View Full Version : ADvertiser article "breastfed babies are best"
2littleprincesses
19-04-2006, 10:56
GRRRRRRR
I bottlefed DD1 because at 3do she was starving. I had no milk, so I had to feed her formula. Once my milk came in she was already content with formula so that's what she was fed.
When #2 came along I had decided to bottlefeed as it worked for #1. I tried to breastfeed her in the hospital but she wasn't even 6 hours old and wouldn't feed off me.
Now, I'm flicking throught the Advertiser this morning (local free newspaper in Shellharbour/Kiama NSW) and there's an article saying "breastfed babies are best". There's something else about how breastfed babies are less likely to be hospitalised in the first 12 months than bottlefed babies.
Hospitalised for what? #1 has never been hospitalised, and #2 is 10mo and hasn't been hospitalised.
Where do they come up with this rubbish??!! I'm sorry, I know some people won't agree with me, but I'm really fed up with having breastfeeding shoved in my face like that.
Grrrr
But if you could have you would have, so basically you agree that breast is best?
I hope I can breastfeed, but if I can't then I don't want anyone making me feel bad either.
Don't worry about it. You don't have to fight the fight, just do what you know is best for your family. They're probably trying to encourage others rather than alienate you.
ButterflyKisses
19-04-2006, 11:21
yep I feel the same.
I couldn't breastfeed my DS so he was formula fed. I expressed for the 1st 7 weeks so he got the colostrum but I still had to 1/2 formula feed him because I wasn't expressing enough. He'll be 3 in June and has had 1 sniffly nose, runny bottom once but it was nothing drastic and it only lasted 2 days and a slight cough when he was 10 weeks old - end of story.
4 of my friends kids are roughly the same age as my DS with maybe a month or 2 difference and they all BF their kids and the whole lot of them have had every bug going around and everytime I see them at playgroup one or two of the kids has a runny nose. 2 of these ladies breastfed theirs until they were 2 1/2. So far this year 2 of those friends have taken their kids to the Dr one 3 times the other 4 times with runny nose/bug related problems.
maybe a coincidence maybe not. IMO I don't think runny noses/bugs etc has anything to do with whether a child was BF or forumula fed. IMO some kids are just more susceptible and exposed than others.
The formula they make these days is heaps better than in years gone by so I never worried thinking "oh no my son is not being BF he's going to grow up disadvantaged and be always sick". Maybe he has just been lucky or maybe it's because I feed him good food and not rubbish.
SugarBlossom
19-04-2006, 11:25
:smiliedance: I totally agree that breast is best
But formula is ok.
It is A FACT that breastfeed babies are better off.:smiliedance:
That is why I will breastfeed until DS is at least 2:smiliedance:
That is why I will breastfeed until DS is at least 2:smiliedance:
And what if you cant?
*My Lil Blondie*
19-04-2006, 11:31
i completely agree, when bubba was 4 days old i had to be re admitted to hospital and they wouldnt let me have him there over night so obviously he had to go onto bottles because i did not have the supply yet to be able to express enough for all that time. Brodie is 9 weeks old and has had one cold, i know 4 other babies in my mothers group who have been bottle feed since birth and they havent had colds, but the other 7 who breast feed have had numerous amounts of colds, coughs etc. i hate all this pressure to bf, i constantly get asked by strangers if im feeding him (hes a long boy and looks older than he is) and when i say no he has formula they always say "oh that will explain his size then, did you know that ff babies are more likely to be hospitalised....blah blah blah" i hate it :mad:
SugarBlossom
19-04-2006, 11:32
He is 9 months now and I still have an exellent supply so there is no reason why I would'nt be able to.
I did say formula is ok.......and If worse comes to worst formula is the back up.
MamaSage
19-04-2006, 11:32
I agree. Breast is best, formula is a substitute. I doubt they are playing guilt games to be honest, just stating facts.;)
SugarBlossom
19-04-2006, 11:35
totally agree with that carlia!
Why are you guys getting so defensive? Do you feel some sort of guilt?
If that is the case there is no need as everyone is different and b/feeding is not for everyone
The ABA is always pushing breast is best. But really Formula has come such a long way.
I have bottle fed both my boys from day 1 and I've never had any problems with either of them. Neither of them have had any serious health problems infact Nathan was nearly 2 before he got his 1st cold.
jessgray
19-04-2006, 11:37
my DS had never been sick till now (he has gastro but is recovering really well) he is a bottle fed bub. i hate the studies that come out stating breastfeed babies will be smarter etc coz really there is no 100% sure way to measure infant and toddler IQ.
my DS is developing very well he is ahead in some parts so i dont have any problems with him being on formula.
As for the BREAST IS BEST comment.....
I personally think everyone needs a :yelclap: for whatever they do...boob or bottle or both...they are doing the BEST they can and that is what is BEST!! :smiliedance:
As for the BREAST IS BEST comment.....
I personally think everyone needs a :yelclap: for whatever they do...boob or bottle or both...they are doing the BEST they can and that is what is BEST!! :smiliedance:
Absolutley agree.
SugarBlossom
19-04-2006, 11:40
agree with that too......:yelclap:
the_queen
19-04-2006, 11:45
If you know you did the best you could for your babies, why on earth would a newspaper article make you feel so angry?? :confused:
Breastmilk is the ideal, perfect food for babies.
Formula is a breastmilk substitute. It has come a long way, but it is still a substitute.
Nobody makes any money by "pushing" the breastmilk argument. Whereas formula companies are making billions - trillions - of dollars around the world by pushing the "formula is just as good as breastmilk" argument.
A formula-fed baby is of course better than a starved-to-death baby. If breastfeeding does not work out, then formula is the next best thing.
I was forced to stop breastfeeding. But I do not feel any kind of guilt over that decision, nor can any article/person/organisation make me feel guilty, because I know in my heart that I did everything I could to keep breastfeeding.
totally agree with that carlia!
Why are you guys getting so defensive? Do you feel some sort of guilt?
If that is the case there is no need as everyone is different and b/feeding is not for everyone
I'm not being defensive I only asked what you would do if you couldn't?
Thats exactly my point...why should mothers have to feel guilty?
Lets say for no reason at all you dry up tomorrow, or you get an illness that requires strict medication......there are a no. or reasons ppl bottle feed and I dont agree that they should be made to feel guilty!!!
the_queen
19-04-2006, 11:51
Thats exactly my point...why should mothers have to feel guilty?
Lets say for no reason at all you dry up tomorrow, or you get an illness that requires strict medication......there are a no. or reasons ppl bottle feed and I dont agree that they should be made to feel guilty because of norrow minded ppl!!!
If you are one of the unfortunate few mothers whose milk does "dry up for no reason", or if you get an illness that requires strict medication - then there should be no guilt in your emotions whatsoever!! If you have tried to breastfeed, but after trying everything - or after something happens that is totally out of your control - then formula is the perfect substitute for breastmilk.
Nobody can make you feel anything.
SugarBlossom
19-04-2006, 11:51
I'm not being defensive I only asked what you would do if you couldn't?
Thats exactly my point...why should mothers have to feel guilty?
Lets say for no reason at all you dry up tomorrow, or you get an illness that requires strict medication......there are a no. or reasons ppl bottle feed and I dont agree that they should be made to feel guilty because of norrow minded ppl!!!
Chill out.
I said that formula is fine as a worst scenario for me, for others it is fine that they formula feed, that is your decision , your baby blah blah blah.
I also said that there is NO NEED for guilt.
End of topic for me:)
If you are one of the unfortunate few mothers whose milk does "dry up for no reason", or if you get an illness that requires strict medication - then there should be no guilt in your emotions whatsoever!! If you have tried to breastfeed, but after trying everything - or after something happens that is totally out of your control - then formula is the perfect substitute for breastmilk.
Nobody can make you feel anything.
I know noone can make you feel quilt....but so many mothers do based on other ppl's unecessary comments,
I am currenty BF & hav slowly introducd Formula aswell so I can hav a break sometimes....NO QUILT.......but I know of some mothers who have been unable to BF and been extremely depressed about it, they dont need others rubbing BREAST IS BEST in their faces all the time...it's about respecting eachothers feelings and thinking before speaking!!! :thumbsup:
The "No Quilt Method" of feeding any baby is definitely best then. :D
Quilt is the worst.
Mummy-2-2
19-04-2006, 12:19
If you feed your child, you are doing the right thing.
Maybe if we think about the mothers that starve their children as punishment or put cigarette burns over their little body, or put them in a clothes dryer and turn it on, or get stoned off their face and forget they even have children we can judge, but until then we are all doing a great job.
I wanted to Bf, couldnt and now formula feed. I understand that breast is best and really respect those who can bf for 2 years, but I couldnt... end of story. But it doesnt make me mad hearing that breast is best, cos I know it is.
On another point....and this is a real question.....Is Breast still considered BEST if you aren't eating a ballanced healthy diet? :confused:
the_queen
19-04-2006, 12:27
I know noone can make you feel quilt....but so many mothers do based on other ppl's unecessary comments,
I am currenty BF & hav slowly introducd Formula aswell so I can hav a break sometimes....NO QUILT.......but I know of some mothers who have been unable to BF and been extremely depressed about it, they dont need others rubbing BREAST IS BEST in their faces all the time...it's about respecting eachothers feelings and thinking before speaking!!! :thumbsup:
Charlie I can see your point of view, I understand what it is like to have negative emotions about a decision you've made. Sometimes when we don't trust ourselves enough, we let other people undermine our confidence.
It can be extremely depressing to be truly unable to breastfeed. But I think mothers in this situation are confusing guilt with grief. I have told my story so many times before on these forums so won't subject everyone to it again, but basically for about 3 years I beat myself up emotionally telling myself that I was feeling guilty about being forced to stop breastfeeding. I would burst into tears at the mere mention of "breastfeeding". If I saw someone breastfeeding I would spiral into depression. But finally my counsellor (whom I see for unrelated issues) gave me a different perspective on it. She asked me what I did to try to continue breastfeeding. After I told her the incredibly long and painful story, she said "so, I don't understand - what do you have to feel guilty about??" I said I felt like I could have done more. She said "You did the absolute best you could at that particular point in time. So you have nothing to feel guilty about. But your sad feelings are totally valid - you haven't allowed yourself to grieve the loss of the breastfeeding relationship." So I cried for, oh, about the next hour on her shoulder, and since then I have been "released" so to speak, from any form of negative emotions surrounding breastfeeding. I know I did the best I could. I didn't have any other choice but to formula feed. So therefore I have nothing to feel guilty about.
ButterflyKisses
19-04-2006, 12:27
I certainly don't feel guilty that nature wouldn't come to the party for me and my DS....... he's a perfectly happy healthy little boy and if you lined him up in a row of other 2 year olds you certainly wouldn't be able to pick the difference between the BF and formula fed ones.
we all know BF is best but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. All the original post was saying is that she is sick of it being slapped in her face all the time.
I know I did the best I could. I didn't have any other choice but to formula feed. So therefore I have nothing to feel guilty about.
Thats Great!!! I just wish everyone had the same strength!!! :thumbsup:
Yes breast is still best when your diet isnt A1..
Its more to do with the antibodies...etc. Not the mums diet. In saying that though the better diet mum has...the better for the child
Thanx...:thumbsup:
If we just go back to the original post in this thread for a minute, it's not about anyone's personal comments - it's about a newspaper article. Personally, I think any media exposure that highlights the benefits of breastfeeding is great! Not to make people feel guilty for not breastfeeding, but to provide information for people to make informed decisions.
Sure, there are lots of healthy FF kids out there - no-one is debating that. But if there are no problems that would prevent a mum breastfeeding and it is simply choosing between the two options, then no-one can argue with the overwhelming research that very clearly shows that breastfeeding is the better option if it is available.
Let's not forget that back in the 60's many people went away from breastfeeding because we were conned by formula companies into thinking formula was better. All anyone is trying to do now is rectify some of that damage by getting the facts about breastfeeding out into the community.
aardvark
19-04-2006, 12:51
Formula is a substitute and wont harm your child..
I'm going to be damned unpopular for adding this to the discussion, but for the sake of completeness, it has to be said.
There are a significant number of studies out there which indicate that feeding of formula to babies can significantly increase the risk of them developing Juvenile Diabetes.
Here's a couple of links, there are many more:
http://www.abc.net.au/health/minutes/stories/s967384.htm
http://www.sciencenews.org/pages/sn_arc99/6_26_99/fob2.htm
I'm going to be damned unpopular for adding this to the discussion, but for the sake of completeness, it has to be said.
There are a significant number of studies out there which indicate that feeding of formula to babies can significantly increase the risk of them developing Juvenile Diabetes.
Is that because of the sugar content?
MamaSage
19-04-2006, 12:56
Eloquently said Cosmic. :D
aardvark
19-04-2006, 13:00
No, its supposed to be because of some of the proteins crossing from the small intestine and causing trouble in the pancreas.
In Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1 diabetes), sugar is not the problem, the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin to regulate the blood glucose is.
Basically the proteins in the formula are strongly suspected of causing damage to the baby's pancreas, thereby halting the production of insulin. There are several studies underway around the world looking into this.
The push for increased breastfeeding is well founded on that basis alone.
No, its supposed to be because of some of the proteins crossing from the small intestine and causing trouble in the pancreas.
In Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1 diabetes), sugar is not the problem, the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin to regulate the blood glucose is.
Basically the proteins in the formula are strongly suspected of causing damage to the baby's pancreas, thereby halting the production of insulin. There are several studies underway around the world looking into this.
The push for increased breastfeeding is well founded on that basis alone.
Ahhh...I have read both the sites now...Makes alot of sense!!!
reAllytee
19-04-2006, 15:31
There are also studies indicating that in given time bf may even be damaging to your child due to all the toxins in our environment that we are carrying then passing on to our children which is creating a build up effect. So our great great great great grandparents have passed onto us what toxins they were exposed to which all then gets passed on down the chain & also gets more & more added to it so in time if we arent making a changes to our world there may come a time when bf isnt best which will be a sad day indeed.
I have a fantastic article done by a female reporter who was a bf advocate who had her bm tested & was quite shocked & she really did some great research i just cant find it online but if anyone wants to have a copy id be more than willing to get it photcopied & sent to you. As i said was a really interesting read.
I have no guilt about ff my boy & to look at him you can see why he is happy & healthy. I often find it frustrating that i apparently have guilt when just because im willing to talk about how he is healthy or the likes this means im getting defensive. Anyways as i have stated before its got more to do with genetics than anything else whether your bubs will get sick or not. Out of my family & friends many have been bf who have all been very ill in one form or another yet my sisters & i who were all ff have had some minor illnesses yes but nothing major so again its a case of either genetics or luck.
Lets all just realise we are doing whats best for our babies whether it be breast or formula :hugs:
Oscar's mum
19-04-2006, 15:40
There are also studies indicating that in given time bf may even be damaging to your child due to all the toxins in our environment that we are carrying then passing on to our children which is creating a build up effect.
Yes but then who is to say those toxins are not actually benefiting the child. You know the more germs etc a child is exposed to the more resistance the child has against infections etc!;)
reAllytee
19-04-2006, 15:45
Yes but then who is to say those toxins are not actually benefiting the child. You know the more germs etc a child is exposed to the more resistance the child has against infections etc!;)
No these are toxins from chemicals etc that cant create a resistance these are the sort of chemicals if built up etc cause cancer & other problems.
Thats why scientists are trying to get more testing done because they dont know what the true effects could cause in these cases but there isnt a case of resistance.
Oscar's mum
19-04-2006, 15:47
No these are toxins from chemicals etc that cant create a resistance these are the sort of chemicals if built up etc cause cancer & other problems.
Until I am proven otherwise I personally do not believe that!
Goosie22
19-04-2006, 16:03
Where do they come up with this rubbish??!!
http://www.mercola.com/2003/dec/24/formula_influence.htm
I'd be really interested in seeing the article on the make-up of breastmilk Ally (let me know if best to PM you). I too have wondered about (and I know this wasn't part of what you were posting about - it was someone else earlier) if your diet isn't healthy/optimal is breast really best. I know someone posted a reply regarding the fact that the benefits of breastmilk are more to do with benefits to the immune system. I would like to know more about this - it's why I said I would rather use formula than bm from a bank in an earlier thread (so I know what bub is really ingesting). I sort of think that a fair few ladies don't think too much about their diet when breastfeeding and the comparisons between the nutrient value (nothing to do with immunology) of breast milk and formula in this situation would be really interesting.
Regarding the chemicals and buildup etc - again - this is an interesting thing - the rates of cancer have really grown over the years and noone really has pinpointed why...There's no way I could just discount it!
PS I did breast feed my son for 16months and watched what I drank and ate carefully during that period - but boy was I excited when I could eat and drink what I wanted again! (allbeit for 2months till I was pg - LOL)
lukaelmo
19-04-2006, 16:09
when i say no he has formula they always say "oh that will explain his size then
...and when I say the dude is BFed people say "that's why he's so small and doesn't sleep through the night" :rolleyes: .
You can't win.
reAllytee
19-04-2006, 16:09
To quote part of the article :
" I called Micheal Dourson , a toxicology consultant, to get a reading on my numbers. He translated my PBDE levels into an exposure estimate for my breast-feeding daughter & then compared that with the best known safe level that scientists can more or less agree on. What it comes down to is that , with some uncertainty, my baby is receiving roughly one-seventh the exposure of the maximum level believed to be safe. "Above that level, we're not sure, but we become less confident," he said. "And at some point it becomes unsafe."
Im relieved that my exposure levels arent higher. Im relieved that some of the substances are going off the market. But there is a lingering unease that more toxic suprises await us. A few years ago, many toxicologists had never heard of PBDE's. Already, another chemical is ready to claim 'the next PCB' label: PFOA, or perfluorootanoic acid ( used to make non-stick frying pans ), believed by some to be an even bigger problem.
Ultimately. though, the question for me as a mother is not at what threshold will my baby be harmed, but why are we manufacturing common products made with all these toxins at all ? "
I wont go on its a rather large article but as i said im willing to send it to those interested :)
nemosmum
19-04-2006, 16:13
totally agree with that carlia!
Why are you guys getting so defensive? Do you feel some sort of guilt?
If that is the case there is no need as everyone is different and b/feeding is not for everyone
Um doh:laughing: :D
Of course mums feel guilty! Especially when they are judged all the time by a society that likes to condem mums for just about anything!
That said I breast fed for 11 months and have to say I hated it for the first 4 months and suffered depression because I hated bfing and felt guilty coz "Breast is best" and just thinking about bottle feeding was :devil6:
LittleBuddahBaby- I meant no offensive for grabing your post and quoting it:)
Goosie22
19-04-2006, 16:15
Allyoo,
Is this the article you were talking about?
http://healthandenergy.com/toxic_breast_milk.htm
The message from these studies about breast-feeding, however, was not what you might expect. Although the children who were breast-fed had higher PCB levels than children who were exposed only in utero, they consistently performed better than those who drank formula. When researchers controlled for socioeconomic factors, the differences were more subtle but still there. In other words, breast milk appears to be at least partly protective against the effects of toxic chemicals. In fact, the World Health Organization and other groups continue to recommend breast-feeding for all women. At first this sounds reassuring, until you wonder how much better the breast milk would be without the companion chemicals. We'll never know, since an uncontaminated control group doesn't exist.
This is also in the article:D
2littleprincesses
19-04-2006, 16:30
I do not feel guilty at all that my two were raised on formula. I'm damn proud of it.
My niece is 9mo, still won't sleep thru the night, isn't rolling/moving/crawling etc. How has breatsfeeding put her ahead of mine?
nkenward
19-04-2006, 16:30
It really is quite interesting how such a topic can cause such a big debate.
I bf for the first 3 months with a lot of difficulty and ended up by the end of each day warn out and depressed with a screaming little boy who just couldn't get enough.
DH & I made the decision to bottefeed and we haven't looked back.
Did I feel guilty - of cause I did. Why? Because society/medical community deems it necessary to enforce that 'breast is best'. I felt guilty as I felt I was failing my son. Is it true that 'breast is best', who the heck knows? But I know my bubs is best with bottle and he is a happy, healthy little boy. Why can't there be an association called Aust. Bottlefeeding Association?
He was 4 weeks prem, and he is excelling in all areas and I know he will be a clever, smart and healthy boy, because his parents are smart, clever and healthy. I don't really think the type of milk they will drink will determine their future outcomes, because if that was the case, going by the amount of women I see bottlefeeding (and past generations ) we have a big concern!!!!
2littleprincesses
19-04-2006, 16:36
I am sick of people saying that my children can't be healthy because they're bottle fed.
There are so many examples of the exact opposite happening. Just look around at how many people have healthy bottlefed children.
ThomasMum
19-04-2006, 16:48
Hello ladies (and gents)...
Here's my 2c, pls take a deep breath...
Switch off the anger. Respect others. Lets have a healthy debate. Everyone can do it. Don't let other people opinion bothers you. Easy. Remember, everyone's different. But at the end of the day we are all here for the same reason: to raise a good family.
Isn't it easier to support each other than doing the opposite?
Be happy :)
TM
____oh how I can not wait for our holiday this weekend!! :smiliedance:
misskittyfantastico
19-04-2006, 18:36
I really don't think anyone would dream of suggesting that a FF bub is unhealthy...
I just think that in an ideal world most people would BF. It's a little sad that this topic causes such upset, I figure we all love our kids and give them the best we have to offer.:thumbsup:
breast isnt always best, for this to happen, the mother has to eat well, and avoid alcohol, correct? Mum dont eat properly, or she drinks a little too much, then breast is not best? right?
To each their own, but to make people feel bad about their choices, is sad, and wrong.
Rainbowbrite
19-04-2006, 19:20
You have got to do what works for YOU :thumbsup:
Yes I bf, i didnt want to but got pressured into it & now i love it, but thats just me.
We as mothers cant win. I've noticed something recently, if you bottle feed young babies, society looks down on you, BUT if you choose to continue bf after 6months then you get strange looks & comments. I've lost count of the times that people ask how i'm enjoying my "freedom" since i stopped bf :mad: When i say i havent & have no plans on stopping till MJ is atleast 2.5yrs or weans herself they look at me like i'm an alien :banghead:
At the end of the day your caring for your baby the way that works best for you & thats what matters most :D
the point is being confused here.
Breast milk is the best form of food for a newborn baby. hands down no argument.
The reason that they push the breast milk is because alot of women (mainly europe) went off the idea..not becasue they could not feed but because it was easier to give formula..so they started to push the breastmilk to turn people back to it.
Formula is a substitute and wont harm your child..will help them grow up and all...BUT it does nto have the antibodies and rich nurients specially formulated for your child.
If you cannot breastfeed then formula is fine and there shoudl be no guilt attached. You are still doing best by your bubba.
I was in intensive care for weeks when DS was born and could not get him to attach after that..so I expressed for 4 months till my milk dried up..I also supplememted with formula..With DD I breastfed till 16 months when again my milk dried up.
A doctor said to me..breast milk is best..in a perfect world...but of that world falls apart and mum cant feed or bubs wont gain weight..or mum is on medication..then that babys best bet is formula and breastmilk is the secondary option!
Well said!
Breastmilk is best, no denying. If a scientist could exactly duplicate what is in it, they would surely be millionaires. This is also why breastmilk banks are being designed, so that premmie babies get the "best thing".
But don't jump down my throat yet. I was blessed to have so much milk from my litttle A cups that I could've supported a small nation. Whereas I watched other girlfriend's mourn the fact that they thought they had "failed" because their bodies could not support this function. This does not make them any less mothers and they should not feel guilty.
The advertisement you were referring to is aiming at people who would never give breastfeeding a go and just move straight to formula because they think there is no difference. It's about having informed choices. You can't deny the facts that breast is best. It just is.
I know as a baby I never had neither breastmilk or formula, only sunshine milk and tap water... could I have been more intelligent than I am... nah...
I always smile a bit when ppl throw up the breast fed babies are more intelligent argument. I am sure that reading to your children and being interested in the lives is vastly more important to their ultimate intelligence levels.
The way in which you feed your child is only one facet of parenting. It is the sum of our efforts over all the facets of parenting that counts.:thumbsup:
Cheers All
rynosmum
19-04-2006, 21:58
I was a bottlefed baby as my mother was unable to breastfeed. She also started me on solids at 6 weeks as they did back then. I adore my mother, have no long term allergy effects and class myself as fairly intelligent.
I breastfed my son for the first 5 months of his life and then switched to formula.
Swings and roundabouts - 2 healthy, well-fed kids with similar weight gain.
It's all good !:thumbsup:
reAllytee
20-04-2006, 00:23
I always smile a bit when ppl throw up the breast fed babies are more intelligent argument. I am sure that reading to your children and being interested in the lives is vastly more important to their ultimate intelligence levels.
The way in which you feed your child is only one facet of parenting. It is the sum of our efforts over all the facets of parenting that counts.:thumbsup:
Cheers All
Beautifully said ! :D
Peg - If you go & look at Goosie's post she has the link for the article i was talking about.
To which yes of course it says that the WHO recommend bf etc etc even possibly saying it offers a defence to these toxins but no one can say for sure especially while it is all still being investigated etc but what stuck out for me even in that paragraph Goosie was " At first this sounds reassuring, until you wonder how much better the breast milk would be without the companion chemicals. We'll never know, since an uncontaminated control group doesn't exist. " because as i have said before yes bf is the better option for various reasons including cost but there is still that " what if " as in what if it gets so bad in our world that bf isnt the best. Sad day indeed.
Thanks Ally - I had read the article that Goosie posted the link to. I found it really interesting. I think it's another example of how we do the best we can with what we can. If you stew too long on what ifs (eg what about the holiday I took in Wittenoom - did I get asbestos fibres into my body which could affect my milk, what about the times I've spent in mines, undercover car parks (this is a topical one at the moment in WA - they're testing the levels of toxic gases in car parks around the place and coming up with scary results) the list goes on) then you'd never enjoy the time that you do have with your bub.
I just wish that there was not so much mother guilt running round the place...(and I stand by my statement before that I'd rather give my child formula than bm from a bank if I couldn't feed him/her. At least I know where I've been and what I've eaten/drunk :laughing:
reAllytee
20-04-2006, 01:09
I think it's another example of how we do the best we can with what we can. If you stew too long on what ifs (eg what about the holiday I took in Wittenoom - did I get asbestos fibres into my body which could affect my milk, what about the times I've spent in mines, undercover car parks (this is a topical one at the moment in WA - they're testing the levels of toxic gases in car parks around the place and coming up with scary results) the list goes on) then you'd never enjoy the time that you do have with your bub.
Yep who knows how long my dad has his asbestos fibre in his body for even though its roughly a 30yr incubation period but it didnt do much that his family had been exposed to it & he was bf as a baby guess he never got that resistance.
Anyways back to the thread sorry :o
Goosie22
20-04-2006, 07:29
Hi Pegasus,
I just wanted to coment, We dont know what is in Formula really. It isnt a sterile preperation so all the care in the world to sterilise feeding equipment does nothing because the actual powder is non sterile dried cows milk with addatives. Breastmilk from a bank while some people turn their noses up at it, would at least provide some protection to the baby due to the "living nature" of the milk.
And all the environmental/ingested chemical buildup is present in cows milk also, the formula companies dont put country of origin on their tins. So how would anyone know what things the children are exposed to?
You could use organic formula as suggested in one of the deleted posts.
Just want to say that we should all be supporting each other no matter what choices we make.
Though before making some comments remember this is in the bottle feeding section.
I know some bottle feeding mums have been hammered in the breast feeding threads, so I just want to say play nice.
Ana Gram
20-04-2006, 13:24
Though before making some comments remember this is in the bottle feeding section.
I know some bottle feeding mums have been hammered in the breast feeding threads, so I just want to say play nice.
I think Sarie has a very good point. This a is not a debate over breast feeding and formula feeding and who is right and who didn't try hard enough. I wouldn't dare go into the breast feeding section and make grand statements unless i was asked specifically for my opinion. Lets get back to the topic at hand shall we?
Thank you all for your contributions. I've done a bit of a clean out of this thread so that we can get back on topic. Here is the OP:
GRRRRRRR
I bottlefed DD1 because at 3do she was starving. I had no milk, so I had to feed her formula. Once my milk came in she was already content with formula so that's what she was fed.
When #2 came along I had decided to bottlefeed as it worked for #1. I tried to breastfeed her in the hospital but she wasn't even 6 hours old and wouldn't feed off me.
Now, I'm flicking throught the Advertiser this morning (local free newspaper in Shellharbour/Kiama NSW) and there's an article saying "breastfed babies are best". There's something else about how breastfed babies are less likely to be hospitalised in the first 12 months than bottlefed babies.
Hospitalised for what? #1 has never been hospitalised, and #2 is 10mo and hasn't been hospitalised.
Where do they come up with this rubbish??!! I'm sorry, I know some people won't agree with me, but I'm really fed up with having breastfeeding shoved in my face like that.
Grrrr
Please keep to this original topic when replying to this thread. Does advertising of breast feeding have a negative effect of bottle feeding mamas?
2LP, please feel free to correct my paraphrasing of your OP :thumbsup:
Cheers
Mummabear
20-04-2006, 16:15
Does advertising of breast feeding have a negative effect of bottle feeding mamas?
To some degree I think it does. True - something can only affect you if you allow it to, but having a baby is such an emotional time, and especially as a first time Mother you're so paranoid about doing what is absolutely best for your baby. I know, 9 months down the track I still have days where I would desparetly love someone to tell me I'm doing a good job.
My DS was exclusively BF for the first 3 weeks and he kept losing enormous amounts of weight and was very unsettled. I continued BF along with comp feeding and he got a little better, but still wasn't putting on much weight - then at 7 weeks I went to a clinic and discovered that I didn't have any milk. I cried and cried for weeks about putting him onto forumla because I knew that breast was indeed best and everywhere I went there were posters and the like screaming at me to breastfeed my baby. I also had people telling me not to give up trying to BF when he was literally starving to death. I felt so pressured and like such a failure.
I suffered (and still do) PND and was also at a highly emotional time in my life, wondering if I would be any good at this parenting gig - so every time anything came up about BF v's FF my emtional would run wild because it was still raw. Over time I realised, like The Queen said, that my feelings of guilt were infact feelings of grief. I'm aware of that now and I don't get upset by any references made to BF. My son is the most adorable boy in the world (naturally :p) - will he turn out to be the absolute best person that he could possibly be - who knows, but I'm pretty confident that it has more to do than simply being BF or FF. I now choose to take a wholistic approach to parenting - so long as I know I'm doing the best for him that I can possibly do overall then I'm happy. Some days I feed him jar food, some days I feed him homemade vegies - overall it evens out and he's perfect in my eyes.
The clinic that I went to said that they actually took down all their breastfeeding posters, etc because of the pressure that it put onto the women who were in there for feeding difficulties. Being in such a vulnerable position at that point in time I really appreciated not walking out of my room and being hit with "breast is best" ever day.
Thanks very much for your post Larissa, it's a perspective I had not considered before.:hugs:
Wow Larissa, that is exactly our story.
I agree that breast is best as would most of us but when you can't breastfeed for whatever reason (and there are all different reasons, and they are not what this thread is about) then having a poster shouting the fact while you are a blubbering mess with your CHN/doctor etc is NOT the most helpful thing.
reAllytee
21-04-2006, 01:37
Riss - :hugs:
You made it further along than i did but again we are similar in many ways ( so we must be cool :p ) You put into words my thoughts that i can never manage to scramble together :hugs:
Hi Everyone,
An interesting debate going on. Ultimately I think we all need to stop this discussion and put the issue into perspective. Regardless of whether we choose to/ are able to breastfeed, or bottlefeed, and regardless of our personal stance on this issue, let us please remember that we all actually have the same goal don't we. We all want a happy, healthy baby who has the best start to life possible. Everyone one of us involved in this debate have been blessed with the ultimate gift, a child. All children are beautiful and unique, therefore no feeding experience could possibly be the same or be compared. Over the last 6 weeks I have been given the "advice" from a large number of people regarding what is best for my child. I has attempted breastfeeding, expressed every two hours, taken medication to assist with my non-exisitant milk supply, and used formula!! Being my first child I was given all sorts of information about what was best for my child, based on someone elses experiences. In hindsight, I now have the confidence to say, no one knows my child like I do, no one has the right to criticise or question your choices in regards to the method you use to feed your darling baby. I say congratulations to those people who are breastfeeding, congratulations to those people who are bottlefeeding, and congratulations to those people doing a bit of everything (it's tiring and stressful I know) As a teacher for more than 10 years, at no stage could I line up the 300 children (approx.) that I have taught and label them breastfed or bottlefed. I could however tell you clearly those children who stood out as being healthy, confident, happy, loving, and generally nice little people, and ultimately isn't this what we want for our children.:kiss: :smiliedance:
Jo
Mother of the beautiful, happy, loving Megan Keira
Born 10.03.06
moonblossom
23-04-2006, 10:48
There is no doubt, breast is best. But lets put it into perspective. EVERY mother wants what is best for her child. Sometimes breastfeeding just isn't possible for everyone. What is the alternative? Formula. I really do not care which one people choose, as long as it is done with the childs best interest at heart.
We really do have to loosen up on women who decide to bottlefeed for their own reasons. I've been made to feel terrible when I've been breastfeeding my children, even by my own family, so I know what its like to be put down, even though we are just trying to do our best.
I don't think there was anything wrong with advertising breast is best, IT IS, so whats the argument?
But to all the mums that formula feed, because of their own reasons..:yelclap: to you. When I had my first son, I was looked down on for breastfeeding, and this was in the hospital by the midwives etc...was just not the done thing then.
So hold your heads up high, know your doing the best for your babes and just rejoice in having the best job in the world...BEING MOTHERS...:smiliedance:
Everyone's situation is different and we all have to do what is right for us, our bubs at the time.
I feel lucky that I am able to breast feed, but I also have a lot of friends and cousins who haven't been so fortunate, and they all have very happy, healthy babies.
The only time I get mad is when I hear mothers (and I know a few personally) who have decided to switch to bottlefeeding when they have a perfectly good supply - for the sole reason that they want to drink/smoke/take drugs etc. It upsets me because of all the other mums out there grieving because they couldn't breastfeed and had no choice.
But that's just my gripe. At the same time, I know I have to respect their choice, and am at least happy that they're going off the breast, rather than continuing to breast feed while doing those things.
On the topic of the mothers diet, they have done tests and found that even in third world countries, where mothers haven't got access to nutrient rich foods, their breast milk was still as nutritious to bubs as it is in, say Oz or the US. The difference is whether the mum is able to replenish the nutrient supply to her own body. Bubs still takes what he/she needs.
I think my main problems with breastfeeding, is that I got so much conflicting advice, I didn't know what to believe, I was very confused. I don't think I had adequate support, it would have been great if I had a friend or relative that was a successful breastfeeder come around to my house to hold my hand so to speak in the early days to show me what to do, help with positioning, attachment etc. I know you get shown this in the hospital but to have someone with you constantly would of helped me.
I think I also got bad advice from various 'professionals'. I also didn't know that the weight charts were based on formula fed babies and that breastfeed babies put weight on at a slower or different rate, I so wish I knew this. I was advised my baby was underweight and that I must top up with formula so that was the beginning of the end. I had always battled low supply so I think mostly my confidence was shot down and I felt I was not doing the best for my babies because they weren't gaining enough weight and starving. I feel these are very common problems.
I really like your post moonblossom and you sum things up nicely. I used to feel I short changed my babies by switching to formula and very guilty, but I tried so hard to breastfeed based on a lack of understanding. poor advice and limited support, I feel I did the best I could under those circumstances and I have happy healthy children so I have moved on from this and focus on being the best mother I can.
Formula makers and medical professionals have legal obligations to promote that 'breast is best'. perhaps it could be that the people writing articles such as the one you mentioned are not 100% informed about the legal requirements of these professionals for this advertising thus taking it at face value.
don't worry about it - i'm sure people don't take much notice of stuff like that... i bf because for me it is convenient as i'm too lazy to prepare bottles:laughing: it has nothing to do with whats best etc because i don't think that anything is superior - i know plenty of ff and bf babies and you would never know which is which - they get sick just as often as each other etc etc etc.
yummymummy
30-04-2006, 14:51
I have brestfed DD for the first 11 weeks of her life:smiliedance: I was advised to start supplementing when she was not gaining enough weight. Things then became to hard and I out her in the bottle full time. When I got her weighed the first week she was on the bottle she had out on 380 gms:smiliedance: , I knew she was contented and mummy was happy to, I have never looked back. What is best for mum and bub is the right choice and nobody should tell you that its not
DIANNEKB
01-05-2006, 10:55
I too have had to go to the bottle and after feeling guilty I spoke to my doctor who says there is way to much pressure and emphasis put on breast is best...he said to go with what is best for me and if that is bottle bubs will be fine... ( I bf for 3 months) After the long chat I had with my doc I no longer feel guilty about going onto bottles...
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