Why "choose" to bottle feed???

[Difers]

I am a breastfeeding mum and I meet lots of mums who said they tried to breastfeed but weren't able to which I can totally understand but My mother-in-law said she "chose" to bottlefeed and didn't bother even trying...

So I am wondering, given the benefits of breastfeeding, why would anyone "choose" to bottlefeed??

oh els, dont feel guilty!

"Oh what is all this bollox about paying more tax due to FF. Get a fecking grip"

I did not say i pay more tax due to FF. I said i give a damn because more of my money is being spent on preventable illnesses. I want less of my tax money to go toward paying for preventable illnesses.

whispers yes, i do know that bf is not a medical panacea but innumerable studies have shown that it makes a bloody big difference even in places like the UK and US where so called best medical care exists.

how would it work then kiskidee, would you withhold treatment for people who refused to formula feed or would you withhold treatment for people who were formula fed as babies, without any consent in the matter.

i detect your argument is slighty flawed

don't try to back me into a corner which is so patently obvious, fio.

find some of the multitude of the medical papers out there that will point them out to you one by one. MN is full of them, Hattrick.

Can no one help Elsbells out?

Elsbells - This thread is not about women who CAN'T breastfeed so please please please do not feel down, perhaps post a thread explaining your problem and surely someone lovely like Mears or Tiktok will have some really good advice for you.

In conclusion:---------

It seems to me that people generally fall into these categtories, in this sort of order, more or less:-

a) That most people use formula as a result of breastfeeding going wrong.
b) That some people have issues with exposing boobs which leads them to FF.
c) Some people have actual pobias/revulsion problems which mean that it is very difficult for them to bf.
d) That going back to work/other family commitments mean that they feel it is best for them to FF.
e)It seems that there are a few women who aren't convinced by statistics of the health benefits of BF and therefore FF.

As I think Mears said the "choice" about breastfeeding or bottlefeeding in most cases is made well before the moment on the ward or at home when the baby is first fed.

ellsbells, don't think of yourself as a failure. If you want to get BF back on track, it is possible, but if you decide to switch to formula, remember you have gived your DC the best start in life.

I stopped Bf my DS at 5.5 weeks and felt awful about it, but when I saw how happy we both were rather than angry and frustrated, I realised that our relationship was more important than how he was fed. We still had cuddles and closeness and still did a lot of skin to skin as well.

I hope you can get some help and support. xx

Bugger - somewhere between a) and b)

a)* That some women have (mental)health reasons as to why they can't, eg/Antipressant use.

elsbells start another thread and we can come and give you advice

if you need any help Ill email you or give you my mobile number if it will help

Elsbells
Don't feel so down. I FF my DD from 2 weeks. if not earlier. She is now 14months, healthy and happy!

Looks like an accurate representation difers.

I'm intrigued by the prevalence of e)It seems that there are a few women who aren't convinced by statistics of the health benefits of BF and therefore FF.

Seems a bit ostrichy to me, esp since lots of the comments against the health benefits are anecdotal when obviously statistics work on a large scale so individual instances are largely irrelevant, its the general trend that counts.

By all means choose ff over bf but don't pretend there aren't possible health implications, even if these in fact turn out not to apply in your child's case.

I chose to stop expressing for ds for various reasons but did accept that it may have a health impact on him. (And in fact will never know whether his tendency to ear infections is a result of not having breast milk.)

hattrick, what scooby just said.

why have you brought up drawing of a line. no one else has and no one has afaik, even implied one ought to be drawn. that is irrelevant.

and actually some of the attitudes on this thread have reminded me why I posted a little while ago with a thread title "I'm probably going to get lynched" (or something along those lines). When looking for support in my decision to mixfeed/switch to FF.....I actually got told off for using the term as it could put others off asking for support - but having read this thread it would seem I was correct......

I feel it is such an individual and personal choice. I find it sad if women want to breastfeed and do not have the right support to do so. But if an informed woman from the outside does not wish to, then I totally accept that.

I think also 30 years or so ago, formula was all the rage and touted as a miracle solution for women to be able to have more independence etc. My DH was formula fed as MIL was the first of her siblings to have children and the family pressure was for her to bottle feed regardless of what her wishes might have been.

i am not on this thread to encourage mothers to bf. I have more than one gear, you know.

Why do you insist on drawing lines? I have not ever suggested any being drawn or withholding treatment from anyone. I am stating that some of the disadvantages of ff is that it is linked to certain illnesses. that is costs everyone (and that means includes me,) more to provide healthcare for everyone. that's all. quit making assumptions about what i would suggest. get a grip and get over yerself.

if you don't like my err, aggressive posts, then don't read them. problem solved cause i ain't changing my style to suit anyone. geddit?

and that is kiskidee with a small k.

oh come on hatrick, breastfeeding makes you chilled and relaxed....only at the time of breastfeeding obviously

in7 weeks.....i have thw WHOLE of the 6 weeks holiday to bloody wait and get fat and tired and hot and unchilled

then why continue to snipe when you are so, well, way above it?

all this nork clasping, huff and puff and pontificating on the behaviour or others. funny and so, well, MN.