Breastfeeding

sarahg1969

I agree that it's up to a mum to decide what she thinks is best for her and her baby. However, I wonder how many mums research formula before they feed it to their baby? I must admit I didn't when I gave it to my first three (who were BF to 8, 10 and 10 months). My fourth child never had formula at all, except for the one occasion in hospital the day after he was born, when it was given to him against my express wishes (because the MW thought I needed my sleep).:mad:

poet123

sarahg1969 wrote: »

I agree that it's up to a mum to decide what she thinks is best for her and her baby. However, I wonder how many mums research formula before they feed it to their baby? I must admit I didn't when I gave it to my first three (who were BF to 8, 10 and 10 months). My fourth child never had formula at all, except for the one occasion in hospital the day after he was born, when it was given to him against my express wishes (because the MW thought I needed my sleep).:mad:

Research in what way? with regard to the nutrient content etc?

sarahg1969

poet123 wrote: »

Research in what way? with regard to the nutrient content etc?

Yes, and what it's made of, how it's made, etc (not just SMA v Aptamil). Parents make a lot of fuss about cooking fresh, rather than feeding from tins or jars, or they choose organic jars, but I wonder how many find out what goes into formula, or where the ingredients come from? For example, how many people would know that there are now no vegetarian formulas available on the UK market?

I read a discussion on another forum some time ago, where one of the members was surprised to discover that formula was made from cow's milk. I have no idea what she did think it was made from!

poet123

sarahg1969 wrote: »

Yes, and what it's made of, how it's made, etc (not just SMA v Aptamil). Parents make a lot of fuss about cooking fresh, rather than feeding from tins or jars, or they choose organic jars, but I wonder how many find out what goes into formula, or where the ingredients come from? For example, how many people would know that there are now no vegetarian formulas available on the UK market?

I read a discussion on another forum some time ago, where one of the members was surprised to discover that formula was made from cow's milk. I have no idea what she did think it was made from!

I am not sure how this is particularly relevant? all formula milk is safe and has been rigorously tested and used for years. There are organic baby formulas, soy based ones and I suppose if you were vegetarian you would make your choice of how to feed with all the options having been looked at.

Your inference seems to be that there is some underlying dark secret which those who choose formula would uncover if only they did some digging.

Is that your intention or assertion?

sarahg1969

No. I'm not implying anything at all. It's just something I wondered - I think it's sometimes difficult to ask questions about formula without people becoming defensive, and assuming you have an ulterior motive. I seriously was just curious.

barbiedoll

All formula milks produced for the British market, have to contain certain ingredients by law. This is to ensure that they are nutritious enough for babies and that no unnecessary ingredients are added. Bascially, despite what HV's, mums and advertisements say, all standard formula milks are the same.

At my hospital, we were finding that many mums were getting distressed by the insistence of the birth centre midwives that all mums breastfeed before they were "allowed" to leave the hospital after the birth. Many of them would have been happy to breastfeed but they would have liked to keep formula on hand, "just in case" and they resented the implication that if they found BF difficult, it was because they weren't trying hard enough or that they were just being awkward. We (community midwives) had a bit of a moan about it, and things seem to have relaxed a little lately.

The worst case that I heard of was a woman who had her breast grabbed, her baby pushed onto her nipple and the midwife telling her that "your baby could die if you don't feed him, is that what you want?" The woman had previously suffered sexual abuse and had some serious body issues (she had a C-section for the same reason). She was adamant that she didn't want to breastfeed, this was in her notes and was made clear to staff on the ward. There is NO justification for any health professional forcing their views onto a patient, we may know that breast milk is superior to formula but it remains mum's choice. I would defend any woman's right to feed her baby how she wants, it's my job to inform her of the benefits of BF, but it's also my job to support her in caring for her baby, if that includes formula feeding, I don't have a problem with that.

One of the reasons that some women (especially the younger ones) cite for not breastfeeding is that they consider breasts as "sexual" and for attracting men, not for feeding babies. This is probably because our culture sees a huge pair of breasts on a billboard as harmless advertising, whereas a picture of a woman feeding her baby, posted on Facebook, is removed for being "obscene." And they wonder why breastfeeding rates here are among the lowest in the world! :mad:

poet123

sarahg1969 wrote: »

No. I'm not implying anything at all. It's just something I wondered - I think it's sometimes difficult to ask questions about formula without people becoming defensive, and assuming you have an ulterior motive. I seriously was just curious.

The inference was there though, that research was needed before using formula. It is a tried and tested feeding method so why would anyone need to research it? any more than you would research paracetamol before taking it, or Calpol before using it for teething.

On a personal level most mum's question; that is, they look at which formula will best suit their child. What people object to is those who are not content to make their own decisions re feeding, but want to make them for others too, and who try to achieve this by undermining that choice by insidious suggestion that harm can be done by formula feeding.

lindseykim13

I formula fed my first 2 children didn't even atempt to breastfeed them, i was young and it made me cringe. I had no experience of it as i myself had been bottlefed and knew nobody that b'fed. I got no encouragement to breastfeed from any midwife at all. It wasn't even mentioned after i had given birth other than asking what i was going to do.
5 years after my 2nd i had my 3rd child and after researching on the internet and getting advice from other mums i decided to give it a go. My dd is now 19mths and still breastfed.
I only wish i had had the same support i got this time with breastfeeding to have felt able to have done it for my first 2 children.
It was extremely difficult and this needs to be told to new mums it is not easy, i had split and bleeding nipples but i pushed through the tears for the first 3 weeks! After which is got pain free.
My dd fed every hour, it is normal for b'fed babies to do this, she was fed every hour for the first 3mths or so then this gradually increased. She still now only goes for a max of 4 hours lol

As i have had the experience of both i like to think that midwifes/hv would encourage a mum to at least try it, inform them that it will hurt instead of sugar coating it. But above all be helpfull and suportive if a mum would rather formula feed.

I would also like to think that people wouldn't encourage formula feeding, because it's easier/fills baby up/gives mum a rest etc yes it is ok but it is a substitute for breatfeeding and no more.

starjumper

Brilliant post Barbiedoll, thanks.

For me, we wanted to bf, bought the creams, pads, bras etc before baby came, was all geared up, had an emergency c-section following a traumatic 3 day labour following an induction and then baby was poorly so we had to stay in, the midwives (some of whom were fantastic*) spent 3 days milking me and not a drop could be found, so after 3 days of having my boobs grabbed, pulled, prodded, shoved, stuck onto pumps etc we gave it up as a bad job and have bottle fed all the way.

If we were to have another baby I'd give it another go but I wouldn't break my heart if it didn't work out again. My baby is fantastic and doesn't seem to be any worse off than his bf chums.

* Have to say some were less fantastic and were insisting I needed to get 5oz a time into my newborn who struggled to have an oz a time and ended up throwing it back up, grrr

mumps

poet123 wrote: »

Probably because of the comments of those who would deny other mothers the choice to feed as they see fit or vilify them for doing so.

I don't think many seek to justify their decision,(why would they?) rather, they are defending their right to choose.

It works both ways, you wouldn't believe the abuse you get when feeding a two or three year old. I could never figure out why it bothered anyone what I was doing in my own home.