Feeding babies, your opinions

[ATJ]

*Not a mum*

I do think there's too much pressure to breast feed in this country. I mean, sure, for the health benefits and the cost implications, every mother should (probably) at least try- but if a mother really finds that breast feeding doesn't suit her for whatever reason then surely it's better for baby to have formula and a happier mum than for a miserable and pained mum to keep on trying to breastfeed? There's a fine line between giving a parent the support they need to give breastfeeding a good try and pressurising them to keep on going even when it's patently not working.

Having recently become aunt to a baby who has to have formula for health reasons, I've probably become more touchy about the judgements I regularly see in these debates than usual.

 

[zebidee]

It's interesting to note that people find it really difficult to say outright which one they think is best.

Probably a symptom of trying not to offend anyone, feeding babies is such a touchy subject it sounds like you're personally criticising someone if you disagree with them

 

[ATJ]

It's interesting to note that people find it really difficult to say outright which one they think is best.

Probably a symptom of trying not to offend anyone, feeding babies is such a touchy subject it sounds like you're personally criticising someone if you disagree with them

Well, for me the reason I don't say outright is because I haven't got an opinion. People really get too angry over an issue that really, isn't that important. So long as baby isn't left starving to death, how it gets its food is of no really issue to me.

 

[dawnofwar]

i have a 4 year old daughter and i did breastfeed her.....in a way!

When P was born i wasn't given very much help/advice on how to breastfeed in hospital. Just had her shoved on and left to it!

She stopped breathing when she was 36 hours old and ended up in NICU at Stoke and was NG fed so couldn't breastfeed her. BUT...the staff at Stoke encouraged me to express. I found it so easy and carried on when i got home so that MrWar could do his part.

I dont understand why health care proffesionals don't promote expressing more!

As to which is better......i don't really care how you feed your child as long as it is nourished and loved.

 

[zebidee]

I dont understand why health care proffesionals don't promote expressing more!

I think sometimes it's quite time consuming for them to explain how it works so it tends to go the path of least resistance, leaving extra time for other matters. Plus ignorance in some cases.

But there is a good deal of support for expressing developing on hospital wards as places aim for UNICEF Baby Friendly standards

 

[Wolfie Girl]

Hi everyone,

I'm off on a breastfeeding course tomorrow and have some prep work to do! Seeing as you're a diverse bunch of people would you mind please answering a question for me?!

"Do you think breastfeeding or formula feeding is the best way to feed a baby?"

I really don't want this to turn into a battle a la most conversations about this on 'mummy sites,' I just need a few soundbites to show I've asked various people of different ages/professions. If you could please elaborate your answer with as much detail as poss I'll be really grateful and will have tons to tell my amazed teacher tomorrow

Cheers!

I breastfed all three of my children because I believed that it was the best thing to do for them. The added benefits were that I always had a feed available wherever I was, and as someone else has said it was free and also very convenient.

 

[zebidee]

Thanks for the replies everyone, you've been a fab help. Will let you know what we were supposed to gain from this after my session tomorrow

 

[Gramaisc]

I'm all for free expression.

 

[shoes]

I just want to see more tits in public

 

[Gramaisc]

I just want to see more tits in public

You wouldn't say that if they were trying to break into your house.

 

[Florence]

Breast feeding is certainly the most convenient once you get the hang of it and the first 6 weeks are over with. The first weeks are hell on earth, you feel like you do nothing else, day and night. Breast milk is digested more quickly so the baby wakes up during the night more. Some days I would just sit for hours eating biscuits, drinking water and feeding an increasingly fat baby. But I loved it and fed both mine for over a year. Neither have been particularly prone to infections, even now.
For me it was better because I am lazy and disorganised so wasn't prepared to do all the bottle stuff. And I do get a self satisfied feeling that I did the best for them when they were babies.

 

[Miss Red]

I have 3 kids (all grown up). I was pressurised by the midwife to breastfeed, but couldnt due to problems that couldnt be resolved! Lots of people cant breastfeed, but the pressure they come under from various health workers, puts an un-necessary strain on what is a stressful time anyhow!

Plus there is a lot of mums who have full time careers now, either by choice or not and a lot of househusbands around.
I think this sort of sigma, that you must breastfeed, come what may, belongs in the old days. The world has moved forward and changed a lot since then.

Also if people want to breastfeed, good luck to them, its a choice they have, but surely something must be done about the people who complain about it in public. Its a natural thing (if your able to do it), but some look on it as a shockable thing!
By the way my ex husband was premature, he was fed carnation milk lol.....explains a lot haha

 

[shoes]

Feeding babies, your opinions

Overrated, I only feed mine once a week, and that's if they've been good.

 

[Jenksie]

Breast feeding is certainly the most convenient once you get the hang of it and the first 6 weeks are over with. The first weeks are hell on earth, you feel like you do nothing else, day and night. Breast milk is digested more quickly so the baby wakes up during the night more.

As I understand it the reason a baby wakes is because it is hungry - the size of a baby's stomach being the same size as it's clenched fist - thus limiting the amount that can be taken on board.

Nothing to do with Breast Milk being digested more quickly.

 

[Jenksie]

I have 3 kids (all grown up). I was pressurised by the midwife to breastfeed, but couldnt due to problems that couldnt be resolved! Lots of people cant breastfeed, but the pressure they come under from various health workers, puts an un-necessary strain on what is a stressful time anyhow!

Plus there is a lot of mums who have full time careers now, either by choice or not and a lot of househusbands around.
I think this sort of sigma, that you must breastfeed, come what may, belongs in the old days. The world has moved forward and changed a lot since then.

Also if people want to breastfeed, good luck to them, its a choice they have, but surely something must be done about the people who complain about it in public. Its a natural thing (if your able to do it), but some look on it as a shockable thing!
By the way my ex husband was premature, he was fed carnation milk lol.....explains a lot haha

Prettty much agree with all of this - surprised you experienced pressure from the midwife - maybe things have changed recently - the pressure in my experience came from the NCT agents who where persistant and intrusive.

Nurses and MidWives stood by holding their tongues and gritting their teeth - sometimes at the same time!

In summary what has come from this thread is pretty much what the national picture is - i.e. There is no correct way to feed a baby - both have risks and advantages.

 

[zebidee]

Thanks for all replies. Had a great time topping up my bfing knowledge and learnt some amazing things like breastmilk being a 'living fluid' that passes on hormones, white blood cells, immunoglobulins and viral fragments! It's like a natural vaccination - how awesome! Also found out some helpful info about pre-term babies and how to help mums bf.

I stand by breastfeeding, but find that even hospitals have 'booby traps' (pun intended). Whatever their good intentions, their targets and frameworks are restrictive and damaging to breastfeeding relationships (as are the 'trained professionals' who are either stuck in their ways or refuse to listen to the facts.)

Pressure is no use to mums, only support, and those people who pressure mums without giving them proper support with up-to-date knowledge should just stay out of mums' feeding relationships in the first place! (And so should the holier-than-thou types, you know who I mean!)

 

[Withnail]

And nobody has mentioned the contraceptive effects of bfing - probably because it's not exactly high on the priorities for the first few months.

But it can effectively suppress fertility too. Helpful in the first few months + 9 months.

 

[John Marwood]

bfing...?

Im new to this country and my guide book is not comprehensive

Wkng...

Fkng...

Fstng...

Dgng...

 

[Gramaisc]

bfing...?

Im new to this country and my guide book is not comprehensive

Wkng...

Fkng...

Fstng...

Dgng...

Inexcusable, you forgot shgng...

 

[age'd parent]

Both of you incorrect spelling: it's got an ing at the end.

edit: my spelling
ahhh edit again my spelling