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.

Some of you seriously need perspective.

I've worked for children's services for many years, children are horribly abused and neglected. Feeding babies on formula/cows milk/artificial food/powdered shite if you so wish, doesn't matter in the big scheme of things. There are so many worse things going on in the country and the world. There are so many other things that happen in children's lives that have a far bigger impact.

Trolling on the Internet will achieve nothing though if you feel very strongly about it do something.

No? Oh because you don't actually care about babies you just like a chance to brag about something.

CultureSucksDownWords in the TEDS study the average period for breastfeeding is 4 months, but it is a large sample size of more than 11,000 children, tested at regular intervals over a period of 16 years.

The authors suggest that the differences in children's IQ is more likely to be influenced by factors such as schooling and socio-economic backgrounds.

What I don't understand is that they simply asked the mothers if they had breastfed - yes/no. If yes, they then asked for the duration (recorded in days). They didn't collect any data about whether they were mixed fed, and someone who breastfed once would be counted in this data as one of the 62% "breastfeeding".That makes no sense to me.

Where the hell is this data from!

I've never discussed my breastfeeding with anyone.

It's from the TEDS twins project, where twins born between 1994 and 1996 have been asked to take part in a variety of studies over the years.

www.teds.ac.uk/about.html

So unless you're the parent of twins born in that age bracket you're not going to have been asked!

l'The fact is not feeding your DC processed meat is far better for their health but nobody gives a shit'

This

If only people spent as much time worrying about what their kids eat after milk feeding is over.

Replying to a comment made pages ago-

I don't know anyone in RL who is ashamed to FF in public. I know plenty who don't like BF in public - feeling like they have to cover up or go into another room. Bottle feeding is very much seen as 'the norm'.

Bottle feeding is very much seen as 'the norm'.

Depends where you are and how old you are. Most mums around my age seem to ff, but most mums at clinic are in their 30s and bf.

Depends where you are and how old you are. Most mums around my age seem to ff, but most mums at clinic are in their 30s and bf.

I think that according to the 2010 UK infant feeding survey, women most likely to ebf were age 30+ and from managerial/professional backgrounds.

Which makes me think, shouldn't there be another survey out soon?

Bottle feeding does seem to be however I think it depends what circles you mix in.

Mrsb that seems likely from what I've seen. I wonder why that is? I'm assuming women in their 30s with good jobs can afford to take the 12 months off work and therefore invest time into bf.

Then again I've taken 12 months and still didn't persevere when bf was difficult . -shrug-

No Mrsb26, the government cancelled the 2015 one, which is a real shame. Presumably money saving and not thinking that it's important.

Pyjama it does depend. ExP was surprised when I didn't want to bf as it was the norm for him and he didn't know anyone who hadn't bf. Compare that to me until I went to clinic I only knew (that I know of) 2 people that had been bf. Everyone in my family ff.

ExP is from a very posh background. I'm from a normal one.

Well you just have to look at the figures to see that the majority of people bottle feed. Even if you live in an area where a high percentage of people BF, seeing someone FF is hardly weird.

It's not weird but neither is seeing someone bf. Just because I chose not to carry on with it I don't think it's weird to see someone else doing it.

I do agree some people make a fuss about people bf in public and they shouldn't. There's nothing wrong with bf

I would be interested to know why it is.

Most women I know started off breastfeeding but ran into difficulties and stopped.

Mrsb that seems likely from what I've seen. I wonder why that is? I'm assuming women in their 30s with good jobs can afford to take the 12 months off work and therefore invest time into bf.

It could be a whole host of things, but I think some of it probably comes down to social groups/norms too.

That said, I work in a 'professional' field and am close friends with 3 others that are too - 2 bf, 2 ff.

Again, it's all generalised!

Bumbley I said I feel embarrassed about formula feeding that is because I'm not comfortable with it for myself and my baby.

CultureSucksDownWords It would be good to see more information on the breastfeeding figures. The paper reports that 62% of the children were breastfed, and you can at least relate that to the 1995 Infant Feeding Survey which reports an initial breastfeeding rate of 68% with 65% still breastfeeding at 6 weeks.

Although that could also be 65% of the initial 68%, so that would be 44% still breastfeeding at 6 weeks in 1995 (it's hard to tell from the way the document summary is written).

There does seem to many more younger mothers who choose to FF. I think many just find BB a bit icky and embarrassing. Probably depends on their social and peer groups where it might be seen negatively and they are not used to it. I don't know how you reach out to encourage younger mums. They would probably just have to see more and more people around them feeding so it became normal and accepted.

I know a girl who had her baby at 17, her mother is a strong character and meant well but really just took over and actually made the decision for her to FF. Would be interesting to know how many young mums give BF a go and what their backgrounds are.

It never ever occurred to me not to BF, but I was an old codger and had seen my sister and stil successfully BF their children.