breastfeeeding

rainbowrisin

Please bear in mind that some women genuinely do not produce enough milk through b/f - I tried desperately hard to b/f both my littlies - I had advice from NCT / midwives / la leche, the lot.

My first baby's body weight dropped by 18% in the first fortnight, despite me b/f exclusively and getting lots of expert help and advice. I was told that either I needed to use formula or baby would have to go to hospital as was slowly starving. The same thing happened with my second baby. I did go to my GP to see if there was some form of hormone I could take, as my milk came in, but never enough, but they weren't aware of anything.

As it happens, both mine are very advanced and healthy, even though they had formula after the first couple of weeks.

I'm not saying breast isn't best, but please remember that we're not all lazy, stupid, unmotivated or otherwise unworthy because we use formula.

Thanks.

Cinders2001

Sorry you were willing but were unable.
I think I would have found that REALLY hard. I never even gave bottle feeding a second thought as I wanted to Breast Feed and in my mind that's what I was going to do.
I just don't know how I would have mentally coped if I found that I had to Bottle Feed.
That may sound strange - but then I am strange, who wouldn't be after Feeding 2 girls, 3 1/2 years each = 7 years of Breast Feeding!!!!

Poppy_P

I've loved reading this thread. It's made me boobs all tingly!!

I b/fed my son for 13 months and found it so easy. I'm just sad that I won't get the chance again, as it was one of, if not the most rewarding experience of my life. My sis-in-law has fed all 4 of hers and my step-sister is currently feeding her second.

Yes, I understand that there are a *few* who for various reasons can't b/feed, but the majority who don't have no valid reason. What would they do if there were no alternatives - sit and watch their child starve rather than risk 'spoiling' their boobs?

rainbowrisin

Cinders2001 wrote:

Sorry you were willing but were unable.
I think I would have found that REALLY hard. I never even gave bottle feeding a second thought as I wanted to Breast Feed and in my mind that's what I was going to do.
I just don't know how I would have mentally coped if I found that I had to Bottle Feed.
That may sound strange - but then I am strange, who wouldn't be after Feeding 2 girls, 3 1/2 years each = 7 years of Breast Feeding!!!!

I wasn't best chuffed TBH, but when it's a case of carry on and watch your baby starve to death, or give them some formula, the agonising takes second place.
I did feel like I was giving strychnine the first few bottles, but as b/f wasn't a viable option for me, I decided I could either beat myself up forever about something over which I had no control, or get over it and concentrate on being the best mother I could regarding things I could control.

Yes, I did feel desperately, desperately guilty, but as I would've felt a d..n sight more guilty had I allowed my children to starve any further, I just got on with it really.

I must admit I do get a tad irritated by mothers who rub it in your face about what dedicated breast feeders they are and how diabolical formula is, as it's a sore point with me, as you can imagine. That said, I get irritated by most judgemental parenting stances - people pretty much parent as best they can given the circumstances they're in, I think.

Soapy955

I had to go to the doctor the other day and as I was being put on penicillin I told the nurse that I was breastfeeding. She looked shocked, looked at her computer screen and asked how old my daughter was. When I said she will be three in June she said "Well done" but then told me that I really should be stopping it, for my sake, as extended breastfeeding drains your bones and teeth. She said it was making me look very tired too! :eek:
She then told me she fed her son for longer than she had planned as he just wouldn't stop. I thought she would sympathise with me because of that but I left the surgery feeling like I was doing something wrong.

yorkshirepudding_4

hey soapy

same here

my doc wants to prescribe me something but can't till i stop feeding. he has advised me to stop. I have had a second opinion from another doctor who said it wasnot good conduct for the doctor to advise me to stop feeding, whatever age my child is. Stick with it.

inkie

This has been an excellent thread to read! I'm a MW, and also B/f both my two until they weaned themselves at 1. I'm a bit concerned though that fellow professionals are advising people to stop. Keep at it, if both you and your littlies are happy with it - our bodies can cope with it, and are indeed designed for feeding

kondormid

Ah what the hell, I might as well muck the whole apple cart up.

There is something about this whole breast is best thing that no one bothers to tell you. So I will. Not that I am saying it isn't best, just that it is better to have all the facts and not just the ones a certain organisation or three want you to believe.

OK, here is my story. A very close freind of mine died. Before he died they worked out what was killing him. It was something called HTLV Type 1. Chances are he had it in his system for 20 years or so. Well, they tested his girlfriend and sure enough she had it too. Tested a few of his Ex's and yup. more possetives.

They had 3 kids. Then the bombshells. You see kids can get this from drinking there mothers breast milk, and it can kill them (5% chance) not there and then, but in about 20 years time. So the question they asked her was "did you breast feed your children" to which she replied that she did.

Of course, she was not happy about this, who would be, and she asked why there was no screening, "Oh at the moment is still quite rare so we do not screen for it".

So that makes everything OK then. The fact they told her that her breast milk was best when infact it was deadly to them is ok, because it is rare.

No, no no no.

You can not say for deffinate that breast is best unless you have had screenings for such things as HTLV type 1 (it is different to HIV screening), now I do hope that they do screen now, I have no idea, I do know that 9 years ago they did not. I will put money on it that some children will not see there 20th birthday because someone told there mother that breast was best.

But even if they do test for HTLV type 1 now (I wouldn't be supprised if they don't) what other stuff is out there that I personally do not know about, will I see another friend die in the future of some "rare" virus and will I watch his familly go through hell and ask the Drs "why didn't you test?" will they get the same reply "it is too rare"

Now for the good bit, she found it difficult to breast feed, used to get very sore and in the end could not take the pain. This is probably what saved her childrens life, for although her fella died of it, although she may too, her children will not because they are all negative. Just to let you grasp a picture, I am talking about 2 every day people, in there 30s with 3 kids, and 5 years ago they were very fit and healthy.

Obviously I will not get any thanks at all for this post, which is fair enough, it just sort of grinds me a little when the "breast is best" brigade fire up with what I have seen friends go though.

Good luck to you all.

Soapy955

I'm a bit offended with the tag "Breast is Best Brigade", as if we are putting bottle feeding mothers down or belittling them.
I'm not telling anyone that breastfeeding is the only way to feed your child and I'm not putting guilt trips on people who don't breastfeed. I'm just telling my experiences of the prejudice I have found towards me, as if I'm some kind of freak for breastfeeding my child for longer than "the norm".
Each to their own I say but for me breastfeeding has been a rewarding experience as it has given me the convenience of not having to prepare feeds and not having to strilise anything, it was a fast way to get my baby fed when she wanted it, whenever or wherever we were. It also gave me overwhelming feelings of love for my child to see her trusting little face as she fed!
I know that when the day comes when my daughter doesn't want it anymore I will feel a sense of loss in a way as I enjoy the closeness it brings!

In answer to the poster who lost their friend due to breastfeeding, while I sympathise with you and their family, I feel the positives far outweigh the slight chance of something like that happening.
There are a lot more hazardous things that could kill you than being breastfed so I think I'll take my chances!


Hope this hasn't offended anyone.

yorkshirepudding_4

I am sorry to hear about you friends, that is a sad story. But the point that has been made is that IN GENERAL breastfeeding is the best option for children, and mothers. As has been said for every poorly breastfed baby there is a healthy bottlefed baby, but, across the board the trends are still there. Yes you friends children may be at risk but what about the 150,00 children that die every year as a result of being bottlefed?