Parenting Forums

Posted: 07 October 2006 at 10:20pm | IP Logged

Hi, I did find that article fairly gruesome reading, but still think it has some valid points, even if it did go over the top in making them.

I did manage to breast feed my three, but don't feel in any way superior that I did. I was lucky with my second and third ones, they seemed to know what they were doing, but I very very nearly gave up with my first one as he didn't seem to get it and I was SOOOO sore. Luckily, I had a supportive midwife and somehow it eventually clicked, but I can honestly say that if he hadn;t got it that day, then I would have given up.

I do feel that though the phrase 'breast is best' gets bandied around, there isn't the general public support for it that there should be. I breast fed in public places (very, very discreetly) and got reactions ranging from dirty looks to snide comments, and even being asked to leave a family restaurant because I was making another diner uncomfortable. You couldn't see anything, you'd have had to be really studying me to have worked out what I was doing, the person who complained was obviously just disgusted with the general idea.

I don't feel I'm any better than anyone who formula fed. But support should be there for new mums to feed their babies in whatever way they see fit, be it bottle or breast, and it simply cannot be denied that in most areas this just is not the case.

Posted: 08 October 2006 at 9:57am | IP Logged

Ummm... I have to say I didnt agree with the article - well more in the way that it was written I suppose.

I always planned on breastfeeding and thankfully Edward took to it well and I had very few problems. I dont know what I would have done if he hadnt taken and I dont think articles like that help at all. I fully sympathise with Rin's points.

I suppose I was much like Greedy - I was too stuborn and lazy to stop and making up bottles was too much grief when I had a supply to hand. I was never bothered by feeding in public, I was made to feel very confortable by friends and family, and even strangers in most cases.

I'm glad I made the decision to breastfeed for so long. I fed exculsively for 6 months and continued to mix feed until Edward self weaned at 11 months. I am not smug, I consider myself extremely lucky! Edward has only ever had 3 colds and no infections or other problems, I know much of this is down to breastfeeding but I know it isnt all.

Posted: 08 October 2006 at 10:08am | IP Logged

I dont consider any bf mums on here to be smug, but we all know there are people out there that just presume a percentage of mothers dont even try  to  bf especially those who are under the 30y age bracket

As i said before I applaud any mother the can soley bf, and i wish I had more support, and in this area, they are only just starting to support and encourage bf, which is a shame really as 4 years ago when I needed the support I was made to feel a nuicense and almost encouraged to bottle feed.

But as Greedy says this is a subject, that will always get someones back up as we all have an opnion.

Posted: 20 October 2006 at 2:25am | IP Logged

hello everyone.  Well reading that really makes me think.  I formula fed my son he's 18 now and never really had any real health problems thank goodness. other than being a bad eater, although that could be my fault lol.  Anyway reading that makes me even more concerned for him with a history of dieabetes in our family. It really makes me angry with my doc. back then, I was 16 first time mom and a smoker he told me bottle feeding was my only option makes me think that it was more my age than that I was a smoker he didn't talk to me or discuss not smoking or anything just told me how to feed him .

This time though 18yrs. later when I went to registar at the hospital that I was delivering my daughter at the slogan here in canada is breast is best.

I agree breast is best no matter what we here have a great support system and mm is a great place for help after hours.  I'm really disgusted that my neice would not consider with either of her girls to breastfed. and so happy that my other neice who is four months preg. is going to.