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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

"it is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a healthy, balanced diet"

209 replies

harpsichordcarrier · 04/10/2006 20:26

or so it says on the "important information" on some HCP stuff Cow and Gate sent me to give out to parents.
but that's VERY misleading isn't it? it might imply that if you haven't eaten a healthy diet during pregnancy, you shouldn't bf? that formula would be better alternative?
it just seems a weird thing to have on a formula notice.
I am thinking of complaining - what do you think?

OP posts:
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 04/10/2006 20:42

so FF (and the associated companies) are evil and no matter what they say (or don't) they're still the axis of evil............

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 04/10/2006 20:43

what is wrong about telling a woman that they should eat a healthy diet - especially if they're BF? I BF DS1 for 14 months, and had to eat well - if I didn't I found myself totally drained of energy.

dyzzidi · 04/10/2006 20:44

I have to say I don't really get why you would complain isn't a healthy balanced diet what every doctor/nurse/midwife/health visitor/parent/grandparent advise for anything! Whether breast/bottlefeeding or even just as a reminder for a new mum to take care of herself duringa and after her pregnancy this seems like very sound advice and in my opinion poses nothing negative to anyone.

spots · 04/10/2006 20:44

I absolutely agree, complain. Makes breastfeeding seem an absolute chore. I remember overhearing a midwife in hospital instructing a new (and not entirely enthusiastic) breastfeeding mum about diet while b/feeding. She was saying 'Now grapes are a real culprit. If you want four grapes, well that's fine... but more than that and you'll find it really upsets your baby.' And so on. Me, on my second baby, well I thought that was a lot of balls.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 04/10/2006 20:45

oh - what AM I doing! Getting drawn into a BF/FF debate when I've got a messy kitchen, haven't eaten yet, bath still full of water and toys and supposed to be leaving for work in about 40 minutes !

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 20:45

QoQ, honestly I am not looking for a row so please stop trying. I am not going to bite .

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 04/10/2006 20:47

you always bite me .

Seriously - I should be getting on - too busy sitting reading pg articles and debating as to whether telling anyone that they should eat a healthy balanced diet is a bad thing to do.....

FrankenZooey · 04/10/2006 20:56

I knew this was going to be your thread. I also knew there would be someone on here getting arsey with you.

I am starting to get a terrible sense of deja vue about the entire content of MN

Mojomummy · 04/10/2006 20:56

perhaps you could write to C&G & ask WHY it's important ? It would be interesting to read their response.

Suggest that before even getting pregnant a healthy diet & lifestyle is followed...particulary avoiding unnecessary chemicals...but don't get me started

sorrell · 04/10/2006 20:58

You have to ask why they are saying this. To help breastfeeders? I think not. Especially as your diet does NOT have to be super healthy to make food that is a bloody miracle compared to formula. So the information is not correct - it is nice, but not hugely important what you eat, provided you aren't starving. And of course they put it there to put women off! As for saying HVs say it. Yeah, and they also say all sorts of other inaccurate crap.

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 21:00

well I was really just getting a reality check - I don't mind hearing other's opinions and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't just going a bit mad.

I will be interested to see what C&G have to say though. they have been desperate to send me their publicity stuff for ages.

littleducks · 04/10/2006 21:12

'It is preferable in preparation for and during breastfeeding to eat a healthy balanced diet'

better?

Wordsmith · 04/10/2006 21:28

I simply cannot believe that you think this is notable enough to start a thread about it. Like QoQ said, what would you rather they said? FGS. Another opportunity to start a conspiracy theory about formula.

Whatever your views on breast vs bottle, do you really believe formula companies are the devil incarnate?

motherinferior · 04/10/2006 21:32

Nope, I don't think you're going a little bit mad.

I don't even think it's a madly good idea to go on and on about a healthy diet to women who've just given birth in any case. One gets through the first few weeks as best one can, fuelled on chocolate while simultaneously feeling faintly suicidal about one's obdurate enormity.

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 21:33

Wordsmith, there is no need to plunge into deepest hyperbole and non sequitur please. No of course I do not believe that formula companies are the devil incarnate. That's patently ridiculous.
I do believe that formula companies do not encourage women to breastfeed. And I think this wording is inaccurate and would tend to discourage women from breastfeeding. I think this is a bad thing and possibly also illegal.
I would rather that formula companies did not say inaccurate things in the information they give out to parents.
I don't think any of that is particularly controversial. I don't have views on breast v bottle. I don't think it's a competition or a battle.

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 21:34

thanks MI, I think you're right. I think banging on to postnatal women about the Best Odds Diet e.g. like What To Expect books should be punishable by death.

NotQuiteCockney · 04/10/2006 21:36

I don't think you're mad.

"It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you brush your teeth and floss regularly." Just as relevant to breastfeeding as the food thing. Why don't they say that? Or hey, recommend wearing a seatbelt, looking both ways before crossing the road, not eating yellow snow, or any other sensible advice (that is completely irrelevant to breastfeeding!).

(Yes, I know, there's a small association between good dental hygiene and a reduction in the risk of m/c.)

NotQuiteCockney · 04/10/2006 21:37

Oh, wait, you haven't answered my emails, so I'm not going to agree with you, I take that back. :-P

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 21:37

In preparation for and during breastfeeding, you should try not to read any books by Jeffrey Archer, as these may cause nausea.

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 21:38

(sorry NQC I can't get into hotmail for some reason it's a PITA)
btw is anyone going to swoon at my halloween name or wot?

NotQuiteCockney · 04/10/2006 21:39

In preparation for and during breastfeeding, you should be certain to wear clothing that suits you, in cut, fit and colour.

NotQuiteCockney · 04/10/2006 21:39

Do you want a gmail account? Much better, much much more reliable, you can pick up your gmail messages via outlook, etc etc.

Um, but I'd have to have an address to send the gmail invite to.

Flum · 04/10/2006 21:39

Have you ever tasted formula - it mings. My breastmilk tastes like delicious fruit and nut chocolate because that is its main ingredient. No wonder she loves docking on the mother ship.

harpsichordcarrion · 04/10/2006 21:41

In preparation for and during breastfeeding, it is important that you should spend at least two hours every day having your feet massaged and being fed peeled grapes.

motherinferior · 04/10/2006 21:41

In preparation for and during breastfeeding, you should eat something nice, preferably cooked/ provided by someone else.

My best mate (who has no children) turned up a few days after DD1's rather ghastly birth with a bottle of organic champagne and a box of organic chocolate ginger biscuits. That sort of breastfeeding diet I can live with.