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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

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

66 replies

MrsBigD · 01/03/2005 10:21

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.

OP posts:
dinosaur · 01/03/2005 11:38

Well, I feel I've learned lots from mumsnet, including from some of the most heated debates.

For example, as a result of what I've learned from mumsnet I am still feeding DS3 and expressing during the day for him whilst at work(didn't do this for DS1 and DS2).

noddyholder · 01/03/2005 11:38

why does breast feeding=ideal world.Whose ideal?

NotQuiteCockney · 01/03/2005 11:43

The WHO's? Among other people's.

JoolsToo · 01/03/2005 11:47

don't start!

noddyholder · 01/03/2005 11:48

Most of the people I have met since ds started school have breasfed and their kids are riddled with allergies etc.I am all for it aswell as it is sterile cheap natural etc but I think there is an unhealthy obsession with it amongst those who choose to do it

HappyMumof2 · 01/03/2005 11:53

Message withdrawn

Gobbledigook · 01/03/2005 12:02

HappyMumof2 - you are trying really hard to keep out of it I can see that but you can't do it!! You're as bad as me!!!

I agree with Noddyholder - it's the obesession among some of those that breastfeed that is so annoying and it's primarily their evangelical and smug attitude that gets on my nerves.

beansprout · 01/03/2005 12:07

To answer the original question:
a) strongly held views
b) new people to MN

There are lots of chesnuts, e.g. "What can't I eat in pregnancy?" or "How can I get labour to start?", it's just that these don't arouse the same strength of feeling.

Hey, it's all been said, and we are all just figments of Rachel, Carrie's et al imaginations, playing out the same discussions!!!

Keane · 01/03/2005 12:11

it gets a bit boring after you have read the same argument about a million times

I dont really care what people say/think/do in relation to breast or bottle feeding. Alot of comments on these threads are prejudiced but it doesnt bother me as i am a far superior mother to any of you IMO and thats all that matters to moi

HappyMumof2 · 01/03/2005 12:12

Message withdrawn

noddyholder · 01/03/2005 12:14

If you think breast is best and you are doing it yourself why the need to let others know?

suzywong · 01/03/2005 12:14

why?
what do you think we are going to do? Stalk you and clamp our babies on to yours just to make a point, FFS?

noddyholder · 01/03/2005 12:17

This is getting silly no one thinks anyone is going to stalk them etc etc but the tone is so aggressive and we are talking about feeding our children here

Gwenick · 01/03/2005 12:17

b) new people to MN

Yes and lots of new people are perfectly capable of reading the threads which are already in the specific topic areas - and how many of the 'recent' bf/bottlefeeding debates have been started by 'new' members???

Original poster
MrsBigD · 01/03/2005 12:47

OH boy I started something here didn't I

I agree that new members should be able to post their questions re breast/bottle but my point is that then those threads usually get hijacked and turned into a slanging match as opposed to just giving 'neutral' (as far as that's possible) hints and tips

Love the rota idea

OP posts:
oops · 01/03/2005 15:35

Message withdrawn

Original poster
MrsBigD · 01/03/2005 16:28

oops - it was intended as a general question

OP posts:
nightowl · 02/03/2005 02:27

ok this seems the least agressive thread out of all the ones on this subject so ill post here and run! i think that a large proportion of the mums who breastfeed think that deep down every mother wants to and its only lack of support, lack of info, medical problems etc etc that stop them. now although sadly this may be true in a lot of cases, there are ones amongst us that simply didnt want to. people dont seem to understand this so they ask a bottle feeding mum to explain, many do but instead of being satisfied with the answer, more people jump in the same thread and ask over and over again. so then the bottle feeding mums get defensive and say they dont have to justify their decision, which is right. people post very good information and i like that but there are a few who just get over the top trying to "convert" people. ive bottlefed both my babies and when i see some of the posts it makes me feel like a little child being told off but sympathised with because "i dont know any better". its one thing putting your opinion forward but another to shove it in someones face. some people really need to respect the choices another mum makes even if they dont agree. we all love our children or we wouldnt be on this site!

Original poster
MrsBigD · 02/03/2005 07:22

well put nightowl

as I said previously...it's great to get the advice but I really got put off by the few who thought their way was the only way to feed baby and that I should have tried harder ... (I swapped to bottle at 3 weeks and it turned out definitely better for bub and me)

OP posts:
reindeer · 02/03/2005 08:11

Well put nightowl.

Why are there mums on this site who feel they are right and others are wrong? Can't they accept we are all individuals and ALL of our opinions are valid.

I think if people are very judgemental and superior they shouldn't come onto an internet site as we don't know each others backgrounds and so we shouldn't judge each other so harshly.

Original poster
MrsBigD · 02/03/2005 08:13

reindeer...
my guess is that it's easier to be jugemental on here as nobody knows you

OP posts:
Caligula · 02/03/2005 10:11

"I think there is an unhealthy obsession with it amongst those who choose to do it"

Oh dear.

Do you really mean that Noddy?

Because I've chosen to do it (and I've chosen to bottle-feed) and I'm not obsessed with either.

But if there's a debate about it, how does one participate without being accused of being obsessed?

Original poster
MrsBigD · 02/03/2005 10:15

Caligula you have to admit that there is definitely a slight 'obsession' towards breast feeding ... I definitely got an ear full when I 'gave up' and went to bottle.

OP posts:
emkana · 02/03/2005 10:17

Obsession... I don't think so...

just some people who have very strong beliefs that breast is definitely and absolutely best, and who would like more children benefit from it than currently do in this country.

Caligula · 02/03/2005 10:21

Got an earful from whom?

Not from me! And presumably not from other mumsnetters, surely?

IMO giving people information about BF in a discussion about breastfeeding does not constitute obsession. Now if it were a thread about the Iraq war, for instance, or how to make pastry, and someone came in with facts and figures about BF, then I'd think they had an obsession!

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