a third world country) so how could they not expect what they already raised? As I said, my SIL FF her babies, and my MIL still expect the baby to wake up at all time in the night and feed all the time, so how can you say that she doesn't expect that? See it's all to do with our individual experience.

Yes, it is. But society is made up of more than just your mom, MIL and SIL, and the chances are that Mrs Henderson from church or Mrs Smith from over the road will ask you how LO behaves 'are they good', 'do they sleep' and if the answer isn't they sleep all night and never cry, you'll be told that you're spoiling them, just leave them to cry themselves to sleep, you're making a 'rod for your own back' by breastfeeding, he should be on the bottle by now, etc, etc.

 

[NoodleSnack]

There is absolutely a lack of knowledge on breastfeeding. Head over to the breastfeeding section and read some of the truly shocking advice given out by HVs, Doctors and midwives. Properly trained BF supporters are few and far between and are often private. If you haven't ever tried to seek BFing support, then you won't know how bad it can be. I was lucky as in my area we have a breastfeeding advice service set up (because our rates are so dismally low), but even they could only visit you once a week for 30 mins and had to sign you off by a month PP, even if you were still struggling.

I don't think anyone has said that breastfeeding is easy, either. Establishing breastfeeding is truly one of the hardest things I've ever done. Once it's established, it's the easiest thing in the world, but it's mentally, physically and emotionally draining. Formula feeding is fundamentally more work, but easier. Anyone can fill a bottle with milk. A bottle doesn't need sleep, or get sore. You don't have supply worries if LO is still fussy after finishing a bottle.

With breastfeeding, it's learning a whole new skill at the time when your body has just undergone a massive physical challenge (pregnancy and birth), you're getting less sleep than you've ever got before in your life, and your hormones are all screwed up. And only you can do it. You can't give LO to your husband or your parents for the night while you sleep. You are the milk source. It's a very different responsibility from any you've ever had before. This little life totally depends on you and only you.

If you actually encounter problems with FFing once LO is here, then people will help you. Mostly if you encounter problems with breastfeeding, they'll encourage switching to formula. Actual BFing support is incredibly rare. Cheer leading is very common (most women can breastfeed, latch looks 'perfect', it's normal), but someone who actually understands how BFing works and can fix problems, rather than just cheer you on, meaninglessly from the sidelines, is very hard to find.

But do you think FF parents don't have the same worries and difficulties when their babies have issues with formula? I've read both forums, and I've seen mothers asking questions about formula and how their doctor just can't help them when they have reflux issues, and sometimes a change improves the situation.

For me personally, with my mum BF three children, my MIL two and combine feed her third child, they are willing to offer me plenty of advise about BF even before baby is here. My mum's going to come stay with me for a while as well. But she would be clueless about which formula to use, what will be needed for FF, and as I said, when my SIL had issues with her daughter's constipation, it was a while before she worked out that it was the formula. So what happens when we restrict information about FF for women who actually have BF support but need FF support instead? Why can't we just be open about both methods as a policy?

 

[NoodleSnack]

I don't think BFing is fundamentally more in need of medical support than any other method of feeding, but society tells us that babies sleep for 3-4 hours between feeds, feed to a schedule, don't fuss, etc. Breastfed babies don't behave like that. Cluster feeds, not wanting to be put down, refusing to sleep anywhere but on mom, crying more, etc. studies show that breastfed babies aren't as 'content' as formula fed babies, but they behave in a way that's natural for human infants and reduces the risks of things like SIDS (frequent waking and less deep sleep is thought to be one of the protective things. Babies shouldn't sleep like a log for 8-12 hours by week 2, it's not natural)

A lot of breastfeeding support is encouraging women that babies aren't like you see on TV. Society expects babies to be formula fed and behave that way. Breastfed babies do behave differently, and it's often perceived as a problem. Family members telling you it can't be right for LO to be feeding again so soon. Being told that a bottle will help them sleep longer. Being told that your supply can't be very good because LO is always feeding. It's nonsense, but it's what society expects a baby to be like.

I don't have that pre-conception of FF or BF at all, can't say that I've seen many women who have had babies have those mis-conceptions either. I've seen FF babies wake up at all sort of time and feed more or less some days. I think those are misconception of babies, not about feeding methods. I certainly don't expect my baby to sleep 8-12 hours straight at 2 weeks whether he's FF or BF.

I don't like to risk coming across as patronising, but you'll see what I mean when baby is here. People don't expect a breastfed baby, and they don't expect a breastfed baby to behave like a breastfed baby.

Most in my mum's generation BF their babies (they are from a third world country) so how could they not expect what they already raised? As I said, my SIL FF her babies, and my MIL still expect the baby to wake up at all time in the night and feed all the time, so how can you say that she doesn't expect that? See it's all to do with our individual experience.

Yes, it is. But society is made up of more than just your mom, MIL and SIL, and the chances are that Mrs Henderson from church or Mrs Smith from over the road will ask you how LO behaves 'are they good', 'do they sleep' and if the answer isn't they sleep all night and never cry, you'll be told that you're spoiling them, just leave them to cry themselves to sleep, you're making a 'rod for your own back' by breastfeeding, he should be on the bottle by now, etc, etc.

And what I'm saying is: is Mrs Henderson really representative of "society" anymore than my mum, MIL and SIL (not to mention aunts, cousins and numerous acquaintance)? Are your conceptions of "society" and what they expect a true picture? How true is your generalisaions? I know it isn't true in my immediate circle, that's why I said it's about individual experience.

 

[patch2006uk]

If you don't want to believe me, then fine. But go and read any of the baby club threads about people sticking their noses in.

I fundamentally disagree that there is anything to do with formula feeding that requires more than the WHO leaflet on formula preparation and guidelines. You don't get taught how to popper up a baby grow, or remove cradle cap, but those can be tricky things to get sorted when sleep deprived and hormonal, too.

 

[patch2006uk]

I also think equal support for both BF and FF would encourage a view that the two methods are equal. They're not. Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a human baby. Formula is an artificial substitute, designed originally for orphans and foundlings who would have died otherwise. It was never designed to be an alternative to breastfeeding for the biological mother without medical reason.

I very much dislike the phrase 'breast is best'. It isn't best. It's normal, bog standard, boring, basic, human milk.

 

[sethsmummy]

Wow this is all getting a little heated from when it first started out.

To be honest I agree with the fact their should be equal information provided regarding breast feeding and formula feeding. In the same way that some babies have a problem latching on with the breast, some formula fed babies have trouble latching on to certain types of bottle teat. Some breast fed babies have problems with the milk depending on what mum eats... some formula fed babies have problems with certain brands of baby milk. There are a lot of similar issues.

There is no right or wrong way in my opinion. If you want to breast or bottle feed then thats mums choice and nobody elses. I think midwives and health visitors should give the information requested right from the start regardless of which way you chose to feed your baby. I got a whole talk on breast feeding the other day because i said i was going to formula feed my baby whilst at a hospital appointment. And to be fair the feeding consultant was actually really nice once I had told her why i was going straight to bottle. I had a very bad start with my lo which made establishing/trying breast feeding impossible and it broke my heart at the time. I refuse to be put through that again by some uncaring midwife who couldn't give a damn and i will not put my baby through the trauma of not being able to feed.

Just for any mummys though who do want to FF, if you have problems such as reflux then your health visitor/GP should help you! My lo constantly had professionals involved from the day he was born and i got a LOT of help and advice with his feeding.

 

[aliss]

I also think equal support for both BF and FF would encourage a view that the two methods are equal. They're not. Breastfeeding is the normal way to feed a human baby. Formula is an artificial substitute, designed originally for orphans and foundlings who would have died otherwise. It was never designed to be an alternative to breastfeeding for the biological mother without medical reason..

I totally agree with you, and places where that view is still prevalent have much higher breastfeeding success rates too. Frankly, I believe part of the failures of support, "pressure", and "bullying" comes from the expectation that both are perfectly natural choices in the first place, sorry "What method are you going to choose to do" seems to be a question from those who come from places with poor breastfeeding rates. I don't really think that's a coincidence.

And yes, I have formula fed a baby with severe GERD I've been there too.

 

[NoodleSnack]

If you don't want to believe me, then fine. But go and read any of the baby club threads about people sticking their noses in.

I fundamentally disagree that there is anything to do with formula feeding that requires more than the WHO leaflet on formula preparation and guidelines. You don't get taught how to popper up a baby grow, or remove cradle cap, but those can be tricky things to get sorted when sleep deprived and hormonal, too.

People stick their noses in all sort of things. From diapering to how often to hold babies and so on. I just don't see how that makes the generalisations true for most people.

Funny enough, in our class, the teacher was willing to / could talk about cradle cap, how to care for the umbillical cord, nappy rash, useful knick knacks pre and post labour but not FF.

 

[Dragonfly]

I havnt the strength to read all this. But from the first few comments some need to do a little research on why there are laws around formula. They arnt there to make you feel bad or guilty. No one can make you feel that if you arnt doing something that makes you feel like that. You are responsible for how you feel. I understand it can be hard but warning labels are not there to make you feel worse. They arnt out to get you. You have the right to choose what ever you want, you always have the right. No one is trying to remove that right or attacking it. It seems to be hard for some to realise than formula is a sub for breastfeeding. It is not the same and never will be. Not that its bad , I make sure to note that in case I get name called. If you are confident you will be fine. If you have failed at breastfeeding and do feel guilt its best to address that. Its not everyone elses fault, in deed its not yours maybe to but why blame warnings on tins and adverts or breastfeeding promotions? often mums who try and promote breastfeeding get shot down so fast for it. Its rather unfair on them to. I didnt know a thing about breastfeeding when I was pregnant. Its like a taboo subject here. No help, no forcing here. I know some places mums say they are pressured. Some places they arnt.

 

[patch2006uk]

If you don't want to believe me, then fine. But go and read any of the baby club threads about people sticking their noses in.

I fundamentally disagree that there is anything to do with formula feeding that requires more than the WHO leaflet on formula preparation and guidelines. You don't get taught how to popper up a baby grow, or remove cradle cap, but those can be tricky things to get sorted when sleep deprived and hormonal, too.

People stick their noses in all sort of things. From diapering to how often to hold babies and so on. I just don't see how that makes the generalisations true for most people.

Funny enough, in our class, the teacher was willing/ could to talk about cradle cap, how to care for the umbillical cord, nappy rash, useful knick knacks pre and post labour but not FF.

Yes, but you didn't get a specific class on those things. I personally found cord care the most stressful thing, as the umbilical stump really is quite grim. But all you're told is 'keep it clean and dry'. If you actually run into problems, you go to the doctor or HV.

Again, I'm not surprised in the slightest that the NCT didn't cover FFing in their classes. They run the BFing helplines and employ and train BFing consultants. They advocate a no pain relief in childbirth approach; no interventions, nothing that interferes with nature. They can discuss pain relief, but our classes were very much focused on TENS machines and water births, and gas and air if you really needed it. They quickly went over c-sections, pethadine, epidurals, but there was a clear bias towards natural being best.

 

[staralfur]

I was told by a pediatrician that I wasn't making enough milk when my LO was clusterfeeding. Ignoring the fact that that is terrible advice from a trained health professional who should know better, I was told to supplement.

We picked up a tin of formula and made up the bottles according to the instructions. Guys, it's really not that difficult. I was in a panic and desperate and hadn't slept in 5 days...and it still wasn't hard.

A week later we saw her doctor and I brought up the fact that my LO was spitting up a lot after having the formula. My doctor then informed me of a different brand we could try and gave some other info on formula in general.

If you want to know something then ask. It's the same as not being supplied formula in the hospital...no one is going to kick you out for bringing your own. Likewise, no one is going to withhold information about formula if you ask for it.

 

[staybeautiful]

The past few days I've been really aware of advertising done by formula companies. Mother & Baby magazine (which I was just having a nose through in the Co-Op while looking for a different magazine), had a full or double page advert spread for every single formula manufacturer. While they weren't explicitly saying "Buy our formula guys!", Aptamil are encouraging expectant mums to join their due date club, with the promise of a free cuddly Polar Bear for joining. Yes, they have to provide information about breast feeding and they aren't allowed to push stage 1 formula, but they're all still trying their damnedest to get your loyalty before you even have to use formula, if you end up using it.

I would really encourage everyone to have a read of the following article in relation to some of the reasons as to why it is so important that the advertising of formula is regulated. The article focuses on the impact that formula has had on less developed countries - Bangladesh in particular - and I found it while I was trying to learn more about the Nestle boycotts 40 years ago. It's truly terrifying that this sort of situation is STILL happening routinely in countries less fortunate than our own, and it has made me feel truly grateful to live where I do, regardless of how I end up feeding LO. (although I will say that it has made me feel more determined to BF because I don't want any of my money helping companies disadvantage mums and babies in the third world)

https://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/may/15/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth

 

[RKW]

Fantastic point well made! -staybeautiful

 

[patooti]

If after the baby is born there are health issues, your pediatrician will help you. They aren't going to give you a speech about feeding when you are in with a 3 week old with constipation regardless of feeding mode. But any advice you would get about that before hand is just based on assumption anyway.

Back to the origins issue of the ads, here there are only ads for follow milk and most if them start with, "when it's time, or you decide to move in from breast feeding..." I have a problem with that because when its time to move on the next step SHOULD be solid food plus breast milk then eventually just solid food.

I also don't like how they push that some brands have "comfort compounds" or harp on dha and EPA. Most of those ads imply breast milk is lacking these things!! It's dodgy.

 

[NaturalMomma]

Cluster feeding is normal. It's not a sign of low milk supply or that baby isn't getting enough. Almost all babies cluster feed at some point, and usually through different phases.

 

[kimberleyrobx]

Everyone, everywhere says that 'the breast is best' so why did they bother to even INTRODUCE formula milk if its 'not as good'? i myself wanted to breast feed although my daughter wouldnt latch on, and i was happy enough to give her formula, although i dont understand it either! if formula is so bad for babies and not as good as breast milk, why did they bother to invent it?! x