holly, like the others I don't want to post on another thread, and I think fairy has summed up what I've wanted to say about FF since you mentioned you were doing the debate, but I couldn't work out how to say it without starting another debate, iyswim.
I was 19 when DS1 was born, had been depressed pre-PG and throughout and read all the baby mags and books, and was determined to do thing "right". Also my nephew was born the year before, so I wasnted to be as good as my Dsis. I chose to BF because everything said that was best. I can't remember but I think my AN classes were impartial. The hospital was not happy for mums to stay in bed BFing, if it was a mealtime you got up and ate at the dining area (not in bed as at the hospital with DS2&3). DS1 was difficult to settle, even in hospital (they even had a nursery but I do not remember anyone suggesting FF to me, it being the work of the devil, but also I don't remember a lot of support), at the 6 week check the GP (not my own) misread DS1s chart and told me he was seriously underweight. MY HV sorted this and I tried a bit harder, but he was still not thriving. I think it was very painful too. I would say it was within days of this that I changed. My HV visted us at home I must have cried I think and she told me it wasn't worth the suffering (healthy mum, healthy baby etc), and suggested SMA gold or C&G iirc. We lived directly opposite a chemist and had bottles and sterliser already so we immediately went and got some, and DS1 took his first bottle like he had never been fed before. The guilt I felt from that was unbearable. I had no trouble bonding with him or anything, deciding to FF was a massive weight off my mind, but I still had horrible PND. In contrast I managed to feed DS2 for over 6 months, and baggins was 8 or so months I think. Lots of support from MWs for both kinds of feeding.
The advertising of formula made no difference to my choices. The anti-FF info probably did make it more difficult for me to make what was the right decision for me. I agree there should be some kind of impartial advisory service about formula, but it also needs to be accepted. It is a parents own choice how to feed their baby, and whether they choose formula purely through choice, or because of some reason that necessitates it, they should be able to be comfortable with that decision and not feel judged. Not all parents have the experience and confidence that with me only came with having more babies.
I hope that makes sense? I know what I mean but getting it across is a different thing entirely. Hope you haven't started a new thread while i've been posting.