Is formula feeding a feminist act?

[FeelLikeTweedleDee]

Excuse me as I'm high on Lemsip so my musings may seem unusual - I've been thinking about womens motivations for NOT breastfeeding.

Out of all the pregnant women I have spoken to who plan to formula feed from birth, the most common reason given is "I don't think it's fair that I should have to do all the feeds/shoulder all the responsibility for our baby's nutrition" which is an argument I can sympathise with. I understand the lactivists response: "there is so much more a man can do than feeding" but one must admit, feeding is pretty much the bulk of what a newborn needs. It also ties the mother to the baby in an exclusive manner which nappy changing, soothing, playing, etc does not.

I admit (online only because I'm a pussy) that women who chose not to breastfeed before even giving birth used to anger me. I couldn't understand why they would not put their baby's needs first. Why they wouldn't even give breastfeeding a shot? But perhaps sexual equality is sound reasoning?

What is your opinion on womens non-medical motivations for not breastfeeding?

If you're thinking "it's none of your business what feeding choices other mothers make", I disagree. Formula feeding costs the taxpayer a substantial sum every year re: NHS resources as well as its impact on the environment, etc. Thus womens non-medical reasons for not breastfeeding is an important issue.

It is all about supporting women and children. Be that for bfing, tidying the house, dealing with sleepless nights. Women are largely expected just to get on with it. When they can't manage, something has to give as abdnhiker's example illustrates.

So totally agree with SGM. Berating other people's choices is a lose-lose situation for women in general. Much better to channel energies in supporting mothers.

tpob is fascinating. it really explores the nitty gritty, has lots of referenced, factual information about the history of breastfeeding globally, and is written from the 'bigger picture' point of view, in terms of breastfeeding being a small part of a female role that should be valued much more highly than it is, in developed and developing countries. some of the ways in which women have been treated over the years is brutal and shocking and the ways in which the formula companies have interacted and are interacting with governments and other so called 'socially responsible' agencies is utterly mind boggling.

"'Good' mothers are not defined by their uteruses or breasts. They are defined by the millions of everyday experiences which make them mothers."

I see BF as something which conbtributes to ones status as a "good mother".

You might, but other poeple don't, and you don't have the right to decide that only you can be right.

Ruby - I suppose it is the hatred of formula companies on here that seems to steam from this book that concerns me. Leicestersire libaries don't seem to hold a copy(how odd!) so will have to get my mits on it another way.

the dislike of the marketing practices of formula companies have been on this board long before the PofB was reissued. Few posters had heard of it pre 09 and fewer still had read the older edition.

There would seem to be few acts less empowering for a woman than to hand over the role of nourishing her baby to an artificial analogue, designed and marketed to her by an industry whose express intention is to undermine her confidence and take her cash.

I also see little benefit in mixing up bottles so others can feed the baby and give the mother a chance to do some chores.

I diddnt type that very well, I mean the dislike of formula complanies that is influenced by this book is ONE of the things that concerns me. I am aware of MN's stance on issues such as Nestle.

mrsgordonfreeman - just because something is designed for a profit (whic pretty much everything is!) that doesnt stop it having its uses of benefits.

I would have stopped BF had formula tins had cute pitures of teddybears on, or a naked picture of Satan.

mrsgordonfreeman - apologies, I have quoted you but my point is a wider one regading the attitude of forula promotion on this board that will, I suspect, take this hread waaaayyyy of trck!

Products might have benefits, but the companies that make and sell them are all pretty evil - whether it's formula companies or oil companies or big supermarkets. They only care about extracting as much cash from you as possible.

MoonUnitAlpha - "They only care about extracting as much cash from you as possible"

Of course they do! That is generally who any profit making organisation exists! Companies exist to make money. They sell prodicts to make money. They advertise the product to ensure the product sells. It is a closely interlinked relationship, and therefore in the UK I am greatful formula makes someone, somehwre money, as it means formula exists!

Unethical practice in third world countres IS wrong, and always will be. But I am talking about the UK.

Practice in the UK is pretty unethical too though! Formula companies aggressively promote their product and undermine breastfeeding. Just because we're not in the third world doesn't mean companies behave ethically, they still get away with whatever they can.

From my own personal experience, I've always felt Vaf was a feminist act. I feel wonderfully empowered by it and I think as a collective, it's wonderful that females have the ability to nurture their babies. (I know a lot of people on here have had problems w BF and this isn't intended to offend anybody).

I have been quite shocked by some posters feelings about BF. Not because I'm judging them. But because I naively never knew that some (perhaps many) women feel this way.

I do feel sad that others didn't feel the way I did about BF. Not meaning to be patronising or rude. I Have never felt particularly empowered before but BF really has made me feel 'I am woman hear me roar'...

So for me BF feels feminist and empowering. But from reading other posts, it seems that others feel the same way about being able to make the choice to FF.

Should have previewed. Always felt BF was a feminist act.

Not sure what Vaf is... Ruddy iPhone

MoonUnitAlpha - you feel they are unethical ... I feel they are not!

Think we will have to agree to disagree on that one!

I find it a sad indictment on the position of women that the PoBF is seen as such a controversial book.
I think that FF as a feminist notion is utterly silly.

To me, the fact that the PoBF it is groundbreaking shows the position of women in the world is still so very disadvantaged and let's be honest no one really kicks up too much of a fuss about it.

This is evidenced by the use of unsafe or improper use formula in poorer societies than we live in. I think that is such a travesty, that causes disease and death.

I think bfing is very powerful, something only women can do. Bfing in itself has benefits for women and children. We do live, as Stewi said, in a deeply misogynistic society.

I think this is evident when some women do not feel bfing in public, yes some twit can read porn openly on a train without anyone batting an eyelid.

The fact that people judge women who bf longer than is the supposed norm is another indicator of the crazy world we live in.

Its pretty anti-feminist to hold yourself up as a better mother than another woman because of how you chose to feed your baby.

The only truly feminist stance here IMO is real freedom of choice. Lets all choose for ourselves what we want to do, and lets not attack each other and lets look for real support for all choices. I have my opinions on what is best and what isn't, but the only woman I can choose for is me.

I have no idea whether I was a BF or FF baby, and it makes no difference to me. It might be all-consuming when you are in the midst of it, but you soon get to realise that nobody actually cares and it will make fuck all difference in the end.

Exactly. Not fucking likely when so many would rather carp at and feel superior to others, but one can dream, hey?

Toddlerwrangler says that to her "Unethical practice in third world countres IS wrong, and always will be. But I am talking about the UK." I suppose for me I've decided that I am not comfortable with seeing myself as separated from the rest of the women in the world who have and do experience real poverty. And so for that reason I can't support the makers of formula as some have been anti-women and anti-children. Therefore I can't see the real feminist choice on offer?

I suppose in some places bfing is not really a choice, it just happens you know somehow with the right support already in place I suppose, so mum's have the ability to bf. In my mind Nestle just went in and pushed aggressive marketing tactics without regard for the consequences. Just as continuing bfing is not a choice, for working women who have to quickly return to work.

I don't think anyone would hold themselves up as a better mother because of how they feed their baby.

If someone does want to shout about it - then so be it.

I'm thinking here of societies where open bfing is the norm, say like in Fiji, where they are proud of increasing bfing rates.

Buzz - I have not realised that people are feeling superior on here (will have to go back and read).

And I'm struggling with the choice argument.

I have a friend, who lives in the US, who wanted to bf but needed to go back to work after a month, she had planned to pump but could not express at work. What was her choice?

Isn't feminism about believing that woman, and their bodies are of equal value to men, not that they're equivelant.

A true feminist would surely demand pay for her role in ensuring the next generation of the workforce is healthy!?