To suggest that ff babies are generally more content than breastfed babies?

[mrsb26]

...because they are fuller for longer?

Following on from an article I read recently regarding a study that suggested that of its recipients, the ff babies were generally deemed to be more calm, easy to settle to sleep etc than breastfed babies.

I know this is bound to be a taboo subject, but I must say, as a breastfeeding mother myself to a 4 month old dd, I have considered whether she'd be more satisfied on formula. She's not the easiest of babies and, to me, seems fussier and more demanding than her formula fed peers.

For example, she is really hard to settle to sleep for naps. She will sometimes feed to sleep, but not always (I know this is a debate on itself). I have never been to the shops or out for a walk for half an hour without her fussing (even if it's just for a little bit). She will sit on my knee or go to someone else for five minutes tops before fussing and starting to cry.

I'm not doubting the benefits of the quality of breastmilk, obviously. I guess I just feel like I'm filling up a tank that's emptying as quick as it's filling^^ and that she's never fully satisfied. I know breastmilk is digested quicker, but still.

She has no issues re: reflux, tongue tie or anything either.

Of course there are behavioural differences amongst all babies, but as a general rule, what is your opinion? Interested to hear from anyone who has perhaps breastfed one baby and formula fed another.

Piper it's relevant because some poster have suggested that women shouldn't have a choice. I just wonder how those people feel about other choices available to women which may carry some risks.

Lot of great big lovely money in formula.

Yep. Which is why it annoys me when people say "they wouldn't sell it if it wasn't good for baby" - newsflash, SMA et al don't give a shiny shite about people's babies, they want money and nothing else, which is why they're not careful enough to ensure bits of plastic and bugs don't get into their formula as I so often read about

It's a false analogy. No one is going to say yeah, I really love my baby but I'm not doing that bfeeding even though there are risks people have to believe it's fine and equal.

pyjama think I missed that bit re women shouldn't have a choice, it's not what I believe personally and would hate nothing more than to live in a society where women in particular were forced to do something against their will. It's not the way forward. Investment in better support and together controls on formula marketing would be a better way towards more BF babies IMHO

We all make choices. If we were all honest we all make less than 'the best' choices for our children at one point or another.

We weight up the potential risks against quality of life for the whole family.

That's true, pyjama

Piper I'm not talking about you. Some other posters have made comments about not knowing why women have children if they can't be bothered to bf.

FF should be a dirty little secret.

How ff mothers are putting themselves at risk of breastcancer, putting their babies at risk of all sorts of nasties.

Lots of the things we do carry risks we don't always make the optimum choices.

Looking back over breastfeeding 5 including twins that has been some of the most important memorable experiences of my life and I want all women to have a good chance for that and think it's very sad the UK does so very badly over this.

So you think everyone should breastfeed because you did and found it a nice experience?

My new baby grandchild is currently breastfeeding and I am extremely grateful to NHS staff for their support of breastfeeding.

And how would you have felt if your daughter/daughter in law hadn't breastfed your grandchild for whatever reason? Would you have been supportive of her choice, or would you have just whispered 'dirty little secret' at her? Grim.

Yep. Which is why it annoys me when people say "they wouldn't sell it if it wasn't good for baby" - newsflash, SMA et al don't give a shiny shite about people's babies

Firstly there's money in breastfeeding, special pillows, clothes, breastpumps to keep tyre neighbours awake, vitamin supplements.

Secondly formula milk is good for babies, it supports them adequately to grow and thrive. It is the second healthiest food for a baby after breastmilk. Much better than milky tea, watered down cows milk with sugar etc. In the context of the first world middle classes our babies are well fed, nourished and safe. We have clean water, modern kitchens, sterilizers, dishwashers.

I haven't read the politics of breastfeeding neither do I intend to. What makes me sad is any woman who doesn't feel supported to feed her baby in the way that she wants to. Its ridiculous, the obsession with 'discreet' breastfeeding yet women also feel self conscious ff in public I mean wtaf is wrong with this country..... And why are women fuelling it online by knocking each other's choices?

I'm clearly not very good at explaining.

I think there should be a cultural change. There have been some good points about women being expected to keep the house tidy, look after the older children, cook the meals. Accept visitors in those early weeks, we want the house presentable for when the HV comes, It doesn't work with breastfeeding. It doesn't work with ff either but it can be a bit less intense.

More practical help and less guilt trips might work?

If a mum just doesn't want to breastfeed, genuinely just doesn't want to. It's her choice and I don't think she Gould feel ashamed. Ok it's not the best choice, you might not understand it. As Worra pointed out it's only one part of the bigger picture.

Toby fantastic post.

I haven't read the politics of breastfeeding neither do I intend to. What makes me sad is any woman who doesn't feel supported to feed her baby in the way that she wants to

It's not as simple as that, tho, it's not a choice between two things of equal value, like a red scarf or a blue scarf. One is better.

There is little point in making anyone feel guilty over anything, encouragement tends to be far more productive, but neither is it helpful to ignore the inconvenient truth.

pyjama I know. I hate the assumption that because I'm not an all natural earth mother type I'm "cold".

It's funny how people support women's rights to choose when it comes to abortion but if a woman chooses a certain feeding method of birth type, suddenly it's wrong of her to let her own preferences count!

Hully the advantages of bf in a western country with clean water, long term are minimal.

hully nobody is ignoring the fact that breast milk is better nutritionally, what is disputed is that it's better for all mums and babies and that breastfeeding mums are better than formula feeding mums.

I know you want to believe that Tali, but unfortunately it isn't true. I have already suggested areas you might care to look into if you do want to know the truth.

Hully it's not always better, it wasn't in my case. But really it's the decision of the individial isn't it either way? I think concentrate the angst on those who don't feed their children or neglect them or who sell their formula vouchers to buy drugs.

toby exactly

Hully I linked studies earlier proving my point. It very much is true.

Other than antibodies, it's much of a muchness

Logically, if we accept that breast milk is best, then it is "better" for all babies and mothers that breastfeed are "better"

You keep believing that, Tali. In the face of all studies and scientific evidence. It's clearly very important to you.

No it isn't Hully. If breast milk is "better@ what about

Mums who have to take medication
Mums who have illnesses like HIV
Mums who are nutritionally deficient
Mums who have been sexually abused
Mums who have had breast cancer
Mums who have adopted

Etc.

Saying mothers are better because they breastfeed is disgusting

Tali unfortunately that just is not true. Please google 'nct reasons to be proud breastfeeding' which will provide you with a full list of benefits by age. Other dubious 'studies' available on the Internet are not reputable sources. Try nhs, who, nct, for information that is unbiased and trustworthy.