I thought some of you would like to read this.

This misinformation bugged me:

"Times change though, and the formulas on the market are hopefully as close to what comes out of your boob, as they will ever be".

Wonder what the rest of you think

the new breastfeeding taboo

I agree with the article, to a point.

I absolutely love breastfeeding. I fed DS1 until he was 14 months and am still happily feeding ds2 at 9 months. It hurt for the first week with both of them- my nipples were agony but I didn't mind as I knew it would get better and despite the pain I still loved feeding my baby.

I would recommend that everyone give it a go. I think that sometimes the health professionals give unrealistic ideals to expectant mothers, that bf will be lovely and easy and fulfilling. For many people it is not. Mothers quite often are not prepared for this and are not offered enough support when they are having problems, them are made to feel demonised for switching to formula.

I do believe that "breast is best" it certainly was/is for my babies but for some people it is not that simple. For whatever reason some people can't or don't want to bf and they should be entitled to the same level of support and encouragement you would expect if you chose to bf. I have come across so many mums, who feel guilty for ff their babies- years later. This should not be the case. As a mother you must choose what is best for you and your baby. You should not be made to feel guilty about those choices.

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I agree Socci.

I also think that woman don't get the help they need from health professionals with correct positioning etc

When I had DS2, I stuggled with bfing for the first month. I had no help from anyone, but I knew, from hav9ing fed DS1 for 15 months that it would get easier.

what a sad article. she's had an awful time yes. but as we all know, if you rely on the nhs and 'helth professionals' then this story is all too common.

i did not like the bits where she suggested most breastfeeders don't actually like it and only do it because they feel they have to. and i thought how sad that she's decided the next baby will be bottle fed, rather than thinking ok, i need to get better information next time.

Well, if you believed as she obviously does that there are no real benefits to be had by breastfeeding and it's just stopping you getting on with your life and bonding with your child then you would be on the bottles like a shot - no brainer...

I believe that by struggling through when it has hurt - a lot - for the last 8 weeks, I am giving my baby the best start possible. From a purely selfish point of view it gives me enormous pleasure to see him growing and know that I'm continuing to nourish him in the same way I did for the 9 months he was inside me.

I also believe that every day it is getting better and that it will eventually be pain free (and it's already less hassle than bottles - I know, having been doing a fair amount of expressing as well).

She's entitled to her opinion, but that's all it is - one woman's opinion. The poor thing has had a rotten time and it's a shame she didn't get more support through it which might have changed her mind, or at least made her more likely to give it another shot next time. It echoes a lot that has been said in the post on here about giving up before you're ready.

Not sure about the accuracy of her conclusions about the abs and lactulose changing the taste of her milk though as I've taken both without any discernable difference in ds's feeding (he's a greedy little sod though so it'd take a lot to put him off )

I also agree w/the article to a point.

I, too, had a very traumatic first delivery (forceps) and subsequent infection.

I ff'd DD1 from about day 2.

DD2 I was able to bf, but I expressed her a bottle at 4 weeks, b/c I also knew I'd have to go back to work full-time when she was 4 months old and there's no place to express.

Yes, there's supposed to be via EU policy and blah blah blah but you know, if I make waves and lose my job, no one's going to pay my rent.

FWIW, I never got ANY advise about bottle-feeding in the clinics or in hospital.

I think that's just as wrong.

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I'm surprised she has already vetoed the idea with her next child though