To think DC *is* ebf?

[MulderitsmeX]

Please help me settle an argument with DH.

Dc is 8 months so has some solilds /pouches / BLW which I introduced just after 6 months. All his milk is breast milk. Is this ebf?

DH and I saw some BF articles about BF rates and were confused whether EBF means no formula or no solids/formula. If the latter surely no baby post 6 months is ebf? (Unless medical reasons why)

brookshelley you've fallen for it, obviously. Move in different circles and you'll feel better about a lot of things.

My response was to a comment about cows milk only being good for baby cows and then a sentence later saying formula vs breast milk is irrelevant in countries with clean water. Can’t have it both ways.

If you have the choice to breastfeed and can, it’s obvious that it’s more suitable for a human baby than the processed milk of another animal. Sorry if that’s controversial.

What exactly do you mean by "if you have the choice to breastfeed and can"? could you expand on that please?

I had the choice to breastfeed my daughter. I could breastfeed her. It would have damaged her had I been so stubborn as to stick to my guns and continue to breastfeed her. The best thing for her was for me to feed her a special formula.

Would that meet your criteria?

I was once introduced to someone at a party by the host as ‘this is Ginazon, she is exclusively breastfeeding her dd!’. Which I thought was a very weird thing to say as a) who gives a crap? and b) dd was 9/10months old and well into weaning, and therefore not ‘exclusively’ fed anything.

I just muttered, well, she is eating food as well...

So, no exclusively breastfed means nothing but breastmilk, as far as I’m concerned.

EBF is pre solids, which is why so many ardent breastfeeders get in a real panic about anyone weaning before that magical 6 month date, heaven forbid you should give your child solids at 5 1/2 months even if they're starving with hunger, they want to get their silver boobies or whatever it is 🙄

mylightbulbmoment
I’m not trying to parse anyone’s specific situation. If you feel you tried and weren’t able to, then you did the best you could.

It’s possible to believe that formula is an essential product for many babies, and also to believe breast milk is superior regardless of the economic development status of the country.

@brookshelley

Please read again what I posted. It isn't that I tried and wasn't able to.

Breastmilk was NOT superior for my particular baby and would have caused her significant difficulties.

I'd say EBF is never had formula. Because it is assumed they will have solids at 6 months so kind of goes without saying? Also post weaning you can still formula feed, still mixed feed and therefore surely still EBF alongside solids?

The term 'Exclusive' BF is only really relavent in the first couple of weeks if the baby loses too much weight, in order to determine the best care plans.

It does lend an air of superiority. We need to just get on and feed our babies, not feel the need to be so specific.

I breastfed both of mine to toddlerhood and don't think I have ever had any need to say whether I was exclusively breastfeeding apart from possibly when I brought them in for their jabs.

@mylightbulbmoment

If that’s what you believe fine. Do you want an argument with me or something?

I said clearly I’m not talking about anyone’s individual case. BM isn’t best if the mother is an alcoholic or taking chemotherapy medicines or many other specific situations. In general and on a population level BM is optimal according to every health authority in the world. What you choose to do with that information and in your circumstances is your choice!

@brookshelley What is BM?

@brookshelley Sorry, never mind, I figured it out.

EBF is pre-weaning. Which is why I always think it’s total nonsense when people say that the UK has low breastfeeding rates and then point to a statistic about how only 1% of babies are still EBF at 6 months to support that conclusion. Errr, yes, obviously - that’s because most people are weaning by that point?

No, your baby is no longer exclusively breastfed as he has solids too. Exclusive breastfeeding is only recommended up to about 6 months. Once you introduce solids, you are no longer exclusively breastfeeding.