Baby Milk Price Hike!

Glamazon

feelinggood wrote: »

I would feel very upset/emotional.

I mean, why does the discussion of formula being sub-optimal, not ideal, not as good as breastmilk, feel like an attack?

Because it makes you feel like you aren't giving your baby the best which is an emotional thing as everyone wants to do the best by their children.
In actual fact you are doing the best job you can as a mother whether it's BF or FF.

Formula might not be 'the best' but sometimes it's the only thing you can give, I can't see why that is such a bad thing

feelinggood_2

Glamazon wrote: »

Because it makes you feel like you aren't giving your baby the best which is an emotional thing as everyone wants to do the best by their children.
In actual fact you are doing the best job you can as a mother whether it's BF or FF.

Formula might not be 'the best' but sometimes it's the only thing you can give, I can't see why that is such a bad thing

Most women who give up breastfeeding wanted to continue, so we need to change things so women can keep breastfeeding.

Breastmilk direct from Mum is best, then expressed milk from Mum, then milk from another Mum, then Formula. We should work at giving each baby the best possible. If Formula is the only option, then it is the only option, but shouldn't we try and give the best for all babies?

We can all only do what is possible, but why can't we work at making the best possible for more?

That is why I don't think formula should be advertised, discounted or be on special offer.

Edinburghlass_2

You know what I'm just glad I had my baby, now 19, before the advent of the internet then it was only the odd person pontificating about how I should "best" feed my baby and not the whole of society.

xmaslolly76

Feelingood i respect your opinion but personally i think sites like that one do nothing to help and do just make women feel bad about their choices. Your last post was far more helpfull and objective and i think women would positivley react to information when given in that format.

i'm a pig headed cow so if anyone makes me feel like a bad mother i will just switch off to them. If they say there are things that can be tried and we are here to help then it would be gratefully accepted. :-)

xmaslolly76

cheers fitzio i will take a trip to boots tomorrow :-)

Glamazon

xmaslolly76 wrote: »

cheers fitzio i will take a trip to boots tomorrow :-)

I'm sure it was £7.89 in ASDA the other day

winnie81

Glamazon wrote: »

This quote (the first line) makes me so :mad::mad::mad:

"The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior. These are difficult words, but they have an appropriate place in our vocabulary."

So I'm now a bad mother because I chose to have surgery years ago and now what I am feeding my baby is deficient, incomplete and inferior. It's the only thing he can have as I have no supply, so not only do I feel guilty for starving my baby in the first few days due to my determination to BF because of the Breast is Best pressure I can now feel guilty because the only thing that I can give him isn't good enough.
Wow I feel so much better now!

Ohh that line also made me :mad: My last 2 children were allergic to breast milk and were on a prescribed diet of specialist formulas and supplements so in my case Breast milk was no way superior :mad:. Breast is great if you/baby can have/do it but if not then no-one should feel bad for choosing a formula milk :mad:

Unfortunately this is such an emotive subject that feelings will ride high and not everyone will agree with each other but we must all understand and respect everyones view even if different.

fernliebee

I can completely understand why you feel emotional about it Glamazon, mum's are built to feel guilty, I feel guilt about various things constantly even though rationally I know I have done the best for my DD in every way I can.

I do however believe that what the article is saying is that the words used to describe formula are fact, it is less than breast milk. However that fact does not make you a bad mum. A bad mum would be starving their child, or neglecting them- you are giving him the next best thing, and no-one will look down on you for that. You wanted to Bfeed him, but physically couldn't- not your fault! I know you prob will always feel emotionally about not BF bubs, but as much as you can forgive yourself as we are all our own worst critics.

I do feel that milk should not be subsidised/ available on offer etc unless mum/ baby has a medical condition that means it is impossible to BF- then it should be available on prescription IMO.

Many people still view BF as less than formula, somehow a bit weird or wrong, and others just don't want to do it (for many reasons but I have heard of people say it is gross, they hated the feel, wanted to drink instead, wanted to be able to leave baby with family over night etc) in these cases it is most definitely a choice and should be paid a premium for IMO. It is only for a year of their lives so it isn't such a hardship to have to pay for it.

I also feel that in this country formula is viewed as equal to breastmilk, and the fact is that it is not as good- hence the government breast is best campaign. I don't feel it should be rammed down peoples necks but the fact is it is not as good- it is a second best. It is a substitute. Just like we all know chocolate is bad for us, but as part of a healthy diet it is OK. Formula may not be AS good, but as part of a healthy lifestyle it is a good substitute. It provides the right amount of calories and vitamins for baby to grow, and then a healthy diet will take over.

Ultimately the government don't have the right balance IMO. They preach breast is best, yet don't actually have enough trained professionals who know their stuff about BF to support women in this. Most MW are not up to date with their BF knowledge and many still tell women myths, half truths or out and out lies about BF. I have heard all sorts of ridiculous claims made ranging from you can't breast feed a jaundice baby to top ups are essential in first few days as they aren't getting any milk! Ridiculous! Ultimately when the government provide the right amount of support, correct and consistant advise, they will be in a situation where they can preach to us, until then we all do the best we can and try not to judge each other for our choices, women/ mothers should be looking out for each other as we all know how hard it is!

ETA: Blimey whopper post alert! Sorry!

JBD

feelinggood wrote: »

Almost all breastfeeding problems can be solved with the right help, support and information. Some may not want to overcome them, that is fine, but I don't think it is right or fair to perpetuate the myth that it often doesn't work out. Unfortunately this is something we as a society seem to do.

Also of interest might be this:
http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/files/nutrition_code_english.pdf

I was referring to those babies with reflux and other medical problems who needed formula on medical advice. How is that a myth? 2 posters at the beginning of this thread said this applied to their babies.

winnie81

feelinggood wrote: »

Almost all breastfeeding problems can be solved with the right help, support and information. Some may not want to overcome them, that is fine, but I don't think it is right or fair to perpetuate the myth that it often doesn't work out. Unfortunately this is something we as a society seem to do.

Also of interest might be this:
http://www.unicef.org/nutrition/files/nutrition_code_english.pdf

Since my last 2 were allergic to breast milk what would you of suggested to feed my kids? My babies couldn't tolerate breast milk and ended up very ill and extremely under weight in hospital and it took a long time to feed them with a mix of formulas and in a year my 3rd youngest only gained 8lbs in weight to weigh 14lb at 1yr! (She was a long baby too so should've been a lot more) Should I of continued watching my child become emaciated because "Breast is Best"?
Not everything is as it seems and your statement is really hurtful to those who cannot feed by breast and I am all for choice if someone decided breast isn't for them then so be it they shouldn't be made to feel terrible for it. I agree some give up easily but there is very little help for those struggling - I certainly wasn't helped at all with my first 2 and if i received the help I asked for I could've stuck with it but I was a young mum struggling with feeding and no-one offered help so we switched to forumla. I asked the midwives in hospital, midwives at home and health visitor and no-one helped at all. If people want breast to be more normalised EVERY mum should have one on one time with a specialist feeding nurse after giving birth until they can feed easily so both mum and baby are happy. I doubt anyone could argue breast should be first choice but for many this isn't the case for a wide variety of issues I honestly don't think its all black and white.