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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Should maternity units provide formula?

240 replies

hunkermunker · 31/12/2008 23:37

Or should you have to take it in with you if you're planning to ff?

I can see both sides of this - but what's your experience and how did you feel about it?

OP posts:
Original poster
hunkermunker · 01/01/2009 22:46
Grin
OP posts:
blushingm · 01/01/2009 22:47

and the one before too

sorry about being defensive - it just hits a v raw nerve with me -

Original poster
hunkermunker · 01/01/2009 22:50

It's perfectly understandable to be defensive - don't worry!

I just like to keep these things On Track because I find it incredibly interesting to hear other women's experiences and ideas of what might work well. Threads such as these never fail to throw up good ideas - which can get a bit lost if the thread goes off on a tangent!

OP posts:
faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 22:52

By blushingm on Thu 01-Jan-09 22:04:12
fariemoo can i ask you - can you ever in your whole entire life failed at somethign or has something you planned not gone as you hoped??????

-----

Yes.

-----

i bf both me dc's and 2nd time round was more detirmed than ever but it didn't go as i planned. I ended up with an absess deep in my breast so big it needed it to be lanced with a 6 inch needle every 3 days for 6 weeks
life doesn't always go according to plan and what actusally gives you the right to be so judgemental about other peoples choices - i couldn't bf again as i am on medication that is incompatible (and unless you can give me 1000% proof it's safe i wouldn't risk it) and this makes me feel incredibly guilty. Until you walked a mile in someone shoes keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself

-----

I am very sorry for your bad experience but how on earth does it relate to my saying that I don't believe formula should be available in hospital for mother's who choose not to breastfeed?

As for my opinions, they were asked for, were they not? I thought that's what a discussion forum was for.

You obviously have hangups and a lot of emotions about your past experiences but I would appreciate that you not blame me for them, thank you.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 01/01/2009 22:53

MAybe have someone come round before birth to actually do a one on one with an expectant mother at home in privacy so that she doesn't feel defensive about her choice or feel uncomfortable about taling about it in a group. DD would have starved to death as had no milk, with DS it came in after 5 days but being the ignoramus I am thought that a) he couldn't live without anything and b) that I couldn't establish breastfeeding and also c) it would have been great to have talked with somone objectively because quite frankly the thought of wither of them attached to me via the boobs made me feel very uncomfotable. Also have ing said that I dod have a breast reduction as I do hate them so much so maybe I had ishoos.

ilovelovemydog · 01/01/2009 22:56

To be absolutely honest, I wasn't aware that formula was available in maternity units until a few hours after DS was born and he was being monitored hourly.

Formula was mentioned, but more as a last resort.

Should it be provided? Yes, probably. Is there evidence that women who have problems breastfeeding early on will resort to formula, as I believe that it's a decision made beforehand.

Oh, and my H/V is of the opinion that the reason so many women ff is due to 'b/f being rammed down their throats on the maternity ward...'

blushingm · 01/01/2009 22:57

i did n't blame you for my 'hang ups' - i've never met you i just asked some questions and gave my views that's all. You have been very upfront in your opinions in previous posts.

I get the impression you feel it's a cost issue and a moral issue. Cost wise i just asked for your thoughts on other ways the nhs spends it's money

as i've said i'm sorry for being defensive but it is a very emotive subject

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 22:58

By hunkermunker on Thu 01-Jan-09 22:27:22
"Maybe having more voluntary peer supporters is a short-term measure - they do valuable work, the training course is interesting and not long (12 hours, iirc) and having someone who is interested in you and your baby and your bf relationship gives you a measurably greater chance of succeeding."

Can you give me more information about these courses and where they are available? Ta.

MarxAndSparks · 01/01/2009 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BabiesEverywhere · 01/01/2009 23:03

faeriemoo, Talk to your local HV or breastfeeding support group to get details on peer surport training.

It would be good for you, as the training encourages people to be more tactful and less judgemental on mothers feeding choices.

All the best

BabiesEverywhere · 01/01/2009 23:03

Excuse spelling I'm NAKing

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 23:03

M&S, yes the mother is offered a choice of healthy options to eat whilst she is in hospital.
It could be said, though, that modified cows milk is NOT the healthy option for a brand new baby unless medically required and therefore should be no more likely to be on the menu than Big Macs and espresso.

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 23:05

"faeriemoo, Talk to your local HV or breastfeeding support group to get details on peer surport training.

It would be good for you, as the training encourages people to be more tactful and less judgemental on mothers feeding choices.

All the best "

I know, I know, I'm awful at tact. I really would like to do it for my own benefit.
I am a lot more tactful and understand in Real Life though, I promise, I just have little patience or compassion for people that do not want to give their baby the healthiest start in life without medical reason.

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 23:06

*understanding

I am also NAKing

blushingm · 01/01/2009 23:10

but fariemoo it's an option and there are only 2 options for a newborn which means 2 choices - surely it's the mothers responsibility to choose for her baby

i had chips and a white bread roll in hospital and apple crumble with custard (yummy but not exactly healthy )

Reallytired · 01/01/2009 23:10

I hope that they do vet the people who are allowed to become breastfeeding councellors. If I had breastfeeding problems then the last person I would want to see is some breastfeeding militant.

I am passionate about breastfeeding, but I also think you have to look after the whole mother. Hence I think the policies that most hospitals have on formula is reasonable. Most mothers are adults who can make their own decisions about what is best for them and their families.

I would rather have better ante natal classes. I was offered breastfeeding class between 2 and 3pm. This time is useless to many mothers who

a) Have younger children
b) Work

Prehaps have a breastfeeding workshop in the evening or have a creche attached to it. It would be nice if fathers and granparents could come as well.

More time needs to be spent explaining correct positioning rather than just using a video. Prehaps the mother could practice holding a doll in the right position.

SalLikesCoffee · 01/01/2009 23:12

You know, and I know MN might not be the best place in the world to post this, but most people seem to have common sense, so here goes...

I sincerely hope you never, ever take your children to McD's, never let them eat crisps, never let them touch sugar drinks, etc etc. Ever. Whole Foods all the way. If not, I really don't think you're in a position to judge people that "do not want to" (replace baby with) children "the healthiest start in life". Yes, bf is healthiest in most cases, but so is most whole food choices. Let those who are perfect judge.

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 23:14

"Most mothers are adults who can make their own decisions about what is best for them and their families."

I don't disagree with this. Of course people should be 'allowed' to make their own decisions and that of their children whilst they are still young but if a mother CHOOSES to formula feed, she should provide the milk herself, IMO (which, let's not forget, is what this 'debate' is about). They have to provide it themselves when they leave hospital (though I've known many mothers to pinch as many of those mini bottles and sterilised teats as they can smuggle in their bag when leaving), so why not whilst they are in hospital also?

MarxAndSparks · 01/01/2009 23:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovelovemydog · 01/01/2009 23:16

Sal, I don't think it's a matter of being anal about a child's diet. The issue is whether better support at the very beginning would make a difference as far as breast feeding is concerned. Not for those who are decided that they wish to formula feed (although there is an argument that they could bring their own), but if it's available on the ward, is this a disincentive? (and am not even sure that disincentive is a word...

faeriemoo · 01/01/2009 23:20

Jesus Christ on a bike!

Yes, my three year old occasionally visits McDonalds, she eats sweet and crisps. Guess what, I even let her eat sweets if she drops them on the floor gasp The only organic foods in our house are those Organix crisps things because the three year old and the baby enjoy them (and I am partial to one or two), oh and maybe some rice cakes.

It is a FACT that a healthy mother breastfeeding a healthy child in the first few days of it's life is the best start for both of them. Anyone who truly thinks otherwise is completely ignorant to the basics of infant nutrition.

I am not a "breastfeeding militant" - hey, guess what? I formula fed my eldest child! But I bloody tried! As I have said before, IMO (there's the important bit for those skimming my posts for something to jump on!) all women should TRY to breastfeed if they have no medical reason not to. I know that is never going to happen and there will always be women who won't, but - again IMO - the two days that a woman is in a maternity ward (on average) is not enough of an attempt to TRY to establish nursing.

BabiesEverywhere · 01/01/2009 23:20

"I know, I know, I'm awful at tact. I really would like to do it for my own benefit.
I am a lot more tactful and understand in Real Life though, I promise, I just have little patience or compassion for people that do not want to give their baby the healthiest start in life without medical reason. "

I suggest practicing tact online too, after all we are people who deserve to be respectfully spoken too.

You must realise your narrow minded zeal about breastfeeding is off putting to others. I am a big supporter of breastfeeding, I breastfeed my own children, I nursed though my last pregnancy and am currently tandem nursing my toddler and baby...yet your posts put me off breastfeeding Not a good impression

I can read between your lines and I can see your energy and how you want to help others and you can but look to help those ladies who want to breastfeed and need support to do so, don't worry about those who are happy to formula feed.

My concern is for the mothers who are pretty much forced to give up breastfeeding due to poor advice and lack of information and support from health professionals and family....there is where you can make a difference if you want to.

SalLikesCoffee · 01/01/2009 23:20

ilovelovemydog, agree with support etc, but that was in reply to this sentence:

"I just have little patience or compassion for people that do not want to give their baby the healthiest start in life without medical reason"

It's judging in my opinion.

katpink · 01/01/2009 23:21

i do realsie that my opion would not be popular and is extreme i just get wound up that so many women don't choose to try when it is such a wonderful and enriching exprience.
i said ' slight discomfort' which i would assume to be normal in most cases of course there is always an exception to any rule.
i'm really sorry blushingm that you had a serious medical problem which meant you could feed.
i have not meant to cuase any offense.

i short to not get off topic i think that FF should not be routinely offered on wards.
i have been to wards however where BF mothers were made to sit behind curtains 'so not to make the FF feel bad'
'I just have little patience or compassion for people that do not want to give their baby the healthiest start in life without medical reason.' i totally agree.faeriemoo

Reallytired · 01/01/2009 23:22

"if a mother CHOOSES to formula feed, she should provide the milk herself"

But that was the practice in the hospital I gave birth in 7 years ago and is still the case for hospitals in my area. The hospital's formula was kept under lock and key to stop it from being stolen.

Most mothers leave the hospital very quickly unless there are problems.

I can't see why any change from current policy is needed.