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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastmilk vs formula - the facts

124 replies

buzzybee · 03/03/2004 03:36

I came across this article on a Canadian website which I think is quite an objective and unemotive summary of the factual differences between breastmilk and formula for those who are interested!
here

OP posts:
hercules · 05/03/2004 22:10

i have to say lisa I wouldnt have done it at all if I'd gone through what you'd gone through. You should be really proud of yourself but it really wouldnt have mattered to anyone if you'd have given up sooner. Babies are meant to be enjoyed and this joyment isnt affected by the method of feeding.
As for the closeness thing, I'd very much doubt anyone who bottlefeeds would say they were any less close to their baby than if they had breastfed. In a very short time you'll be feeling much better and relieved Being a mum is meant to be an enjoyable thing not painful and awful.
I feel just as close to my dd doing everything else as I do when breastfeeding.

Stop blaming yourself. You put up with a lot of pain for your baby and I'm sure your baby will be far happier with a relaxed dm.

hercules · 05/03/2004 22:12

Don't worry about the guilt either. Breastfeeding doesnt take away guilt from all the other things we do wrong as parents.

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 22:12

Thanks Hercules - the voice of common sense as usual! You're all right, I know, I guess I am just hormonal (should make DH quake with fear; at the moment he just keeps shaking his head and saying, "but I don't understand what you are upset about" Men! )

Slinky · 05/03/2004 22:19

Yes Hercules is right!

Now my children are older, there are plenty of other things to worry and feel guilty about that make my breastfeeding stresses look so minor in comparison

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 22:21

Oh tell me about it - DS1 is 15, bloody teenagers! I won't let him near any of my bf literature cos I am sure he will blame his adolescent acne on being bottlefed Can't be anything to do with the crap he eats

Slinky · 05/03/2004 22:24

LOL Lisa - didn't realise you were in "teenagedom" already

I'm not quite there yet - DD1 is 9 this year - already hormonal, lots of door slamming going on and how life is so unfair because I won't buy her a mobile phone and of course, she's the only one in the whole school without one

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 22:25

Ahh 9! Lovely age, just the perfect age for them to become best friends with the child called "everybodyelse"
Tell her she can't wear makeup till she is 20 - that will shut her up!

Angeliz · 05/03/2004 22:27

Slinky, my dd has just turned 3 and has been doing that for months.
(Slams the kitchen door and says ,"it's not fair",) I can't complain as she's great but makes me laugh when she's moody, she IS a mini me

Angeliz · 05/03/2004 22:28

God help me when she's a teenager!!!

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 22:30

Is it Bel Mooney who wrote that book "Its not fair" - got it for DS1 and it was really good, but am going back a few years now
Incidentally, thank you SO much for not saying "ooh, thats a big gap"!! I know it is and its not an issue, but I am so fed up of people saying it like I hadn't realised! Or one or two who actually said "Why?" Cheeky gits!

Slinky · 05/03/2004 22:31

LOLOLOLOL!

She made me laugh the other weekend - we were shopping for new boots for her. She wanted ones with heels (have to say majority of them were with highish! heels). I kept saying no etc.

I got one pair of shelf - heel about 2" high. "Try them on" I say (having NO intention on buying them!).

She's then staggering up and down shop (me and shop assistant giggling away) whilst she's desperately trying to convince me that a) she can walk in them and b) they're dead comfy!!!

Anyway, result = 1-0 to me! Boots with 1/2" heel were purchased

Scary thing is though, my youngest (another girl!) is showing signs of being even worse than DD1!

Slinky · 05/03/2004 22:34

Lisa

Cheeky gits - it amazes me that people have to pass comment. I got lots of "was it an accident?/why have another one - you've got a perfect pair?" when I was pregnant with No 3!!! GRRRR!!

Angeliz - your DD sounds like my youngest (she's 4) another door-slammer/life is not fair etc etc.

hercules · 05/03/2004 22:34

I think big gaps are great, ds s 8 and dd 5 months.
Most people think we must be mad and should have had them close together as it's not fair on either of them(another thing to feel guilty about). But I have to say at least once a week dh and I say we are so glad of the age gap.
DS is very helpful with dd and they adore each other. He had no problems adjusting after being the spoilt onlu child and there is no way I could have coped with2 small ones.

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 22:37

Well herc, if anyone else comments, just say, "Do you think so, well Lisa's first is 15 and she has just had her second" I guarentee they will think yours are close together after that!

hercules · 05/03/2004 22:39

Yes but then they might ask who Lisa is????

Angeliz · 05/03/2004 22:40

hercules, i hope you read further down this thread and read my reply to clear up any misunderstanding!

hercules · 05/03/2004 22:42

Have done Lisa. No probs

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 22:51

have done what?!!!???

Tell them she is someone with a big gap between her children

hercules · 05/03/2004 22:53

OOPs sorry meant Lisa meant Angeliz.

I havent even spoken to anyone else yet Lisa

Angeliz · 05/03/2004 22:54

I thought you meant me, so easy to get confused here!!!

Angeliz · 05/03/2004 23:03

hercules, to answer your question from hours ago about breastfeeding.....(though it's a bit late now)
I really never talk about it as i think i'll get shouted down and my reasons are pathetic!! I hate ,HATE anyone touching my boobs, i don't like the sensation of any feelings in nipples!! It has never even crossed my mind to breastfeed as it is something that doesn't come natural to me!
I wish it did in a way and although i really feel that my dd will be fine , she's bright, healthy and happy, i suppose i always feel that when people say things like "even for a few weeks",(about breastfeeding), i think it's like saying to me. "well you love her, but not THAT much"!!
It's just something i did not want!!

hercules · 05/03/2004 23:08

But that's a reason!!!!!!!

You can't help feeling like that!!!!
My comments are more for people who arent bothered either way not for anyone who has a reason no matter what the reason.

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 23:10

okay Angeliz, its late so I'll dare ask - even in sex?

Lisa78 · 05/03/2004 23:10

But don't answer if you don't want to?!

Angeliz · 05/03/2004 23:12

thanks, i just got a lump in my throat there really, as i thought that most people would say that you just have to grin and bear it!!!
Aloha once said on another thread about people having unresolved issues about it and it made me stop and think!