New Government sponsored commericals regarding feeding babies

[disykat]

Those were her own words being repeated back to her. I agree it was offensive, as was most of her post. Many of us have said we experienced guilt over not being able to breastfeed and she went out of her way to call us names and sling accusations. Evidently to her the fact that we have guilt means we didn't try.

No one here has disagreed that breast is best. The only thing many of us feel is that accusing those of us who were unable to breast feed of not trying hard enough or not wanting the best for our children is uncalled for.

 

[ducklite]

Anne - First, you gave only 4 references, all by the same authors, in the same year and on the effects of Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. That alone makes your examples flawed in an argument on the merits of breastfeeding and the risks of formula feeding.

As for the ones, I quoted if you don't believe in the benefit of breastfeeding you are one of the few people left outside of a formula manufacturer and even they tell you "breast is best". I don't have the time to refute all of your criticisims, but on your last point you took the study I quoted which related to NEC and preterm infants and compared it to a study on NEC and fullterm infants. They're not even the same subject, so your criticisim is pointless and designed to discount the benefits of breastfeeding, Just curious why you are so anti-breastfeeding? Beleive me, if it wasn't backed by irrefutable medical science, doctors and the AAP would be more than happy to continue to back the formula companies as they have for decades - it took alot for them to come out in favor of something they can't make money off of!

I'm not anti-breastfeeding by any means. I do agree that there are some benefits. However I don't believe that formula fed babies are as nearly at risk of any type of developmental or health issue as many vehemtly pro-breastfeeders want to lead people to believe.

I'm simply trying to point out that formula fed infants can be just as healthy, nurtured, and intelligent as breast fed infants.

Anne

PS--I gave the first set of research as very quick examples of a well executed study that showed that cognitive and physiological development in bottle fed infants is slightly under that of breast fed infants until they reach the twelve month milestone. At that point the bottle fed group almost instantly plays "catch up" and there is no difference.

 

[georgina]

I breastfed my 3 kids, but was quite surprised to find a lot of animosity toward BF in my middle class suburban neighborhood. Often at gatherings, someone will comment on having seen a toddler nursing and been shocked by it. That will lead to women declaring nursing to be "gross" or "icky", and something they would never even attempt. There seems to be a backlash against it. Clearly more education is needed, but I'm not sure how effective it would be around here. I haven't seen the commecials mentioned, they sound too extreme, and will probably be ignored by those who don't want to nurse anyway.

 

[WDWfor5]

Those were her own words being repeated back to her. I agree it was offensive, as was most of her post. Many of us have said we experienced guilt over not being able to breastfeed and she went out of her way to call us names and sling accusations. Evidently to her the fact that we have guilt means we didn't try.

No one here has disagreed that breast is best. The only thing many of us feel is that accusing those of us who were unable to breast feed of not trying hard enough or not wanting the best for our children is uncalled for.

Disykat - they're not so much my own words, but rather words that I predicted being called as it's the going term for anyone who is probreastfeeding on this forum and many others. As for the whole not being able to breastfeed thing, I've said it enough now that this will be my last time - I'm not criticizing the women who truly can't breastfeed but that is only 5% of the population - the rest of the failure to breastfeed is lack of information, lack of commitment and as some said earlier in this thread "they just didn't want to". If you're one of the 5%, it's great that you tried at all and I'm sure it must have been a hard decision.

For those who didn't get enough support or got bad medical information, I'm sorry. Hopefully these commericals will mean the beginning of quality breastfeeding information and support so that no one else will have to accept this.

For the rest that didn't want to because it was wierd, uncomfortable, too much trouble, they wanted to let someone else feed the baby, etc - accept that you made a choice to do what you did, knowing the risks and that you decided it was best for your family. Don't use your choice to object to accurate medical information just because you feel guilty for that choice.

And for anyone pregnant who is considering breastfeeding - here's the best advice someone gave me when I was pregnant with my 1st - decide you will breastfeed for at least 3 months. It will be hard sometimes but if you just tell yourself it's only 3 months, you will get to that point and either decide it's easy or you will decide to give it up but your baby will have gotten 12 weeks of the most important nutritional benefits you could ever provide. Don't let anyone talk you out of it - not your mother, your friends or the well meaning strangers and if you need help, ask for it from someone trained in breastfeeding and enjoy your baby.

 

[Caradana]

Smart, successful, healthy kids come from smart, successful, healthy moms.
Genetics have a far greater impact on brains and health than breastfeeding ever could.

Far be it from me to cut off formula for mothers on WIC. I don't think that it was a pattern of tremendously good decision-making that led them to become mothers on WIC, and I wouldn't expect them to act rationally if the formula got cut off. My priority is to keep babies fed, even if that means taxation. By the way, in terms of economic impact, I would rather that they're bottle-feeding and out of the house trying to get a part-time job.

I was bottle-fed. I just recently framed my HBS admission letter and hung it over my toilet (just for the sake of fun). My sister is sitting next to me right now, and she's cracking up over this issue. She was bottle-fed. She launched an IPO this week for a major investment bank. We're both healthy little fillies, too, we are the pride of our dentist, or so he tells us. I plan on bottle-feeding one day. Why? Because I want darling John to go feed the baby when she cries at 3AM, so I can get some necessary sleep. Newborns are a team effort, and he's 50% of the feeding team. We've discussed it, and he's cool with it.

There's a funny thing that happens to women when babies are born - they look for ways to be a "better mom" than the woman next door. When women immerse their self-identities in eight-pound babies, all of their sudden, they revere their "natural" breastmilk as the ambrosia of the gods. This is an especially amusing opinion to behold given that the average woman nowadays wears polyester, drinks from plastic cups, surrounds herself with the electromagnetic fields emitting from her laptop, and takes birth control pills. You know what else is natural? Farting. Feed the kid a Poly-Vi-Flor vitamin and he'll have immunities to spare. But if you really want to make a difference in your kid's intelligence - a difference far more significant than breastfeeding - read books in front of him. Show him non-verbally that reading is cool and fun. That will make a dramatic impact on his life.

 

[PaulaSB12]

My sister is another one who couldnt breast feed, a bit hard with triplets, and her son had to start on baby rice at 10 weeks to stop his weight loss. She got a lot of guilt because she couldn't bf. She also had some nutcase from the natural child birth groups having a go a t her for having a c section. This was done a because she was having triplets and b on of them was lying across the exit and there was no safe way out. In the UK the fashon to be anit c section has led to some mothers deciding to have natural childbirth even when warned that it could (and did) lead to a dead baby. I remember one case the baby was having a very bad time and had ruptured the wall on the way out she was told that it was necessary to get the baby out fast, but she wanted a natural childbirth, she had one and a dead baby as a result.

 

[Nancy]

Honestly, I just think it's the government trying to reach out to those women who are getting baby formula from WIC and other government programs. BF is definitely cheaper and would cost the government less money. Can't say that I blame them!

Just have to comment on the WIC program. (I am hoping it is still the same as it was a few years ago when I went through the training program, so I have my facts correct) The government does not pay for the formula on the WIC program, it is the only part of it that is fully funded by the formula manufacturer, that is why only one brand is allowed, Enfimil is the one that pays for it. Their thinking is that maybe if you are using it for baby #1 with WIC and when baby #2 comes around if you aren't using WIC but bottle feeding you will use their formula because it worked with #1.

Now onto the other topic, there is so much info on BF being better than bottle that if a new Mom doesn't know about it than they must have been living in another country. It was talked about every class during our natural childbirth class...even back over 18 years ago.

I was one of the unfortunate ones that could not BF, not with any of my kids. Tried for 1 week with #1, she was miserable, I was miserable, so I gave her a bottle with water in it (cause that was what I was told to do) she sucked down 6 ozs and slept for almost 6 hours...that clinched it for me, we went to formula and she became a different baby. I never felt guilty for bottle feeding, as a matter of fact all my friends used bottles so it didn't seem different to me that I wasn't nursing.

 

[Planogirl]

I personally think that spending a lot of time worrying about what other people do is harmful for your health. Frankly, it's none of the government's business nor is it anyone on this forum's business whether a Mom breastfeeds or not. I think that the government is really one to offer advice considering the lame-brain decisions it makes.

I say that Moms should do what works best for them. Even if they choose not to breastfeed because they can't, because they don't want to or because the sky is blue is totally up to them and only them. It's fine to give people information and then I say butt out!

Sorry but these tiresome breastfeeding tirades really get to me.

 

[Nancy]

I can't imagine why it's funny To me, a "breastfeeding nazi" tries to make other women breastfeed - I do not, never have and don't care to. I believe in education so that all women can make an educated choice. If medical science has proven breastfeeding is best, than not educating the public to that fact is akin to malpractice.

You are then free as an adult in a free country to do whatever you want to do with that information.

Probably due to these statements from your post. You are equating formula to cigarettes??? You are stating that those that bottle feed are taking risks, not just risks, but serious risks, with their babies.

"QUOTE: I'm thrilled with the ad's - breastfeeding is the natural and expected way for babies to be fed. If you choose not to, you take risks with your baby. Do you have that right? Sure, but it's no different than your right to smoke cigarettes around them. Doctors are healthcare professionals - it's their job to tell you how you should do it. They can't make us not feed our kids junk food either, but they certainly should tell us it's a bad idea.

And for the moms who say they just didn't want to - as long as you understand that doing so comes with serious risks, than that's your choice. But to suggest that no one should remind you that you are taking risks, is ridiculous.

If you made an informed choice, live with the consequences that you knowingly chose to do less than the best for your baby. If you couldn't breastfeed, than know that you did nothing wrong. And if you were uninformed or misinformed, than that's the purpose of these ad's and be glad another family will be spared from the lack of information. END QUOTE"

 

[disykat]

I was educated. I planned on breast feeding. Yes, I contacted LLL, as well as two different lactation specialists. I made it to 6 weeks, despite the fact that I was starving my baby to death as well as passing peanut proteins to him through my breastmilk. (Peanuts were recommended to me to help increase the fat in my breastmilk - at the time people thought peanuts don't pass through breastmilk, now they know differently).

Yes, I feel guilty. I felt guilty every weight check. I feel guilty as we deal in epi-pens and medic alert necklaces for his peanut allergies - still, 13 years later. I do NOT feel guilty because I didn't try. I feel guilty because I allowed breast feeding gurus to override my common sense and cause me to harm my child. I struggled with LLL telling me to ignore the medical advice I was receiving and breastfeed at all costs.

I must really be nuts because I think telling my story is going to fix someone on a message board who insists on belittling women who don't breastfeed. As I've said before, no one here has denied breast is best. However, when a baby is failing to thrive on breast milk - it needs to be fed! When you are sending out the message that you are a bad mom if you don't breastfeed, you could be harming babies.

They've had lovely, positive breastfeeding public service messages around for years. I see nothing good coming from the negative ones - and they could HURT some babies, not to mention mothers.

 

[Nancy]

Had to add one more thing about the WIC program...they also supplement nursing mothers too. A mom who is 100 % nursing gets different food items than a mom who is not. There are things like tuna, carrots, dried peas or beans.

WIC also just did a trial program where they got vouchers valued at $5.00 for fruit or vegetables. I think that is one of the best things they did, so much better than the eggs, cheese and juice they hand out. I hope they decide to continue it.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

There's a funny thing that happens to women when babies are born - they look for ways to be a "better mom" than the woman next door. When women immerse their self-identities in eight-pound babies, all of their sudden, they revere their "natural" breastmilk as the ambrosia of the gods. This is an especially amusing opinion to behold given that the average woman nowadays wears polyester, drinks from plastic cups, surrounds herself with the electromagnetic fields emitting from her laptop, and takes birth control pills.

Now just wait a doggone minute here! You may know some women like this, but I take exception to these generalizations.

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I most certainly do not wear polyester!!!!!!!

 

[bananiem]

I'm not Jennifer, but how do you know what she said was "in an effort to make those of us who didn't breastfeed feel guilty"? You can't know her intent.

As far as comparing formula-feeding to abuse, I must have missed that one. The only references I saw were in regards to rights. You have the right to do what you want, but health care professionals ought to tell you what is best, without worrying about offending or making someone feel guilty.

You're right, most women don't have much choice, because they believe their doctors and don't realize there are other professionals more knowledgable about breastfeeding. (Not faulting women for this at all.) Many doctors have no knowledge of the mechanics of breastfeeding at all. A lactation consultant might be able to help in a situation like yours, but most doctors won't refer women to LCs. They are very quick to say "switch to formula". IMO, that's one of the biggest issues... doctors and nurses who offer no help or support. I'm not saying this was your problem, but I've known women whose doctors have told them to stop breastfeeding because of very minor issues that were later easily remedied by LCs. But how are women to know this, unless we educate them?

I know you did what was best for your children, and I am glad they are healthy and happy. I have one bf and one ff child and they are both smart and healthy as well (although the ff one does get more ear infections!) I think that for most kids, bf vs ff won't make much difference, there are too many other factors that influence a child's health and intelligence. But we never know if our baby will be one of those for whom it might make real difference, and the only way to find out is to stop bf. And then, it may be too late to get the milk flowing again.

Actually, I did consult with a lactation consultant. My doctors told me to go with formula because I'm not hooked up right. I don't get engorged. I simply do not make milk.

 

[Maleficent13]

For the rest that didn't want to because it was wierd, uncomfortable, too much trouble, they wanted to let someone else feed the baby, etc - accept that you made a choice to do what you did, knowing the risks and that you decided it was best for your family. Don't use your choice to object to accurate medical information just because you feel guilty for that choice.

Hi, my name is Mal, and I accept the fact that I made a choice to bottlefeed my baby, knowing the "risks" and still decided that it was best for my family. I have felt exactly ZERO amount of guilt for that decision since day one. I am sorry to disappoint.

Oh, and I was btl fed too, and while I may not quite be up to Dana's level, I am an intelligent, healthy, no cavity having, no bullcrap putting up with woman.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

formula doesn't lead to cavities. Or we'd see infants with them.

I had cavities in my grown up teeth. I was bottle fed--but not when I had grown up teeth.

My daughter's were BF--no cavities either.

If one feels no guilt for their decision b/c they were properly informed--then they should not object to other women being properly informed.

An informed choice is a choice only when you know the options and the risks associated with each.

Feeding your child is not like selecting paper or plastic in the check out line.

 

[Maleficent13]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that it is fine, and even desirable, to make sure soon to be moms are educated on breastfeeding...but to liken it to rodeo riding while PG, or to blowing smoke at your kid, serves not to EDUCATE but rather to CASTIGATE.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Actually, I did consult with a lactation consultant. My doctors told me to go with formula because I'm not hooked up right. I don't get engorged. I simply do not make milk.

That's why I said "might". You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about, and no one here has said you should.

I have felt exactly ZERO amount of guilt for that decision since day one. I am sorry to disappoint.

Again, who said they'd be disappointed that someone has no guilt?

Sometimes I yell at my kids, or let them eat junk food. If I read a discussion about junk food or yelling at my kids, it doesn't make me feel guilty, and I don't think the "no-junk-organic-food-loving moms" are only stating their positions to make me feel guilty. Why is it different with breastfeeding? No one is perfect. As mothers, we all do our best, and we all are sticklers about different things. Focus on what you're proud of, and don't take things so personally.

formula doesn't lead to cavities. Or we'd see infants with them.

It takes time for cavities to form, so baby bottle tooth decay might not show up until over age one. Most formulas are made from cow's milk, which contains milk sugars, just like milk does. It's not as bad as juice, but it can cause tooth decay if left on the teeth. So can breast milk. The real difference is that some parents will let their child walk around with a bottle in their mouth all day long, or go to sleep with one in their mouth. This way the milk/formula stays pooled around the teeth and causes decay. To me, this is not a reason to breastfeed, it's a reason not to let your child go to sleep with a bottle of anything, and a reason to brush or wipe your baby's teeth after a feeding.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that it is fine, and even desirable, to make sure soon to be moms are educated on breastfeeding...but to liken it to rodeo riding while PG, or to blowing smoke at your kid, serves not to EDUCATE but rather to CASTIGATE.

Exactly!!!

 

[Maleficent13]

offtopic, but TM2 congrats on your ticker!!

 

[binny]

I think the point the OP was trying to make was that it is fine, and even desirable, to make sure soon to be moms are educated on breastfeeding...but to liken it to rodeo riding while PG, or to blowing smoke at your kid, serves not to EDUCATE but rather to CASTIGATE.

exactly, thank you.