I don't agree with this ....

[staybeautiful]

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

So that babies (i.e. orphans and foundlings at the turn of the 20th century) who couldn't be breastfed at all wouldn't starve? Just because it was invented doesn't mean it's equal.

 

[aliss]

Prior to formula, women used goat's milk, oat sludge mixture or whatever would work in order to feed babies that could not truly be fed, hence the invention of formula to be the safest alternative to human milk (whether that be from mom, donated/wet nurse, or whatever). It was not invented to be as good as breast milk.

 

[Stelly]

Formula was also invented to make them MONEY first and foremost- people forget it is a business with a HUGE profit scale. Of course they advertise formula use to the ends of the earth, they are growing their business and their profit margin, their top concern isn't the health of your child, its stock holders.

 

[Feronia]

Formula was also invented to make them MONEY first and foremost- people forget it is a business with a HUGE profit scale. Of course they advertise formula use to the ends of the earth, they are growing their business and their profit margin, their top concern isn't the health of your child, its stock holders.

This! Just because it was invented doesn't mean that it's superior to breast milk. Profit-making companies aren't usually thinking about your best interest. That doesn't mean that you should feel guilty if you can't breastfeed; formula is a fine alternative if you can't breastfeed. As Aliss says, it's better than giving them animal milk as people used to do if they didn't have a wet nurse.

If the regulations were changed to allow formula companies to advertise however they wanted, you could be damned sure they'd try to market their product as being just as good or even better than breast milk, and we all know that's just not true. These companies have been sending me tins of formula (which is making me angry as I don't want it in the house and I have NO IDEA how they got my information and figured out that I'm having a baby. I read through their leaflets for a laugh and am quite amazed at how sneaky they're being with their rhetoric. They are certainly not out to help you -- it's entirely about making money.

That being said, if for some reason I cannot breast feed and cannot obtain breast milk from the local breast milk bank, then I will certainly use formula and not feel guilty.

 

[Stelly]

I agree, I'm not bashing moms who formula feed.. if I can't breastfeed, that is what I'm going to do, and not feel guilty for it. I will have tried my best- and that will be enough for me

I have been getting free samples in the mail, coupons etc as well... which I find interesting because I have not given my information to anyone to receive such things!! They are crafty marketers to be sure!

 

[My_First]

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.

Maybe it varies from place to place, because in my NCT class we did a full session on medicated pain relief, including C-section, amount of poeple involved etc. I didnt feel I was a bias towards anything.

 

[anita665]

Formula was also invented to make them MONEY first and foremost- people forget it is a business with a HUGE profit scale. Of course they advertise formula use to the ends of the earth, they are growing their business and their profit margin, their top concern isn't the health of your child, its stock holders.

This! Just because it was invented doesn't mean that it's superior to breast milk. Profit-making companies aren't usually thinking about your best interest. That doesn't mean that you should feel guilty if you can't breastfeed; formula is a fine alternative if you can't breastfeed. As Aliss says, it's better than giving them animal milk as people used to do if they didn't have a wet nurse.

If the regulations were changed to allow formula companies to advertise however they wanted, you could be damned sure they'd try to market their product as being just as good or even better than breast milk, and we all know that's just not true. These companies have been sending me tins of formula (which is making me angry as I don't want it in the house and I have NO IDEA how they got my information and figured out that I'm having a baby. I read through their leaflets for a laugh and am quite amazed at how sneaky they're being with their rhetoric. They are certainly not out to help you -- it's entirely about making money.

That being said, if for some reason I cannot breast feed and cannot obtain breast milk from the local breast milk bank, then I will certainly use formula and not feel guilty.

Completely agree. I believe it was around the 1960's when there was a huge boom in formula feeding. They really made women believe through advertising that formula was better than breastmilk and that it would suit their lifestyles. Almost all women did it. It has taken a long time to recover from that culture and we still aren't there because formula companies will still find ways to influence women's decisions.

 

[lolly25]

I'm all for choice and would not pass judgement on which method a mum chooses however I am all for INFORMED choice that's the difference, when I grew up all you seen was formula adverts not once did I see an advert about breast feeding?? So to be honest I'm glad that so much advertising has been cut back and women are not bombarded with this formula that formula x won't comment any further than that x

 

[Bean66]

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.

Maybe it varies from place to place, because in my NCT class we did a full session on medicated pain relief, including C-section, amount of poeple involved etc. I didnt feel I was a bias towards anything.

I agree it must vary. Ours was very evidence based. Anything that wasn't she pointed out was anecdotal. We covered C section, Epi, peth etc.

In the BF session we covered formula, types if teet to use, esp if combo feeding.

It was very impressed by the balanced approach.

 

[Bubblesnbits]

The classes in Sweden only really speak about BF, not formula! I will try BF myself but if I am unable to continue after a c-section or for whatever reason I will try not beat myself up over it!

I also hate the condescending, judgmental stuff that goes on! Its like people think if you don't breast feed your a bad mother! There are numbers of reason why people cant breastfeed and it doesnt mean you love your child any less!

 

[Dragonfly]

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

 

[Bubblesnbits]

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

I dont think its breastfeeding moms that are singled out, I think theres just certain people in society in general with negative views of formula feeeding moms. Same as certain people think its ok to have a glass of wine every once in a while whereas some people think your the worst mother ever if u have one drink. Im going to try breastfeeding, if it fails ill use formula so Im not promoting either but I know for sure that a mother who is promoting formula feeding will get hell of alot more slack than a BF promoting mother!

 

[Dragonfly]

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

I dont think its breastfeeding moms that are singled out, I think theres just certain people in society in general with negative views of formula feeeding moms. Same as certain people think its ok to have a glass of wine every once in a while whereas some people think your the worst mother ever if u have one drink. Im going to try breastfeeding, if it fails ill use formula so Im not promoting either but I know for sure that a mother who is promoting formula feeding will get hell of alot more slack than a BF promoting mother!

Thats a great sweeping statement you just made. You clearly have no clue then as to how much some breastfeeding mums get stick from friends, family and even the medical profession on breastfeeding then do you. I know some areas are great for promotion of it but some arnt. I am not going to engage in a row of who gets more crap but I have been breastfeeding for a few years now and still breastfeeding my near 4 year old so you can imagine the reaction that gets to. I post breastfeeding promotion on my facebook pages and even that will get so much stick to. Where as its not right to say anything to a formula feeding mum as you would offend, you know they may not be able to breastfeed. And its not on. Tv even slates breastfeeding a lot, I could go on here.

 

[patooti]

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

I agree with this. I feel like if you bf or advocate strong support for bfing ther is a portion of the population that assume you are a b&@$ch.

I will ff 100% if needed. But I if I do I won't try to bend facts, or gloss over data and studies that clearly demonstrate that it would have been better had I been able to bf.

If people have an illness and need to take drugs to treat that illness, they don't need to feel bad. If you need to use formula why feel bad. I just would like to see more women understand all the facts and get empowered about how to best ensure success because bfing is good for babies AND women but it is also hard to do and not well accepted or understood in many areas even today. That's why I support bans on formula ads and the fact that formula feeding isn't "taught" as an equal option to bfing in antenatal classes. I am sure this does alienate some women but I also hope it will slowly change culture and in the long run that will be a good thing.

 

[Dragonfly]

I was going to formula feed, I bought about 8 tins of formula and bottles, you know the lot before I had William, packed some in my bag for the hospital and all. Brought it all with me. No idea about breastfeeding at all! no education on it. Skip forward till after labour, baby was put on my boob. I couldnt feel my body due to the spinal. To tired to do anything especially make bottles so just let it be like that. Came home and started to look up breastfeeding on line, learned all there. Seen my baby was different to friends . skip forward again and wanted to change loads. Then I read up on formula, everything about it. I like to make informed decisions. Even read the politics of breastfeeding to. I made my decision. What was best for us. Dosnt mean I hate other mums for different choices or deserve the nazi label.

 

[Bubblesnbits]

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

I dont think its breastfeeding moms that are singled out, I think theres just certain people in society in general with negative views of formula feeeding moms. Same as certain people think its ok to have a glass of wine every once in a while whereas some people think your the worst mother ever if u have one drink. Im going to try breastfeeding, if it fails ill use formula so Im not promoting either but I know for sure that a mother who is promoting formula feeding will get hell of alot more slack than a BF promoting mother!

Thats a great sweeping statement you just made. You clearly have no clue then as to how much some breastfeeding mums get stick from friends, family and even the medical profession on breastfeeding then do you. I know some areas are great for promotion of it but some arnt. I am not going to engage in a row of who gets more crap but I have been breastfeeding for a few years now and still breastfeeding my near 4 year old so you can imagine the reaction that gets to. I post breastfeeding promotion on my facebook pages and even that will get so much stick to. Where as its not right to say anything to a formula feeding mum as you would offend, you know they may not be able to breastfeed. And its not on. Tv even slates breastfeeding a lot, I could go on here.

I dont get it, what could people possibly say against promoting breastfeeding/ what kind of comments are you talking about. my statement wasnt aimed to attack moms who breastfeed, it was to talk about how "some people" think badly of formula feeding moms. same as some people think badly of moms who dont eat organic/ take paracetamol / cobedding etc..

You have completely taken what I have said and turned it into a personal attack on u and other breastfeeding mothers! I believe if you read my comment again you will see that I wasnt saying ANYTHING against BF moms!

And I have never heard/seen anyone say anything negative against BF but I have seen alot of formula feeding moms getting slack!
My comments are being taken out of context here!

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

The only place I see strong opinions is online. I have never seen it in "real life".

 

[Dragonfly]

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

I dont think its breastfeeding moms that are singled out, I think theres just certain people in society in general with negative views of formula feeeding moms. Same as certain people think its ok to have a glass of wine every once in a while whereas some people think your the worst mother ever if u have one drink. Im going to try breastfeeding, if it fails ill use formula so Im not promoting either but I know for sure that a mother who is promoting formula feeding will get hell of alot more slack than a BF promoting mother!

I hate how people assume breastfeeding mums think bad of formula feeding mums. Even get accused of it through some innocent breastfeeding promotion which has no mention of formula. Breastfeeding mums have to walk on egg shells around some formula feeding mums as we dont like being called names and accused of belittling just because we breastfeed. I have no tolerance for the accusations. I do not think less of any one with how they feed and loath the horrible brush mums are tarred with. I have never even known a breastfeeding mum who looks down on formula feeding yet I have had so many treat me like crap because I breastfeed. It does not effect me how you feed your baby, there for I dont care.

I dont think its breastfeeding moms that are singled out, I think theres just certain people in society in general with negative views of formula feeeding moms. Same as certain people think its ok to have a glass of wine every once in a while whereas some people think your the worst mother ever if u have one drink. Im going to try breastfeeding, if it fails ill use formula so Im not promoting either but I know for sure that a mother who is promoting formula feeding will get hell of alot more slack than a BF promoting mother!

Thats a great sweeping statement you just made. You clearly have no clue then as to how much some breastfeeding mums get stick from friends, family and even the medical profession on breastfeeding then do you. I know some areas are great for promotion of it but some arnt. I am not going to engage in a row of who gets more crap but I have been breastfeeding for a few years now and still breastfeeding my near 4 year old so you can imagine the reaction that gets to. I post breastfeeding promotion on my facebook pages and even that will get so much stick to. Where as its not right to say anything to a formula feeding mum as you would offend, you know they may not be able to breastfeed. And its not on. Tv even slates breastfeeding a lot, I could go on here.

I dont get it, what could people possibly say against promoting breastfeeding/ what kind of comments are you talking about. my statement wasnt aimed to attack moms who breastfeed, it was to talk about how "some people" think badly of formula feeding moms. same as some people think badly of moms who dont eat organic/ take paracetamol / cobedding etc..

You have completely taken what I have said and turned it into a personal attack on u and other breastfeeding mothers! I believe if you read my comment again you will see that I wasnt saying ANYTHING against BF moms!

And I have never heard/seen anyone say anything negative against BF but I have seen alot of formula feeding moms getting slack!
My comments are being taken out of context here!

My comment wasnt taken to you personally but sparked off my rant. Its a sore point with mums who are constantly accused of formula hating as its assumed sometimes they are. I dont mean you think this, I know not everyone does. I take paracetamol to lol I think on both sides of the fence they get it from someone. And I think you will agree its not nice to be tarred with the same brush.

As for getting bashed for breastfeeding promotion, yes I have seen it. I have lost friends over it and called so many names for it. If I had of formula fed like everyone else here I would still have friends and family around me.

 

[Kitten-B]

Haven't read all the replies (and ignoring the above as seems a wee bit circular and going OT) but I agree that it is not right either.

It is government legislation though to not have any advertising / having the breastfeeding is better message printed on first infant milk.

I completely expected to breastfeed with DS. Had researched and bought everything - lanishoh, electric pump, bfing pillow, bf cover up, even freezer bags for bf. Attended bfing workshops etc. And it completely did not work out for me. He never even latched on, despite spending the best part of his first few days trying to get him to do so. I kept trying after we offered a bottle (as he started getting convulsions we think from lack of food) but he was a disaster on the bottle too so ended up concentrating on that.

And like you say all the overkill on breastfeeding and messages on formula made me feel cr*p. Felt useless enough anytime I said I was bottle feeding. And when the Health Visitor ticks the 'not at all' breastfeeding box in the red book every time. And when all the midwives in the hospital never spoke to us again after spending 2 days tweaking my nipples for 6 -8 hours a day.

I understand making sure there is the support to help Mum's breastfeed but I wish it was just a little less intense as it's not always a decision you can make.

I actually feel scared of even trying bfing again this time as the whole intensity and failure was just really tough. I am going to but I still feel so negative before I start. And DH just keeps saying we shouldn't even try that again - which admittedly isn't helpful but I know where he is coming from. There was just too much pressure.

 

[patch2006uk]

It would be more helpful if instead of having 'breast is best' on the side of formula tins, that they had 'phone this number for BFing support' and a contact number for a national BFing line (one not run by formula companies!)

At the end of the day, most women can breastfeed. But they need support. Telling people 'breast is best' but not then supporting them as and when they run into problems is just going to cause bad feelings and anger, as you've basically set them up with the knowledge that formula isn't as good as breastmilk, but then let them down when things get tough, leading them towards formula.