Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

anti-FFs and pro choice?

103 replies

DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:04

I have seen some, not loads, but a definite number of extremely anti FF people on here. The ones that think FF mothers are irresponsible and owe their child more

Similarly, there are a lot of pro choice (abortion) people on here

I just don't really understand how you can be pro choice but against women choosing for themselves how to feed their baby. Shouldn't women be allowed to choose what to do with their bodies in every way conceivable?

Aware is lots more complicated than this, just wanted to open up a bit of a debate (NOT BUNFIGHT)

(Am EBF-ing and pro choice but curious)

OP posts:
Solari · 20/05/2013 14:19

Loads of anti-FF people on a forum + loads of pro-choice people on a forum = not necessarily the same people. Smile

Original poster
DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:20

That's fine gordy, I didn't say all pro choice people were anti formula!
It's not all about you Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:21

Solari...yes but some, quite possibly?

OP posts:
TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 20/05/2013 14:22

this:
Some people on here are anti-FF
Lots of people on here are pro-choice
Ergo anti-FF people are pro-choice.

Does that make sense to you? Is that a cogent point of view about a site that has millions of users?

AMumInScotland · 20/05/2013 14:24

Would a Venn diagram help?

Original poster
DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:25

Not at all ton

-Lots of people are anti FF

-Lots are pro choice (a majority, I would guess, judging by past posts)

So possible that some are both. And how do they justify their position?

OP posts:
Original poster
DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:25

Yes a Venn diagram!! Smile

OP posts:
Solari · 20/05/2013 14:25

Its possible there may be some overlap, or there may be a vanishingly small one, or none at all.

The way the OP was written did give me at least the impression that you thought the groups expressing both impressions were one homogenous mass, and were confused about the obviously conflicting ideology. Apologies if you have already taken this into account.

Abra1d · 20/05/2013 14:25

So let me see if I've got this right. . . If you are pro-choice you will probably be anti-FF?

Sorry, doesn't make sense to me. It's like the tired old saw that pro-lifers are pro-capital punishment. I don't much like abortion (though I accept the need for choice) but I am very anti-capital punishment. And I breastfed.

Original poster
DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:27

Ack no sorry if post was unclear

So am I wrong in thinking there are no pro choice anti FFs on here? If there are any, I would love to hear how you justify your position..genuine interest

OP posts:
TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 20/05/2013 14:30

TBH I don't believe the anti-FF ones, the ones who think FF mothers are irresponsible and owe their child more exist.

WilsonFrickett · 20/05/2013 14:30

I really haven't come across very many posters who are antiFF.

I've seen some lovely people who are prepared to give up their time to help new mothers establish BF because that's what they want for their family. I've heard some great arguments against the FF companies and their very shoddy practices. I've heard a lot of people talk about the support and help offered to new mothers to help them BF, and how that can be improved. I think most of those people would be classed as pro-BF. But being pro-BF doesn't actually make you anti-FF.

gordyslovesheep · 20/05/2013 14:32

Well maybe you should clarify your op ...you know ...some people are pro choice ...some are anti Dd ...not always the same people ...oh look my post is daft ...and goady as fuck

Facepalm

WilsonFrickett · 20/05/2013 14:32

For example, my DF has just had a little girl and is struggling mightily with the BF. I am being as supportive as I can, because she desperately wants to do it. I am pro-BF, I suppose. But if it doesn't work out for her and she switches to FF I will be equally supportive, because I know she is making the right decision for her family. I'm hardly going to dash the bottle of formula from her hand, after all.

Booyhoo · 20/05/2013 14:33

"I just don't really understand how you can be pro choice but against women choosing for themselves how to feed their baby. "

are the anti Ff people the same people who are pro choice?

because i am one of those but not the other. it's possible you know. MN isn't one person.

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 20/05/2013 14:33

But yes, if you are pro-choice and anti-FF to the extent of condemning mothers who FF, then that wouldn't make sense to me.

but I am sure, like the unicorns, such people don't exist

gordyslovesheep · 20/05/2013 14:34

Ff not Dd ..stoopid phone

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 20/05/2013 14:36

In other news. Some people like to pierce their baby's ears but some people are against Greggs sausage rolls and fruit shoots. What's the story with that eh? EH?

Solari · 20/05/2013 14:36

I do unfortunately know a couple of people in rl who really are militantly anti-FF (trying rather aggressively to shame me out of it even though I was having health problems). But they were also both anti-abortion.

Original poster
DidILeaveTheIronOn · 20/05/2013 14:37

Here's one from a previous post

There was even a woman with a 5 week prem baby at my massage saying that even though she had no problems bf'ing at all, she decided it wasn't worth the hassle. I really wanted to take her to one side and explain why she should persevere, even if just for the first few months but stopped myself. Not helped by her next sentence which stated that his poos were like marbles that morning - poor little thing!

OP posts:
Absy · 20/05/2013 14:38

Eh? Though I did initially think FFS meant "for fucks sake" which is my fave expression at work, so I was all " but how can you be anti FFS?"

Anyway, I agree with Tee on page 1 - post two of the most emotive topics in an OP and say you're not after a bunfight? Pull the other one sparky, it has bells on it.

Booyhoo · 20/05/2013 14:39

what does that comment prove OP? it doesn't go on to say "btw i am pro choice" does it?

valiumredhead · 20/05/2013 14:39

That was me then with an 8 week prem baby. I ended up with severe PND trying to 'persevere.' I had already decided the I had been trough enough and BF would just about finish me off, and I was right, it nearly did.

bigkidsdidit · 20/05/2013 14:39

are you saying that, as some people believe a woman should be able to have autonomy over her own body, she should be able to have utter control over a separate person? Because that doesn't make sense.

A foetus is not a separate person, to those to are pro-choice. A baby is.

because I am pro-choice, I do not believe I have the right to kill a 1 day old baby. Feeding a baby is about choice of how to use your breasts, yes, but involves a whole other person.

(I am pro-choice and don't care about ff, btw)

jacks365 · 20/05/2013 14:40

But did that doesn't make her anti ff just pro bf. I agree with her view and I did ff.

Swipe left for the next trending thread