New Government sponsored commericals regarding feeding babies

[AnaheimGirl]

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.

Like I said, I haven't seen the commercials, but this reminds me of something. My doctor said I could do any activity I normally do while pregnant, "just do it at one level lower than usual". I still remember those words. So, yea, I skiied and rollerbladed pregnant. My friend's doctor told her it was OK to go white-water rafting while pregnant. Times are changing, pregnancy is no longer considered the feeble, "need to rest" state that it used to be. So to me, riding a mechanical bull while pregnant (as long as mom knows what she's doing and has it set for a speed where she knows she won't fall off) doesn't seem like such a big deal.

 

[tiggersmom2]

offtopic, but TM2 congrats on your ticker!!

Thanks Mal! We are very excited and saving up all the formula coupons and samples.

 

[clutter]

Ann - if any of my comments made you, or any woman like you, feel guilty that's not my intent. I know there are times when it doesn't work - there are women who just can't no matter how hard they try and there are babies with medical conditions that make it close to impossible. My issue is with the women who didn't recieve the information they deserved because doctors don't want them to feel pressured, the women who never wanted to breastfeed who resent being told it's best and the formula manufacturers who do everything they can to tell women formula is just as good, breastfeeding is too hard for new mothers, etc.

Yet you still liken me and other moms like me to people that don't put their children in a car seat.

 

[clutter]

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 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.

But ultimately, the same decision was made. You commend the results for one group, but criticize the other.

I get in the same boat for the sahm v. working mom debate. Well, it's ok if your a single mom and have to support a family (that's me!), but it's a BBBBBAAAAADDD decision that hurts your child if you choose it. You know, I can't be a good mom for doing the same thing that someone else is a bad mom for. And it's the same with breastfeeding. I'm a good mom for trying and failing. But someone that raises her kid the same way is a bad mom?

What you're doing, that is incredibly patronizing, is really trying to tell me that I'm a bad mom, but I have a really good excuse for it, so you won't judge me the way your judge others. Like I said, patronizing.

 

[Wickedmom75]

Breast and Bottle feeding are a choice. Many people (profesional and everyday citizens) tout the benefits of Breast being better for children , will have less allegies etc.... I have 4 children ages 11-5 1st one was exclusively breastfed for 4 months until i got pregnant with #2 then she refused so she was formula fed. Child #2 was exclusively breastfed until she was 10 months old and she is now my asthma queen . Child #3 BF until 18 mths old w/supplementation has his own social issues Child#4 once again exclusively breastfed until he was 18mths old would not take a bottle at all ( boy was I tired) . After having my kids and riding the rollercoaster of emotions that come with the decisions to raise kids whether you breastfeed or not is completely up to you . I feel that these commercials are out of line because they were made to make you (me) feel guilty . Do I feel guilty? no but once again it is advertising and that is there job no matter how poorly they do it. Do I encourage everyone I know to breastfeed, yes. Will I badger them if they choose not to ? no. I will gladly steal the baby and it's bottle

So even if from the get go you decided to bottlefeed ,that is your choice !!! don't let anyone make you feel guilty for as long as you are doing your best for your child that is all that matters . Love them hold them cherish them.

 

[mrsltg]

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.

Hi Mal... welcome to the group. My name is Erin. After nine months of sharing my body with someone else the thought of continuing to do so for another year was less than appealing. The idea of letting my dh feed the girls so I could sleep and recover was fantastic! I wanted nothing to do with breastfeeding and actually told the attending pediatrician she was welcome to come to my home and bf my dd if she'd like but until then she could save her lecture for someone who hadn't already made a decision.

I was bottle fed as well. I am intelligent, healthy, have a couple of cavities (but attribute that more to lack of flossing during my college years), have a good job, and am a good mother. I think I'm doing just fine.

 

[Maleficent13]

But ultimately, the same decision was made. You commend the results for one group, but criticize the other.

I get in the same boat for the sahm v. working mom debate. Well, it's ok if your a single mom and have to support a family (that's me!), but it's a BBBBBAAAAADDD decision that hurts your child if you choose it. You know, I can't be a good mom for doing the same thing that someone else is a bad mom for. And it's the same with breastfeeding. I'm a good mom for trying and failing. But someone that raises her kid the same way is a bad mom?

What you're doing, that is incredibly patronizing, is really trying to tell me that I'm a bad mom, but I have a really good excuse for it, so you won't judge me the way your judge others. Like I said, patronizing.

I was trying to think of a way to say this, but couldn't. Thank you for being so articulate!

 

[TiggerTails57]

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!

I agree!!!

 

[Briarmom]

I don't usually respond to threads like this, but I just wanted to say that women really need to raise each other up instead of putting each other down. We should be a SUPPORT system for each other instead of picking at each other for each choice we make.

With every year that passes, I keep thinking the cattiness will subside, but to no avail. Sad really. How can we keep our daughters from doing this? We have to set the example.

Start supporting each other.

 

[katerkat]

Frankly, it's none of the government's business nor is it anyone on this forum's business whether a Mom breastfeeds or not.

Would it be different if these ads were sponsored by the LLL or a similar organization? Because most of the mommies I know are horrified that breastfeeding should be advertised AT ALL. ANY ads. WHATSOEVER. It apparently should never be mentioned, because it makes people feel guilty. And we wouldn't want to make people feel guilty - right?

But advertising formula everywhere, that's OK. Want me to whip out my parenting mag and count the ads?

Free unsolicted samples of formula, that's OK. Free Lansinoh and suddenly the hospital is forcing people to breastfeed.

Trust me, I'm on three different pregnancy/baby boards - I've heard these comparasions. Sure, it's a choice - but if breastfeeding is ever advertised in any way as a part of the choice, people get upset.

To top it off, breastfeeding moms are told it's something to be hidden - don't dare nurse in public, people might be offended!

 

[Maleficent13]

It apparently should never be mentioned, because it makes people feel guilty. And we wouldn't want to make people feel guilty - right?

Honestly? No, we wouldn't. Why would we? I am really confused by this.

Also, I think the type of sentiment katerkat and others mention must be regional or something...when I was PG breastfeeding was all anyone talked about...it was just assumed that's what you did and you were weird if you didn't. I honestly didn't see any prejudice against breastfeeding at all.

 

[katerkat]

Also, I think the type of sentiment katerkat and others mention must be regional or something...when I was PG breastfeeding was all anyone talked about...it was just assumed that's what you did and you were weird if you didn't. I honestly didn't see any prejudice against breastfeeding at all.

It's not regional - I actually rarely see it in real life. (In the PacNW, everyone breastfeeds. ) It's what I see online EVERY TIME breastfeed ads are mentioned. Or formula samples are taken out of hospital gift bags. Or the nursing in public debate. Yeah, breastfeeding is great - just don't advertise it, talk about it, or nurse in front of anyone. And heavens above, never take away the formula samples at the hospital!!

(For the record, I NIP many times and no one ever, ever hassled me about it. In public. Online, read the "shock in WDW" thread on the Theme Park board. Nursing during shows and on park benches? That was me!)

 

[tiggersmom2]

Would it be different if these ads were sponsored by the LLL or a similar organization? Because most of the mommies I know are horrified that breastfeeding should be advertised AT ALL. ANY ads. WHATSOEVER. It apparently should never be mentioned, because it makes people feel guilty. And we wouldn't want to make people feel guilty - right?

I don't think anyone on this thread is offended by ads that encourage breastfeeding. What IS offensive is ads that liken formula feeding to something dangerous like riding a mechanical bull......

 

[sajetto]

(For the record, I NIP many times and no one ever, ever hassled me about it. In public. Online, read the "shock in WDW" thread on the Theme Park board. Nursing during shows and on park benches? That was me!)

I know I don't have kids, but I just wanted to mention that my sister breast fed her children in public ALL the time and NEVER was hassled one time. She carried both babies in a maya wrap and just draped it over so that she wasn't showing anything. We went on many WDW trips and if a baby was hungry you could bet he or she was going to eat then and there. I'd always just sit and wait with her on a park bench or *gasp* even during the Indiana Jones show. I don't see what all the fuss is about with NIP, its natural!

 

[kdibattista]

I know I don't have kids, but I just wanted to mention that my sister breast fed her children in public ALL the time and NEVER was hassled one time. She carried both babies in a maya wrap and just draped it over so that she wasn't showing anything. We went on many WDW trips and if a baby was hungry you could bet he or she was going to eat then and there. I'd always just sit and wait with her on a park bench or *gasp* even during the Indiana Jones show. I don't see what all the fuss is about with NIP, its natural!

I know I'm going to get flack for this and this is taking the post way off topic but...

so is urinating and having sex... just because it's natural doesn't mean it should be done in public. Now, I will also say that I have no problem if it is done discreetly (as your sister seems to have done).

P.S. Sajetto - I really like your and your posts and hope you don't take this personally

 

[katerkat]

I don't think anyone on this thread is offended by ads that encourage breastfeeding. What IS offensive is ads that liken formula feeding to something dangerous like riding a mechanical bull......

Oh - I agreed with that my first post. And honestly, I remember those ads from a looooong time ago (at least two years) and I thought they were pulled. But, like I said, a recent ad was "Babies are born to be breastfed" - and yep, people were offended by that.

In fact, that's the current slogan of the Dept of Health. I just checked their website and the log rolling/mechnical bulls ads expired on Dec. 28, 2005. The article Binny linked to on Page 3 is dated June 2004. The Today Show must have been digging for material.

Oh, and congrats on the ticker.

 

[kdibattista]

Oh - I agreed with that my first post. And honestly, I remember those ads from a looooong time ago (at least two years) and I thought they were pulled. But, like I said, a recent ad was "Babies are born to be breastfed" - and yep, people were offended by that.

In fact, that's the current slogan of the Dept of Health. I just checked their website and the log rolling/mechnical bulls ads expired on Dec. 28, 2005. The article Binny linked to on Page 3 is dated June 2004. The Today Show must have been digging for material.

Oh, and congrats on the ticker.

I knew it... I knew they were old ads. Thank goodness... I'm not going crazy

 

[sajetto]

P.S. Sajetto - I really like your and your posts and hope you don't take this personally

No, I don't take it personally at all. I don't think she should have her breasts hanging out for all to see, but again I don't understand why someone would give a mother nasty looks if she is covered. Sometimes its hard to a mom to find a hidden spot to breastfeed and I can understand why a mom wouldn't want to do it in a yucky public bathroom.

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I understand if some are "skeeved" out by it, but I just want people to be respectful of each mother's choices whether it be to use cloth diapers or disposables, bottle or breast feeding, or home birth or hospital birth. Can't everyone just agree to disagree rather than attack each other and say "ooooh you're a bad mom because you won't breast feed, you mind as well just light up a cigarette and blow it in your baby's face"

 

[kdibattista]

No, I don't take it personally at all. I don't think she should have her breasts hanging out for all to see, but again I don't understand why someone would give a mother nasty looks if she is covered. Sometimes its hard to a mom to find a hidden spot to breastfeed and I can understand why a mom wouldn't want to do it in a yucky public bathroom.

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I understand if some are "skeeved" out by it, but I just want people to be respectful of each mother's choices whether it be to use cloth diapers or disposables, bottle or breast feeding, or home birth or hospital birth. Can't everyone just agree to disagree rather than attack each other and say "ooooh you're a bad mom because you won't breast feed, you mind as well just light up a cigarette and blow it in your baby's face"

Agreed 100%

 

[sajetto]

Agreed 100%

Yay


See folks...respect and listening to the other persons point of view, it actually does work