to think 'artificial food' is an insensitive term

[sleeplessinseatle]

...for health visitors to use about formula when you've made it clear you tried breastfeeding and wish it had worked for you and your baby.

I know it isnt real breastmilk, but it surely is FOOD if it feeds him?

[gingernutlover]

YANBU it is food, not pretend food!

why not just call it formula? or if you really have to use that word, then artificial breastmilk.

To a new mum who is knackered, maybe a bit depressed and feels a failure for BF not working out then this phraseology could have long lasting effects

[Chil1234]

Ask for a different health visitor. Some are just bonkers.

[sleeplessinseatle]

thankyou. she made me cry. but then at least i told her how insensitive a term it was. stupid people making me feel a failure.

[scurryfunge]

It will be a deliberate term used by health visitors to create a negative view of formula food.

[gingernutlover]

sleepless

you tried, wanted to breastfeed and it didnt work out, the same in my case. You have done nothing wrong, and you are no less of a mother.

I had to make the same decision, I have a very hungry unhappy baby who just would not breastfeed. I had to choose to do the right thing at that moment, and that was to FF. I now have a very happy healthy nearly 5 year old.

She/he is your baby, not the HV's!

People say stupid things, a woman at my work asked "are you feeding her yourself?" I just replied "well yes, she can't do it herself yet, but if you want to help her bottle's in the blue bag!"