Out of interest, how many of us have children that have never ever even tasted formula?

[welliemum]

I'm interested because you hear so many people saying "I plan to breastfeed for X time and then introduce a bottle" as if it was an inevitable fact that all children need to graduate to formula sooner or later.

And then there are loads of people who breastfeed but give bottles from time to time.

The formula companies must be laughing all the way to the bank, because they're selling formula not only to people who can't breastfeed or choose not to, but also to (I suspect) the majority of breastfeeders.

So, how many 100% breastfed children are out there?

My dd1 (now 3) had some formula top-ups between about 8 and 10 weeks, so she doesn't "qualify".

dd2 (coming up for 2 years) has never had formula. Is this as unusual as I think it is?

neither of my DSs have ever had formula.

me...neither of mine has ever (dd3 not yet either and don't intend to)

DD1 had a few cartons of formula between 4 and 8 weeks. I was having problems bf and had gone back to work part time when dd was 5 and a half weeks old (mad woman). She then went back to exclusive bf because she didn't like formula.

DS 1 and 2 never had formula (they're 4 and 2 now).

"Have just finished reading The Politics of Breastfeeding and that has shocked me into never wanting to buy formula ever again" - that's exactly how I felt after reading this book (between dd1 and ds 1)

Juule - you have 9 children?

Really?

Oh lord - it makes me want to lie down in a state of exhaustion just thinking about it!

I take my hat off to you woman!

My ds has never had any . He is 12 months old.

My dds have not (5 and 16 months). But I have!

I could not give it to dd once I tasted it - but I am aware that many babies love it

DD1 had cows milk as a drink from about 6 months back in 1986, but never had formula and BF until 15 mo

DS1 was prescribed Wysoy as a drink from 10 mo as the Dr (hosp) decided he was lactose intolerant (he wasn't), but continued to BF until 15 mo

(no MN then and I thought this was the right thing to do- probably told to by HV )

DS2 BF to 15 mo- no formula
DS3 BF to 12 mo- no formula

DD2 excl BF to 6 months and continuing to BF. No formula, no cows milk (13 mo)

hope you can all keep up the level of perfection in their diet

"hope you can all keep up the level of perfection in their diet"

Not a chance unfortunately - though I do my best. Our children are growing up in a nutritionally toxic culture and it's a daily struggle to get them to eat well.

Which is why bf is so fantastic: it's the one time in your child's life that you can ensure they have an optimal diet, and with (mostly) very little effort and thought on your part. And all this at a time when they're especially vulnerable.

"hope you can all keep up the level of perfection in their diet" Yep, DS2 is currently on day 13 of his 18year breastmilk diet. I shall allow him normal food when he moves out.

I understand that you're just curious, welliemum, I'm not attacking anyone.

I was just making the point that bottle feeding, like TV and fast food, is about convenience and making mum's life easier.

It seems a lot of you have managed to singlehandedly ALWAYS provide ALL the nutrition required for every single day of baby and toddlerhood, and that's great. I applaud you.

But a lot of women can't live up to that.

I still have the dusty single carton of pre-made formula I bought for emergencies! So DS (2) has never had any thus far.

Though this is as much due to his complete refusal to take a bottle EVER than to any crusade on my part.

He eats plenty of crap though so no fear of keeping up any level of perfection whatsoever.

"It seems a lot of you have managed to singlehandedly ALWAYS provide ALL the nutrition required for every single day of baby and toddlerhood..."

toddlerhood???
you do appreciate that we are also giving our children food

DS1 had one small bottle of formula in hospital at three days old. Was breast fed until 24 mo.

DS2 was sadly weaned for (my) medical reasons at 16 mo. Never had any formula.

No idea how to make it up. Never thought about it, tbh. Don't understand why so many breastfeeders are so keen to use formula

It's funny, but I was thinking this exact question when feeding last night as I've absolutely no idea how to make up a bottle or even use the microwave steriliser I bought from a nearly new sale two years ago!

Which answers the question really!

DS1 never (self weaned at 19 mo when I was 3 mo pg with DS2)

DS2 now 3 months and none yet and can't imagine him having some unless something happened to me.

'Bottle feeding is about convenience and making mums lives easier'

Having done both, I woulod whole heartedly say that bottle feeding does not make mums lives easier.....

Message withdrawn

Of my NCT group (7) only 2 never had formula - 1 of those was dd

When dd was born the hospital were worried about jaundice & wanted to give her a bottle (em CS & took a while for my milk to come in) When I said that I was keen for her not to have formula I was provided with donated breast milk as an alternative which she had via a syringe - I was very impressed & feel sorry this isn't an option everywhere.

As a result I am passionate about encouraging those who can to donate breastmilk. (Unfortunately I can't as I've had a blood transufsion)

neither of mine have had formula
ds1 straight on to cow's milk at 12 months
ds2 10 months and will do the same with him

my ds has never tasted formula. He was bf til 1 and then onto cows milk. Would do the same again when I have another.