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Original poster

To think this comparison is unfair and misleading?

145 replies

LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 07:49

A formula v breastfeeding visual I’ve just seen on fb.
2 rainbow bottles side by side detailing the components of both except on the formula side they’ve not included that formula (always) contains minerals too
Plus there are some things like probiotics, ogliosaccharides and nucleotides that a few also contain.

I feel really bad for anyone seeing this . Yes breastmilk is amazing and I bf my toddler but I KNOW formula contains more than this is indicating and I think it’s unfair it’s being shared on fb and it’s not correct and it going to make people feel bad

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 09:55

When I saw the lost my immediate thought was ‘that’s not right formula contains minerals’ then ‘if a sleep deprived new parent who has given formula sees that they may 1) believe it and 2) feel bad/guilty

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 09:56

@SpicyJalfrezi

I’m a breastfeeding failure.

I don’t see why my failure should stop other people being encouraged to breastfeed, though.

Encouraging breastfeeding is great but not through misinformation about formula
OP posts:
Patapouf · 05/09/2021 09:59

Flip it around, that graphic has been created to empower and support women who have chosen to breastfeed and might be struggling.

Not everything is about how parents who use formula might feel, they've made their decision just let them crack on with it. Baby is getting fed so who gives a shit about Facebook post that's not even for them to be looking at.

Original poster
LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 10:00

@Patapouf

Flip it around, that graphic has been created to empower and support women who have chosen to breastfeed and might be struggling.

Not everything is about how parents who use formula might feel, they've made their decision just let them crack on with it. Baby is getting fed so who gives a shit about Facebook post that's not even for them to be looking at.

Then it should just be the one bottle image showing the breastfeeding components not next to one that is incorrect about formula ?
OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 05/09/2021 10:01

@RaskolnikovsGarret

Does breast milk really kill cancer cells?
No it lowers the risk if it killed cancer cells we would have a cure and be milking women like cows
Lockheart · 05/09/2021 10:02

@Patapouf

Flip it around, that graphic has been created to empower and support women who have chosen to breastfeed and might be struggling.

Not everything is about how parents who use formula might feel, they've made their decision just let them crack on with it. Baby is getting fed so who gives a shit about Facebook post that's not even for them to be looking at.

You can support and empower women without resorting to outright lies.
aSofaNearYou · 05/09/2021 10:04

@Calmdown14

OP I agree with you. It's not going to phase or change the minds of those who were always going to bottle feed and own that decision. But for those who have tried and failed to bf, it will hurt. Emotionally it is a raw time. I am pretty mentally robust but all the extra hormones and exhaustion make it difficult to view these things rationally. My most difficult moment wasn't seeing my baby in hospital (you have to remain strong for that)but being told by a cashier in boots I couldn't use a voucher 'because they want you to bf'....then it all came tumbling out. Ultimately, it's a stupid graphic that isn't informing anything so those who share it do so because they feel superior. No one needs to change anyone else's mind on this. It's often not even a choice. I have one bf and one ff baby so seen both sides of this. There is definitely an attitude of 'if you just try harder'. If I'd done that my baby would have died as I really wasn't producing milk. No obvious reason for it and it came by the gallon the next time and then I got the 'are you still breast feeding'.
This says what I was trying to say better.

People do not need randomers to encourage them to breastfeed. They have medical professionals and a huge amount of already existing public awareness for that. The main people who will see it and actually be affected by it, are the people who wanted to breastfeed but couldn't. The Boots thing happened to me too, I thought it was appalling.

As mentioned before, this kind of well meant "informing" is not received kindly when it is on other topics. Veganism, for example, or healthy habits for older kids. Why is it seen as well intentioned when it's about breastfeeding which, compared to those other things, is actually something that is not a choice for many people?

RaskolnikovsGarret · 05/09/2021 10:05

Thanks for the arguments either way about cancer cells. Looks like there is a bit of debate about it.

I breast fed both DDs until six months, which was WHO guidance at the time. I wish I hadn’t as it it was absolutely agony each time, and nether would latch on so I had to use those plastic cover things. Made me really depressed.

With DD2, I stopped on the dot of six months, at 2.45am on a Sunday morning, as that’s how bad it was.

This is just an anecdote, but my twin sister never breast fed at all, and her children have never had antibiotics. Mine had them loads when they were small.

People shouldn’t judge mothers either way. Completely unnessary and pretty mean.

CounsellorTroi · 05/09/2021 10:05

RaskolnikovsGarret
Does breast milk really kill cancer cells?
Breastfeeding has been proven to lower the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, yes

Not the same as it actually killing cancer cells.

5zeds · 05/09/2021 10:05

So if they add the minerals stripe it’s ok but without it’s an outrageHmm?

aSofaNearYou · 05/09/2021 10:07

@Patapouf

Flip it around, that graphic has been created to empower and support women who have chosen to breastfeed and might be struggling.

Not everything is about how parents who use formula might feel, they've made their decision just let them crack on with it. Baby is getting fed so who gives a shit about Facebook post that's not even for them to be looking at.

As OP said it is made about the formula feeders by including a graphic about formula feeding (especially a wrong one). If people just want to talk about the good things about breastfeeding, there is absolutely no need to compare it to formula. That is a criticism whether you want to admit it or not.
Original poster
LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 10:07

@5zeds

So if they add the minerals stripe it’s ok but without it’s an outrageHmm?
Minerals are very important can you imagine if you had a new baby , were ff and saw that ? You could be worried. Imagine it’s a mother with pnd it could really upset them ?

It’s quite a vital component to have accidentally missed

OP posts:
Lockheart · 05/09/2021 10:08

Thanks for the arguments either way about cancer cells. Looks like there is a bit of debate about it.

There is no debate, this is not a matter of opinion. A molecule which can be isolated from breast milk may prove effective in killing cancer cells.

Breast milk as it comes out of the breast will not have any effect on cancer cells.

Original poster
LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 10:08

I think breastfeeding is great and I’d fully support such a visual if it was just about breastfeeding but this one is not only a direct comparison but an inaccurate one at that which I’ve seen on 2 parenting fb groups

OP posts:
5zeds · 05/09/2021 10:14

I would imagine if I had a ff baby and became concerned that it might be missing vital minerals I would read the back of the packet or contact a health professional and ask. Like most women giving birth didn’t render me totally incapable of using my eyes, ears or mouth.

Ask them to add the stripe and then think about what really is the issue for you with this graphic.

Pitapotamus · 05/09/2021 10:18

The only thing any of these comparison things do (even if they are accurate) is upset parents who wanted to breastfeed but couldn’t. Anyone choosing to formula feed from the outset won’t be swayed by a silly rainbow bottle diagram, anyone happily breastfeeding won’t look at it, so that leaves the mums who are already beating themselves up about the way they feed their babies.

Less effort needs to go into persuading people to attempt to breastfeed and more effort needs to go into helping people actually achieve it.

5zeds · 05/09/2021 10:19

I think probably helpful if you want to bf but your family are against it.

aSofaNearYou · 05/09/2021 10:21

@5zeds

I think probably helpful if you want to bf but your family are against it.
If you needed that help wouldn't you search for it, rather than needing to have it posted at random on FB groups in the hope one of these people would see it?
User01019283 · 05/09/2021 10:21

Don’t forget we are bombarded with literally billions of pounds worth of formula advertising every day, worldwide. I hardly think a few rainbow coloured graphics are going to level the playing field with regards to spreading information (or misinformation).

Original poster
LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 10:25

@5zeds

I would imagine if I had a ff baby and became concerned that it might be missing vital minerals I would read the back of the packet or contact a health professional and ask. Like most women giving birth didn’t render me totally incapable of using my eyes, ears or mouth.

Ask them to add the stripe and then think about what really is the issue for you with this graphic.

My issue is that it’s misleading simple as that
OP posts:
aSofaNearYou · 05/09/2021 10:28

@User01019283

Don’t forget we are bombarded with literally billions of pounds worth of formula advertising every day, worldwide. I hardly think a few rainbow coloured graphics are going to level the playing field with regards to spreading information (or misinformation).
They are all required to say "we all know breast is best" and they only advertise follow on milk? Certainly not bombarded with any advertisement for formula used from birth, which is incredibly common.

There's also a big difference between companies advertising their own products, and people with no stakes in the game posting graphics purely to lecture.

Plumtree391 · 05/09/2021 10:30

Lemon Marshmallow: No actually I just don’t want someone , maybe a new parent to see it and feel bad if they are formula feeding ..

Or a mother with pnd to feel guilty or similar
........
I get that. I breast fed for a few weeks but my baby didn't put on weight for ages so was advised (not by a health visitor but a doctor), to give formula complements which I did. He guzzled the formula so well and put on weight, stopped being colicky and my milk depleted. Then he wouldn't go on breast - but was thriving.

I felt terribly guilty for ages, especially with smug people who told me, "You have to persevere"; I had done nothing but persevere 24/7, when not feeding I was expressing!

It's a long time ago now and I laugh to myself at how upset I was then, but you can't help how you feel. I felt inadequate and I tried so hard.

5zeds · 05/09/2021 10:30

@aSofaNearYou I meant helpful as in supporting your decision rather than you needed intervention.

aSofaNearYou · 05/09/2021 10:33

[quote 5zeds]@aSofaNearYou I meant helpful as in supporting your decision rather than you needed intervention.[/quote]
But there's nothing stopping those people from seeking out some of the huge swathes of breastfeeding support online, there's no need to throw everyone else under the bus by posting preachy graphics about how much better their choices/options are in an untargeted manner.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 05/09/2021 10:33

I don't know why some posters are hoicking their bosoms at your drawing attention to this blatant bollocks, I'm glad you have, OP.

Some people are just not happy unless they can be holding somebody else to account for their choices and, if you're not 'doing it the same as then' then you're plain wrong.

Yes, we should perhaps ignore all that is on FB but, how is this forum or any other - any different? It isn't. Misinformation and/or mischief, with or without malice, everywhere.

Thanks for posting it.