should we not be proud?

[redberry3]

I was searching for a cute formula feeding blinkie and I found this forum that was putting down formula feeding blinkies.

Some people said its backlash from the breast feeding ones.

I for one have nothing to prove and am very proud of the fact that he is thriving while being fed with formula after making the huge decision to stop.

anyone else ran into this?

not trying to start a debate....just wondering why I shouldn't be proud...

Edit: the only thing I was offended by was the forum I found where pretty well all of the women on it were LITERALLY putting down FFing moms for being proud. I love the BFing milestone blinkies because it makes me aware that it is possible for so mmany of you!

 

[babystar]

I bottle fed my 1st too. Joani just wouldn't latch on right and burst my nipples.... and so I couldn't feed her....With Elinor I was rushed to theater and so I couldn't feed her or change her or anything for 3 days by then she was on bottles. I am going to try and breast feed this wee one. But if it doesn't work then there's nothing lost... I will bottle feed

Nothing wrong with bottle feeding Be proud

 

[AppleBlossom]

I think, form what I have found anyway, that BFers will try and put FFers down and vice versa (not all, just some examples I've seen elsewhere) My honest opinion is, my child is happy and healthy, she is putting on weight properly and at 11 months old she has had a runny nose once. I was FF and I have the best immune system out of everyone I know. Maybe breast IS best. But that doesn't make formula some sort of evil devil food that makes babies fat, stupid and ill all the time. I know people who were breastfed who constantly have colds and have a tonne of allergies. I'm not allergic to anything at all. I don't think it matters how you feed your baby as long as you DO feed them! If your baby is thriving you shuld be proud either way

 

[faille]

If you've got a happy, healthy and content baby, then yes you should be damn proud, no matter how they're fed.

I've only had one person "judge" me for ff'ing. They were giving me the lecture that 'breast is best' so I quickly shut them up by saying, 'how so, when bfing ended up with us both in tears and ff'ing makes her content and happy?' How is torturing myself and my baby "best"?

I'm proud to ff because it works the best for us xx

 

[Vickie]

Of course you should be proud, you have a happy, healthy thriving baby and really that's what matters in the end!

 

[polo_princess]

Of course you should be proud for raising a beautiful and contented child hun, dont ever let anyone tell you different

 

[mommyof3co]

I have seen threads like that, talking about the blinkies. This is my opinion on it. I formula fed my oldest son, then nursed my younger 2. So I have been on both sides so please don't think anything I say as something negative to anyone using formula, that isn't how I mean it, sometimes it's hard to come across just in text so. But I think the reason for posts like that is while yes the absolute most important thing is that your baby is happy, healthy and thriving. That the breastfeeding moms are like what exactly is there to be proud of with formula, you make a bottle and give it to them. Whereas with breastfeeding it takes so much work, you are always the one having to do the feeding, usually dealing with lots of pain in the beginning and just hard work. So I think breastfeeding moms get offended by all the proud FF stuff, because it's kind of like saying it's just as good? Now I don't feel this way, I don't care what anyone's blinkies say lol, but that's what I've seen other people put,that that's why it upsets them. I really don't see what the big deal is with a blinkie that says "proud bottle feeding mom" or something similar BUT I have seen some really negative ones just flat out putting down breastfeeding, just like I have seen some that put down formula feeding...those I can completely understand why someone on the other side would be upset by them. I think everyone should be proud of their kids, no matter how they feed them, like I said, the most important thing is that they are being fed lol, they are happy and healthy

 

[ryder]

Ya, I totally get what you mean Jaylene... We always see people posting that they have bf for 6 months, 12 months etc... they have blinkies that say "all natural" parenting, and "breastfeeding champion" etc etc... But you dont see anyone posting they are a formula feeding champion... or they have fed their baby for 6 months etc...

In a way, I kind of think it is a really subtle put down to formula feeders...

I think breastfeeders have the right to be proud, it is hard and I wasnt able to continue. Im sure if I can do it next time, I will be proud too...

But im also proud that I have a happy, healthy thriving baby.

 

[AppleBlossom]

I see what you mean mommyof3co, I tried BFing and I knew it wasn't for me. Grace was greedy (still is, always has been) she wasn't satisfied with the amount of milk she was getting, I would sit alone feeding her crying because I was in so much pain even though I know she was latched on properly because I had been told numerous times by my HV I was doing it right and it usually was painful to begin with. But I couldn't deal with the pain and her screaming because she would drain me dry then scream because she was still hungry. I think it is very hard but BFing isn't for everyone. I admire those who BF for so long. But also with FFing you have to sterilise, boil, cool, add formula then repeat the whole process again for the next feed. I think in some cases BFing is more convinient than FFing even if it is harder work, iykwim?

 

[mommyof3co]

Oh I def think it's more convinient...I watch my friends daughter who is 4mo old and i hate having to make up bottles...it's a pain in the butt lol. I hate hearing her cry while I do t, it's so much easier to pop them on a boob lol. It's been so long since I just bottlefed, my younger 2 were completely breastfed, my 2nd did have occasional bottles but not an allt he time thing, so it's a hard adjustment to get used to. But here you don't have to do all the boiling and cooling of water, tap water is fine here, so you just pour it into the bottle add the powder and your done...still seems like a really long process when the baby is crying though.

I do have TONS of breastfeeding blinkies as I'm very proud of what we have done, but I don't have them to in anyway put down formula feeding. Like mine in my siggy now is because my son self weaned at 19mo and I'm so proud we made it that far with zero bottls because that was a goal of mine. When I see the natural parenting though, I don't think that is necc in reference to feeding, but parenting as a whole. I consider myself more of a natural parent, an AP parent, crunchy parent..however you want to put it because of things I do as a whole, not soley on nursing vs bottle feeding. And just so everyone knows on here, I don't know who all has seen the thread, but all those breastfeeding champion ones on here are actually for the mamas that help out other moms with questions about nursing, they get paired together to help them out. So it's just showing who they are, again, not putting anyone down

 

[alice&bump]

at the end of the day, baby's being fed, is thriving, is happy...who gives a shit how it happens?! i can completely ubderstand the 6 month milestone blinkies and stuff cos it is somethin to be proud of cos it is hard work, but FF doesnt make you any less of a mum. katie was BF til 5 months and wasnt thriving, so went on formula and is a totally different baby!!

and ryder - the BF champion is championing a cause rather than being a champion, if you clink the blinkies it takes you to the champion thread, where you can get one-on-one support if you need it xx

 

[ryder]

mommyof3co- I realize some people arn't intentionally putting down formula feeding... but there are some people who stuff like that hurt. Me personally, I dont give a crap, im doing what worked for us... Theres people who are really upset that they couldnt breastfeed for whatever reason... and that kind of thing can really hurt... I mean, there isnt much people can do about it, some people just need to learn to ignor it.

BTW... I dont find bottles hard at all... I always keep warm water around and have the amount of formula measure in this plastic thing... All I have to do is dump the formula in and give it a shake.

I do want to try bfing next time again, because I think with a toddler it may be more convenient.

 

[redberry3]

Ya, I totally get what you mean Jaylene... We always see people posting that they have bf for 6 months, 12 months etc... they have blinkies that say "all natural" parenting, and "breastfeeding champion" etc etc... But you dont see anyone posting they are a formula feeding champion... or they have fed their baby for 6 months etc...

In a way, I kind of think it is a really subtle put down to formula feeders...

I think breastfeeders have the right to be proud, it is hard and I wasnt able to continue. Im sure if I can do it next time, I will be proud too...

But im also proud that I have a happy, healthy thriving baby.

the way you put it just struck a cord with me. Thank you!

 

[helen1234]

i've had my blinkies on about a week now cos i thought all the bf's have them and i'm just as proud to say i bottle feed, i really struggled with the fact rhys rejected me and screamed his head off at the sight of me getting my tit out lol.

i think bottle feeding is easier in imo i feed rhys anywhere ny place i feed him in the supermarket queue middle of the street in front of all the family i wouldnt be able to do if i were bf'ing i'm not that confident.

i challenge anyone who can spot an adult thats breast fed or bottle fed cos i cant tell he difference.
xx

 

[oOKayOo]

Turn a blind eye!

Im dead proud of my children ! Both formula fed and proud of it!

 

[mommyof3co]

I think you have to keep in mind, your doing whats best for you and your baby. Someone is always going to be offended by something, especially when it comes to parenting. I mean look at all the debates...formula vs breast, circ vs no circ, vax vs no vax, cosleeping vs crib, pacifier vs no pacifier, when to start solids....I could go on. I think everyone is proud of what they have done and what they have chosen to do no matter what. I don't think anyone should look at the blinkies and take them personally, it's not what works for you, so what? I don't think people should feel the need to censor themselves over things like this just to make others feel better because you can't make everyone happy. I have many blinkies thatI know would offend many people...which is why they aren't up on this site, I use them on others, but they are more extreme. I really haven't seen any that are in anyway offensive on here though. I think people just take them personally because it's a very hot issue but you just have to remember that it isn't directed at you, and like it's been said already 100x what's most important is you have a healthy, happy, thriving baby, don't let it get to you

 

[shampain]

I am a great believer in doing right by what is right for you and your child, so if you're enjoying breastfeeding then carry on and enjoy it,so long as you and baby are thriving then well done you. If its not working out, or you dont like it, or for some reason its not working out for baby then stop. With there been so many different formula now something will suit any baby.The best quote i heard was:
Don't look down on me on formula feeding...
I don't look up to you for breastfeeding.

 

[Wobbles]

Breastfeeding icons in signatures - I actually find some of these badge ones pretty cute. I'd imagine these Mummys are proud but I rarely see any that are unthoughtful to other people and those ones would never be permitted to stay in signatures (now I mean Ive seen some real rude ones).

Formula feeding icons ...You can have these also but again I've seen some really rude ones that I wouldn't like to see as apart of BabyandBump & would not be permitted (would be removed).

Over all I think thought these blinkies etc are just a sign of your parenting methods not a 'Im better than you' MOST times.

x

Opened thread again.

 

[Always&4ever]

Nothing wrong with bottle feeding, I'm a combined feeder and I'm proud that I breast AND bottle feed. Good on ya all xx

 

[ryder]

I agree with you wobbles about the bfing and ffing badges... I was just trying to say that for someone who is upset that they couldn't bf, seeing them may be upsetting.

I also know most of the bfing moms on this site have the best intentions... I know there are a couple (because of past debates etc) who DO think they are better, they think their baby is healthier and smarter etc etc...

Like I said, next time, if im successful at bfing, I will likely be proud too just like the rest... But im proud of my baby anyway.