To think formula is an amazing invention?

[IsoBordem]

As I was sitting and feeding my beautiful healthy, happy, and thriving baby I was suddenly so thankful for the existence of baby formula. It gets such a bad rap by some people but I would hate to think where she would be now if formula did not exist.

Seeing her in the hospital because she lost too much weight in her first week was heartbreaking. I will always be grateful that we live in an age where baby formula is available!

I agree that the way formula is and has been advertised and promoted is the real problem rather than the product in of itself.

@Wibblypiggly

Fuck. Boy duck.

I think I saw them play live in 1998 !

My babies would have died within days if I there wasn't any such thing as formula. So yes I agree it's amazing stuff.

Yes Formula is an adequate way to feed your baby. I’ve both BF when DC were younger and FF as they got older. What’s your point OP? Your post does seem a bit toady.

I agree. Although I think we could be in for a proper bunfight here.

I used formula until both DS and me learned how to BF. I was lucky to have a hands-on midwife who showed us what to do. Was happy to do formula until BF clicked for us.
BF is not easy, and I still use formula at times. I know other mums who couldn’t BF or just didn’t get any milk in. They have very happy FF babies. So, yeah, it’s great.

One friend was denied formula in hospital (she was in for a week following birth complications) so that she would be forced to BF. So wrong... She was very unwell, plus the stress of her hungry newborn.

@SchmooobyDoo

One friend was denied formula in hospital (she was in for a week following birth complications) so that she would be forced to BF. So wrong... She was very unwell, plus the stress of her hungry newborn.

Really?

My son would have died without it. It's wonderful in my opinion

I had this same conversation with my pregnant friend a while ago. She is at the stage in her pregnancy where people think they have a right to ask ridiculous questions and give their unwanted opinion. To see someone panic because shes not sure if she wants to, or be able to and the baby isn't even here yet is not nice. All for fear of unwanted opinions.

I told her pretty much the same. There is great advice out there for breast feeding. If she wants to then try this service, go on this website etc but if it isn't successful or you simply dont want to, then formula is absolutely fine to give.

Yes it is. It's saved the lives of countless babies. It has also offered women a real choice as to whether to breastfeed or not, rather than having to by default (respecting their bodily autonomy).

It was a lifesaver for me when breastfeeding just wasn't working or I needed a break. Mixed feeding is underrated in my opinion. I ended up breastfeeding almost exclusively until 6 months and only stopped at 20 months. Knowing I could reach for a bottle if it all got too much saved my sanity.

Not trying to be goady. Guess I was just thinking about it as I caught up with some friends and they were shocked that I was using formula. I think there is such a negative stigma about it that I actually felt embarrassed and like I failed. But that is just silly. It’s fantastic that formula is there for those who need it and there shouldn’t be a negative stigma about using it.

Formula in itself is not the problem. It's a very valid alternative to wet nursing, which as another poster pointed out has had moral and ethical problems of its own. The problem with formula is the men behind it; the aggressive marketing machine which makes money at all costs, and those costs being the lives of babies in developing countries. For every baby's life saved by formula, I wonder how many have died?

I tried to breastfeed my 1st baby but really didn't get on with it. I hated the feeling of it. Changed to the bottle and it was marvelous. No more stress and it allowed my hubby to bond with the baby by helping out. 2nd went straight onto the bottle.

I suspect deaths that can be attributed to FF are mostly down to improper prep.
I think it’s great because without it I may not have decided to have my DC as I was so dead against BF. Maybe I could’ve overcome that but thankfully I didn’t have to

@IsoBordem I’m sorry that you feel victimised for FF and sad that this is still happening. 12 years ago when I was FF my babies I had to put up with some truly horrible comments. Shame we can’t move on and respect each other’s choices.

Before formula there was cow’s milk which most babies would just about survive on though. I think I was given evaporated milk from very early.

There was also goat's milk, hence the term 'nanny goat'.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human%E2%80%93animal_breastfeeding

Whilst there is a life saving place for formula milk, I see the damage it does to breastfeeding on a daily basis as it is used inappropriately. Many parents give formula because they lack confidence in breastfeeding, and then seem desperate to get off of it once they see their supply subsequently drop. And I do see lots of short and long term health problems caused by giving formula. In the short term a good example is constipation, in the long term it can be linked to many health problems and I believe auto-immune problems (and I know someone in a life threatening situation with this but daren't go into more detail as it is extremely sensitive if I am recognised).

I agree - best invention, my baby would have died without it. I wanted to breast feed, had every intention of doing so but my body just didn't play ball. I had no milk - nothing. I felt like the only woman in the world who's breasts didn't change size thoughtful pregnancy or after. The stigma is real and in my area formula is very frowned upon, it's almost a contest of who can EBF for the longest and if you don't BF you are a crappy selfish mother.

My DD is nearly 2 now and is such a happy, healthy, content little girl that I often look back and think why did I put myself through so much stress and worry.

Im breastfeeding but really don't get the big deal about people having such strong opinions about how you choose to feed YOUR baby?! Its so weird
Of course formula is an amazing invention and yes of course its frustrating its been made into a money making product but meh that's life.
Im sure as DS gets a bit bigger I'll switch to formula. Whatever works for you n your family should be what matters

Of course it's a good invention

You're just trying to start a breastmilk Vs formula debate aren't you? Where inevitably the same old arguments get thrown around.

It's fantastic that formula can save the lives of babies who couldn't otherwise feed. In the same way that it's fantastic that insulin can save the lives of people whose body does not produce it.

Know one would judge a diabetic for using insulin, no one should judge a parent who has to use formula.

@SnuggyBuggy

I do think donor milk should be more widely available as some mums would prefer that. There is a place for both.

Donor milk is very widely available. People are throwing milk away because no one wants it.

To those of you calling for more donor milk - on what basis? Would you be paying donors for it? The milk banks struggle to have supplies for the babies that actually need it. Donating milk has time/effort/calorie costs. I donate 130ml to the milk bank each day knowing that it’s for very sick and premature babies. I would want compensation if it was to go to a healthy six-month-old baby whose mother wanted the benefits of breastfeeding without having to go to the trouble herself.

I certainly wasn't offered donor milk when DD was in NICU and mine hadn't come in.