Breast feeding, pros and cons

surreysaver

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Reading through this thread, the hostility really does seem to be directed more at BF mothers than those who choose to FF.

The other way round to the real world, then! :rolleyes:

surreysaver

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

That's the reason why, say, Aptimil have created pretty-near identical packets / cartons, and labelled them 1-2-3. They can, and do, advertise the "follow on" milks for older babies. And now, they just happen to look exactly like the newborn ones....

Makes life easier for the FF babies, then. It needs to be like that to counter-act the actions of people such as yourself.

surreysaver

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Interesting, that you consistently use "hippies" in a derogatory way. Why, I wonder, do you think that (a) BF mothers are all "hippies", and (b) that's a bad thing anyway?

(a) Not all of them. Just those such as yourself who shove it down others' throats

(b) It is you who thinks it is a bad thing. Not me:rolleyes: If you take it as an insult, then you obviously realise it is you who is in the wrong.

neverdespairgirl

surreysaver wrote: »

I am not using it in a derog\tory way. I am just doing it because it winds you up!

Hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy, hippy.

It doesn't wind me up, I find it amusing, I just wondered why it's your word of choice.

daphne_descends

surreysaver wrote: »

Due to you hippy types not wanting people to know their options or making an informed decision.

:rotfl:at the idea of an informed decision. Formula companies won't even tell you why they put in what they do - search this forum alone for lots of disgruntled parent's complaining about Farley's recently, they have changed their milk and charge £3 more for it - but they can't seem to explain why.

Also :rotfl:at formula companies not advertising.

I don't really care what I am labelled. I don't care what anyone thinks. I am not politically motivated, or trying to make a point - I am just feeding my baby the best thing for him. Breastmilk is superior to formula milk. It protects against allergies - formula milk can't do that. It changes composition according to my baby's needs - formula milk can't do that. It is always at the correct temperature and sterile. When the weather is hot, breastmilk is more watery to ensure your baby is kept hydrated. Formula can't do that either

thatgirlsam

im a bit offended by the poster who said bottlefed babies do not bond as well with their mothers..
this is NONSENSE..
my babies were bottle fed for my own reasons and i had no problem bonding with them whatsoever..

also like to add neither have any allergies, never had ear infections and are both really bright..
my daughter in fact has reached level 4 for reading and she is in year 3..
its not nice to suggest that bottlefed babies will somehow turn out inferior to breast fed babies..

the health benefits of bf are well known.. but i would be interested to know how it does make a human being superior

eta - i work in a maternity unit, and we promote choice and support mums whichever way they decide to feed

galvanizersbaby

I have to agree with thatgirlsam - I think it's nonsense to suggest that bottlefed babies don't bond as well as bf babies - this is just one of the 'benefits' pushed with breastfeeding if I remember correctly.

And to the poster that wondered how bottlefeeding mothers console their babies 'when only a booby will do' - well sorry but that's just rubbish - there are lots of other ways to comfort your baby

We all know that breast is best for baby - surely no one is debating that but I don't think it makes a baby superior to a bottle fed baby - there are too many other factors to take in to account in the wider picture.

I think it is a shame that this has degenerated in to a slanging match between a few people - after all we all do our best for our children - it's not a competition

JimmyTheWig

AnnieM wrote: »

I am shocked at the hostility some people show towards even the idea that a mother might not breastfeed

You could argue it is fair to show the same hosility to a mother who refuses their baby breastmilk as would be shown to a mother who smokes in the presence of their baby.

The problem, though, is with the lack of support for those who want to breastfeed and the constant media bias towards formula.

PeskyPenguin

I think we all get the message that breast milk is best. Its nothing we didn't already know! And obviously as this is MSE some posters are going to harp on about the cost of formula too.

I'm well educated, in my thirties and made my choice to FF. I'm one of your worst type of mothers who never entertained the thought of BF and I, as a woman, made the choice not to have my baby at my boob for 6m (or 3 years!). My DH, my Mum and my sisters all fed my baby too and I got some well earned rest in the early days! (and don't require touche eclat lol). We have all bonded very well thank you for your concern.

My baby is put in her cot at 7pm....I then become wife and lover to my DH and the marital bed is our own. I would never consider the notion of co-sleeping. Thats my choice.

I also made the decision to be a SAHM for the next few years or so. I would not consider leaving my baby at 3m (or 2 days!) old. Its my job as a parent to raise my child. Thats my choice.

I have enjoyed reading this debate but not one post has made me feel guilty for the choice I made nor the choice I will make for any future babies. It certainly is an emotive subject!

thatgirlsam

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

You could argue it is fair to show the same hosility to a mother who refuses their baby breastmilk as would be shown to a mother who smokes in the presence of their baby.

The problem, though, is with the lack of support for those who want to breastfeed and the constant media bias towards formula.

what??
are you seriously comparing the two?
there are plenty of reasons a mum can't bf.. i work in a maternity unit, and see plenty everyday..
that is shocking to suggest a mum who doesn't bf is the same as one who smokes over her baby. total ignorance.
there is plenty of support for mums who bf in hospital.. a lot more support than for those who don't wish to in fairness..
they have a lactation consultant, midwives, mca's all there to support them..

in fact when you have spent a whole nightshift hand expressing with a mum who's baby is in neonatal unit you can comment on how much support they get.