To think breastfeeding has made no difference to my dd and is massively overrated in terms of benefits?

[Placeanditspatrons]

I've nearly driven myself to a breakdown feeding my dd. She is 16 months now and I'm still feeding. She has been ill more times and worse than my formula fed from four months son. She does not recover any faster and she catches anything I get and gets it worse, despite supppsedly the antibodies passing to her and either preventing or reducing the severity of the illness.

I know it's anecdotal and the studies say overall bf babies are healthier but how much healthier? I mean I we talking one less cold? One less ear injection? Statistically? Many of my friends have said similar. Again anecdotal but I can't help wondering - after the colostrum which is more important I guess - does it really make any noticeable difference?

I did BF though so it's cool right????

bert your sanctimonious breastfeeders have arrived now.

Thanks I'm, happy now Bertrand?

Makes me laugh when breast feeding mothers let us all know the superiority of their choice then choose to feed their toddlers on junk,too much processed meat and not nearly enough fruit and veg.

Oh and sugar.....

@ImYourMama you're part of the problem and the reason @GreenGinger2 has any ground to say what she has said

Why sanctimonious to state the truth?

Breastfeeders get so much abuse and such little support in this country.

I bf my first but like the op it was a battle and may or may not have been worth it overall in terms of mental health etc. I took formula into the hospital with me for 2nd child fully prepared to formula feed from birth if it was such a struggle again but magically she fed like a dream from the start and I didn't need it.

It's not judging mums that ff to say that formula milk isn't better for babies than breastmilk.

I do find many ffs are ultra defensive - perhaps not fully comfortable with their feeding choices?!

Sunshine - if that's what you honestly believe formula is, why on earth does the thought of it being fed to babies make you laugh? Have I missed something?!

Yep I missed your actual point sunshine!! Sorry

Did saying minis name 3 times bring her out? the rhetoric is familiar.

I did see her tell a mother with a mastectomy that she should try harder. Presumably by inventing a time machine.

I don't believe in giving babies powder to save the mother. You had a child and should make the sacrifices to give the child the best. And breast is best.

So should a mothers mental health suffer because of the trauma some women suffer through trying to breastfeed?

Should some infants not receive what they need because the mother can't enough produce milk?

Should some mothers who cannot breastfeed due to SA & the related trauma they've survived not give their child formula?

Should some mothers not receive the drugs they need for a multitude of reasons because they should breastfeed?

Abuse,what abuse? You do do know abuse means repeated cruelty.

Ha dd2s milk was prescription only

here an idea.lets support eachother.does whether we bf or not chang ehow we are,change whether we need love,kindness or support from other mums and humans.does it make us evil or not?good or not?wanting to be just a good mum or not?
with very few exceptions do we all not want to be the best we can for our little uns.
why judge,cant we just be there and help eacohter feel great about however we decide.support.offer kind words or some tips or tricks.advice but don't ever psuh
that to me will help mental health and general health.having people actually feel they are ok.and doing their best.

Sorry OP I've only read the first page. Surely 16 months is absolutely a brilliant length of time to breastfeed
Can't you just stop now?

And also to say I've felt bullied to formula feed and give up breastfeeding by hcp's actually. My baby was sick and they wanted to be able to quantify what liquid she was having - I had to really fight them to do it with no support from hcp apart from one nice dr that then 'allowed' me to feed her that way.
Even now she's not putting on weight for other (health) reasons and I'm told she should only have 2 feeds a day at 9 months. This would be true of a ff baby perhaps but it's very notmal for bf babies to still feed more often at this stage. I've also been told to supplement when I actually have oversupply as an issue. Told I should ff so I can leave my baby overnight in hospital alone etc etc. Luckily I'm confident in what I'm doing else I'd have switched to ff from hcps month ago! I know when she's not sick she puts on weight fine!

I was reading a semi-light hearted article the other day about pointless body parts and it actually included nipples in its list

I thought that pretty much said it all

A biology teacher I worked with thought breastfeeding meant that the babies intestines were lined with protective bacteria, can't remember the precise comment but interesting.

Formula is whey powder with added vitamins and minerals - made using chemical processes - what do you think it is apple?!

Did saying minis name 3 times bring her out

Or maybe if you say her name five times in front of a mirror she will appear behind you...

Does anyone else remember the Candyman films?

Sunshine I was bullied to breast feed. Due to the midwife's pushing,blaze attitude to our bfing problems and lack of monitoring my dd ended in SCBU.The consultant treating her was livid at the state of her.My midwife's continual pushing of bfing at all costs lead to my pnd further down the line. There were others like me on the same pnd course.

Keep an eye out for bees 🐝🐝🐝🐝