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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

why is there so much pressure to breast feed??

587 replies

blondebaby111 · 30/06/2013 18:34

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!!!

OP posts:

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midori1999 · 04/07/2013 15:02

Expat that is a bit of a generalisation, don't you think? Africa is a rather large place and issues that are present in some countries aren't in others. I wasn't referring to all African women, I was referring to those the midwife had spoken to, who clearly didn't see what the problem was.

I would imagine if you questioned women in Norway, where they have very high breastfeeding rates and it is almost a given that women will breastfeed unless there's a specific reason not to and advertising of formula is banned, that they would feel similarly, but the midwife I was chatting to wasn't in Norway....

ExpatAl · 04/07/2013 15:13

I know Africa pretty well Midori. No, not much of a generalisation. Some are better off or better provided for. The fact that they were being seen by a midwife puts them in this category. But as you said, Africa is a big place so there are for more woman who don't have access. Where they differ is that because it's seen as an entirely natural pragmatic thing, another woman in the village will take over bf if she is able (which can bring its own problems).

ExpatAl · 04/07/2013 15:16

Anyway, don't know why I'm rowing. I totally agree that it's a good thing to see it just as a cultural norm - no biggie.

ExpatAl · 04/07/2013 15:19

How many woman truly can't MummGrann? Not many.

Champagnebubble · 04/07/2013 15:36

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MumnGran · 04/07/2013 15:43

I know of three recently...and that's just in my limited contact with new mums. One who simply 'dried up' after the first 7 weeks (despite all efforts and advice taken on how to raise levels), one who could not maintain supply by pump for a premie, and subsequent efforts to re-establish failed, and one placenta accreta where hormones from the immovable chunk of placenta are preventing milk being produced.

Extrapolation would suggest there are sufficient numbers to have some level of consideration for.

DuelingFanjo · 04/07/2013 16:00

"some posters have been expressing the same extreme views that BF is the only right option over and over again for days and cannot accept someone might have another view that FF is right for them"

People have only been expressing an opinion based on fact that Breast Milk is superior to Formula. It's an undeniable fact that this is the case. This is why people donate breast milk to hospitals, so that babies who can't get breastmilk from their mothers can still get the benefit and don't have to resort to Formula.

It is true that some people choose to skip trying to breastfeed and go straight to formula without even wanting to try breastfeeding.

it is true that some people try breastfeeding and give up.

It is true that there is a small percentage of women who do not make enough milk but the percentage is tiny.

'Choosing to FF is not a second rate choice' - Breast milk is second rate to Formula, Fact. If you choose to just use formula then that is your choice but you have to accept the scientific fact that the feeds you are giving your child are not as good all round or as beneficial as breast milk.

Many women don't choose to go onto formula, they are booby trapped into it or they really can't medically breastfeed which is sad.

If YOU choose to formula feed then fine. but it's still not ever going to be the same standard of nutrition as your breastmilk.

Champagnebubble · 04/07/2013 16:03

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:08

what if the choice is right for you but wrong for the baby?

WoTmania · 04/07/2013 16:11

Going to confess that I haven't RTFT - but.....you may feel breastfeeding is being 'thrown in your face' but we live in a culture where bottlefeeding is the norm and advertising is frequent (not of infant formula but bearing in mind they have the same logo and the follow on ads include phrases like 'when you move on from breastfeeding, rather than if, and have a woman looking unhappy in a dark room bfing then happy in sunlight FF) having it brought up an AN meetings is just helping balance it out surely?

You can get the info together and make up your own mind what will be better for you and your family. That may be breastfeeding, formula feeding or mixed feeding. Most breastfeeding support groups will be happy to go through the options with you.

Champagnebubble · 04/07/2013 16:13

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Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:15

It wouldn't champagne, not factually.

Champagnebubble · 04/07/2013 16:16

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Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:19

You do know that you and the baby aren't one entity don't you?

Your interests are not necessarily the same. The baby wants you there 24 hours feeding it on demand. The fact that you might choose not to do that for whatever reason, doesn't make it the right choice for BOTH of you.

Champagnebubble · 04/07/2013 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:25

choice isn't what matters to the baby. saying it over and over doesn't make it true.

I repeat, I don't care what you or anyone else feeds their child, but I do care about logic.

ExpatAl · 04/07/2013 16:25

No, there is not an equal choice champagne. There is an alternative if bf is not possible to prevent the baby starving to death.

Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:31

Or to put it another way, if you choose to ff your baby rather than bf, when you COULD bf, you are choosing an inferior alternative.

I'm afraid it's indisputable.

Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:32

And believe it or not, I am sympathetic to people who wanted t bf and couldn't, but denying and hiding facts doesn't make them less true.

MumnGran · 04/07/2013 16:37

I believe the soapbox lives in the third cupboard on the left.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 04/07/2013 16:37

And believe it or not, I am sympathetic to people who wanted t bf and couldn't, but denying and hiding facts doesn't make them less true.

This.

Hullygully · 04/07/2013 16:38

talking about "soapboxes" "pressure" and "sadness" etc etc doesn't change the facts either.

DuelingFanjo · 04/07/2013 16:39

I think being on a soapbox about breastfeeding and the benefits is a pretty damn good soapbox to be on!

Champagnebubble · 04/07/2013 17:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Phineyj · 04/07/2013 17:25

MumnGran

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