What If There Was No Formula?

[CeeDee]

I couldn't give a shit long as my baby is happy and full just don't understand the point in saying what if there was no formula? Like asking what if women didn't have breasts lol! We would get by somehow!!

It's just a "what if" question. It's not an attack on formula feeders. Just use your imagination and add something interesting to the discussion. Good grief!

 

[Scottish mum]

It's also a debate so I think my post was appropriate!

 

[oceania]

Someone above posted about how 1% are only truly unable... well I'm in the 1% and it really sucks to be in the 1% and have people tell me all the time nooo you will be able to do it if you just try :S When I know I don't have a milk supply do to breast hypoplasia.

I guess if there was no formula I'd do all I can to find someone who can donate milk.

 

[zanDark]

why not have a debate about "what if boobs didn't make milk?"

seriously why are people so obsessed the choices other mothers make? I swear sometimes it sounds like people insist on breastfeeding just so they can say "HA!! I'm better than you"

as long as a baby is well taken care of, fed when it's hungry, and loved...who the hell cares? It doesn't affect the babies of the ladies that breastfeed at all...I don't see why this topic come up over and over again! What if there was no internet and you didn't get to talk with thousands of other mothers? would you still care?

It's terrible the way women are treated for making a choice about THEIR baby.

My SIL couldn't BF her son because of mastitis, but could BF her daughter after 4 years. Does that make her a bad or good mother? Does it mean that she loves her son less?

People should worry about their own kids and let everyone else make their own choices in peace. And this goes for both sides BFers and FFers!

 

[socitycourty]

the 1% statistic can be misleading. In our case it wasn't me who had a problem. It was my LO with a rare and very uncomfortable breastmilk allergy. Diagnosed by a doctor.....so we didn't stop because I was "lazy" "selfish" etc. I stopped because she was having too many problems.

I always love it when I am talking to someone and they say I could have done more. Well, sorry I can't perform magic. It's so rude and condescending.

 

[pinklightbulb]

I never BF to show I was better than anyone. It was what I wanted to do. I was forced into FF by my HV who was going to report me to child welfare if I didn't switch him as he wasn't gaining how *she* wanted him to. If not wanting my son taken off me by the State isn't a good enough reason to FF I don't know what is, lol.

But that being said, I would probably still get hardcore BFers after me for not ignoring the HV... and I'm a hardcore BFer myself. Some women truly are just horrible in nature and will do anything to feel better about themselves. But not all mothers who have/still BF are like that I just hate the mentality that if you BF, and succeeded for any length of time, you automatically think you are better than anyone. I definitely don't.

 

[overcomer79]

I never BF to show I was better than anyone. It was what I wanted to do. I was forced into FF by my HV who was going to report me to child welfare if I didn't switch him as he wasn't gaining how *she* wanted him to. If not wanting my son taken off me by the State isn't a good enough reason to FF I don't know what is, lol.

But that being said, I would probably still get hardcore BFers after me for not ignoring the HV... and I'm a hardcore BFer myself. Some women truly are just horrible in nature and will do anything to feel better about themselves. But not all mothers who have/still BF are like that I just hate the mentality that if you BF, and succeeded for any length of time, you automatically think you are better than anyone. I definitely don't.

wow...that's all...wow...they love the use the child wellfare threat don't they?

I thought as long as they gained weight it was ok??

 

[LPF]

If there wasn't any formula at all, I guess more babies would die, donar milk would have a captive market and cost a fair bit and maybe more people would try and persevere with bf when maybe they chose to stop.

The thing is, our society has developed to one of huge choice and development. Not just formula but think of health care developments keeping people alive, fertility treatment giving some the choice to have children where previously they couldnt, choice to work and have a career etc.

I read earlier that no formula would mean mums weren't forced back into work.....but actually I wanted to go back to work. I have a very good job that I'm proud of. I went back part time so I could still spend time with my son but bf had nothing to do with it.

I bf for 6 months but it was a horrible experience, I don't know what all the fuss is about, I hated each and every feed - not because it was painful or anything, I just didn't like it. I only did it because I knew it was probably best. I always knew I could swap to formula. If I knew I HAD to bf to a year and not go back to work - I probably wouldn't have a baby.

Such is life now - we fought long and hard to have choice in women's life!!

 

[fantastica]

Where does this 1% of people can't bf actually come from? Because i'm not entirely sure it can be accurate.

 

[pinklightbulb]

I never BF to show I was better than anyone. It was what I wanted to do. I was forced into FF by my HV who was going to report me to child welfare if I didn't switch him as he wasn't gaining how *she* wanted him to. If not wanting my son taken off me by the State isn't a good enough reason to FF I don't know what is, lol.

But that being said, I would probably still get hardcore BFers after me for not ignoring the HV... and I'm a hardcore BFer myself. Some women truly are just horrible in nature and will do anything to feel better about themselves. But not all mothers who have/still BF are like that I just hate the mentality that if you BF, and succeeded for any length of time, you automatically think you are better than anyone. I definitely don't.

wow...that's all...wow...they love the use the child wellfare threat don't they?

I thought as long as they gained weight it was ok??

Apparently not, in my case I fought with her for weeks before she made her final threat and I caved in. It was awful and I still cry remembering how terrified I was that tomorrow SS would come and take my son. I had to prove I was FF him by X time next week or they would be on my doorstep... not much of a choice was it

 

[Scottish mum]

LPF it's like reading something I wrote! This is me all over!! I too am looking forward to work I love my job and I hated bf!! It was so emotional, time consuming and bloody uncomfortable. I wanted my life back to normal asap that might sound a bit selfish but lo has blended in nicely to our lifestyle hence the reason I'm still sane as a new mother lol x

 

[Kage76]

Where does this 1% of people can't bf actually come from? Because i'm not entirely sure it can be accurate.

I believe it came from a who study done back in the 80's. It looked at indigenous populations in places like Guatemala where there was little or no access to modern formula (and medicine) .

They found that in these populations that the actual failure of lactation (defined as NO milk at all- not low supply not issues with latching absolutely no milk at all) was 1%. But even then because they were large family groups other women would step in and help raise and feed the child.

It did also note that the child mortality was higher- but hey the 1% has a nice ring to it.

To me the main flaw in the 1% theory (and boy do i HATE that statistic) is this- 1% of women cant lactate. so that means that of the approximate 297,000 babies born in Australia 2970 women will produce NO milk at all. (5% is more common now when they bring up that stat, that's nearly 15000 women who cant produce milk) that's not a small number. Not to mention the ones that still produce but not enough and not to mention those who find it painful and can't continue.

Secondly- a women in a family group has a lot of support- everyone has breastfed, so they have a wealth of support and experience at their beck and call.

Women in Guatemala are the ultimate attachment parents their babies go with them everywhere- they work, live and go about their day to day business with their babies. Which is wonderful- but to compare the two cultures and expect women who have to go back to work, don't have the support and experience to help them get over the breastfeeding hurdles, and the backup of family members to wet nurse when there are issues, to have the same success rates as these women is a very high benchmark.

 

[overcomer79]

I never BF to show I was better than anyone. It was what I wanted to do. I was forced into FF by my HV who was going to report me to child welfare if I didn't switch him as he wasn't gaining how *she* wanted him to. If not wanting my son taken off me by the State isn't a good enough reason to FF I don't know what is, lol.

But that being said, I would probably still get hardcore BFers after me for not ignoring the HV... and I'm a hardcore BFer myself. Some women truly are just horrible in nature and will do anything to feel better about themselves. But not all mothers who have/still BF are like that I just hate the mentality that if you BF, and succeeded for any length of time, you automatically think you are better than anyone. I definitely don't.

wow...that's all...wow...they love the use the child wellfare threat don't they?

I thought as long as they gained weight it was ok??

Apparently not, in my case I fought with her for weeks before she made her final threat and I caved in. It was awful and I still cry remembering how terrified I was that tomorrow SS would come and take my son. I had to prove I was FF him by X time next week or they would be on my doorstep... not much of a choice was it

I hate the threat of child services!

 

[smokey]

I think, formula should only be avalable to buy with a prescription from the Drs after youve proven you cant. or have a bloody good excuse. I think the fact its easy to get. and that bottles are "pretty" attracts to meany who then dont want to try breastfeeding. and alot. regret it after!.

Out of curiousity what would you do with a screaming hungry baby that you cant feed in the 2-3 weeks it would take to get a appointment, be reffered for "testing" convince proffesionals you cant do it, phsycological evaluation, get another appointment for a perscription get the milk.
Not to mention the extremly personal and invasive testing involved in proving you cant bf and the mental bashing it would give to your confidence and increase the risks of pnd and further the failure as a mother feeling most new mums get especialy when having trouble with bf.

 

[Scottish mum]

I think, formula should only be avalable to buy with a prescription from the Drs after youve proven you cant. or have a bloody good excuse. I think the fact its easy to get. and that bottles are "pretty" attracts to meany who then dont want to try breastfeeding. and alot. regret it after!.

Out of curiousity what would you do with a screaming hungry baby that you cant feed in the 2-3 weeks it would take to get a appointment, be reffered for"testing" convince proffesionals you cant do it, phsycological
evaluation, get another
appointment for a perscription get
the milk.
Not to mention the extremly personal and invasive testing involved in proving you cant bf and the mental bashing it would give to your confidence and increase the
risks of pnd and further the failure
as a mother feeling most new
mums get especialy when having
trouble with bf.

Pixie what planet are you on? Formula saved my sanity and helped a very hungry baby! It should be a choice if you want to bf not everybody can or want to for that matter! I think you were very patronising!! You can't make that choice for other mothers!

 

[080509]

=S Any excuse is a bloody good excuse. just think that if you had to go to the Drs first how meny would walk away with advice and support over just popin to asda for formula for milk because they cant be ased. Im not against formula, just think that people decide not to even try or ask for suport and give in to quickly. Maybe im wrong. but im alowed my opnion no?

Maybe learn to spell before you begin to criticise others with their "excuses"

 

[socitycourty]

Pixles wow god forbid something you try to do doesn't go exactly according to perfect plan...way to shit on a bunch of moms at once.

 

[staralfur]

I don't agree with her, but what does her spelling have to do with anything?

 

[AP]

=S Any excuse is a bloody good excuse. just think that if you had to go to the Drs first how meny would walk away with advice and support over just popin to asda for formula for milk because they cant be ased. Im not against formula, just think that people decide not to even try or ask for suport and give in to quickly. Maybe im wrong. but im alowed my opnion no?

Maybe learn to spell before you begin to criticise others with their "excuses"

It's one thing having a debate but another picking on people personally, so I ask that it stops.

 

[Scottish mum]

I bought formula before I had lo it was my husbands idea.... God bless him as two weeks after lo was born I was really struggling to bf it was sore lo wasn't getting enough and he needed more. My oh made formula one night and I never looked back! It helped my mood too I started to feel good as a mother! God forbid pixies that one day you will have to change to formula or do something you have been so opinionated about! Motherhood is hard and you have to do what ever is easy for you and lo and whatever makes lo happy!!