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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Flying the Breastfeeding Flag

47 replies

RubyBuckleberry · 11/12/2009 14:09

Interesting article here

Is this all true? I'm shocked. I just don't get why formula is even allowed to be sold.

A little speechless RubyBuckleberry.

OP posts:

darcymum · 11/12/2009 14:21

I didn't read all of the article (very long) but I would question the increases the risk of death bit. Brest feeding is a really middle class thing, poorer people, who are more likely to bottle feed but they often have a lot of other health impacting stuff going on. Have the figures been adjusted for that?

I have heard formula milk is only available on prescription in Sweden. Maybe that is the way to go? Bit far if you ask me though.

ZippysMum · 11/12/2009 14:26

Darcy, yes, they have. References to the full scientific studies are on the NCT website.

You usually see the stats the other way round (ie breastfed babies are 5 times less likely to...) - more impact when it's put as the 'risks of formula' rather than benefits of breastmilk.

I think forula onprescription is a good idea. Didn't know that was what they did in Sweden.

darcymum · 11/12/2009 14:30

Don't know for sure, but thats what my GP told me.

I do think its good they have started to express risks/ benefits the other way around though.

mistletoeandjuan · 11/12/2009 14:33

Not this again

pigletmania · 12/12/2009 15:47

Ruby i am shocked about your comment that you dont get why formula is allowed to be sold because without it my dd would be dead!!!!! I did start out bf, the nHS support was not all that great in my area, my milk died down and stopped so if there is no alternative what are parents supposed to do then Ruby starve their babies. I really hate insensitve comments like this.

Original poster

RubyBuckleberry · 12/12/2009 17:28

I happen to think that women who genuinely have problems should first of all be given a lot more help than they are. You only have to look at many threads on here to realise that many women need support. If everyone new about skin to skin, prolactin receptor theory kellymom.com, tiktok, crap HVs etc etc then I am convinced that breasfeeding rates would be higher than they are. There is quite a lot in the article on this issue. Failing that, they should get formula on prescription, and certainly not have to fork out lots of money for it, seeing as it would be, as you point out, a medical necessity.

OP posts:

pigletmania · 12/12/2009 18:39

Sorry ruby your comments are why do i and many women like me have to be penalised for using formula, it is not helpful, and making it on prescription will not help matters at all tbh! Comments like this do nothing to promote bf just reaffirm the stereotypes of bf matrons.

pigletmania · 12/12/2009 18:42

what if you need formula and a dr is not available, its in the middle of the night or at the weekend your baby is screaming from hunger your milk supply is bearly there and you are demand feeding, you are feeling on the verge of collapse and breaking down. By the sounds of things Ruby you have never been in that kind of situation adn have obviously found it a doddle.

monkeyfacegrace · 12/12/2009 18:55

Oh fuck off Ruby, I do my absolute best for my kids and had to make the difficult decision to use formula. Im no lower in class than you for doing it, and I sure as shit am not a worse mother than you.

spookycharlotte121 · 12/12/2009 18:56

oh get off your horse love..... i couldnt do it... end of. none of your business. people shouldnt have to justify it to you. its their choice.

ilovemydogandmrobama · 12/12/2009 19:02

Not sure I like the idea of all formula being on prescription, but what about taking the commodity aspect out of it and manufactured under licence for the NHS. No fancy packaging, ingredients clearly listed, and sold on a 'not for profit' basis. And ban formula advertising.

squashimodo · 12/12/2009 19:04

sorry ruby, what alot of crap you speak

lissielouskissingsantaclaus · 12/12/2009 19:05

no good will come of this mark my words!

FiveGoMadInDorset · 12/12/2009 19:06

Try not to hurt yourself when you fall off your pedastal.

smallorange · 12/12/2009 19:06

I think all she is trying to say is that if formula wasn't so readily available the government would be forced to provide more support for mothers. It would also mean that if you can't bf you would get free formula.

Don't think that's so controversial. Don't think it merits such rudeness to the op...

pigletmania · 12/12/2009 19:07

Like Tiktok said in another thread it should be on permanent discount for some its the only way to feed a baby and is needed. It should be available from all Pharmacies free like they do in ours on the minor ailments scheme without prescription. We dont get calpol but some generic alternative free.

wonderingwondering · 12/12/2009 19:08

Some women just don't want to breastfeed. And they don't have to, just as they don't (or shouldn't) have to give birth without adequate medical care and pain relief.

That's the modern world, no point getting yourself agitated about it, OP.

You make your choices for yourself and your family, allow others to do the same. What and how I feed my baby is none of your business.

squashimodo · 12/12/2009 19:13

If it was on prescription only, presumably I would have had to prove that I needed it for my dd. She has a tongue tie, which is considered not bad enough to be operated on, and a lip tie which is apparently not operated on at all. But the combination of a lip and tongue tie means that it is impossible for my dd to breastfeed. I would have to prove that to get a prescription, I do not have the energy or time with 3 autistic sons. I would rather have the choice to buy it if I need to, without proving it to anyone.

squashimodo · 12/12/2009 19:14

And without formula my dd would have been admitted.

rubyslippers · 12/12/2009 19:14

you aren't flying the breast feeding flag

you are being confrontational

i agree with Ilovemydog TBH ... the marketing around formula is pretty shocking in more ways than one

Brunettelady · 12/12/2009 19:14

Why should us bottle feeding mums be made to feel like second class citizens. This thread is wank.

And Darcy, bottle feeding is for lower classes. What a pile of shit. I know many 'working class' mums who breast fed. It makes no difference what your class is.

LittleWhiteWolf · 12/12/2009 19:19

I wonder if the mothers who found it easy to breastfeed know just how low threads like these can make those of us who tried our best and 'failed' feel?
Breastfeeding only served to break down the bond I had at birth with my daughter as she constantly rejected my breast. I did skin to skin constantly, perused Kellymom and did every bit of research I could to battle on because it was what was best for my daughter and I felt I'd be a failure if I gave up. After 8 weeks though I switched to formula and I'm so glad. That was when things really turned around and my bond with my daughter came back stronger than ever. I had every piece of research I could find and plenty of help, it just didnt work out. I will try again with my next but I will definately take the pressure off myself and avoid certain breastfeeding 'help' that with fresh eyes reads like propaganda.

I think its great that more women are bfing for longer periods of time, but I think its horrendous the way that FFeeders are made to feel. We're worth more than that

barleycorn · 12/12/2009 19:19

As it says further down in that (very long)article, a major factor in women who intended to bf but couldn't was a lack of proffessional support.

I think, OP, that's where you should be directing your ire.

And I couldn't bf ds1 as he had medical problems, so I pumped for 6 months. I didn't have enough milk for his large appetite so he had formula too, and I'm in no doubt that he would not be here mow if it wasn't for formula. The hassle I had to get domperidone was unbelievable, if I'd had to get a script for formula too it would have tipped me over the edge. Stupid idea.

barleycorn · 12/12/2009 19:20

Oops... professional

wonderingwondering · 12/12/2009 19:22

I thought Darcy was saying that the factors such as lower life-expectancy etc could be linked to factors other than BF/FF: I understood it was accepted that BF was more prevalent the higher the social class.

I think being confrontational about this is pointless, it's like being offended because someone on here says they don't think the naughty step works, they prefer sticker charts.

It's just parental choice - plenty of info out there, you make your choices. But you certainly shouldn't have to go and discuss them with and get approval from the GP!

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