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@septca: Yanno, I really wish people would stop pushing the *free* fallacy about BFing . . . for very, very few people, BFing is totally *free*. I spent more on BFing supplies/support than I did for formula.
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I voted yes because I see no harm in trying. Who knows you might even like it!
I tried and failed but I thought it was a good experience and at least I can say I tried.
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I would highly suggest that every woman gives breastfeeding a chance. In my personal experience I was pretty anti breastfeeding (for me, not others) and was planning on formula feeding even before I got pregnant. But I gave it a shot in the hospital and then ended up EBF and never having to use formula. And I love breastfeeding and am so glad that I didn't automatically go to formula. But at the same time I definitely don't think that anyone should ever be or feel forced into doing anything with their bodies that they don't want to.
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So if I had a friend ask me if I thought they should try to breastfeed, I'd probably say yes, barring any unforeseen circumstances. In theory I do think most women should try. For one, you might like it more than you think. I really thought breastfeeding was going to be hell on earth at the beginning, but I tried it and for *me* it wasn't bad and I was able to do it I liked it much more than I expected.
And two, while formula is a perfectly good food, I do think that breastmilk is better because it's not processed and manufactured.
But if you don't try, I don't think you're selfish or feeding your newborn the equivalent of twinkies. You're feeding them a perfectly healthy alternative.
And I think any mom that tries it and doesn't like it or it makes her life more difficult, doesn't need to feel like they *have* to keep going. I supplemented starting the first week of life, and I will supplement in the future. My baby, my choice, as it is for everyone.
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I think if a friend asked me if they should try it, I would say yes because I had a positive experience which I would tell them about. But I don't think I would generalize that being the right choice for every mom, everywhere.
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@ShootingStar: mmmm...twinkies!
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I encourage friends (***who ask***) that even doing it for a couple weeks can do wonders as far as uterine contraction and weight loss goes. Plus colostrum is like magic juice. That said, I would never offer that up unsolicited nor would I judge someone who opted out from the start.
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@MsLipGloss: yup totally agree....breastfeeding was not free for me, at least not with #1! Maybe #2 will be a different experience....
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I don't see why it's a big deal. As long as the baby is fed. I don't even think a woman has to have a "good reason" or "circumstance" to FF. If she doesn't want to BF for any reason, that's good enough reason for me.
I just don't understand why FF has such a bad reputation. I never will. I plan on attempting to BF for a couple of weeks and if it doesn't work then oh well. If a woman asked my opinion Id tell her to do what she feels comfortable doing. Period. -
I think broad generalizations are dangerous.
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@septca: @MsLipGloss: I'm not trying to start a debate at all, but I do think that many, if not most, people, BFing is cheaper, though not free. If insurance covers a pump, or you are a SAHM who doesn't need to pump, and you don't have any supply issues, the overall cost would be far less than formula. BUT, if you need to buy your pump, supplements, nipple shields, etc, it certainly adds up very quickly. I just think more often, it's cheaper. I know it is for me and I'm really the only person I can speak for, at the end of the day.
Hopefully this makes sense and doesn't come off as inflammatory.
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@Foodnerd81: *cheaper* is a more accurate description than *free* . . . use of the word *free* implies--among other things--that those who formula feed are wasteful and throwing away money.
ETA: but when people are talking about BFing, *free* has a much better, and more persuasive, ring to it than *cheaper*.
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@SweetiePie:
I want to give you a big internet hug right now!
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@snowjewelz: I like this!
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I EBF my kid, so I am obviously pro-breastfeeding for ME, but I don't care what anyone else does! I was 100% FF because my mother had no interest in BFing and I turned out fine, no allergies, very well bonded to my mother etc. Feed your kid through whatever means necessary....it's none of my business.
@MsLipGloss: @Foodnerd81: @hilsy85: Yeah, I commented on this in Mr. Bee's thread about the recent study on breastfeeding. I am on mat leave for a year, so I SAH, but I still bought a pump (not covered by insurance in Canada), as well as a ton of other BFing supplies I needed (like massive quantities of fenugreek and blessed thistle for the last eight-ish months) and I would say I've spent at least $1000-$1500. I'm not sure how much formula costs, but I don't suspect I've saved much, if anything, by BFing.
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Yes, I do. Even for the health benefits for mom and baby due to colostrum. Would I judge if they didn't. No. But I do think that everyone should try!
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Nope, that's a very personal and individual decision!
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@MsLipGloss: That's totally fair. For me, it was basically free after I paid for supplies I would have needed to FF anyway (bottles, etc.). I bought a hands-free pumping bra ($20), but got a great pump and a huge supply of bags for free through my insurance. I got a BFing pillow and nursing cover as hand-me-downs from a friend.
That said, I thought my response was pretty clear that I liked BF because it worked for *me.* I had access to a free BFing support group (amazing!) and never needed an LC. I was EXTREMELY LUCKY when it came to BFing and can tell you with 100% certainty that I would not have continued to nurse if it had been hard for me. (I would never have EPed, for example - no way, no how.)
ETA: Thinking about it more, I guess I *did* invest a lot of money in nursing bras and tops...
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@Silva: YES. People telling women what to do, or what they should do with their bodies pisses me the hell off too.
A think a parent (male or female) should feed their baby food manufactured, either by a human body or the human mind, to meet an infant's needs. End of story.
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No. I hate the judgement that comes with FF...what does it matter to me whether someone FF's or BF's?!
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@swedishfish: +1, exactly this. As long as you are feeding the baby and it's getting proper nutrients, you are good to go in my book.
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@septca: Good points too. I *think* the idea is that you have to pay to feed your baby whether it's breast milk or formula, so nobody should get to claim that bf is "free." The only people its free for are SAHMs who are never separated from their babies and I don't think that's the norm. Even then there are nursing tops and bras and nipple cream and pads... Saying free is just claiming something that's not even true for most people. False advertising.
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Definitely not. Not my boobs, not my child, not my choice.
I did not breastfeed and I never tried. I never even considered trying. I received a TON of criticism for it. Not everyone was/is aware that I had a (non-cancerous) tumor removed from my breast several months before becoming pregnant and the scar had not fully healed/stop hurting by the time my DS was born and I just could not fathom trying to feed/pump off of it. I had enough to deal with.
That being said, I have a healthy beautiful and thriving son and it shouldn't matter to anyone else how he got that way.
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I voted yes but not in a way that I think that all should be required by any means but more of a I WISH that all moms would at least give it a try. That said I would never tell someone that they need to at least try to breast feed because it's not my business.
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No, it's none of my business what another mother chooses to do or chooses not to do.
I know my limitations. I intend to breast feed the first 3 months, but once I go back to work I will probably end up switching to FF. The thought of dealing with pumping 3 times a day at work, then coming home and cleaning that stuff....just sounds like torture to me. Then add in taking care of my child, my home, my dog, maintaining health relationships... I just don't think I'll be able to mentally handle it. But we'll see! I have mad respect for all moms (but especially moms that WOH and pump).
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@Littlebit: It was torture. And I have the best possible set up for pumping at work (private office and autonomy). It was a lot to keep up with . . . I can't believe I did it for as long as I did. I wish I had been braver and stopped (pumping) before I did . . . . it was so draining.
ETA: I finally stopped pumping at 10ish months.
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@MsLipGloss: @Littlebit: I have MAD respect for moms who WOH and pump. I am lucky to have a year mat leave , if I didn't there is NO WAY I would be able to EP.
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@Littlebit: Everything @MsLipGloss: says is true. I made a promise to myself a few months ago that I will not stress about pumping with my second kid. BFing was easy/great for me, but I hated pumping. Next time I will not push myself so hard to keep at it.
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Nope. I believe a woman should breastfeed only if she wants to. Her body, her baby, her choice. Now, I believe all women should be well-informed about all options for feeding, and make their decisions based on that information, but that's a different story.
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I'm surprised where I stand as my baby is FF at this time, but I gave it my all for 15 weeks when I lost to my supply issues. There are definitely circumstances where I understand not breast feeding (primarily a medical condition where the mother needs medication that shouldn't be given to the baby), but for the most part I feel that you should at least attempt it for the time you are off work. The US isn't very fair to new moms with maternity laws, but I feel like if you are lucky enough to have a maternity leave for "bonding" with the baby, you should try and let them get some breast milk.
It is nothing I would regulate with legislation or something I would voice outside a pseudo anonymous internet forum, but I think it is ultimately probably for the best.
Edit to add: I don't think people are bad or something for not doing it-- everyone has their reasons; I am simply answering a theoretical question. Not trying to spread judgement.
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This month's ACOG journal has an article concluding (based on vast evidence) OB and pediatric providers should be treating this more as a "modifiable health behavior" (like diet, exercise, medication compliance) than a "lifestyle choice" when they're counseling women/families. Unless of course she has HIV, is post-mastectomy, or some other thing that makes it unsafe/impossible.
That said, it's tricky to balance with all the emotions women have about being inadequate as mothers, anyway. Doesn't do any kid any good to shame his mama who already made other choices, or who had no choice.
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Nope and it pisses me off pretty fast when someone insinuates that every woman should.
I have had ZERO desire to breastfeed. None.at.all
It was pushed on me with my first but due to medical conditions and complications with the pregnancy I wasn't able to.
With my second I thought about pumping but waited too long to decide so I was dried up.
With my third and last it was never really part of the plan.
I'd again thought about pumping but then I was dealt some more complications and the specialist and I decided it wouldn't be the best idea.
So, all three of my children have been formula fed and they are all perfect.
It is absolutely no ones business what I do with my boobs and my babies. If it works for you then awesome have at it but if it doesn't or you just don't want to then that's your choice too. -
@anandam: So even more pressure from people mothers are supposed to be able to trust?! . . . *modifiable* implies the agenda is to push BFing over other options. And the fact that it's discussed as a LIFESTYLE choice? Are you fucking kidding me?! Wow. What year is this anyway . . . 1954?!
ETA: "vast evidence" of what, exactly?
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Absolutely not. If a woman is going to make certain lifestyle choices such as drinking or smoking or drug use then isn't formula the obvious answer?
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@MsLipGloss: Haha exactly. Though I'm pretty sure like five people worldwide were breastfeeding in 1954, right?
I don't know the evidence was kind of the stuff you're used to hearing - the wider societal costs of chronic ear infections, childhood diabetes, breast cancer, etc. Nothing new, really. I get it in print but you can probably find it online?
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Do I think people should be forced to breastfeed, of course not! But for me, it's hard to wrap my head around the idea of choosing to not try when there are no health related reasons that make trying impossible. If trying proves to be causing emotional stress to the mother, the baby, or any one else and she wants to discontinue, go for it. As has been said many times, formula isn't poison! But the emotional implications are likely not to be known until one tries. So for me personally, I can't imagine not giving it a go since there certainly ARE benefits.
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@skipra: I hope I'm reading this wrong...
Are you comparing FFing to drug abuse?
Eta: nevermind I think I understand your post correctly now!
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@char54: maybe I'm being naive but I just read it as a situation where the mom shouldn't try to bf albeit a situation here the mom sounds incompetent anyway.. ETA incompetent isn't the right word, particularly for a mom who smokes. But I think you got the gist...I meant something closer to irresponsible, but even that isn't really the right word. Just...not the best case scenario for a baby.
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@anandam: @MsLipGloss: I recently read something similar. It's a little older (from 2012).
http://m.pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/02/22/peds.2011-3552.full.pdf
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@char54: I think she meant that if a mom is drinking excessively or doing drugs, that's an example of a situation where FF would be superior to BF.
I tried and failed but I thought it was a good experience and at least I can say I tried.
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