Breast feeding, pros and cons

neverdespairgirl

Nicolefury wrote: »

Whats the point in pressurising the mother into it? My sister didn't want to breastfeed, and wasnt encouraged once in the hospital.

There is a difference between encouraging and putting pressure on. In the same way that people should be encouraged not to smoke or become obese, they should be encouraged to BF.

neverdespairgirl

Broken_hearted wrote: »

Why, not everyone wants to BF many women are sick to death of people trying to force them to.

No-one is forced to BF. In some countries in Europe, I think forumla is only available on prescription for women who can't, or ought not, BF. That's more like forcing.

I find it appalling because there is little which is "sensible" in FF, unless there is a medical problem.

henrybenry

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

I BF my son (3 last week) from birth to 6 months, nothing added, and then introduced some solids. He is still BF now, (I'm a toddler-feeding weirdo) but only before bed and first thing in the morning.

I went back to work when Isaac was 3 months old, part-time, and full-time when he was 5 1/2 months. I expressed the milk he had when I was away from him until he was 14 months old, then he switched to normal milk during the day.

Best thing I've ever done.

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

There is a difference between encouraging and putting pressure on. In the same way that people should be encouraged not to smoke or become obese, they should be encouraged to BF.

Can't help thinking you were over encouraged possibly due to leaving your newborn at 12 weeks?

ginvzt

henrybenry wrote: »

Can't help thinking you were over encouraged possibly due to leaving your newborn at 12 weeks?

That is unfair. We all have our own reasons for going back to work and different circumstances, support, finances. If you read the message, she didn't switch to formula and actually breastfed till the little one was 14 months!!!! Actually, he still gets his share now!!!!!

Broken_hearted

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

No-one is forced to BF. In some countries in Europe, I think forumla is only available on prescription for women who can't, or ought not, BF. That's more like forcing.

I find it appalling because there is little which is "sensible" in FF, unless there is a medical problem.

Without the availability of specialist formula my son would have died, he came pretty close thans to MW and hospital staff trying to keep me BF. How about hearing the dangers of BF instead of the evils of FF. I thank god we had the option.
My other son was BF and did very well on it but you never forget the feeling of almost killing your own child with kindness. Yet hospitals are still deniying babies can be allergic to breast milk and putting other mothers and babies at risk. Oh and I asked before my son was born if it was possible as we had a family history of it but was told not to be stupid, if I'd have been told the truth I would never have taken the risk or at least watched more carefully for a reaction.

henrybenry

ginvzt wrote: »

That is unfair. We all have our own reasons for going back to work and different circumstances, support, finances. If you read the message, she didn't switch to formula and actually breastfed till the little one was 14 months!!!! Actually, he still gets his share now!!!!!

And we all have our reasons for not BFing. Kind of OK to be judged by BFers but not the other way around? That figures! :rolleyes:

And if you read her post, she still BF's her DS aged 3 hence my point about possibly over compensating.

Hell_Dans_Un_Handcart

Broken Hearted, I think the problem is, doctors and midwives aren't trained breastfeeding specialists. Even they, as medical professionals, give out a lot of outdated and sometimes plain wrong advice. A specialist should have been there to help you with your son. It really annoys me that the "breast is best" message is pushed with no back-up at all after babies are born.

Contains_Mild_Peril

I hadn't heard any advice against consuming milk, pop and chocolate while breastfeeding either (my DS is 14 now). I was told caffeine was OK in moderation, alcohol best avoided but acceptable in very small quantities, and also that very spicy or garlicky foods were also best avoided, not because spices do any harm but because they flavour the milk and the baby might not like it. I was also told that a generally sensible diet is good, e.g. plenty of fruit and veg etc, and obviously make sure you're eating enough.
I was a bit shy about feeding in public or in front of male relatives so always tried to be discreet about it and took a shawl with me, but when I see other mums breastfeeding quite unselfconsciously I think it's great.
I remember at the maternity hospital I was invited to go and see a demonstration of how to make up a bottle of formula. Since I happened to be feeding my baby at that particular moment, didn't plan on using formula any time soon and didn't see any real need to have it demonstrated when the instructions on the tin are quite clear, I decided it wasn't worth disturbing him for. Later, another nurse looked at my notes and asked why I'd refused to go the bottle demonstration.

neverdespairgirl

henrybenry wrote: »

Can't help thinking you were over encouraged possibly due to leaving your newborn at 12 weeks?

You've lost me. What do you mean?

neverdespairgirl

Broken_hearted wrote: »

Without the availability of specialist formula my son would have died, he came pretty close thans to MW and hospital staff trying to keep me BF. How about hearing the dangers of BF instead of the evils of FF. I thank god we had the option.

It is a Good Thing that formula exists. As well as the example you have given, there are mothers who need to take medicines which might pass through breastmilk and harm the baby. There are other cases too.

But they are the exception, not the rule.