Bottle vs. Breast... why the on-going debates?

[MrsBigD]

o.k. I'm bored and can't be bothered to do the housework so might as well write something down on what's been playing on my mind... and as per usual I'm interested in the human nature aspect of this.

I do accept that this is a highly emotional/passionate subject as it would be being so closely related to oneself and the lo, BUT... it's been rehashed so many times now that it sounds like a broken record {{{quickly ducks}}}}

I know, I don't have to look at/read/contribute to the posts on this subject but I always find it amazing/amusing that even if somebody just harmlessly wants to get some impartial advice it usually baloons out into a highly heated debate. And I'm not for or against any particular way of feeding IMHO happy baby & happy mother is the most important factor and does not depend on how feeding is done

Here are my 2pence worth:

Benefits/drawbacks of any way of feeding lo's are relativ imho.

Breast is best - Well maybe but then again in our times our bodies are so ladden with 'bad things' (chemicals and the like) ... is it really?

Personal Choice - It's a personal choice nobody has to justify towards anybody. Then again do we really have the choice if being criticised if going again public opinion?

Bottle deprives of immunity protection - maybe it does, but I know of soley breast fed kids who still had eczema, coelia desease, asthma etc, and of perfectly healthy bottle fed babes.

So you see, depending on which way one looks at it it's always different, so why restate the same old pro's abd con's at least once a day?

I shall now duck away out of the firing line and see what I've started here.

Well why not alternate then - bf/bottle one day then jabs the next????

lol lockets too true

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How about a dummy thread?

but when would the natural vs c-section fit in then? surely a rota is needed (don't foget to include eating in supermarkets!!)

oh dear MrsBigD...

One reason why these debates keep coming up is very well illustrated by your post:

One the one hand there are people who go by anecdotal evidence and personal experience.

One the other hand there are those who are influenced by the scientific research they have read about, and they try to persuade the others that that counts more! While the others are having none of it.

Same thing happens with early/late weaning, as seen in a thread not too long ago.

but emkana - that doens't explain why we have to have one new thread a day about it!!

true

I think the debate runs on because there is such a lack of knowledge about breastfeeding that many of us want to inform statements that are untrue.

Unfortunately it is a very emotive subject and mums who have bottlefed feel personally attacked which is not the intention.

In an ideal world, all women would choose to breastfeed. Unfortunately our culture is not ready for that. The skill of breastfeeding is in danger of being lost because unfortunately women do not see the need to breastfeed when there are formula milks that have everything in them.

The main problem that I have is that women who do decide to breastfeed are often not given correct advice and support from family or professionals in order to overcome problems they might encounter.

There is a real health need for both mothers and babies to increase breastfeeding rates. These are well documented - see thread 101 reasons to breastfeed.

If only it was happy mother = happy baby. IME many mothers are unhappy with the choice they have made to bottle feed because of poor support when trying to establish breastfeeding.

My final note is thank goodness for formula milk because it saves babies' lives when breastfeeding is not successful.

A rota is a good idea. then youd know to log in on a certain day for a good ol barney on whatever takes yer fancy Brillaint idea. I vote Mondays for a nice easy one like "junk food v organic homecooked"

MrsBigD - you are so right and I apologise as one of the 'gobby' ones keeping these threads going - I promise to try harder to stay away - if just for my own sanity

incaseyoumissedmylink

ehy - thats cheating!

I don't think some people go on personal anecdote and experience and some go on facts.

I like both!

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I dunno HMof2 - when people like TikTok, Mears etc. come on and post new links, I learn something new each time.

The new people don't want to look at old threads,

A thread started yesterday - and posted on today is hardly 'old' is it? And the way MN is layed out it makes it possible for people to easily see old threads and read them.

In answer to the title of the thread, Gawd knows! For me, I'm just too plain gobby for my own good and can't let what I feel are ridiculous comments pass by unchallenged! I promise to stay off it now, I've got too much bloody work to do!

Lord knows (re thread title question) it certainly is very tedious and gets in the way of looking at all aspects of babyfeeding

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You're right lockets - it's either breast vs bottle, vaccinations or SAHM vs WOTHM!!!

my point is that there was already at least one bf thread IN the active conversations, and if a new member went into the bottlefeeding/breastfeeding board they'd find lots of recent debates..........and most of the thread starters have been OLD members