Time Magazine and AP

[cissyhope]

no i dont really,of course it may feel like that if your getting negitive comments in your area but looking at the bigger picture,you only have to read,see in the media,tv advertising etc formula has taken over the world

 

[aliss]

Busy thread. Made it to page 8.

Interesting cover. Don't like the title, I think it gives a poor reflection on AP practices and 'superiority'.

Also tired of 'scientifically-advanced", "wealthy", "progressive" societies thinking they do everything better than the "poor" "backwards" nations.

Reminds me of how TV dinners replaced home-cooked meals in the 1950's because they were "better". Reminds me of how I can buy a roast at the store with 10 ingredients, only 1 of which might be pork (and god knows what else). Reminds me how 90 year old great grandparents are kept alive semi-comatose on a respirator for years while bed-ridden. Reminds me of Nestle's little stunt.

FFS, how pitiful it was that I fed my kid a bottle of corn-syrup solids (Enfamil Soy) because I had no idea how to breastfeed him and had no other women to help show me, because I'm supposed to rely on a nurse who doesn't respond to her pager rather than a community of women. That's progress?

"We" don't always have it right.

 

[midori1999]

Well, I've breastfed and I've formula fed, in four different areas of the UK (in fact, three different countries in the UK) and I've never had one, not one, negative comment.

I've had some stupid comments re: breastfeeding, but that's mainly down to peoples' ignorance/not knowing much about breastfeeding.

I never get though, where all these people who supposedly slate FF Mums are though, considering we are a FF society. Is it other FF Mums? Is it the minority fo Mums who BF? Health professionals? Where are these people waiting to attack women for their feeding choices? (although some of them are obviously online waiting to call women who breastfeed their children child abusers.... and yes, I laugh at that, I really do find it ridiculous that anyone can be so narrow minded and ignorant)

 

[lhancock90]

Maybe its my area/circle of aqquintences, but myself and friends find it equal.

 

[jojo74]

I have read though a lot of this thread (not all) and I cannot believe some of the views/comments! I bf my ds until 6 months, I wasn't aware of the benefits of extended bf I listened to others stupidly, how I wished I had carried on. Now with my second she is 7 months and still ebf, I don't intend to stop until she does ! How can people say this is abuse etc etc?! She is having the most natural food, how can that be so wrong? We drink bloody cows milk ffs! I just don't know what this world is coming to, either it is uneducated people or downright ignorant (me thinking the latter)

 

[cissyhope]

Maybe its my area/circle of aqquintences, but myself and friends find it equal.

Hey just realised,im from the west midlands to! where are you from? i can tell you FF is massive where i am but i sought out BF clubs.It is west midlands uk yes? have you not seen the media on FF?! like i say its massive!!!

 

[lhancock90]

Maybe its my area/circle of aqquintences, but myself and friends find it equal.

Hey just realised,im from the west midlands to! where are you from? i can tell you FF is massive where i am but i sought out BF clubs.It is west midlands uk yes? have you not seen the media on FF?! like i say its massive!!!

Yep, aha.
I have to admit to being a film/netflicks junkie, whatever i watch on normal tv i record so i fastforward the ads

I think i should change some of the people i speak to if i'm feeling the way i do, i have been told by a girl once that i was an idiot and stupid for not BF even though i couldn't and that FF would make my child stupid.

 

[aliss]

I never get though, where all these people who supposedly slate FF Mums are though, considering we are a FF society. Is it other FF Mums? Is it the minority fo Mums who BF? Health professionals? Where are these people waiting to attack women for their feeding choices? (although some of them are obviously online waiting to call women who breastfeed their children child abusers.... and yes, I laugh at that, I really do find it ridiculous that anyone can be so narrow minded and ignorant)

I grew up in a very pro-BF society and bottle-fed for various reasons (after pumping failed miserably), I never once heard a nasty comment. But then the idea of a woman choosing to bottle-feed was rather unheard of as well, I have never met a woman who 'chose' (ie. personal choice from pregnancy/birth) "in real life". Until I came on BnB (most of whom are from the UK and from what I gather, a "non anti bottle environment' [?], I didn't even know women made the personal choice to bottle-feed.

So where I am from (not Quebec), there was no formula bashing but there was also an understanding that you bottle-fed because you had a medical reason in the first place and couldn't breastfeed.

As for feeding a 2,3 year old- well, it was common there as well. In fact, our water was better than the UK Even some "modern" "advanced" societies with the "alternative" cups/bottles still know the benefits of extended breastfeeding which is why I am so offended that some insinuate that other cultures only do it because they don't have fresh water or whatever We have the Rocky Mountains and you'll still feed 2 year olds in a restaurant. so what?

 

[Ozzieshunni]

Love this:

 

[indy and lara]

Also, I hate the way people label the way they parent. It is a bug bear of mine. I parent using my instincts and love. All I am concerned about is having happy and healthy children. Society seems so obsessed with putting people in boxes and labelling them. It does my head in!

This, this, this! I am so sick and tired of people jumping on labels and being so keen to use them. It seems like people are desperate to be labelled as one group and this in itself leads to conflict with people who do not fit in that group. What happened to bucking the trends and wanting to be an individual?

I would suggest more people use a little of many different parenting techniques than stay within the parameters of one particular group. I know I do myself.
- E was BF for 14 months, no formula.
- I BF everywhere- restaurants, parks, cinema, car sales lot. I could go on.
- E slept in our room for 6 months but there is not enough money in the world which would have convinced us to co-sleep.
- We followed BLW at 6 months. No purees.
- I only used a pram. E was not that keen on a sling. I am more clumsy than anyone would believe and I was never comfortable using slings.
- E had a dummy from 2 weeks old.
- Only used cloth nappies.
- Used a version of CIO (3 minute crying, followed by calming, repeat). Took 2 days and E was able to self settle.

Why bother labelling? We just parent and do what we all think is right. I am a SAHM with a DH who works long hours. Somedays I feel like I get it all right. Some days I get it all wrong and we watch TV more than we frolic in the park. Meh, whatever. We do the best we can and that is all anyone can ask, whatever styles and methods you apply. Criticising, sniping about and belittling others' choices is pretty pathetic. They may not be YOUR choice but that is fine. You have the autonomy to do something else.

Parenting- one size does not fit all.

 

[Frooty]

Im noticing a lot of mothers that are still bfn their 3 year olds are saying its more of a comfort thing?

 

[mamawannabee]

Im noticing a lot of mothers that are still bfn their 3 year olds are saying its more of a comfort thing?

I'm not clear by your statement as to whether you think that's good or not, but it came across as a negative thing. Correct me if I'm wrong in that. But that's what breasts are for! Nutrition and comfort, pacifiers were made as supplements for when mom can't be around. Toddlers need comfort too

 

[aliss]

I didn't breastfeed but I sometimes rock my 40lb size-4T 2 year old toddler, to me that comfort is just the same.

 

[StranjeGirl]

Ok Im really starting to realize that where we live makes a difference. I am in California, dd born in los angeles, and here I am completely judged for NOT breast feeding. I literally have to explain myself every time I am out. My doctor warned me of the "breast feeding nazis" nurses at the hospital, and so did my friends, and that is exactly what they were. They told me to definitely NOT supplement and that only breast milk was ok for my child as any supplementation was bad and unnecessary. DD would have ended up in the hospital if I had continued to listen to them...and I know a few people whose newborns ended up in the ER due to this. My doctor was thrilled when I finally gave it up (and I only gave it up because dd chose not to nurse anymore because I wasn't making any milk) because he said he sees so much post partum depression in his patients who breast feed because many have issues or just can't and feel like failures but won't give up because we feel so pushed to bf. I have total strangers stop me constantly to admire the baby and say to me "you're breast feeding right?" So this is my side of the story, and I am sure a BFing mom somewhere else has the same story to tell. I guess it just depends on where we live who is judged more. This is totally off topic and not relevant to the original post, but after reading the last posts it made me realize that location really makes a difference. I think that is why the title of the article especially got to me so much. I already feel like a failure that I couldn't breast feed (and have multiple friends who feel like total failures for having to give it up early due to problems) and then they use a title of "are you mom enough" to breast feed an older child when I couldn't't even breast feed a baby! Maybe if it wasn't sooooo pushed here I wouldn't have thought twice about it, but it sure hits a woman's insecurities when they have tried hard and feel like a failure. ANd regardless of where I live I think the picture sucks And for the millionth time, it's not because she is breast feeding a 3 years old...I see no problem with that, it's because she did it for shock value and used her son to shock.

 

[iwanababybump]

I'll be completely honest when I fell pregnant I was adamant I was going to breast feed but only until 6 month - who the hell wants a teething baby hanging off their boob (my opinion then very naive and mis informed I know), then as my pregnancy went on and as I researched things and spoke to health professionals more I decided I would try and BF until 1 year however this changed once I started BFing I decided that I would carry on BFing until LO was ready to stop unfortunately when I went back into the mini pill 10 weeks after giving birth I started to have problems with my milk supply and LO started losing weight and became a very tearful baby due to this I stopped BFing - this really upset me that once I had the opinion I did and now the Choice was been taking away from me.

The magazine cover in my opinion could have been better maybe a more natural loving pose but I completely understand why they did what they did and as for extended BFing I take my hat off to anyone that does it good for you I wish I could have. It's a shame people can't be open minded and accePt the way other mothers wish to raise their children whether it be formula feeding or breast feeding/extended breast feeding who are we to judge another mother. I've been judged for many things since becoming a mother and made to feel like I'm doing a bad job it's not a great feeling and I wish people wouldnt do it!

 

[Frooty]

Im noticing a lot of mothers that are still bfn their 3 year olds are saying its more of a comfort thing?

I'm not clear by your statement as to whether you think that's good or not, but it came across as a negative thing. Correct me if I'm wrong in that. But that's what breasts are for! Nutrition and comfort, pacifiers were made as supplements for when mom can't be around. Toddlers need comfort too

See this is the problem theres no emotion in text so people assume. No hun i dont think its negative, some kids have dummies some kids have boob its the way the cookie crumbles.

 

[Dragonfly]

I do it for health, my son barely eats solids and has issues there. Yet isnt sick and his bloods are fine so he is getting something off it. He gets it about once or twice a day and maybe at night when he wakes. I dont do it for me, I dont think I ever done it for me its for them.

 

[pinklightbulb]

I did it for both-- baby's health primarily, and secondary, to bond with him as I felt I would bond 'better' with him if I BF since I had a c-section and wanted to do something 'natural' because I 'failed' at natural birth (never even got to go into labour). I didn't know a lot about BF back then and would have happily FF if it hadn't worked out in pregnancy, but once it got nearer to term and I wasn't allowed a natural birth, I wanted more and more to BF to bond with him in case the birth caused problems for me. That, and the MWs went on and on about BM being best and yada yada how they do, I took that on board and it helped with my choice for sure, I won't deny that. Once I knew BM was actually best, I was off the idea of bottles more than at the start of my pg. I knew I'd FF if presented with no other choice, but BF became the better option for me as I learned more about it.

Once he started BF, that was that and FF was never an option. I can't say whether I bonded with him because I BF though, for the simple fact I never had to give a bottle. I won't know this time either if I don't have to give a bottle. So I am doing it pretty much all for health and not so much for bonding as I have nothing to compare to except BFing and that wouldn't be fair.

 

[patch2006uk]

I did it for both-- baby's health primarily, and secondary, to bond with him as I felt I would bond 'better' with him if I BF since I had a c-section and wanted to do something 'natural' because I 'failed' at natural birth (never even got to go into labour). I didn't know a lot about BF back then and would have happily FF if it hadn't worked out in pregnancy, but once it got nearer to term and I wasn't allowed a natural birth, I wanted more and more to BF to bond with him in case the birth caused problems for me. That, and the MWs went on and on about BM being best and yada yada how they do, I took that on board and it helped with my choice for sure, I won't deny that. Once I knew BM was actually best, I was off the idea of bottles more than at the start of my pg. I knew I'd FF if presented with no other choice, but BF became the better option for me as I learned more about it.

Once he started BF, that was that and FF was never an option. I can't say whether I bonded with him because I BF though, for the simple fact I never had to give a bottle. I won't know this time either if I don't have to give a bottle. So I am doing it pretty much all for health and not so much for bonding as I have nothing to compare to except BFing and that wouldn't be fair.

Absolutely this for me too. I wasn't too fussed when I was pregnant about whether I'd BF or not, but once the birth had gone 'wrong', I was determined that something my body was supposed to do was going to go 'right'.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Personally extended BFing isn't for me, I think my personal limit woukd be a year. But I don't find women that go beyond that disgusting and I don't find it 'wrong'. If both mother and child are happy then why is it so wrong? Also correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure I read somewhere that breastmilk still has nurtional value regardless of age? Mothers that choose extended BFing are giving their child a nurtional drink/food that benefits their well-being. Why is that so wrong? The child is taking it from the breast why is that wrong? Yes it could be expressed but maybe the child also finds comfort in suckling from the breast? Who are we to tell a mother it is wrong to provide her child nutrional food and comfort? We all comfort our children in different ways, it doesn't make each way wrong. Having said that I don't like the picture it looks untnatural and to em defeats the point of making it seem natural, I also hate the title but I think it is a good way to get the idea of extended bfing out there and change societys view to BFing in general. Societys attitude to BFing is shocking in my opinion and those views of it being 'digusting' past a certain age defiantly need to be challenged IMO.

As I said I personally don't feel comfortable with bfing past 1 for me but I think I will still express milk for this little man. But in no way do I think it's wrong or disgusting in fact it makes a lot of sense for the child's health and well-being x