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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Now here's an article that's going to settle the breast v. bottle debate once and for all...

272 replies

emkana · 25/04/2006 12:25

\link{http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article360047.ece\or maybe not}

I particularly like the paragraph about the German nutritionist Wink. Now that bit has totally convinced me that the benefits of b/feeding are being exaggerated. [snort]

Honestly, what a piece of cr*p.

OP posts:
CarolinaMoonfish · 26/04/2006 19:25

OMG!!! it's not there any more ShockShockShock

I didn't think it was that bad!

moondog · 26/04/2006 20:45

lol
What thread?
What comment?

suzi2 · 26/04/2006 22:15

I find that quite an interesting article. OK so the sources are b*llocks but some of the experience rings very true with me. I felt trapped, miserable and lonely to start with. I think it was support at home and forums such as this that helpedme through those periods. I thought about formula every day and even ALMOST made some up. I found advice conflicting and I wasn't confident on how often/much I should feed my baby. I also had very little idea that a newborn feeds so much! The "has he had enough" thing still niggles at me at times.

I think likening breastfeeding to high death rates in childbirth is a bit pointless! I think the statements about 'may' are daft too. And also the breastfeeding 'tyranny' and 'half starving' is b*llocks!

BUT, this paragraph is good
", women ought to start talking about it far more. Instead of breezing into breastfeeding, as I did, without fully grasping the strains involved, women should receive unbiased information during pregnancy and be encouraged to debate whether, for example, formula isn't actually on a par with breastmilk these days."

I wonder if we'd still be breastfeeding almost 9 months in if I didn't have the internet as a resource and MN for advice and support. I even gave my old HV this forum address so she could brush up! Grin

Caligula · 26/04/2006 22:17

Oh good god Suzi2, the poor woman. HV's get such a slating on here. (But it has to be said, usually with good reason.)

You'll be put on the problem patient list, you mark my words. Wink

suzi2 · 26/04/2006 22:21

lol caligula... it was at my last surgery (have since moved) and she asked me where I was getting my info.

I'm already on the problem patients list Grin for a different reason altogether!

hunkermunkfish · 26/04/2006 22:26

Yes, lactating also brings out the pottymouth in me. Don't think I'll pass the Sainthood course Sad

This part of the quote made me think Suzi:

"..be encouraged to debate whether, for example, formula isn't actually on a par with breastmilk these days."

Does anyone else see the implication here?

Harpsichordcarrier · 26/04/2006 22:27

yes, hunker I really wanted to talk about that part.
let's have a debate then:
no. It isn't.
well that was quick.
shall we go to the pub in the time we've saved?

Original poster
emkana · 26/04/2006 22:27

Yes indeed hunker!

Wonder what kind of end to the debate the author of the article would envisage?

OP posts:
suzi2 · 26/04/2006 22:28

lol yes... surely she can't be implying that breastmilk isn't as good??? Grin

Original poster
emkana · 26/04/2006 22:28

lol hc

By the way one of the letters today is indeed mine!

OP posts:
Caligula · 26/04/2006 22:28

Yes, what's the point of debating that? Anyone who claimed that formula is on a par with breastmilk these days or any other days, would simply be wrong. Unless I'm misunderstanding her use of the word par.

hunkermunkfish · 26/04/2006 22:29

Good debate, ladies.

But surely with all the technology and scientist they will have...

Oh, mine's a pint, harpsi (not capitalising you, you brazen hussy) Grin

Caligula · 26/04/2006 22:29

It's like having a debate about whether the sun goes round the earth these days.

Mental.

Harpsichordcarrier · 26/04/2006 22:31

"Perhaps breastfeeding has been the worst-best solution for women for centuries, but now it's time to move on"

or, perhaps not.

Original poster
emkana · 26/04/2006 22:32

I imagine she would like the debate to go along the lines of
"Well my nephew/niece/neighbour's daughter was bottlefed and is never ill, while my cousin's daughter was breastfed and is constantly snotty, so there you have it, breastmilk isn't better at all"

OP posts:
hunkermunkfish · 26/04/2006 22:32

harpsi, I always read your posts out loud in my head(!) and they make me laugh.

hunkermunkfish · 26/04/2006 22:32

(Just realised I still have a blinking fish on the end of my chatname)

Harpsichordcarrier · 26/04/2006 22:33

"It's also downright unfeminist to encourage women to go back to work after having children and then assume they're going to breastfeed, and if not breastfeed, glibly suggest they use a breast pump."
what? what?? what???
unfeminist

HunKeRMunKeR · 26/04/2006 22:34

Ah, that's better.

Harpsichordcarrier · 26/04/2006 22:34

aha hunker
I am also very funny in RL
it's all in the

timing

HunKeRMunKeR · 26/04/2006 22:35

We have to meet so we can laugh at our own jokes in the same room together.

Wordsmith · 26/04/2006 22:41

Only just spotted this thread but had to pick up on Moondog's comment last night:

"Every opinion is valid"

Oh really? Except those which disagree with Moondog, obviously.

Original poster
emkana · 26/04/2006 22:42

I'm going to sulk now because noone has asked me which letter is mine! Or have you all worked it out anyway?
Or (gasp) do you not CARE?
Wink

OP posts:
CarolinaMoonfish · 26/04/2006 22:45

don't you want to preserve your anonymity Emkana? Wink

HunKeRMunKeR · 26/04/2006 22:45

I want to know, Emkana! Just didn't think it polite to ask, iyswim? Grin