to think nearly all the mums I see are bottle feeding?

[newmumma2015]

Not judging those who can't breastfeed but when taking my new born out the past 3 months I've only seen one other mum breastfeeding. Are you all hiding?

As a mix feeder, I would always bottle feed (often expressed milk) in public as I wasn't comfortable BFing in public (no problem with anyone BF out and about of course, that is just my own hang up as I have big boobs and struggled to do it discreetly). I agree that I barely see anyone BFing but often it is so discreet that we aren't noticing.

You don't think it's a problem lashes. That's all you're saying

Lashes, at a macro level the NHS don't see it like that.

For them, if all women bottle feed there are public health implications that cost them money.

So, I agree with you that each individual should do what's right for them - but at a population level, there's a reason why the NHS puts resource into promoting breast feeding.

Having said that, there are huge flaws in their promotional strategy, but that's another thread for another day.

Laurie and how does one work out which problems are related to breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is such a small part of someone's life it's impossible to predict whether someone's health problem is a result of it when there are too many other things to consider that may have had an effect.

It's not about money - if it was the NHS would push elective sections for all as long term that saves money as you don't have to perform emergency and repairs after bad vaginal births, plus care for babies with birth injuries. Seems to me to be more about an ideological desire for everything "natural".

Crafts I'm saying that you haven't explained why a population of women making an informed choice is negative. It's not as if breastfeeding has benefits and no negatives and formula is terrible. As I said, good and bad with both. So a population of women deciding they favour one over the other isnt s problem

I'm totally confused. If a woman chooses not breastfeed then her baby definitely isn't going to benefit from antibodies in her breastmilk. So that's a benefit that's lost, definitely.

Of course the loss of that benefit might be outweighed by a more significant negative associated with breastfeeding in that specific instance, such as not being able to take vital medication. But it isn't true to say that there won't be any benefits that are lost, surely?

I have explained that. You obviously disagree, but I have explained. This is just going round in circles

Culture but it will be replaced by a benefit of formula. So instead of a benefit being lost a different one has been gained. The benefits are different, but nothing is "lost"

Lashes, what are the negatives to breastfeeding? For the child I mean.

Crafts you haven't you've just said the NHS recommends it so you lot are wrong.

"Because it's proven to have benefits to mother and baby. Don't tell me you didn't realise that "

1 hour 15 minutes ago

Wooner

If the mother doesn't have a great diet, might not be the best milk. The mother may resent breastfeeding and it creates bonding issues. Possible health issues in mum making her exhausted and not able to care for the baby.

What are the benefits of formula?

FWIW, I couldn't give a shiny shit how anyone chooses to feed. It's none of my business, or anybody else's, what sort of milk a child is given.

Diet does not affect quality of milk, unless you are starving yourself for a long period of time.

And crafts, myself and others have explained that formula has benefits too. Your argument is that the benefits of breastfeeding are better than those of formula I'm assuming? In which case, again myself and others have said that's for individuals to decide, and if that means all women choose formula that's fine

What are the benefits of formula? Diet doesn't affect breastmilk.

Xposted with culture

A mother's diet isn't really relevant tbh, as long as she isn't severely malnourished it will always be the best milk.

X posted!

Culture, look at b12 deficiency.

Benefits of formula:
Easy and convenient
Not painful
Doesn't rely on one person
Isn't affected by state of mothers health
Isn't affected by mothers view on breasts
Can be shared with family
Can monitor intake
Allows mother to have a break

Formula milk isn't the best milk for a baby, breast milk is. That can't be argued.

Formula feeding however, can be the best option for some mothers.

And for some babies as the negatives of a woman breastfeeding who doesn't want to can impact on babies.

Those benefits are completely subjective. Furthermore they are perceived advantages of bottle feeding, not formula feeding.

I was planning to bf for 1 year, but had to stop after 7 months for health reasons (medication). I always felt self-conscious breastfeeding in public because I know some people are offended by it, and now that I'm bottle feeding I wonder if people are noticing that and judging me. You can't win, really. (At least not if you, like me, worry too much about what others think.)