I don't agree with this ....

[xLaura]

Some people clearly can't read or chose to ignor what I asked and turned this into something else, obviously I'm stupid to believe people would respect what I said. I'd like to thank all the ladies who started replying with there views on my opinion and to the small few that decided to turn this into getting there view of the whole debate I said not to please stop now and let's just say no more on the matter as people are starting to get affended now and that's not what I set out to ask.

 

[special_kala]

This seems like a pretty reasonable conversation to me.

Just because not everyone agrees with you I dont see how people should stop replying.

 

[sethsmummy]

yep i totally agree with you.. same as when the midwives ... at my booking app they asked what type of feeding i was going to do.. when i said bottle.. i got ooo can i ask why. I tried to breast feed my first but didnt produce anything and he couldnt latch on either. Also had a lot of bother with him with only taking tiny amounts when first born and also reflux etc so had to know exactly how much he was taking at any one time. So this time im going straight to bottle. If i do produce any milk i may express for the first few days but that's it. Im afraid breast feeding just isn't for me. And i agree we shouldn't be made to feel guilty regardless of how we decide to feed our babies. For women who try and cant breastfeed .... it is so heart breaking so to then be judged just makes it worse. x

 

[xLaura]

Because it will just get banned by admin because people are taking it too far. Theres no need for that.

 

[aliss]

It's to help encourage more women to breastfeed. Let's be realistic - do we truly believe that women who stop breastfeeding "because they can't", do it because they actually cannot? Or do many of them not understand things like supply and demand, what/when growth spurts are, why growth spurts exist, etc.? Do they know what to do in a case of flat nipples, a baby with tongue tie, etc? The vast majority of women do NOT know how to deal with those things and hence turn to formula because... "they can't breastfeed".

Don't let my breastfeeding blinkie confuse you, I formula fed my first after trying everything I thought was possible with a baby who had a lot of medical problems. But as time goes on and the more research you do into breastfeeding, the more you realize that the 50-75% of "I can't" (formula feeding statistics depending on area) is not necessarily "I can't" (or the whole human race would be underweight or dying at infancy), it is "I don't know what to do about this and I'm going to get formula because it's there".

It really is that simple IMO.

So YES, it is YOUR baby, and YOUR decision, but the whole point is existing advertisement regulations to help you make an informed decision. A lot of people still believe formula is equal to breast milk, and it not, a simple ingredient list will indicate that but it is an attempt to dispel myths.

 

[Cat lady]

You see, around here (Exeter in Devon - a big city for around here) I feel I was the one who was made to feel guilty because dh didnt get to give ds1 a bottle. I bf exclusively and then carried on bf until he was 20 months. I went back to work when he was 5months and expressed. DH was totally supportive and didnt care, I mean bf is free!! We are not made of money and every little helps! It made me feel angry that I was being made to feel bad, my mil wasnt very supportive but she only fed for 6 weeks and I think she wanted to give ds a bottle too!! SIL didnt feed past the first week, even my mum said I was taking it too far once I got past a year. I was gutted by the lack of support from my nearest and dearest.

Its very difficult to interpret things written on the net and for the record, just want to say this is not an aggressive post! Just how I feel on the subject.
xxx

 

[patch2006uk]

Because it will just get banned by admin because people are taking it too far. Theres no need for that.

Compared to threads that end up locked, this one is actually pretty calm and rational so far. This will always be a touchy subject, but I think your question is totally valid. It just so happens that there are good reasons for stores and formula companies not being allowed to promote first infant formula. The issue of how your friends were treated and left feeling is a separate one IMO, and that is the deep seated problem that needs addressing by politicians and the NHS.

 

[patch2006uk]

We all know breast feeding exists though :s

But not many women in certain areas consider it a realistic option. It's something that 'posh' women do, not people from council estates. You'd also be surprised at how many people don't think BFing is actually enough to sustain a baby longterm. Many women in the 60s and 70s were taught that breastmilk isn't adequate after 6 weeks/4 months/6 months (I've heard various random times given).

Formula is culturally normal. Bottles are the symbol on nappy change rooms. Babies with bottles are often portrayed on TV shows. There is an advert now showing a bottle being warmed in a bowl of hot water as a short hand for how 'we all use energy everyday'.

The fact is, a tiny amount of women are actually breastfeeding for any length of time, especially exclusively. If breastfeeding was anywhere near the majority infant feeding method, then I'd agree that penalising those who formula feed because of medical reasons or just because of work commitments or whatever, is massively harsh. But the fact is that breastfeeding has a lot of ground to make up.

I think the policies of the NHS are wrong. As I said, posters and midwives forcing a nipple towards a newborn baby are not good enough 'support'. There needs to be investment in BFing services and support networks, training so GPs don't suggest a top up if LO gains 2oz one week rather than the 'average' 7oz. HVs who don't suggest a formula bottle to help baby sleep through.

However, keeping formula companies on a tight lead is absolutely the right policy IMO. Just look at their conduct in countries where there isn't any protection, and you'll understand why they need to be kept in check by law. Even here, they try and get around the legislation.

Would like to point out to you that just because I was brought up on a council estate that doesn't automatically mean I would formula feed my baby!!!
For the record I will be breast feeding from the outset & will be damned proud of It! Get your facts straight before coming out with comments like that....

Completely agree. I grew up on a counsil estate when my mother and father split up and my mmm lived on benefits. I was also in care so considered one of the "not normal family kids" and it doesnt automatically mean I will formula feed. Thats nothing to do with the breast vs bottle denate... Thats quite stereotypical... But then obviously facts are facts I guess if they find that?

The statistics indicate that women from 'deprived' areas are more likely to formula feed, and from a younger age. The area I currently live in is considered very 'deprived' and they've actually ploughed a lot of money into BFing services to try and increase the rates. I used 'council estate' as a shorthand for deprived area, as that's generally what they are, certainly round by where I grew up!

Just to point out, however, that my first post was of course a massive generalisation and stereotype. I breastfeed my son. Do you think that means I think I'm 'posh'? No. It's just that that's how some people perceive breastfeeding. It's an upper/middle class thing. Not something to be done by 'normal' people, who have jobs and can't afford a nanny.

Read any article on the Daily Mail about breastfeeding and see how far the perception that breastfeeding isn't something 'normal' goes!

 

[XJessicaX]

I think legally the formula companies have to state that breast is best?

 

[horseybird]

I agree with the author post. We have just finished our NCT antenatal classes which were great, but there was a 2 and half hour session on breast feeding, and not a single mention of formula feeding.

I am not anti-breast feeding nor am I anti-formula. But I am anti pressure, whether its from other mums, midwives etc. I think we should be given the pros and cons and then make our choice. I think it is completely wrong that friends have either ended up distraught because they were unable to feed, or that they feel guilty for choosing not to.

At the end of the day if there was a group of people in a room ...could you tell the difference between those that had been breast fed or formula fed?? No of course not. I think more NON BIASED information is needed on both ways of feeding. Good luck to all mummies to be ...regardless of their choices.

 

[vndeb]

Hi i really do think its your body, your choice. I bf my son for 5 months before conceeding to bottle as he was still wanting feeds every 3-4hrs and i was just so tired! My friends have all bottle fed and think i am mad to bf this one.
My local hospital have recently changed their policy so that if you dont bf they wont supply anything for you to bottle feed. I think that they should support whatever choice you want and not put so much pressure on the mum to bf as some dont want to or cant.

Good luck to all and choose your own way x

 

[anita665]

I think there is the attitude of really pushing breastfeeding because (without wanting to debate) it is the healthier option but there are still far more bottle fed babies than breast fed ones.

I know you say everyone assumes that women will now breastfeed but figures suggest this is far from the case. Although many women may give it a try, more turn to bottles than stick to the breast.

Formula companies cannot compete now and are not allowed to make out that formula is equal or superior to breast milk. In some countries advertising of formula is completely banned.

I agree that in the end it is the mothers choice but advertising may influence a womans choice and give misleading info. Adverts do that every day.

 

[patch2006uk]

Why should the hospital give free formula to women who have no intention of breastfeeding? It's only an extra day or so, bring in your own milk! They'll still give it to you in an emergency.

 

[special_kala]

Of course breast feeding would need 2 hours on, its hard its a conpletly new skill you have to master.

Bottle feeding is pretty simple you make up the bottle and your hood to go. Breast feeding you have to take into account pain, feeding on demand. What you can and can't eat. Different positions, mastitis, blocked ducts, milk issues, nipple issues.

It clearly needs more time on it then bottle feeding

 

[horseybird]

But it should get more time than NOTHING!! Im a first time mum, I have'nt a clue about feeding. I paid for those classes so I can get more information not have one type of feeding rammed down my throat for 2 hours, and the other not mentioned at all.

 

[patch2006uk]

Every formula tin has instructions on the side. It's not a skill in the same way as BFing. I agree that maybe they should give out the WHO information on how to safely prepare bottles, but it really doesn't need going into any further than that IMO.

 

[special_kala]

Formula feeding has pretty much what you need to know on the tub to be fair.

 

[anita665]

The first time I breastfed I gave up after only 3 months because I wasn't told enough about it. I agree it's a skill you learn and there is a lot you need to know because there are a lot of misconceptions about it too. If you really want to breastfeed then you need to take in as much info about it as you can but if you're not set on it then I can see why so much info coming your way would be annoying.

 

[Terangela]

Breast is best, but it isn't easy especially for the first timer. It can be difficult to get baby to latch and feed and it to feel natural. Society has specialized breasts so to expose them in public to latch a baby is a mental block to get over. It can be frustrating and painful through the learning process.

I don't believe someone should feel like a failure in turning to formula just as I don't think anyone should feel like a failure for getting an epidural during labor. I've done both breast feeding and formula and much prefer the free aspect of breast, that I don't have to warm a bottle or forgetful me forget a bottle at home while out. I have also done both no pain meds and pain meds during labor. Both have their bonuses.

 

[horseybird]

Im still not keen on the fact that it wasnt mentioned. I appreciate that BF needs more time on it as a subject, but by not mentioning FF at all, sends out a message that there is only one way. Other ladies in my group felt the same, we wanted information on both. Luckily for me whilst I respect others views, I am not the type to be pressured into anything by anyone. Unfortunately I have had friends who have felt pressured. Its the pressure I disagree with.