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!

@SistineScreamer I’m sorry you had a bad experience and that your daughter has too.

I will agree to disagree on some of what you’ve said, simply as I do believe there should be more information on the implications of formula. As opposed to the ‘benefits’ of breastmilk.

My DD actually had formula for her first feed, as she went straight to NICU and they wanted me to hand express when I couldn’t. This upsets me to this day, as I believe it gave her a dairy allergy (whether true or not) and that I missed out. I felt like I should have been supported to feed her directly myself. When I was pregnant most of the info I got was ‘fed is best’ you can ‘give it a try’, or breastfeeding has ‘some’ benefits. And yes, negativity from FF friends/ family who told me to give up. I think, had I not persevered I could have missed out on a wonderful 14 months of breastfeeding.

I agree formula is great and it’s nice to hear the success stories, I have actually been watching call the midwife which someone else on here has mentioned- which is very eye opening. I’ve never seen anyone judged for FF in real life, like I said I’ve only experienced the opposite- especially sleep related stuff.

[quote shesgonebatshitagain]@SistineScreamer

“I find that funny considering others here have come in this thread purposely to be twats about what? Mothers formula feeding. 🙄 Maybe if others didn't think it was acceptable to do this it wouldn't happen so often. Regardless, I'm not going to sit and watch snide remarks be thrown at other women for making a different choice. 💁🏼‍♀️“

Clearly not. Sit and watch snide remarks that it. I don’t think the remarks in question are especially snide. It is a fact that formula is not the same as breastmilk. A women can be proud for breastfeeding her baby for fourteen months, just as you can find it unacceptable how professionals have bullied your daughter on the subject. I think you have interpreted them as thus for whatever personal reasons they have provoked you. Which is your right. It is also my right to remark upon this so I did.

Why are you so irked by breastfeeding women joining this debate? If you apply the logic that you have to be formula feeding to either agree or dispute the OP’s opening comment then by extension of that analogy nobody should ever be allowed to comment or have a view on anything unless it’s gained through direct personal experience. That will never happen.[/quote]
Because this debate isn't about breastfeeding. It's about a woman who was happy with her choice of formula feeding.

Why come onto a formula feeding thread and bang on about how proud you are of breastfeeding feeding and how many risks formula feeding poses when that's not what this thread is about. Women can be proud of breastfeeding, no one has said otherwise. Just as no one here has said formula is superior to breast milk. But there's simply no need to come into a formula feeding thread and throw it out there for...what purpose? It's not helpful at all.

OP, didn't ask advice about feeding so there is no 'chimming' in. So no, I don't see the point in breastfeeding mothers/advocates coming in just to say how long they fed their children, how wonderful it is, how superior they are or how many benefits it has because it's a formula feeding thread where women can appreciate that type feeding.

Just like I won’t go onto a breastfeeding thread and say how wonderful formula is and how liberating I find it. Because I'm not a dick.

Breast milk is fabulous
Formula milk is fabulous

That’s all I’ve got to say on this matter

I am avid fan of bf and bfed all my children.
But YADNBU I know my situ was down to fortune and not everyone is as fortunate .
Formula is indeed an amazing invention.

@FuckeryOmbudsman your claim is absolutely correct, as anyone who takes an interest in the regulation and history of formula companies would know.

Formula is great when made in perfect conditions. Formula used in refugee camps is lethal. Companies target poorer regions, diminish women’s milk supplies by state-supported presence of formula companies in hospitals (wet nurses, supplementing babies etc), then send these women and babies off home to make formula in dirty environments. All with the belief that their milk wasn’t enough and perpetuating that to the next generation. Diarrhoea is one of the biggest causes of infant mortality in poorer countries - the cause? Dirty water to make formula. They are absolutely corrupt companies and have killed millions of babies.

Please educate yourselves before making sweeping comments or celebrating the likes of Nestle and Danone. We’re all hugely blessed to live in a country where companies can peddle their goods without the huge risk of them killing your child. Please let’s not make a thread celebrating these companies.

This exactly!!!! I won't buy anything from nestle or Danone for these very reasons. It's personal choice how you feed your baby. But we can't ignore the diabolical ethics of these companys

[quote OverTheRainbow88]@leastfavouritecrisps

Couldn’t you freeze it?[/quote]
My baby had a chylothorax. This meant that while he was tube fed he was not allowed breast milk. Once the feeding tube was out he fed directly from me. There was no way to give him the frozen milk. I tried freezing it to begin with, but the hospital freezer was tiny and there were lots of other women who needed to use it too. My baby was tube fed for several weeks, so I just ended up chucking all my milk away.

The two greatest inventions for new parents - formula and a perfect prep machine.

I don't know how far back you are going with babies being fed cows milk and goats milk but I was born in the fifties and was fed on National dried formula which was the same as Cow and Gate but less expensive . Me and my brothers are perfectly healthy with no childhood illnesses and no allergies between us . Formula definitely isn't the demon that it is made out to be .

@saynotodietcoke

So often on these posts I see people saying we just need more robust breastfeeding support and more encouragement etc but that doesn't address the fact that some women just don't WANT to do it. I had all the support in the world, midwives, health visitors, family, husband helping round the clock, money to pay for additional support.. didn't change that fact that I simply hated the feeling of it, hated how often my baby wanted to feed. Knowing it's cluster feeding and normal didn't mean I suddenly was able to put up with it or like it.

What I needed was 'permission' to stop. I wish my midwives and health visitors were allowed to say it's ok to formula feed. I wish they had been allowed to tell me about making up bottles so I wasn't googling or crying in the formula aisle feeling useless!

Ultimately the problem with 'more robust breastfeeding support' is that it supposes all women want to breastfeed in the first place and it's just lack of info or help stopping them. For me the vast majority of people I know who stopped felt confident breastfeeding, they just hated it

I agree with that.

My only regret with breastfeeding was that I agreed to try it in the first place. It absolutely wrecked my first few days with DD1, who is now 25. The experience confirmed to me that my original decision to formula feed had been the correct one and I should not have let myself be persuaded to deviate from it.

My experience of "robust support" to breastfeed consisted of one very overenthusiastic midwife virtually trying to bully me into it when I didn't want to continue.

With hindsight, I know that she was a nice person and I had actually come to know her fairly well throughout my pregnancy, but after the birth though it did become clear that she was a breastfeeding zealot who simply didn't know when to stop. In the end I became extremely tearful and, with DH's help (I was feeling battered and vulnerable after a very traumatic birth), did firmly tell her to back off.

Unfortunately, that was my experience of robust support to breastfeed. I didn't want it, it came across as bullying and it didn't work. It made an already difficult time even worse.

This isn’t a bf v ff thread but a thread to celebrate the benefits we enjoy by having formula available?

@SistineScreamer

“Because this debate isn't about breastfeeding. It's about a woman who was happy with her choice of formula feeding.

Why come onto a formula feeding thread and bang on about how proud you are of breastfeeding feeding and how many risks formula feeding poses when that's not what this thread is about. Women can be proud of breastfeeding, no one has said otherwise. Just as no one here has said formula is superior to breast milk. But there's simply no need to come into a formula feeding thread and throw it out there for...what purpose? It's not helpful at all.

OP, didn't ask advice about feeding so there is no 'chimming' in. So no, I don't see the point in breastfeeding mothers/advocates coming in just to say how long they fed their children, how wonderful it is, how superior they are or how many benefits it has because it's a formula feeding thread where women can appreciate that type feeding.

Just like I won’t go onto a breastfeeding thread and say how wonderful formula is and how liberating I find it. Because I'm not a dick.“

Why do you always have to use expletives?

Firstly this thread was posted in AIBU not formula feeding but so what if it was. You are not the thread police and people can contribute to any thread this wish. If you wanted to say you found formula feeding liberating on a breastfeeding thread so what? No breastfeeding woman would have the right to stop you.

Secondly the discussion was based around the fact it was a good thing we have formula. It was a discussion around a product and not the process. You decided otherwise.

Thirdly many women who breastfed also formula feed or combination feed. Many breastfeeding mothers had to give their baby formula in the early days for a number of reasons. With my child it was to save him as his blood sugars plummeted the day after he was born and my milk was not in properly yet, he had to be tube fed formula and I expressed at the same time. Therefore I am qualified to speak on the subject and for all you know the posters @Winnietp and @Dinosaurpooped Who too savaged have too. Even if they haven’t so what.

I also don’t believe that all women who chose to or have to formula feed are as aggressive and territorial as you and a small minority of other posters seem to be. In fact apart from your attacks most people on this thread are exchanging views and experience in a civilised manner without resorting to expletives.

@IsoBordem

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.

Never feel embarrassed about using infant formula milk. It is a fantastic invention and has saved many lives. We're lucky to live in a country where formula milk is affordable and drinking water is safe to use. It doesn't bear thinking about if you lived somewhere with unsafe water or your only option was to be rich enough to afford a wet nurse. I never needed to use formula milk but that doesn't make it any less wonderful in my opinion. Viva the Scientists! x

@Parker231

The two greatest inventions for new parents - formula and a perfect prep machine.

Wasn’t there something a couple of years back about it contaminating water?

Perfect prep machines are brilliant but there were some reported cases with people not following the instructions on cleaning them properly. In real life I’ve never heard of any problems, only benefits

Well yeah its brilliant if the alternative is starvation.. weird thread.

'The two greatest inventions for new parents - formula and a perfect prep machine.'

Absolutely! Prep machine worth it's weight in gold.

I meant to say in my post that OP is correct. Baby formula is the most marvellous invention. I get that there are problems in areas of the world where clean water and sanitation are not available like they are here, but we are very fortunate in that respect and I was more than happy with my choice to bottle feed.

With my next two babies I knew better than to let myself be pushed around. I was far more assertive about how I wanted to feed them (formula) right from the word go.

I agree. I chose not to BF but would fight for the right of
women who wanted to. Best teaching, help and support etc. Formula allowed my DH to share the feeds which was a god send.

Formula is a great invention.

However the behaviour of the formula industry is nothing short of dangerous and the introduction of formula has seriously compromised women's belief in their ability to breastfeed, and it has also been detrimental in general to the health of babies

I don't know how far back you are going with babies being fed cows milk and goats milk but I was born in the fifties

My eldest uncle was born in the 50s and fed cows milk, my next uncle in 1960 and was fed formula but my grandad used to drive to Switzerland to get it (lived in Northern Italy), my dad was born mid 60s and they could get formula in the local chemist.

I think from Call the Midwife you could get in the 50s in the UK, but it was still a 'new' thing.

I formula fed 3 babies. All through choice really. It kept them alive, healthy and well nourished.

I also breastfed 1 baby - my youngest. Again through choice because I just wanted to try it that time. It did exactly the same thing as formula did for my older children. Kept them alive, healthy and well nourished.

Without formula, there would be millions of babies going unfed and dying as a result. So yes it is amazing. I don’t know how anyone can call it bad really when it serves such an extremely important purpose.

I thoroughly enjoyed both breastfeeding and formula feeding my babies. I’m very glad I didn’t let anyone sway my decisions.

How has the existence of formula compromised womans belief in their ability to breastfeed? I dont agree with that as if anything as a first time mother afew years ago I thought breastmilk was liquid gold and was fully aware formula was 'second best' to the detriment of my health.

I caught up with some friends and they were shocked that I was using formula. Really? I've never heard of anyone being shocked at formula being used as the majority in this country use it.
I think there is such a negative stigma about it is there? At 6 weeks only 24% of babies are exclusively breastfed. So 76% are using at least some kind of formula. Breastfeeding was very hard for me and my babies but we got the hang of it and I had some positive and some negative comments. All negative comments were from other mothers. Should just live and let live.

Threads like this don't help. Obviously no one will disagree that formula is a good invention. But I don't think it does anyone any good to pretend it's as good as breastfeeding. More accurate information and more support around breastfeeding is what needs to happen.

[quote shesgonebatshitagain]@SistineScreamer

“Because this debate isn't about breastfeeding. It's about a woman who was happy with her choice of formula feeding.

Why come onto a formula feeding thread and bang on about how proud you are of breastfeeding feeding and how many risks formula feeding poses when that's not what this thread is about. Women can be proud of breastfeeding, no one has said otherwise. Just as no one here has said formula is superior to breast milk. But there's simply no need to come into a formula feeding thread and throw it out there for...what purpose? It's not helpful at all.

OP, didn't ask advice about feeding so there is no 'chimming' in. So no, I don't see the point in breastfeeding mothers/advocates coming in just to say how long they fed their children, how wonderful it is, how superior they are or how many benefits it has because it's a formula feeding thread where women can appreciate that type feeding.

Just like I won’t go onto a breastfeeding thread and say how wonderful formula is and how liberating I find it. Because I'm not a dick.“

Why do you always have to use expletives?

Firstly this thread was posted in AIBU not formula feeding but so what if it was. You are not the thread police and people can contribute to any thread this wish. If you wanted to say you found formula feeding liberating on a breastfeeding thread so what? No breastfeeding woman would have the right to stop you.

Secondly the discussion was based around the fact it was a good thing we have formula. It was a discussion around a product and not the process. You decided otherwise.

Thirdly many women who breastfed also formula feed or combination feed. Many breastfeeding mothers had to give their baby formula in the early days for a number of reasons. With my child it was to save him as his blood sugars plummeted the day after he was born and my milk was not in properly yet, he had to be tube fed formula and I expressed at the same time. Therefore I am qualified to speak on the subject and for all you know the posters @Winnietp and @Dinosaurpooped Who too savaged have too. Even if they haven’t so what.

I also don’t believe that all women who chose to or have to formula feed are as aggressive and territorial as you and a small minority of other posters seem to be. In fact apart from your attacks most people on this thread are exchanging views and experience in a civilised manner without resorting to expletives.[/quote]
😂 Oh lord, are you ....cracking up because I said the word dick? Who’s being the ‘thread police’ now? Are you going to call out anyone that curses? 😐

On that note.....The thread police? Oh please, get over yourself. I didn’t say they couldn’t post.

What I did say was I didn’t understand the motive of those breastfeeding/advocates coming on to post saying how amazing breastfeeding is, how long they’ve fed for and how inferior formula is on a thread about formula feeding and formula itself. It’s not advice or chiming in. 🙄 It’s being a twat.

No one is saying you can’t post if you don’t have ‘experience’ with formula. Are you always this presumptuous? OP posted about how happy she was that formula existed as she was feeding her baby it. It’s about formula feeding and how grateful she is for it.

Which leads me to my next point: I know I can post on a breastfeeding thread saying how great formula is but I also know I shouldn’t because why would I other than to boast and be smug. There’s no other reason to do such a thing.

Not everyone wants to try breast feeding. I used formula from day one as it was the best choice for my DC’s, me and our family.