Want to exclusively FF

[justpoppingintosayhello]

I'm being made to feel inferior because I want to formula feed my baby, how do I carry on with this? I'm being made to feel bad because of my choices.

Because it doesn't actually break MN rules. The inference is strong that the OP just came on for trollery puprposes but they haven't done anything except post an (on the surface) innocent comment before disappearing.

I'm not anything to do with a formula company although I do thing they are ruthless and horrible. I simply don't support FF (unless medically needed). I don't like Formula companies, I don't like the dried powder. I worked really hard through blood sweat and tears to bfeed as I really wanted to do it and I'm proud of that. Some FF can be quite aggressive and judgemental towards Bfeeders. If you think this isn't true you are not seeing it from the other side.

I'm not going to apologise for my view, I don't like formula/ formula companies it's not about the mums as sadly formula company's are to blame. I just think the stuff is horrid and I do judge. We all judge various things and I do with formula. I think there should be a bit of guilt as this does make a few people try breastfeeding harder and I think that's a good thing.

Formula companies are vile (sales reps dressing up as nurses in third world countries promoting FF so babies have died as poorer countries are turning to Formula over BFeeding and using dirty water and babies are dying) so I did my research and don't want to be a part of that AND the stuff is just junk in comparison to breast milk. Sorry but it is. People on here can't handle the truth.

I admire fellow Breastfeeders as I know the amazing journey they have gone through and how hard it is. Sadly most people give up as they don't get the right support.

That 'junk' kept my baby alive. 😒

Don't explain. Just do it. Ignore the comments, and tell them to mind their own business if the pestering gets bad enough.

Most people won't care by the time the baby is a couple of months old.

It's your choice. Formula isn't the devil that many breastfeeding advocates make it out to be (and I say this as someone who breastfed).

I am breastfeeding, but I am also PRO CHOICE. If anyone comments OP tell them to jog on.

Mainly, your views do not help anyone, least of all people trying to support breastfeeding, which is a fragile choice in the UK, and beset by social, emotional and practical difficulties.

Please as MN to delete your post.

Mainly it's people like you that make the OP uncomfortable and ask these questions. You're part of the problem of low breastfeeding rates and not the solution.

Mainly With all due respect you cannot refer to formula as junk. I volunteer as a trained BF supporter, have bf 3 dc etc.etc. formula is processed infant food but it isn't junk as in something to throw in the bin because it is of no use. Your posts are really offensive and a little bit of self-reflection and empathy would go a long way. I am 100000X pro breast-feeding and I am doing my bit to support women to bf but if my daughters chose to ff I would support them 100% and try and make them feel good about their situation.
Yes formula industry is powerful and nasty because they actively and successfully undermine women in many subtle and not so subtle ways. However there is a place for formala and calling the food that other posters here give their babies junk is seriously offensive and factually incorrect.

Ontheup, I don't think the OP was genuine.

Yes it's DEFINITELY factually incorrect.

Mainly you are so sanctimonious. My children were both ff fed, both are fine, rarely poorly, happy children. Should I still be feeling guilty? How long is this guilt sentenced to last?

Links she might not be but guilt ridden ff mums might be reading this at a low ebb while some judgy person admits to wanting to making them feel worse!

"I am breastfeeding, but I am also PRO CHOICE." I agree in theory. But it isn't always a choice, actually most women say that they would have liked to bf but didn't manage rather than choosing outright to ff. Those women, with the right support, might have been able to bf for a little longer, which might have made them feel happier and in control.

Unfortunately the CHOICE rhetoric has been promoted by the FF industry falsely giving the impression of empowerment.

Fair enough Chelazla I agree with you.

I actually feel mainly's posts are breaking forum guidelines intentionally or unintentionally. Can't be bothered to report her though.

I FF mine from birth and can honestly say no health care care professionals, friends, family, anyone judged me. Not to my face anyway! FF if that's what you want to do, it's not junk, it will probably make life easier and there is NOTHING wrong with that, nor is it anyone's business but yours. Good luck.

Links I don't believe that. I am pro choice not because I am influenced by FF rhetoric but because I am a supporter of women doing what they need to/want to. I agree BF services are a shamble but I am pro choice.

What about those women, and this is a genuine question, don't want to bf? Because some just don't- I am one of those women. Do people honestly believe I don't love my children. My children are my world but it seemed such a small issue to me. Also link I think you articulate your points really well and over a very balanced and fair view.

I combination fed. Worth a look in to if you haven't already. If you're feeling guilty it may be because deep down you may want to try BF? I loved BF but my baby was nearly 10 pounds and there was no filling him up. I fed on demand and in the first week every hour. My milk came in fine and I expressed well so my supply wasn't an issue. My little boy ended up being dehydrated so I had to introduce FF. I wasn't too upset and carried on offering FF 3 times a day and BF on demand around that. It worked perfectly for me as it gave me that bonding experience I wanted and pleasure knowing it was helping his immune system etc but also gave me a break!

Either way do not worry because a fed baby is a happy baby whether it's boobies or bottles or both. You can bond via skin to skin and holding baby close to breasts when bottle feeding and you can limit the people you allow to feed baby I.e parents maybe gparents only in the first few months. Then baby will know who his special people are and will have reassurance of being fed in certain ways each time etc.

With exp of doing both I honestly just think that was the best way for me but everyone is different. THe only other point is BF is free!

What I've learned as a new mum is a lot of your decisions will be judged but you know best for you and baby and you're the boss. So be open to ideas but confident in your own decisions.

It's a bit weird that SCBU are quite happy to give babies this junk, except it's not junk at all and fed my tiny 3lb premium baby perfectly and he's now a hulking great 6"2 teenager.

I get the wanting to FF.

What I don't understand is why would you not want to do the best for your child? Breastfeeding is proven to be the best so why not give it a shot? If it doesn't work out then fair enough.

You may enjoy it op

Dame... when my preemie DS (3lb too) was in SCBU he was fed my BM only.

From my perspective the OP posts what is in my view quite a sad and controversial post saying they don't even want to attempt breastfeeding and want to exclusively FF.

I find that very upsetting to hear a poor baby won't even get the chance of even a week of breast milk and the collustrum for absolutely no apparent reason and no attempt to try AT ALL. It was a FFeeder that clearly started this post and just disappears. And I am accused of being unreasonable because I say that yes I DO judge this absolute lack of attempt to try ?! I think it is a travesty that a baby won't get even one tiny attempt of breastmilk and MN is a place for that debate and I can't see how that is breaking any codes - I just don't have the same opinion as you as I am in the minority and I am berated for that! I'm glad I have full belief in breastmilk it's so strong that nothing will change my mind ever. It's the most incredible, bonding and hardest thing I have ever done - I think it's awful not to even try.

"I agree BF services are a shamble but I am pro choice." That doesn't make much sense. Nobody can force a woman to bf or ff her baby. So of course there is a 'choice' in that if a woman doesn't wish to bf for whatever reason she is free to buy formula and feed her child if that. I am not sure how you can be pro-choice in terms of infant feeding. Anyone is free to 'choose'. I have researched this optic quite extensively and know that 'Choice' has been a concept that has featured heavily in formal marketing since it's invention in the 1920s. I won't bore you with the details here but whilst banging on about 'Choice' incessant and effective marketing has aimed to undermine women's perceived ability to bf and it has worked very well. And research shows clearly that most Britsih women who ff would have preferred to bf for longer than they did. That's not a choice.

I planned on bf but in hospital after the birth DD's blood sugar levels plummeted, she wouldn't latch and she was whisked to neonatal with a feeding tube fitted to get milk into her. I was asked to hand express but nothing was coming out so they gave her formula and she had formula from that moment.

I beat myself up a LOT over this. Felt like a failure for such a long time. But she's turning 3 at the weekend and you honestly couldn't tell her apart from her bf friends of the same age.

It's your decision to make and don't feel you have to seek approval from others. There are so many more choices to come as your baby gets older. Try to make informed decisions and have the self confidence to carry them through, or the self reflection to amend ways if something doesn't work first time.

Good luck OP

Links I'm really not looking for an argument. However I am pro choice and not down to any FF companies attempt at making me feel good about it. I am pro choice regarding many decisions that women face. It's not just about breastfeeding.