The Politics of Breastfeeding kept me Breastfeeding.

[dimplekisser]

The Politics of Breastfeeding

This book really made me determined and motivated to bf. Having read some other threads about smugness and so on, it got me thinking.

I realise there may be situations where women do Formula Feed - but if your health and that of the baby was ok and you had read this book, then did you decide and continue to bf? If not, why?

A supportive DH has helped with bf, but I also think it was because I read the Politics of Breastfeeding, and because I remembered studying Nestle as a company when I was younger.

I have since namechanged but I recall a poster named Hunker Munker who was very helpful in my early days - is she still around? If so, I would like to thank her.

The book ended up being such a powerful motivator and was a game changer for me.

I should add I am interested in those who have READ the book - as it was such a MOTIVATOR for me.

no one then?

ok dokey then

I've read it. Would recommend it to anyone. I'm currently trying to get my dh and mum to read it so they can understand why I'm so pro bf and anti formula companies (not formula itself).

I haven't but it is mentioned on here a lot so I'm sure someone will be around to talk. I always wondered if it was a bit like a bf equivalent of 'The Beauty Myth'. Is it?
Totally willing to be flamed as have not heard or read anything to do with it except fleeting mentions on here.

I read it after I had been breastfeeding, but it always motivates me to keep going and to do it in public more iyswim.
hunkermunker pops up now and again I think. She is wonderful with bf support, yes.

Pommedeterre Yes in a way I think it could be seen as similar to the Beauty Myth - from a game changing perspective, I do not think I would ever go through liposuction knowing that 8 women died while it was getting "perfected".

Poppydog My DH has read it and he loved it too.

Im really keen to read this, have seen reviews for it and it looks fascinating.
I BF my DS for 7months and I now have a 4week old who I intend to do the same for.
I find it increasingly hard to defend my reasoning behind this, I know a lot of people on here are very vocal about "smug" BFeeders but Im quite the opposite, I have had so many people say to me "whats the big deal anyway?" and "formula is just as good nowadays" I find myself keeping quiet about it coz I DONT want to look like one of those self righteous BFeeders.
I will order this and will hopefully give me some info to pass onto people

I felt the same. I don't think I would have bf for anywhere near as long if I hadn't read it.

It's changed the way I look at a lot of things, the way I spend my money and the way I think about the origins and the history of formula. Additionally, it has probably pushed me to keep breastfeeding for, well, as long as my two breasstmilk recipients want it.

I breastfed for a long time and I feel I owe it entirely to hunker, tiktok and all the women who kindly offered advice here. They changed my perspective when I was about to give up and offered me useful advice in order to keep going.

I read TPOB and had to take a break half way through, it did my blood pressure no good at all. It should be recommended reading for all HCPs.

I'm going to order it (not got around to it yet). Looking forward to reading it.

I ordered it right after the birth of my daughter. It did help me keep breastfeeding through the fairly horrible first few weeks. Fire in the belly and all that. Advice on mumsnet also kept me sane in reassuring me that my experience was normal.

It completely changed my feelings about BFing. It made me extremely angry that my DD was given formula on her first day for 'having low blood sugar' - subsequently managed to exclusively BF but it was a hard road. If I had read this book when pg I may have fought against the doctors/midwives who gave this formula when I didn't really have a clue what was going on after c-section. It also made me see that BFing past 12 months was very much the norm in many places. Never thought I'd BF this long (DD 18 mos) but see myself going until 2 yrs at least! POB, Breastfeeding older children, Ina Mays Guide to Breastfeeding... got me reading loads of breastfeeding books!

i'm about a third of the way through and i better get a move on cause it's in great demand at the library...one copy for the whole of leeds! Wtf?

Kity i'm that you think it's self righteous to point out that formula is not as good as breast milk. I'm not talking about going up to ff's and starting a conversation about it, but if someone actually says to you that they think there is no difference i personaly feel it's only right to (sensitivly and politely) point out that this isn't true. They have been given incorrect information and may pass this on to other people . Everyone deserves to have the facts in order to make a decision.

I loved it too - hugely important book. I'd already been breastfeeding for over three years when I read it, but it made me feel all vindicated!

It is a fantastic book, I can understand Kitty in a way - for example I know mums who have believed that their milk was never enough, that it never came in and that they could not bf.

Most of them are so upset about it that they do not appear to want to hear that formula is not as good as breastmilk.

I was already 3 months into breastfeeding when I read it but it totally changed the way I view infant feeding. Whereas beforehand, I was aiming to feed my DD for about a year, as that's what my mum did, I'm now planning on letting her self-wean. I think it should be on reading lists in schools. Still trying to persuade my DH to read it though - I think he fears it's just a feminist rant. :)

The book made a huge difference to my thinking. Was very big part of my decision not to use formula at all for dc's 2 and 3. I've got 3 children and have only ever bought 1 tin of formula and a few cartons. Glad now that the formula companies had so little of my money.

I know dimplekisser and it's very much necessary to be sensative when dealing with these things, but there is a fine line between being sensative and being patronising.

Women need the facts in order to make an informed decision. Ime people stating ideas like that ff is just as good as bm are either ill informed OR are in denial about the facts, possibly as they are still hurting after trying to bf and not being supported. But it's only by being upfront about the bennefits of bm that funders, hcps and parents will feel able to demand improvements in the support necessary for bf. I understand that this can sting and come across as self righteous but it is only fair to all those yet undetermined feeding relationships that we are open about the facts. I feel we all have a responsability to counter the guff that gets batted about in rl, because it stops people being able to make an informed decision.

I loved this book. It has definitely contributed to me continuing to BF. As did 'Mothering your nursing toddler' and some of the brilliant advice and support I've read/received on MN and via a couple of the BFing helplines. DH hasn't read it but I did share some of the case studies with him and it's made him even more supportive than he was already - to the point that he is probably even MORE keen to allow our DS to self-wean than I am.

IslandIsla - my DS was also given formula for 24 hours due to low blood suger (I was even told to stop feeding him to allow them to get an accurate reading - genius! I am determined to express colostrum if I am blessed with another baby (TTC now...)

dimplekisser/moonfacemamma Ref the BF/FF misinformation - I tend to choose not to get embroiled in RL BF/FF discussions, particularly if I know the person had a difficult time with breastfeeding or making the decision to switch (unless of course it's a mum wanting to share experiences about her BFing). However, if someone passes negative/inaccurate comments about my (shocking) continued BFing of my 23.5mo son I do feel I have the right to carefully and undramatically point out that BM is better for him than cows milk (which he also drinks/eats) and that I am following WHO advice. I've had people stating that the WHO advice is only for babies from developing countries because of the accessibility of clean water etc, but TPOB gave me the information and courage to point out that this isn't true. Yes, of course in western countries most of us have access to good quality drinking water and electricity but my DS's tummy isn't evolutionarily any different to my friends' children overseas...

gruffalo i don't go around seeking out opportunities to have conversations about it but if someone else brings it up i'll share what i know. The fact that bf has bennefits doesn't mean it is always the right/possible choice and i'm very open to that. The bennefits of bm are only one part of considerations around that decision, but they should be a part of it.

Sorry moonfacemama - didn't mean to suggest that you would... Was in a bit of a hurry as DS was chuntering about boogoo . Btw he's just started to thank the boogoos and say goodnight to them individually! When he's finished on each side he pats them, pulls my bra up and says night-night. It would have been worth feeding for 2 years just for that. It CAN'T be as rewarding using bottles (and I did for a couple of months during the day when I went back to work).

I've just been so glad to have people on MN to chat to about BFing - very limited opportunities in RL - particularly after the 6-month mark.

That's ok gruffalo! Just wanted to be sure i hadn't created the wrong idea! Very very sweet of your ds!

OMG I am half way through this book and 'fire in the belly' really sums it up!
Its sources like this, as well as a BF counsellor good friend, mumsnet and supportive DH family and (most)friends which have helped me keep going. I didnt really get the bigger picture of formula feeding before I read TPOB but I do now and am so pleased ive never had to use it.