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!!!

Champagne,

My advice is don't worry about it until the baby is born

You don't have to make a decision and stick to it so just keep an open mind and see what happens. Don't let yourself get stressed or let anyone on here get to you. Like you said, you have got a long way to go yet and many things may happen that may influence your decision.

Just enjoy your pregnancy and don't let issues like this distract you or weigh you down.

When your baby is born you may get this huge desire to put it to the breast and if so, brilliant. On the other hand you may not, and that's fine too.

Just put it to the back of your mind - I'm sure over the last few days you have heard enough about it to drive you mad - and simply let nature take its course once little one arrives

How do you change people's attitudes towards it. I know plenty of women who think that breastfeeding is just ick.

Why are so many people so aggressively defending the fact that breast milk is nutritionally better than formula? has anyone said it's not?

Perhaps someone could give a list of acceptable reasons to formula feed, that would be helpful. So I know what to say on threads like this in the future. I and others have spilled my guts explaining just why, and the posts from Hully, Glitzpig and SPB are just so rude and simple it really makes me pretty shocked.

I agree there should be support for breastfeeding because it is superior nutrition for a baby. I also agree that there is currently pressure which by the stats, is clearly not effective.

Hully, what purpose do you think you're serving on this thread other than repeating the same thing over and over quite smugly ignoring the fact that no-one is disagreeing with you?

They need to get people on the TV breast feeding!!

There are always loads of Soap characters having babies, how about they portray them breast feeding instead of giving them a bottle?

Just like nobody is allowed to be seen smoking in Soaps anymore, nor should bottle feeding be seen.

Breast Feeding should be seen as the cultural norm, but sadly it isn't in England and until breast feeding is OUT THERE in the public eye, then it never will be I fear.

As I said before, amazingggggg, I have no interest in what anyone feeds their babies, I just can't bear the illogical debate.

The op asked why BF was "pushed"

The answer is because it is best for the baby

People started saying things like "yeah but no but choice and different views" which is irrelevant and rubbish

That is what I am arguing against.

Acceptable reason to bottle feed = because it is deemed to be the best decision for the mother and baby.

And ill ask yet again where ive been rude. And youll tell me you cba to read back. I have said im upset by what youre saying about me. Your response was ha. Take a look at yourself...

And Hully is right, the reason BF is pushed is because it is nutritionally better and it does have health benefits that FF doesn't.

The fact that something is considered better is always the reason it will be 'pushed' and in my eyes, the better option should always be encouraged.

Yes, where have I been rude?

Saying things you don't want to hear does not equal rudeness

Hully - I don't think it's irrelevant to question whether pressure is the correct way to get women to breastfeed.

SPB I'm ignoring your posts now as you're not engaging in a discussion, you're just intent on I dunno what but you seem to have a vendetta against me.

The op didn't ask whether "pressure" was effective

she asked why "pressure" (as she perceived it) was used.

Can you see the difference?

Writer - deemed by whom? Can the mother make this decision herself?

You are ignoring Stealth because you can't answer her, that is very childish

amazing - how about every single scientist on earth?

That do you?

Why is it used then Hully? I assume it's used because people think it will make women more likely to choose bf. It's hardly a massive tangent I'm on to suggest that there might be better ways to increase bf rates.

Oh god fine. Someone quote her and I'll bloody answer

Hully that post about scientists made no sense in the context there

Tv shouldn't be allowed to show bottle feeding? Excellent way to bring shame on us ff parents - nice.

You said "deemed by whom"

I answered "by scientists"

You can say "I know that breastmilk is best, I accept the evidence but I don't want to because of X reason"

But you can't say "It is my right to choose between the two" as if the choice is equal

It's that that is irritating and wrong

Amazinggg,

If the mother has tried breast feeding and finds it doesn't suit her and her baby then yes, of course she can make that decision. She may get advice from MW, HV or GP but ultimately the decision will always be the mothers.

When it comes to caring for a new baby, the mum's mental state and frame of mind is very fragile and it must be taken into consideration. If the mother is struggling to breast feed effectively and she feels low and is not enjoying her new baby then I would fully support her if she chose to switch to FF.

Hully it was in relation to Writer's post at 19.42 so didn't make sense

Double Cake - my comment about BF on TV was only meant as a joke, I meant no offence so genuine apologies if I caused it.