(Untitled)

[sarahinajar]

I am so tired of these bitchy women inbreastfeeding
  who claim to feel like a failure anytime formula is mentioned. There is a difference between a women who"breastfeed" and who breastfeed.

A person's words do not make you feel like a failure unless you allow yourself to do so and the women who have to supplement for legit reasons never claim to feel offended.

Comments

[rissainthesky]

no offense, but the anti-formula talk IS why I left the community and why I will not join, or get an adopt-a-mom. Not like I plan on using formula at all, but if I need to, I will, and I make no apologies for this view.

I think being cruel to women who are trying their best to do their best for their baby, at a time when they are extremely emotional and sleep deprived, is extremely counteractive and leads to women not trying to breastfeed at all. That community seriously appalled me. sorry.

[sarahinajar]

The community info page clearly states the communities view on formula and breastfeeding so people should know what they get coming in

[rissainthesky]

I've read all this before. I was a member of breastfeeding probably for a year, and left shortly after I got pregnant. I know all the pros/cons, etc. I've done a lot of research.

and in the end, my opinion is- all that matters is the baby gets fed. period. I fully plan on going to LLL, get a LC, etc, do whatever it takes to breastfeed. But I can't predict what I will actually do when the time comes.

Some women in that community believe FF is akin to poison and I just don't agree with that view. I couldn't tolerate reading it day after day.

I never made a stink in there because you are right, the community clearly states what it is. Hence, I quietly left.

I dont want to cause drama in your journal either, so I will end this discussion.

[muirichinnahali]

It is frustrating. To see the "formula isn't so bad" and "I use formula for [insert willy nilly reason]" comments, it undermines the good support that is readily available in the community. That's the attitude seen just about everywhere else on the internet and in real life. It's good to have a safe haven where that sort of attitude and the misinformation gets filtered out. Unfortunately, it seems to go in spurts (more formula apologists, then less, then more, etc). Right now there seems to be a lot of that sort of commentary. But I've been a member for 4 years (wow! haha) and have never once seen anyone be cruel to a mother in need, which is so often claimed to be in there. It's a shame people scare people away from the support and information that can be found there.

[lolacat]

I have never experienced that community as being harsh on FFing moms. I have seen MUCH worse judgy behavior in other places but think that most ppl on BFing are really good about being strong but not strident in their responses to moms who are FFing for whatever reason. I think BFing is a really welcoming, kind community, even when women post stuff that you know is all kinds of wrong!

I don't get the "I might FF" attitude in women who are pro-BFing.

Of course you should use FF if it is absolutely medically indicated, but be aware that those are rare circumstances. I'd use it in a heartbeat if I HAD to, but then I would know I was doing it because I HAD to (and thus not feel guilty, like you are saying). So to me it must be women who know they're making an unnecessary choice and don't want to be called on it.

[cutegrljay]

maybe you can help shed some light on something someone told me a couple months ago. i completely and totally understand how formula can ruin your supply if you breastfeed. but how - or does it even - ruin your supply if you exclusively pump?

i've exclusively pumped since madelyn was born. she'll be eight months tomorrow and she's had two small cans of formula in that time. i had someone tell me (before knowing i pumped) that i was ruining my supply. after i explained she doesnt actually BREASTfeed, she gets breastmilk, i was still told "it still ruins the supply. you should look it up." and honestly, i dont have time or patience to try to weed out what's correct and what isnt when i have no idea if that's even true. my supply has never been much of an issue. occasionally madelyn needs formula cause i'm here (work) with the milk and she's there (my parents house) without it.

so... while for me (personally) it's not true, is that true for other people?

[sarahinajar]

Breastfeeding is all supply and demand. The more milk you remove from the breast, the more milk your body makes. BM is digested faster than F so BF need to nurse more often. Giving FF will lessen the amount a baby nurses so your body thinks hey, he/she did not nurse at the normal feeding time, I am making more milk so now I can make less

[cutegrljay]

totally makes sense and now that you say about BM being thinner than formula, i do remember this being part of the discussion - that if i give my daughter formula, she'd be fuller longer and therefore wouldnt want her next feeding. which, in my case, doesnt matter cause i pump regardless.

so far, my supply is pretty good. i pump 5 times a day for 15 mins at a time(i've never had to pump over night) and i usually get around 28 to 30 ounces per day. i have had a little supply issue in the last two weeks only due to the adaptor of my pump fraying and having to use the battery pack while the new one was shipped. but i'm getting back to where i was and have only had to rely on two formula bottles in that time. i'm hoping to get to a year (only 4 months away! i cant believe that...) and i'll slowly wean after that.

[sarahinajar]

Do you mind if I ask why you EP?

[cindyleed]

Amen.