AIBU to get the rage when i see the SMA advert?

[bopoityboo3]

I have nothing against formula feeding (formula feed DD but having better luck breast feeding DS).
But the current SMA advert gives me such rage. It is so condescending to mums and the brief time it shows a dad being silly with his child, pulling funny faces at them and just generally being a Dad, there is a mum in the background of the shot giving him an evil glare as if he was the worst Dad in the world. Makes me so mad the stereotyping in it.

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

To put it in context, when I was trying to bf, she wasn't latching and feeding at all. I had the lactation people telling me off (which is why I strongly support the need for better lactation consultants for anyone who wants to breastfeed), telling me my baby would get ill if I didn't feed her soon, and getting annoyed at me when I couldn't get her to latch.

She was getting really upset and hungry, so when I asked for a bottle of formula and the lovely midwife got me one, it was like a massive weight had been lifted. I'd felt so much pressure from all angles to breastfeed that I was at risk of ruining the first few days as a mum, because it didn't work for me.

So for me, having been in that situation and knowing the fear and panic of being told 'your baby will get ill if you don't feed her soon', I honestly don't care if she has formula or breastmilk, as long as she is feeding.

It isn't just carelessness :(

[Echocave]

Moomin, I hear ya.
Been there too. 3 years down the line I honestly, honestly really don't care any more. We tried!
(Am off topic so now leaving thread)

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

Also leaving the thread and apologies for derailing

If anyone sees me on a baby feeding thread in future, tell me to bugger off!

[bopoityboo3]

combust22 'I'm confused. Surely you must care what your baby is eating?'
Pretty sure no one has said 'I don't care so I will feed them crap from day one' people are saying that for reasons, that are frankly no-one else's business, they will feed their babies with breast or formula and at the end of the day as long as the baby is happy healthy and growing it's nobodies damn business.

If someone wants to bf and is struggling of course there should be excellent support for them to help them establish. BUT no-one has the right to make anyone feel guilty for ff their babies or be made to feel that they have failed for making that choice.

But then I think you knew that.

[combust22]

"it's nobody's damn business"

But there are public health concerns. You think school meals are no-one business, or indeed what people eat in general is of no public concern?

No-one can make anyone feelguilty- but we do need public information on healthy food choices to make an informed choice.

[bopoityboo3]

It is nobodies damn business if I bf or ff as long as my baby is growing healthy and hitting his development marks.

Of course we should be informed but ff isn't an unhealthy food choice, for a lot of women it's the only choice and to pretend otherwise is naïve and dangerous.

[IsChippyMintonExDirectory]

Agree with combust not-BFing costs the NHS £40million a year. It's a public health issue and it's in the interest of the NHS to have more people BF.

[combust22]

"for a lot of women it's the only choice " no I don't agree.

For some women it's the only choice, but most women can breastfeed.

[Eauneau]

Agree with combust not-BFing costs the NHS £40million a year. It's a public health issue and it's in the interest of the NHS to have more people BF.

Can I just ask, how do they come up with that figure, as its difficult to know if a formula fed child would have become ill anyway, even if breastfed? My son had eczema as a baby and I have no idea if he would have got it anyway even if I had continued to breastfeed, as I know that plenty of breastfed babies still get eczema?

I guess it's an estimation based on links between formula feeding and higher incidences of certain illnesses?

I do agree though that lots of people say they 'couldn't breastfeed' when what they mean is that they tried and just didn't get on with it for a wide variety of reasons. Just be honest and stick by your choice!

Formula is not and will never be the same as breastsmilk, no matter what Aptamil say. But as far as ways to feed your baby go, it is a 'Very Good' alternative.

[Eauneau]

Reading my post back I realise I have been harsh about women who say they 'can't breastfeed'. A lot of the time, giving up is due to the absolutely woeful support of breastfeeding in this country, rather than just because a woman can't be arsed.

But to say 'I couldn't breastfeed' when what you mean is 'i couldnt access the support to make breastfeeding successful' just doesn't help matters.

[combust22]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/oct/18/increase-breastfeeding-nhs-savings-unicef