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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Quick poll - were YOU breastfed or formula fed?

231 replies

FFFS · 15/02/2011 20:24

If you were formula fed, you are probably, thick, fat and/or dead/on your last legs by now.

If you were breastfed, you are probably highly intelligent, with supermodel looks and are 125/going to reach 125 (but only if you were EBF until you were 16).

AIBU?

Yes, I know a thread about a thread but I could not resist.

OP posts:
Ariesgirl · 15/02/2011 20:50

I was FF from birth. I am slim, healthy and extremely intelligent Grin. Well you know, normal intelligent.

Original poster
FFFS · 15/02/2011 20:51

I am hoping that anyone who has felt like crap after reading some of the threads on here because they FF, will take some comfort in knowing that their babies WILL grow into fully functioning healthy adults after all Grin.

I do not think FF babies will be thick and fat btw, that's what I read on here in some many words.

I have done both.

OP posts:
MogTheForgetfulCat · 15/02/2011 20:51

FF from birth. Have PhD, and am as healthy as a healthy horse. Brother was also FF, though, and he is quite severely overweight and always ill with one thing and another Sad.

Have BF both of my DSs, and will be BFing DS3 when he finally decides to show up

peppapighastakenovermylife · 15/02/2011 20:51

'Breastmilk would have to be the bloody elixir of life to make any difference to us, and it clearly didn't!'

But you will never actually know that will you? Your allergies could have been worse if you were FF - maybe, maybe not because the data is based on averages not anecdotes. But unless there is an exact version of you in a parallel universe out there you will never be able to say that BF / FF was the cause of anything for you.

Thats why anecdotes are well, just anecdotes.

TCOB · 15/02/2011 20:52

LaWeaslMys - I think you're being really generous about this thread. I don't think it's about saying 'FF won't stunt your child' because no person in their right mind genuinely believes that it will in the first place. It's about saying that BFers are deluded numpties for BFing their children because it makes sod-all difference according to the scientifically-robust sample we have been presented with.

LaWeaselMys · 15/02/2011 20:55

I am well aware that anecdote does not equal fact.

But actually the statistically benefits of bm versus modern formula (not the stuff available in earlier decades which was not quite right) is pretty slim too. Everybodies arguments are crappy.

I am happy to bf my child, I could and do, I am happy to say that more people should be supported to bf. I am not happy to make ff feel bad about something that 90% of them didn't think they would be doing it and did not 'choose' to do so, but struggled and felt they had no choice, when ff is a SAFE and nutritionally sound alternative.

TCOB · 15/02/2011 20:58

If anyone is bored of this tired old debate, there is a wicked thread about a 3 week old baby who can walk upstairs in Gifted and Talented which offers genuine value for money.

BTW if anyone gives a shit (which I sincerely hope they don't or they have too much time on their hands) I hedged my bets and FF and BF.

curlymama · 15/02/2011 20:58

Maybe BF doesn't reduce allergies and have amazing effects, but like my ex said, if you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the lottery.

Merlotmonster · 15/02/2011 21:01

I can't remember......its was probably wine !! he he Wine

GwendolineMaryLacey · 15/02/2011 21:02

FF. I am fat and feel like I'm on my last legs Wink

PukeyMummy · 15/02/2011 21:03

FF and have a degree from Oxbridge. I'm slim(-ish).

BF my DD to 14 months. She's clearly a very beautiful and intelligent little girl. Grin

So does it make a difference? Nope, probably not!

But I enjoyed BF and would recommend at least giving it a go. If not least to be able to save the money you'd otherwise have spent on formula into an account for your child's future!

Original poster
FFFS · 15/02/2011 21:04

TCOB - off you trot then!

Until I came on this site, it had never even entered my head that by FF, I might be harming or 'poisoning' my chidren and yes, there some bf militants people who actually think this.

So I thought I would start this thread to balance things out.

I repeat I did BOTH. So do not lean either way, only interested in feeding my children.

OP posts:
TysonNobdie86 · 15/02/2011 21:04

FF and am brilliant in all aspects Grin

Honeybee79 · 15/02/2011 21:04

FF. Double first from Oxford, PhD from Cambridge. Not particularly fat either. But doubt how I was fed is relevant.

Totally meaningless debate of course. Grin

pettyprudence · 15/02/2011 21:05

All EBFed in my family and all bright (got us some degrees 'n' that) and slim (except me due to a fondness for McDonalds and chocolate). Formula has never passed my lips (would a smug emoticon be appropriate here or will I just be slapped?)

DH and siblings all FF and have asthma (and DH lactose intolerant) but skinnier (except DH) than my fam and DH is doing a Phd.

PFB on its way and I hope to EBF because A)no matter what you tell me I do think its best and B) I am extremely lazy. I think FF takes more dedication than BF - all those bottles, steralising, boiling, cooling etc......

Right i'm off to hide now from the battering i'll get for my wild naivety...

pommedeterre · 15/02/2011 21:05

TCOB - hilarious.

But seriously, is the baby ff or bf?

peppapighastakenovermylife · 15/02/2011 21:05

I completely agree with what you are saying - the emphasis should be on support of informed choice.

I don't really agree with the idea that there is not much evidence (and that their arguments are 'crappy'). But again it is just risk and one area of life.

Original poster
FFFS · 15/02/2011 21:07

I am actually interested in this though. Would prefer to hear from 'real' people than statistics.

OP posts:
onceamai · 15/02/2011 21:07

I was formula fed. Had eczema as a child and was skinny. Now suffering a bit from middle aged spread. I think I'm fairly intelligent.

The DC - DS bf for 8 weeks then ff.

DD - BF until about 9-10 months but started weaning much earlier. DS is brighter, DD is more driven.

DH and the SILs BF until they were one. DH is normal the SIL's a fat, clever but lazy.

TBH provided either are given with love and followed up with support, encouragement, stimulation and a good diet, (and formula is made up properly with clean water) I really don't think it matters or is worth too much angst. fwiw ds would have died if it weren't for anti-biotics and formula - infective mastitis and a breast abscess and the guilt really wasn't worth it.

maighdlin · 15/02/2011 21:08

I was BF. I am obese have some health issues but no allergies, but would consider myself intelligent.

TCOB · 15/02/2011 21:08

And lo we come back to the eternal truth: some people think BFers are weirdos and some think FFers are losers. And some people just get on with feeding their kids.

[trotting off to G & T emoticon]

onceamai · 15/02/2011 21:08

I meant to say DS and I would have died.

TCOB · 15/02/2011 21:09

pomme - my babies were fed - WORMS!

StealthPolarBear · 15/02/2011 21:10

Mix fed until about 6 weeks when it was decided I was a very hungry baby (am now a very hungry adult :o) and so had to be ff exclusively.
Hmm at the bf support of the late 70s/early 80s

WhoMovedMyTea · 15/02/2011 21:11

My mum was advised (abroad) to feed me cows milk mixed with sugar when BF didn't go well. And she did. WTF!?

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