Breast feeding, pros and cons

Savvy_Sue

I do not have time to read all the answers so will probably repeat a few of them, but you need to make it clear to your partner that you're not solely in favour of breast feeding because then it's HER job not yours, especially at 3 am ...

Breastfeeding a baby takes more than a mum. You need someone else to support mum, make plentiful cups of tea, do all the things she can't do while she's sat on her rear end feeding. Then there's the winding, burping, and nappy changing which follows every feed. Not to mention DS1's habit of puking it all straight back again because he never knew when to stop ... and then the need to start all over again because he now had an empty tummy.

Also if you get a baby (like DS1) who ONLY goes to sleep sucking flesh, Dad's thumb or finger is almost as good as Mum's, although a poor second to nipple.

So, your partner needs to know you're wanting to support her if she decides to breastfeed, that you'll be there for all the grotty bits.

From a moneysaving point of view, there's no contest. Even eating for two, it's got to be cheaper than formula and sterilising bottles. But I realise money's not everything ... and the bras don't come cheap! :rotfl:

surreysaver

Has this thread stopped at last?!

Anyway, don't anyone here look at the back page of the Nursing Standard Magazine for 6-12 August!

JimmyTheWig

Why, what's on it?

surreysaver

It has in bigger writing than the rest of the text "Breastmilk gives babies the best start in life."

Then goes on to say "But sometimes a mother cannot, or chooses not to, breastfeed; so can her choice of infant formula make a difference to her bottlefed baby's health?

"New research shows that babies fed a formula with prebiotic oligosaccharides during the first 6 months of life may experience health benefits, incuding lower incidence of diarrhoea and atopic dermatitis, for up to 2 years.

"Aptamil First contains IMMUNOFORTIS prebiotic oligosaccharides. That's why you can count on Aptamil First."

Then in really small writing at the bottom it says: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care."

foreversomeday

Yes, but it's an advert written in a leading way which makes it sound as though it is saying that formula is just as good as breastmilk (or very very close).

The advert is really saying that some formulas are better than others. I'd be prepared to believe this as they all have different ingredients, but the advert doesn't say a lot apart from that.

Dormouse

I don't know if the OP still reads this thread (I've only just found this), but just wanted to say well done to him for taking such an interest in his baby's feeding. If the OP's OH does decide to give BFing a go, she will find it so much easier with such a supportive partner. :T

From a personal perspective, I have BFed two babies until 12 months (well, still feeding the youngest as he's not 1 yet) and am really pleased I did. You hear so many doom and gloom stories about BFing (and I'm not wishing to undermine the experiences of mums who found it really hard, not at all ), but people should be aware that it is possible to have easy, pain-free BFing, with babies putting on shedloads of weight (my youngest is on the 98th centile :rotfl: ).

So pros: easy, quick, no faffing about with bottles, saving money and the environment, more pleasant poos and no constipation for the baby.

Cons: tied to the baby, leaking, can't have certain medicines.

The issue of other people not bonding with the baby because they can't feed it is rubbish. There are so many other ways of spending time with the baby.

The key issue is information. If someone knows all the facts and chooses to FF, it's their business. However, the formula companies are so powerful and their messages are ingrained in the nation's mentality, and it will take a long time to change that.

Krystaltips

surreysaver wrote: »

It has in bigger writing than the rest of the text "Breastmilk gives babies the best start in life."

Then goes on to say "But sometimes a mother cannot, or chooses not to, breastfeed; so can her choice of infant formula make a difference to her bottlefed baby's health?

"New research shows that babies fed a formula with prebiotic oligosaccharides during the first 6 months of life may experience health benefits, incuding lower incidence of diarrhoea and atopic dermatitis, for up to 2 years.

"Aptamil First contains IMMUNOFORTIS prebiotic oligosaccharides. That's why you can count on Aptamil First."

Then in really small writing at the bottom it says: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care."

Immunofortis is actually a made up name... and illegal...

rachnbri

surreysaver wrote: »

Has this thread stopped at last?!

It had stopped!

rachnbri

surreysaver wrote: »

It has in bigger writing than the rest of the text "Breastmilk gives babies the best start in life."

Then goes on to say "But sometimes a mother cannot, or chooses not to, breastfeed; so can her choice of infant formula make a difference to her bottlefed baby's health?

"New research shows that babies fed a formula with prebiotic oligosaccharides during the first 6 months of life may experience health benefits, incuding lower incidence of diarrhoea and atopic dermatitis, for up to 2 years.

"Aptamil First contains IMMUNOFORTIS prebiotic oligosaccharides. That's why you can count on Aptamil First."

Then in really small writing at the bottom it says: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: Breastfeeding is best for babies. Infant formula is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. It is recommended that all formula milks be used on the advice of a doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care."

I don't really understand what your point is . It's a standard formula advert - nowhere does it claim that it's as good as breastmilk.

foreversomeday

Krystaltips wrote: »

Immunofortis is actually a made up name... and illegal...

I doubt it's illegal. Formula companies have to jump through so many hoops with their advertising I would imagine they spend a lot of money checking the ads for legal issues. I would imagine the "Immunofortis" is a trademarked product name rather than a reference to an actual chemical or vitamin.

I do like how they make up names for things though, it reminds me of anti ageing creams with their "Pro-Retinol-A" which is plain old Vitamin A!

The ad is misleading to the uneducated eye, but so are pretty much all ads (Not just formula ads). If you read it carefully though it does state that it's only comparing the health of babies fed this particular formula with other formula fed babies' health.