why is there so much pressure to breast feed??

[blondebaby111]

Just that really??!!! At my first midwife app it was thrown In my face abit when I said I wasn't sure yet if I would but I'd feel more comftable doing both. Why are you made to feel like its such a crime. I'm only 12 weeks so have alot more appointments where this will be brought up.

I have friends who have breastfed and have had miserable babies that rarely settle, they are completely flustered with it and some verge on pnt because of all the pressure. Yet the friends that haven't breastfed or done both seem to have happy babies, they are a lot more happier in themselves and generally just so relaxed. So my views are mixed on this.

I don't want to start a debate but I just wish we could all make our minds up without midwives frowning or thinking its bad if we choose not too....just saying!!!

" Accept that I have a different view to you and be done with"

But that's like saying that Nelson Mandela is white and it's just a different view that you have and so it can't be argued with... isn't it?

You don't think breastmilk is better than formula
nutritionally and medically it IS, fact.
Having a 'view' means nothing if that view is actually incorrect. You can't say something as a statement of fact when it's not actually a true fact.

I don't think Champagne is denying that breast milk is better, she is just saying that there are also other options and that for a mother to take one of those other options doesn't mean she is neglectful towards her baby.

ok, fair enough but all things being equal breastmilk is better for a baby than formula. Period.

I think in terms of health benefits and nutritional benefits everyone on this forum agrees with that

The confusipn arises because "I have a different view" can be interpreted as "I have a different view and it is that breastmilk isn't better than formula". Which clearly is an erroneous "different view", because you can't argue something that is factually incorrect.

There are some women - who've had breast surgery, or are on certain medications, say - who cannot bf. For them, it's obvious that their options are either donor bm or formula. There are other women who choose to ff, for social reasons (so DH can do feeds, because they don't want to bf in public, because they're going back to work, whatever). They of course have a choice and if ff is what they choose, fine. But it's wrong to ignore the facts and then claim that that choice has no potential health implications for the baby.

Everyone has the freedom to make the wrong choices, that is certainly true. We can agree on that

Me provoking people!

The bitter irony

Oh thank you for finally accepting it is an analogy. Wasnt sure you understood.

Oh and youve just compared feeding a baby to taking the bins out. By your own logic.i personally think that argument is stupid but it is your argument

I think women just need to ask themselves why they don't intend to breast feed. I'm guessing that usually it is to suit their needs or their lifestyle?

That is the concept I struggle with as I think that when babies are born their needs should always come first and as parents we should give them the best start in life that they can possibly have irrespective of how inconvenient it might be for us.

Some women can't breast feed for health reasons and others have to discontinue BF for health reasons (theirs or their baby's) and in these scenarios there is absolutely nothing wrong with FF. It will not do any harm to the child and a woman should not be judged for taking this route if that is their only option.

However, I do believe that if a woman is able to breast feed then they should always give it a try for the baby's sake.

The best way to keep the HCPs off your back is to tell them what they want to hear: "Yes, I will BF". That way they can type into their computers that you will be breastfeeding, and their computers will be happy and their targets will be met. Your medical record will also be seen in a more positive light when it follows you around the health service. If you don't want to lie, then just refuse to answer the question.

Absolutely

Absolutely was to writer

I disagree. I think women should do what they want. However most women arent stupid or selfish and when it comes to their baby the vast majority want what's best. Where some women don't, services and society have a role to play in removing the barriers they feel are in their way (eg a fear of feeding in public or feeling that their baby's not satisfied by their milk). But ultimately if a woman knows the facts and has all support available to her and still decided that bf is not for her, fine. Why I am passionate about this is because:

• many women (me included) do know have all the relevant info
• society and our culture in general is not supportive of breastfeeding
• healthcare and other services are often lacking

When the above are all perfect I'll completely accept that women have free choice.

Champagne - you will make whatever decision is best for you and whatever that decision turns out to be, you will still have a healthy, happy baby at the end of it

How to get that info to those people out there is the tricky bit, disseminating facts without pushing a right or wrong

So what? Just say" breast milk is better for your baby but neither is right or wrong you choose?

er, right