So does anyone else find the term 'artificial feeding' in relation to the use of formula milk a bit irritating?

[bangandthedirtisgone]

Or is it just me?

[choufleur]

never heard it before, but it sounds very odd. i don't think i artificially fed ds.

[thisisyesterday]

no, i don't.
it IS artificial

[TheBalladofGayTony]

i have never heard this expression. where did you hear it?

[MrsHappy]

I've never heard it before.

[bangandthedirtisgone]

I heard it on mumsnet

[QueenOfFuckingEverything]

I've heard it before and don't object to it - it's correct.

[Sassybeast]

It IS artificial though ?

www.thefreedictionary.com/artificial

Doesn't bother me tbh.

[TheOneTheyCallMama]

Erm no. 'tis just correct. Here FF called 'kunstvoeding' which literally translates as synthetic (or artificial) feeding.

[CrackWhoretoPaulDacre]

Yep - accurate description, not annoying at all. HTH

[Tidey]

I agree, it sounds stupid, like you're feeding them imaginary food. However, I think most people will tell you formula milk is artificial and I fear it could turn into another ugly fight about BF vs FF.

[francagoestohollywood]

It is artificial. But it's the moral connotations attached that get on my nerves.

[bangandthedirtisgone]

Yes, what franca said - why not just call it formula feeding instead, that is what it is as well.

[AcrylicAfternoons]

i've only heard it used by medical professionals really.

It doesn't bother me. Why does it bother you?

[BouncingTurtle]

Well it is artificial! But not everything that is artificial is bad, IYSWIM?

[MoonlightMcKenzie]

I used to hate the term, but I've come round with education.

The problem is 'artifial' wrt a newborn baby is emotive, particularly in a culture where we synonimse 'artificial' with 'not natural' and therefore 'bad', which can make a mother who is not bfing feel like they are not doing the best for their baby.

I think the term is correct however, but do think that it should be used in a sensitive way when supporting a mother who is bfing and absolutely not used by an crapply trained mw as a way of bullying a women into bfing despite having problems just to keep their statistics up until discharge.

[TheBalladofGayTony]

i tmight be accurate but i can see how it would irratate. telling someone who is going through ivf that ehy are being artificially inseminated might be accurate but you accuracy would be small comfort when they punch you in the face.

[TheOneTheyCallMama]

Now you see there are no moral connotations where I am, just the other day a mum said to me (I translate) 'I breastfed xxx for 4 months and then moved onto synthetic feed'.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Does it refer to the feeding method (ie bottle feeding, in which case expressed breast milk would fall under that banner, or the food itself? 'Cos the feeding is real enough, in that the child is taking in food.

[BertieBotts]

It is the correct medical term. It is factually correct after all! And "formula" is no worse - formulated, artificial, it all boils down to the fact that baby formula is a man-made substance. YABU.

[MoonlightMcKenzie]

And what is formula then?

This term is also emotive. It implies pure, sterile, scientific, quality etc. It is none of these things. It is unsterile, inferior, interfered with cows milk.

[TheOneTheyCallMama]

ivf isn't artificially insemination though.

[bangandthedirtisgone]

Hmmmm, maybe formula is no better (is that what you meant to say bertie?).

Dunno, I don't think "pure, sterile, quality" etc when I hear formula. I just think of, I don't know, a recipe or something.

[thisisyesterday]

hmm you see i think it's maybe a move from "formula" feeding
because actually formula has NO formula. it was a term devised by manufacturers of such things to make it seem more scientific and aceptable.

we're now in a situation where the majority of babies are formula fed because people view formula as a good substitute for breastmilk. actually, it carries many risks and i think that referring to it as "artificial milk" instead does perhaps make people think

[TheOneTheyCallMama]

Gah. Sorry. Was trying to say...

IVF isn't artificial insemination though, they are two totally different things.

[PuzzleRocks]

But that is what it is.

You can see why the artificial milk companies came up with the misnomer of calling it formula though.