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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Positive changes wrt the way breastfeeding's spoken about on MN

34 replies

hunkermunker · 18/11/2007 21:34

I've just been thinking - when I first joined MN, there was a bf/ff dingdong every couple of weeks. The OP would say something controversial, by accident or design, the thread would peak and trough through the old arguments and it would end after 1,000 or more posts (before thread-capping) with everyone licking wounds, no further on than before, but with a kind of muttered agreement that what's needed is good support and better-informed healthcare professionals.

But now, although the dingdong threads still exist, albeit less frequently, there's a more vocal "kind" side to them.

But what's really changed is there are more and more threads where people are asking how they can help, what they can do in their communities, who they can write to to make things better - I'm proud to be a part of MN and I really think that good things are being done all over the country, because when women get together, we rock.

That's it. As you were.

(Oh, you might want to read this as well though - very important)

OP posts:
charliegal · 18/11/2007 21:54

Yeah, am very impressed by the quality of information here and thanks to long term breastfeederss here, am still bfing my one year old ds. Thanks everyone.

Original poster
hunkermunker · 18/11/2007 22:16

That's fab to hear, CG!

OP posts:
chankins · 18/11/2007 22:20

I have to say, I am probably still bfing my 6 mo old because of all the info and support on here. I'm the only one out of my friends and family who has bf, and found it very har to justify it if you like, so only made ito to 10 wks with dd1 and 4 mo with dd2 before giving up. I'm so proud I've made it to 6 mo with ds, and will go as long as we both feel happy too. MN has definitly inspired me to do so.

NappiesLaChristmasGit · 18/11/2007 22:59

thanks for the link, hunker. have ordered some goodies and joined Baby milk action, and sent the message of solidarity to the govt too.
thanks for showing me a way to make my voiceheard.

Original poster
hunkermunker · 18/11/2007 23:01

That's brilliant, Chankins!

Nappies, love you Christmas name! Really glad you've joined BMA!

OP posts:
LuckySalem · 18/11/2007 23:03

Hi,
I must be dull but why are we boycotting Nestle? What did they do? I missed it.

Original poster
hunkermunker · 18/11/2007 23:05

LS, see this thread for more info

OP posts:
welliemum · 07/12/2007 00:44

Just found this serendipo serendipt serendipet by accident whilst looking for something else, and I think one big factor in the change is that MN-ers nowadays seem much more aware that people who ff aren't necessarily doing it from choice.

That issue seemed to kick off a lot of threads, with people airily saying "I just can't understand why anyone would want to ff when bf is so easy" and then failing to grasp why this was horribly hurtful to anyone who desperately wanted to bf but couldn't. And then suggesting to the hurt parties that probably, they just didn't try hard enough.

I think it's the work of a few individuals with the patience of Job and far better temper control than I have, who've confronted these posts again and again and got the posters to back off a bit and think about it some more.

PrisonerCellBlockAitch · 07/12/2007 00:53

yes, heh heh, i think it's that as well.

actually i kinda do, when i first came on here there was a lot of 'i ff cos i want to, don't judge me' against 'i bf cos i want to and it's the best thing and i maybe do judge you come to think of it' and it completely didn't take account of the zillions of us who'd tried our arses off and had to make peace with the bottle and judged no-one for nothing cos they were too busy getting up in the middle of the night to pump ebm and sterilise.

we crappy mix-feeders and unsuccessful bfers now have a voice on here, and it's generally one that says 'come and have a go if you think you're hard enough'. COS THERE ARE LOADS OF US.

welliemum · 07/12/2007 01:03

You lot are FARKING SCARY you know

DanJARMouse · 07/12/2007 01:06

you know if it wasnt for mn i wouldnt be sat here now with ds Bfing.... he would have had a bottle, prob given to him by DH.

I havent seen a bf/ff debate in a while actually....

PrisonerCellBlockAitch · 07/12/2007 01:12

oh JARM, i'm so pleased for you, you really stuck at it. a success story, sisters!

er, none for you JARM i'm afraid. don't want to give that boy gas...

welliemum · 07/12/2007 01:19

Brilliant, JARM!

I'm another one who woudn't have managed to bf without MN.

JoyeuxNoelBiggy · 07/12/2007 02:13

Yay! I "learned" here that I didn't have to use follow-on milk, because my milk wouldn't turn to water or whatever it was supposed to do, that carrying on bf beyond a year was quite OK and even quite a good thing actually, and that I could have a night out because DD would manage without her bedtime feed no problem.

Reader, this week DD had a holiday at her nanny's, I had a night at the theatre. It was all good, went just as I was told it would (and if I hadn't been told that, I would have given up bf by this week just to be ready for a night out).

PrisonerCellBlockAitch · 07/12/2007 02:16

night all, keep up the good work jarm. happy lunchtime, wellie.

PrisonerCellBlockAitch · 07/12/2007 02:17

and adieu to yeu also, biggy.

Prunie · 07/12/2007 07:41

Ooh I missed this.
I agree with welliemum's first post.
It is SO much more pleasant and productive now
And I LOVE reading the stories of people who are really happy breastfeeding
I am grateful tbh that people don't feel the need to gloat any more

Stefka · 07/12/2007 09:41

I am ashamed to admit that before I had my baby I was arrogant enough to believe that I would just breast feed easily and couldn't understand why people went on to formula. Nearly seven weeks of agony later I now get it - it has been a very humbling experience. I am still battling to breast feed but certainly wouldn't have survived this long without this place. It was also good to know that if the time comes where I simply can't stand the pain anymore I won't be stoned to death for choosing to go on to formula.

EffiePerine · 07/12/2007 09:44

I would have found the early months of bfing much harder without MN and I'm sure I would have given up earlier. I only know 1 other person in RL who doesn't think bfing past a year is a bit odd. Still bfing DS at 14 months, while working, and hoping to get to 2 years. Chhers MN

Doodledootoo · 07/12/2007 09:47

Message withdrawn

BahHunkerBug · 07/12/2007 09:51

I wrote this before Vicki "know nothing" Scott started handing out her dross.

Now it's MN Avent (TM) isn't it?

PrisonerCellBlockAitch · 07/12/2007 12:01

it is really very disappointing, hunker.

camillathechicken · 07/12/2007 12:05

I didn't breastfeed, but thanks to MN i have learnt a huge amount about it, and most importantly, where you can access help. and that is great !

the vicki scott thing is disappointing, but mumsnet has to survive financially, but. but. but.

seen that she is posting incorrect advice re BF and alcohol, in all good conscience, that cannot be allowed surely?

ProjectIcarus · 07/12/2007 12:08

That avent woman needs binned I think.

I think it is fab that women who wanted to breastfeed and didn't manage can now still feel supported instead of got at.

I must admit that I was probably insensitive when first bf dd1 because I was so frickin' proud of myself and loving it that I completely failed to take others feelings into account.

TinyTimLivesinVictorianSqualor · 07/12/2007 12:10

Ah, Nestle, thanks for that link Humnker, I can now show it to DP next time he says 'But what's wrong with giving the cat Felix'