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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

why dont younger mums breas feed

590 replies

codswallop · 14/11/2004 14:39

on the whole?
18 year ikd nighbour has just had a baby !) musch to her parents horror.. and isnt even trying to b feeed.
why is this?

OP posts:
buka · 14/11/2004 22:00

Well, mummytosteven, one would hope that we would all be trying to do that anyway-surely an integral part of being a mother for 99/9 % of us anyway?

Just fail to see why we all nod our heads unanimously about those points so to speak, then suddenly seem to treat breastfeeding as an optional extra????

Yes, of course people have a terrible time and lack of support in many cases and this has to change. Government claims to be committed to promoting b/feeding but the reality is often very different.
For example, the Sure Start initiative that I am part of was recently approached by a local midwife for funding to go to a breastfeeding conference (to cover the points raised in this thread which yes, blossomhill I have been reading.) We asked why the Health Trust wasn't paying for it and the answer was that due to an impending lawsuit all training was temporarily suspended-money was needed for the lawsuit.
A hundred osr so quid was needed for expensive lawyers rather than to help someone help women like some of you people here

Speaks volumes doesn't it?

Personally, I would rather have more time to read, drink wine, travel and get out-one of the reasons I breasfed/breastfeed. Plus it's free!!
More money for me,me,me!

buka · 14/11/2004 22:04

Well, mummytosteven, one would hope that we would all be trying to do that anyway-surely an integral part of being a mother for 99/9 % of us anyway?

Just fail to see why we all nod our heads unanimously about those points so to speak, then suddenly seem to treat breastfeeding as an optional extra????

Yes, of course people have a terrible time and lack of support in many cases and this has to change. Government claims to be committed to promoting b/feeding but the reality is often very different.
For example, the Sure Start initiative that I am part of was recently approached by a local midwife for funding to go to a breastfeeding conference (to cover the points raised in this thread which yes, blossomhill I have been reading.) We asked why the Health Trust wasn't paying for it and the answer was that due to an impending lawsuit all training was temporarily suspended-money was needed for the lawsuit.
A hundred osr so quid was needed for expensive lawyers rather than to help someone help women like some of you people here

Speaks volumes doesn't it?

Personally, I would rather have more time to read, drink wine, travel and get out-one of the reasons I breasfed/breastfeed. Plus it's free!!
More money for me,me,me!

blossomhill · 14/11/2004 22:05

BM - So now we are stupid not to breastfeed. Get off your high horse FFS!

colditzmum · 14/11/2004 22:06

buka, are you saying that as long as you feed your child with your breastmilk, you can then go on to deprive it in every other way? Do you think that people who have been breastfed never go to jail? Never bully other children? Never wet themselves in public?
It is not breastfeeding that helps to prevent these things, it is calm, positive parenting. You cannot tell by sight, smell, touch or listening whether a 5 year old was breastfed or not. What does come across is whether they are loved and cared for.

tammybear · 14/11/2004 22:07

The whole point to these threads is to have debates where both sides are welcomed. Please don't let it get too heated as we don't want other mumsnetters getting offended.

I am 20, had dd at 18. At school, I don't remember learning much about breastfeeding. I only knew of the benefits from ante natal classes, and didn't get much info from my midwife. I had to pester my midwife at hospital to show me how to breastfeed and it didnt work out. I don't think that I am a bad mother just because my dd wouldnt latch on, and seemed to prefer the bottle. I wasn't going to starve her until she started breastfeeding. IMO, that would make me a bad mum. I didnt know about expressing, so wouldnt have been able to go down that road.

I dont think education comes into it much, as I did well at school, but doesnt mean to say I know everything there is about breastfeeding. In regards to young mums, a lot of them dont know about these things as theyre not told, and IME are not treated with a lot of respect. Not surprising from the stereotype that they have been given. We all have different opinions and experiences and the point of mumsnet is so we can share it.

buka · 14/11/2004 22:07

BTW nutcracker, I never said I was brainy or educated. Who is making assumptions here?!
I am in favour of breastfeeding ergo I am a nice middle class girl with a degree whoreads the Guardian. EH!

For all you know I could be a sluttish 18 year old on a sink estate with three kids by three different blokes who blows all my cash on fags and alcopops!

baggybear · 14/11/2004 22:07

right , i'm going to say goodnight again. i think i've outstayed my welcome now. this has got far too heated for me - i thought i was logging on for a bit of friendly banter not all out war!! Sorry again to those i have offended

fairydust · 14/11/2004 22:07

nice point colditzmum

beansmum · 14/11/2004 22:08

joolstoo - you are probably right, but me being an idiot doesn't make bottlefeeding any better.

Stupid wasn't the right word to use, it would be stupid not to realise the benefits, to realise the benefits and then decide to bottlefeed is just selfish.

lockets · 14/11/2004 22:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

fairydust · 14/11/2004 22:09

sure'll there only benefits - if they benfit both the mother and the baby an unhappy mother mostly means an unbaby

blossomhill · 14/11/2004 22:09

beansmum - whatever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

buka · 14/11/2004 22:09

colditzmum, your logic fascinates me!!!!

moomina · 14/11/2004 22:10

"BTW nutcracker, I never said I was brainy or educated."

Don't worry my dear, I don't think anyone's coming away with that impression...

beansmum · 14/11/2004 22:10

nice argument blossomhill

tammybear · 14/11/2004 22:11

its not always possible to breastfeed though beansmum, and i dont think its fair that the mums who havent should be judged

fairydust · 14/11/2004 22:11

agree there moomina about our nutty

Original poster
codswallop · 14/11/2004 22:11

i blame her teachers

OP posts:
fairydust · 14/11/2004 22:11

lol cod

Original poster
codswallop · 14/11/2004 22:12

( oh oops thats me ) !!

OP posts:
blueteddy · 14/11/2004 22:12

Well I consider myself 2 be fairly educated (working in a school!) & have 2 fairly bright ds's, who I love 2 bits.
I did, however, choose not to breast feed either of my sons as it was not 4 me personally.
My sons could not be more loved & neither of them suffer from health complaints as a result of being bottle fed.
At the end of the day it is about what ever the mother feels comfortable doing that is important.

JoolsToo · 14/11/2004 22:13

bm - stupid, selfish - it all comes down to the same thing in your opinion - we're the devils spawn us bottlefeeders - luckily I'm not one to take offence - you're entitled to your opinion - you might think differently if you met me and mine (dd is a poster too)

nutcracker · 14/11/2004 22:13

PMSL @ Coddy

baggybear · 14/11/2004 22:13

well said blueteddy

moomina · 14/11/2004 22:13

Noooo! I was quoting nutty, not talking about her!