So does anyone else find the term 'artificial feeding' in relation to the use of formula milk a bit irritating?

[bangandthedirtisgone]

Or is it just me?

Not sure that having a degree bears any correlation to your skills as a mother either.

I was also 29 with a degree (biology in fact) when I had my first daughter. I for one was very grateful to hcp's who took the time to point out the importance of breastfeeding.
Why such hostility?

Yes Cory, look at Scaryteacher she felt like she had nipples down her throat.

I think breast is best as well but each to their own.

Though 'artificial' feeding is accurate, it is a little insensitive to use that word as there are quite negative connotations surrounding the term.

"In these debates there are often posts about the childs diet after they begin eating solid foods, as if people who FF go on to feed their child a perfect diet, and people who breastfeed go on to feed thier child noting but McDonalds."

I don't think anyone has said that have they? I think its making the general point that child nutrition doesn't begin and end with bf.

I think these debates go round and round in circles to be honest.

I would love to have exclusively bf DD, that is what I planned to do. It didn't work out that way for me despite trying very hard. So I did the best I could.

Now going back to the original question, I may have fed DD artificial food/milk but I don't see it as "artifical feeding". A subtle but important point IMO.

Artificial makes it all sound like robots or something. Then again, have never ever heard anyone in the history of the world use this about ff. So that's all right then!

'Artificial feeding' suggests tube feeding to me.

What does 'artificial feeding' mean?
Does it refer to the method of getting the milk or other nutrients into the baby or does it refer to the milk or nutrients themselves? Or both?

Is it artificial feeding to feed breastmilk via a bottle or tube?
Is it only artificial to feed formula?

It seems a bit of a confusing term.

Very true, you could say DD was fed BM artificially from a syringe / spoon the night after she was born...

It is artificial, but that it is quite a cold term, for something that is, on the whole, done with love.

I don't know why that was though - maybe we were both a bit dopey from the pethidine after a straightforward delivery at two in the afternoon, I've never thought about why the midwife woke me up twelve hours later brandishing a pump.

The word "artificial" can be defined variously and no matter how vociferously some people maintain that they are using it with meaning 1, others will hear meanings 2, 3, 4 or 5 and feel upset and disrespected. I always think that this is like baby names. You can offer a strong opinion based on all your worldly wisdom before the deed is incontrovertibly done. But once the decision is made and your best mate announces with pride or sheepishness that she's named her daughter Chardonnay or her son Algernon you either don't mention it or lie for all you are worth. Anyone who says "Aha! I see you are feeding artificially!" to someone giving their baby a bottle is similarly cruising for a bruising being rude and odd, imo.

I don't think it even makes much sense.

If someone said that their baby was being 'artificially fed' it would have me asking the question 'in what way?'

But it is.

I think the term is the problem.Breastfeding is the natural way to feed babies FF is an alternative for those who for WHATEVER reason can't.

Artificial feeding is turkey twizzlers and smiley face potato

Terrific. Another way to make those of us (like me) who were unable to BF feel guilty.

The feeding is real enough, but the milk is artificial, whatever definition you use.

It is a horrid term for FF. I am Pg with my second child and will not be able to BF due to medication i have to take. I hate the fact that i may be judged a 'bad mother' because i FF.
People are so judgemental and its awful,the term implies that it is bad for the baby, whilst i understand its not the best its still good for them.

But does formula feeding sound any better? How about 'alternative feeding'?

I think it is factually correct but can be insensitively used and implies a judgement in some circumstances.

Can't object to the term itself however as it is just another accurate medical term.

It us a medical term that wouldn't bother me if used towards me.
However, I would never describe it as such to another Mum as it is obvious it may hurt her. And why FFS would I want to do that?

I cannot understand those who only think of themselves. It doesn't bother me so why should I give a fuck about anyone else brigade.
Sheesh, is that how we're bringing up our kids?

If you can't breastfeed for whatever reason, then no-one is judging you.

If you choose to formula feed, then yes, you may get judged, as you might for any other choice.

Judging the person isn't fair, but nothing wrong with judging a choice. If you make a choice, stand by it!

But if you eat turkey twizzlers, are you in fact artificially feeding yourself? Or just feeding yourself?