Page 4 | To think we don't need a formula feeding month

MsPincher · 19/08/2022 10:45

ProbablyPossiblyPerhaps · 19/08/2022 10:33

MrsSkylerWhite I've already posted on the topic of formula feeding week up thread - my opinion (as I've already stated) is that fed is best but a formula feeding month would need to walk the fine line between accepting that fed is best and formula is perfectly fine way to feed babies, without allowing for profit companies to exploit it for free advertising and promotion of formula as better (as in the Nestlé scandal in the 70s/ 80s).

Your argument that people are not allowed to care about anything that doesn't immediately adversely affect them would be a really terrible basis for shutting people up in any context because its an essential that people care about things which don't impact them personally in an immediate context. Without that there's no civilization, no humanity, no society, no charity, no ultruism.

You're advocating for pure self interest only.

What doesn't adversely impact us today may adversely impact upon our children tomorrow - that includes turning a blind eye to media campaigns and keeping our mouths shut about things that are fraught with problems but don't impact us.

Maternity care and breastfeeding don't impact me any more because I've finished child bearing; but I have a daughter who might be directly impacted by the consequences of changes in policy now, as indeed less directly might my sons if they become fathers, and theoretical potential grandchildren.

Nobody should be told not to voice reservations about anything on the basis that it doesn't adversely effect them. Its hardly ever true - as you yourself say things might come around unexpectedly, might impact family members, or ripple effects can mean consequences for people other than the intended target audience.

Promoting formula definitely could have negative effects. A "fed is best" month or a "Baby feeding month", "0-6 months nutritional campaign" or even better just generally better support for women and their families postpartum would be better surely - emphasising that any responsible way of feeding a baby is acceptable is unlikely to be objected to by anyone.

@ProbablyPossiblyPerhaps just sounds like you’re determined to continue to stigmatize formula though. We need to stop that immediately. As I’ve pointed out above it’s causing all sorts of public health issues.

there is nothing wrong with formula and we don’t need to be so careful not to promote it in the uk that we are shaming women and not educating them on how to feed their babies. Even in the developing world formula is often required - there are many issues with babies being fed cows milk, sugar water etc. more availability of cheap good quality formula would undoubtedly save lives.

perhaps we should have an NHS certified bargain basement formula to avoid any commercial interests. But anyway the most essential thing is to stop shaming women for bottle feeding (and for having c- sections and epidurals and so on).

Slimemonster · 19/08/2022 10:48

Breastfed children are a minority.
The majority of mothers who begin breastfeeding, are forced to stop before they are ready.
(due to lack of support/undermined/heavily marketed ads/etc. Soo many other reasons)

This is why we need breastfeeding awareness.

We don't need a formula week because it's already a multi billion £ industry that violates advertising laws at every corner and undermines vulnerable new parents at every opportunity.

Turn on TV - did you see a breastfeeding advert? No.

But you saw 4 different formula ads....they don't need any more advertising. They already have nearly 100% of the market at the expense of new mothers.

These companies know they can't make money out of breastfeeding mothers, so they created the devide.

Feed your baby formula if you want to.

Breastfeed if you want to.

But if you had to stop feeding before you were ready to, then you have massively been let down and you shouldn't be cross at other mothers for that - it's the formula industry you need to direct your anger too.

ArtichokeAardvark · 19/08/2022 10:50

I voted YABU purely for your disclaimer. Of course you're looking for a breast v bottle debate.

With regards a formula feeding month, I really couldn't care less. I didn't even know there was a breastfeeding month - does anyone pay any attention to this sort of thing? Every day of the year seems to be part of such-and-such week/month.

babyboybabygirl · 19/08/2022 10:54

I think it’s interesting that whatever a mothers choices to feed there is shame attached. There’s a big mix in my group of friends between breast and formula feeding and everyone at some point has been made to feel like absolute shit for their choice. In reality, you couldn’t tell which kids where fed in which way.

if you don’t like the week/month, just ignore it.

Any positivity around how we feed/raise our kids has got to be a good thing as even though you might not need it someone else may.

ProbablyPossiblyPerhaps · 19/08/2022 10:54

MsPincher I object to MrsSkylerWhite 's argument that posters are not entitled to an opinion unless they are negatively effected. That is a really dangerous argument to bow down to no matter what the topic is.

DameHelena · 19/08/2022 10:59

We don't need a formula week because it's already a multi billion £ industry that violates advertising laws at every corner and undermines vulnerable new parents at every opportunity.
Even accepting that, I can't agree that we don't need a formula week. Look at the stories on this thread alone of women who were pressured/bullied/guilt-tripped about either not wanting to BF or (maybe even worse) being unable to.
A friend of mine was reduced to tears by a midwife (a fucking midwife!) very soon after giving birth because she found BF difficult and painful. That isn't OK and as long as that continues then yes we jolly well do need a formula week.

SnoozyLucy7 · 19/08/2022 11:02

Slimemonster · 19/08/2022 10:48

Breastfed children are a minority.
The majority of mothers who begin breastfeeding, are forced to stop before they are ready.
(due to lack of support/undermined/heavily marketed ads/etc. Soo many other reasons)

This is why we need breastfeeding awareness.

We don't need a formula week because it's already a multi billion £ industry that violates advertising laws at every corner and undermines vulnerable new parents at every opportunity.

Turn on TV - did you see a breastfeeding advert? No.

But you saw 4 different formula ads....they don't need any more advertising. They already have nearly 100% of the market at the expense of new mothers.

These companies know they can't make money out of breastfeeding mothers, so they created the devide.

Feed your baby formula if you want to.

Breastfeed if you want to.

But if you had to stop feeding before you were ready to, then you have massively been let down and you shouldn't be cross at other mothers for that - it's the formula industry you need to direct your anger too.

Thank goodness for these companies, making these formulas, as an alternative to breast feeding- for those who can’t breast feed, for what ever reason, or simply because they do not want to. Like it’s been said up thread, there should be more companies, coming up with their own formula, to bring the prices right down.

LookingOverHereAllNight · 19/08/2022 11:10

A friend of mine was reduced to tears by a midwife (a fucking midwife!) very soon after giving birth because she found BF difficult and painful. That isn't OK and as long as that continues then yes we jolly well do need a formula week.

No, we need to ensure that we don’t allow midwives to behave like cunts. A formula week wouldn’t stop this midwife being nasty to new mums. About half of the midwives I had in my two births were rude, impatient and had a bad attitude.

DameHelena · 19/08/2022 11:14

LookingOverHereAllNight · 19/08/2022 11:10

A friend of mine was reduced to tears by a midwife (a fucking midwife!) very soon after giving birth because she found BF difficult and painful. That isn't OK and as long as that continues then yes we jolly well do need a formula week.

No, we need to ensure that we don’t allow midwives to behave like cunts. A formula week wouldn’t stop this midwife being nasty to new mums. About half of the midwives I had in my two births were rude, impatient and had a bad attitude.

I don't disagree some midwives probably behave badly in lots of contexts (and I'm sorry you've had poor experiences with them and I agree it needs to change).
I was just giving this example as it fits the topic of this discussion.
I could as easily say another friend was met with silence and frostiness in a baby group when she wanted to discuss FF.

Sunnyqueen · 19/08/2022 11:17

Formula d

noclothesinbed · 19/08/2022 11:19

Whatever ? Cba to get het up over it just feed your baby makes no difference which

Sunnyqueen · 19/08/2022 11:22

*formula feeding is 10x easier than breastfeeding so why would we need a month to celebrate it? Majority of women who don't breastfeed don't formula feed because they genuinely can't breastfeed, they just find it too painful and too difficult. Women who do breastfeed, still find it excruciatingly painful and difficult but just persevere anyway. Women who genuinely can't breastfeed due to medical reasons are a tiny tiny percentage and not reflective of the massive amounts of people who do formula feed.

Slimemonster · 19/08/2022 11:22

SnoozyLucy7 · 19/08/2022 11:02

Thank goodness for these companies, making these formulas, as an alternative to breast feeding- for those who can’t breast feed, for what ever reason, or simply because they do not want to. Like it’s been said up thread, there should be more companies, coming up with their own formula, to bring the prices right down.

Show quote history

It won't bring the price down at all.
If a parent wants or chooses to feed using formula then there is nothing wrong with that, like I already said 'feed your baby formula if you want too' there isn't anything wrong with choosing to feed your baby formula.

But that's not the issue here.
Read the rest of what I said to understand what the real issue is...

BusyMum47 · 19/08/2022 11:24

Skinnermarink · 19/08/2022 09:30

I don’t think an entire month is necessary for either but I don’t see why there can’t be a campaign for better understanding and education of both.

Exactly! ⬆️

whumpthereitis · 19/08/2022 11:24

formula feeding may be common but then so is the shaming surrounding it. Unsurprisingly, people don’t respond particularly well to being shamed, so a pushback is inevitable.

Lullabies2Paralyze · 19/08/2022 11:27

I can’t be trucked with any sort of month and that includes November, stoptober and especially dry January (too many people see it as some weird challenge and then count down till 1st feb and go on a massive weekend bender then continue to drink heavily for the other 11 months of the year and learn nothing from dry January). So yes I don’t think we need a formula month but also don’t think we need a breastfeeding month (didn’t even know there was one and I currently breastfeed!)

Just10moreminutesplease · 19/08/2022 11:28

I’ve had friends completely break down over their decision to stop breastfeeding. They have limped on far longer than was healthy for their mental health, at an incredibly emotional time of their lives, all because they felt so much pressure and shame surrounding how they fed their babies.

If a formula feeding month would help any struggling mum to feel better about making the right decision for her family, I’m all for it.

Bejeweled · 19/08/2022 11:40

No, we don't need formula month.

Why the fuck would anyone feel guilty for not breastfeeding? What an insignificant thing to care about.

Do those who feel guilty think breast is best? I've done both. Really did not think about it that deeply.

An infant feeding week that combines breast/formula/weaning would be beneficial but not formula pride.

Bejeweled · 19/08/2022 11:42

Formula feeding week as a genuine idea, possibly. But those who are just pushing back at breastfeeding are a bit ridiculous. Anyway, a combo of all is what's needed, not to continue this stupid debate by having separate events.

Toddlerteaplease · 19/08/2022 11:50

I think there is a need to remind people that it is ok not to breastfeed. Too many mums make themselves miserable, and don't enjoy the first weeks with their newborn, because they are trying and it's just not working. Great if it works. But it's not poison if it doesn't.

DameHelena · 19/08/2022 11:51

Bejeweled · 19/08/2022 11:40

No, we don't need formula month.

Why the fuck would anyone feel guilty for not breastfeeding? What an insignificant thing to care about.

Do those who feel guilty think breast is best? I've done both. Really did not think about it that deeply.

An infant feeding week that combines breast/formula/weaning would be beneficial but not formula pride.

Why speak so unkindly? Have you not read or understood the comments on here from and about women who have cared about it? Are you happy to dismiss all of their experiences and feelings as 'insignificant'?

LookingOverHereAllNight · 19/08/2022 12:01

We’d be better doing something to help women have confidence in their choices. Look at threads on here, they show that a lot women doubt themselves in so much of what they do or think and feel they need validation from others that they’re doing the right thing. Men aren’t filling forums with this stuff. I’m glad forums like this exist to help these women but it would be so much better if they didn’t need to check whether they are ok to feel annoyed with a friend or to give their child a takeaway or if it’s too late to take their 6 year old for a walk. We need to empower women to be confident in general and then they will be confident in all their decisions, not just how to feel their baby.

LookingOverHereAllNight · 19/08/2022 12:02

feed not feel

MajorCarolDanvers · 19/08/2022 12:07

I have seen a couple of mum 'influencers' on Instagram writing posts about how it's not fair we have breastfeeding month when so many mums can't/didn't breastfeed, and we should start a formula feeding month too

I wonder how much Cow & Gate etc are paying them.

Formula month - a manufacturers dream.

WhatNoRaisins · 19/08/2022 12:21

I'm not convinced a once a year formula month would be a solution for mother's struggling with the guilt. When that happens you need support there and then not an event that could be up to 11 months away.

We need to look at ways to talk about breastfeeding that inform people without all the guilt and baggage the current way is leaving us with.