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Original poster

Mumsnet undermining breastfeeding again.

621 replies

Redebs · 12/03/2023 11:52

Just read the Mumsnet article on caring for newborn babies. It's sponsored by a bottle manufacturer.

Much of it is misinformation that will seriously interfere with mothers' success with breastfeeding. For example trying to get a feeding routine for a two month old baby. This is totally against normal practice for on demand breastfeeding.

Anyone aiming for regular naps will be seriously frustrated and will think there is something wrong with them and their baby. Night feeding is treated as if it's a massive burden that should be shared by using a bottle.The massively negative impact of inaccurate information and expectations is aimed at discouraging breastfeeding.

There's a 'helpful' link to another article on 'combination feeding' aka introducing formula, along with references to a whole lot of bottle feeding products you should buy.

The WHO condemns companies that use misinformation and pressure on mothers not to breastfeed. While it may be subtly disguised, that is exactly what articles like this are doing.

And for money.

OP posts:
Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:10

@Lovelyveg82 that's what I've told my 4 year old daughter (just to save you searching it's a few of my comments down in response to what I'd say if she didn't breastfeed)

At 4 I think it's ok to know that women have breasts because that's how mammals feed their babies. I'm not sure she's old enough to be told that they are also secondary sexual features (btw there is a biological view that the reason breasts are sexual features is because they suggest an ability to raise young)

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:10

bussteward · 13/03/2023 16:08

What’s hilarious about women setting boundaries around their own bodies? Lots of women feel touched out with babies – not just by breastfeeding but by the sheer neediness of a newborn, and don’t especially want to be groped after a day of childcare. It’s OK to say that to your partner – whether or not you have kids and whether or not you breastfeed, actually.

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Absolutely you can tell him never to touch them again if you want and reiterate to him that since you co created they are now fulfilling their purpose of feeding. See how that works out long term for you guys 🙈

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:09

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:05

You told your husband that? Sorry no they are for feeding now. No touching pleeeese. Or touching. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

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Where did I say that I told my husband that? I said that when I was BFing I found it powerful to be using them for their intended purpose.

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:09

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:08

She's 11, she knows what breasts are, she's not an idiot

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neither are the women that can watch a formula advert and not be swayed. We are strong us women 💪🏼

bussteward · 13/03/2023 16:08

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:05

You told your husband that? Sorry no they are for feeding now. No touching pleeeese. Or touching. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

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What’s hilarious about women setting boundaries around their own bodies? Lots of women feel touched out with babies – not just by breastfeeding but by the sheer neediness of a newborn, and don’t especially want to be groped after a day of childcare. It’s OK to say that to your partner – whether or not you have kids and whether or not you breastfeed, actually.

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:08

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 16:03

Is this what you’re going to tell your daughter?

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She's 11, she knows what breasts are, she's not an idiot

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:07

bussteward · 13/03/2023 16:05

My spectacular tits also confirm this.

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Enjoy 😀quite fond of mine too but happy for them to be enjoyed and not as an udder ‘personally’ was so relieved to have my lovely body all back to myself afterwards luckily also relatively unscathed as I didn’t fancy a tummy tuck 😳

bussteward · 13/03/2023 16:05

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:02

No, BFing doesn't cause sagging breasts. It's a myth. Numerous studies have confirmed this.

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My spectacular tits also confirm this.

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:05

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:03

She can say what she wants. Doesn't make it accurate though. Breasts are on your body to feed babies.

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You told your husband that? Sorry no they are for feeding now. No touching pleeeese. Or touching. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:04

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:03

She can say what she wants. Doesn't make it accurate though. Breasts are on your body to feed babies.

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And to attract males. Hence why they look at yours.

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 16:03

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:03

She can say what she wants. Doesn't make it accurate though. Breasts are on your body to feed babies.

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Is this what you’re going to tell your daughter?

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:03

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:58

was knowing that I was using my breasts for their intended purpose

I would guess my sister, who has never had children, would say she was “using my breasts for their intended purpose” when she was enjoying them being caressed by her boyfriend.

She can say what she wants. Doesn't make it accurate though. Breasts are on your body to feed babies.

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 16:02

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:59

It can do indeed. Prob another contributor to her getting implants. Again her choice. Glad it made her look and feel lovely again 😀

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No, BFing doesn't cause sagging breasts. It's a myth. Numerous studies have confirmed this.

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 16:01

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:00

@Lovelyveg82 I'm not sure why you had to go and find a post from 2 years ago though when I mentioned it right at the start of this thread. Or use it as a kinda gotcha.

What has the fact that she refused bottles got to do with this thread?

I think it’s fine you used a bottle. You should be able to feed however you wish. That’s what we are saying. Boob/bottle/formula. It really doesn’t matter at all x

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 16:00

@Lovelyveg82 I'm not sure why you had to go and find a post from 2 years ago though when I mentioned it right at the start of this thread. Or use it as a kinda gotcha.

What has the fact that she refused bottles got to do with this thread?

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:59

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:58

was knowing that I was using my breasts for their intended purpose

I would guess my sister, who has never had children, would say she was “using my breasts for their intended purpose” when she was enjoying them being caressed by her boyfriend.

They have many purposes and they are all ok 😀

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:59

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 15:56

Nope, BFing doesn't change your breasts. Pregnancy however can, regardless of how you feed.

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It can do indeed. Prob another contributor to her getting implants. Again her choice. Glad it made her look and feel lovely again 😀

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:58

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 15:48

Did she. I BF my DD until she was 2 and my breasts look exactly the same as they did pre pregnancy.

Also one of things that I loved about BFing, after years of having men talk at my chest, was knowing that I was using my breasts for their intended purpose. It felt powerful. The very last thing I would have done afterwards was modify them for the male gaze.

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Im afraid if they look exactly the same as before they will likely still talk to your chest I’m afraid but that’s ok. It’s as nature intended on another level. They had to be attracted to get the baby in there in the first place and like it or not boobs are attractive to men (& women-let’s not exclude here 😂)

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:58

was knowing that I was using my breasts for their intended purpose

I would guess my sister, who has never had children, would say she was “using my breasts for their intended purpose” when she was enjoying them being caressed by her boyfriend.

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 15:56

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:52

You’re very lucky then I think most women’s end up wrecked! It’s great they can serve all purposes that suit us at the time:) x

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Nope, BFing doesn't change your breasts. Pregnancy however can, regardless of how you feed.

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:52

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 15:48

Did she. I BF my DD until she was 2 and my breasts look exactly the same as they did pre pregnancy.

Also one of things that I loved about BFing, after years of having men talk at my chest, was knowing that I was using my breasts for their intended purpose. It felt powerful. The very last thing I would have done afterwards was modify them for the male gaze.

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You’re very lucky then I think most women’s end up wrecked! It’s great they can serve all purposes that suit us at the time:) x

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:49

Twizbe · 13/03/2023 15:12

I got the opposite experience. I had formula pushed and pushed despite me giving it as requested and it doing nothing to solve the issue. All it did was make him sick.

You see it often on here too. Woman posts a bf question and gets lots of 'it's ok to stop' or 'have you tried a bottle'

It's not always of course. It's not all HCPs that push breastfeeding either. I know one that told a woman that her perfectly normal nipples were wrong and that she'd never be able to breastfeed with them ... that's no better really is it?

It's a lottery of whether you get good advice or not.

Women need unbiased information that isn't an advert and that they can relate to their own circumstances. That is what is missing.

I think we all know we can or could do both but ads help to keep us informed I guess:)

Caviarandgelatine · 13/03/2023 15:48

Prochoice11 · 13/03/2023 15:27

I just had a giggle with my friend who bf 2 kids for a fair while and she said it’s true it gives a v slight decrease in breast cancer risk Yey but she said a warning to you all that (her words): “your spaniels ears t*ts will need silicone implants after and that will raise the chances so hedge your bets” she also added “I love those implants more than my kids” don’t worry guys she’s (half) joking 😂😂

Did she. I BF my DD until she was 2 and my breasts look exactly the same as they did pre pregnancy.

Also one of things that I loved about BFing, after years of having men talk at my chest, was knowing that I was using my breasts for their intended purpose. It felt powerful. The very last thing I would have done afterwards was modify them for the male gaze.

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:39

Letstaketotheskies · 13/03/2023 15:26

Oh not necessarily you, but multiple other posters made very nasty comments towards twizbe on that page. Also towards another poster who has not come back to the thread for daring to choose breastfeed into toddlerhood and have health issues.

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So now “not necessarily” me.

but in your op I abused the poster for most of page 18? 😐

Lovelyveg82 · 13/03/2023 15:38

I am SO glad I was completely unaware of mumsnet 13 years ago when I gave birth.

as a consequence, I gave breastfeeding next to no thought prior to the birth.

then, following the birth the midwife asked if I planned to breastfeed or bottle. Didn’t strike me a loaded question in the slightest. I said I’d give breast a whirl. I did and my baby took it to it. Had he not, it would have been bottle without a backward glance.

I was blissfully unaware that some women froth about the issue.