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?

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

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

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.

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

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!"