Something to terrify the parents..

[vilenspotens]

I have a bugbear at the moment. Something that winds me up an incredible amount. It makes me very glad that this is the current thing in my life that winds me up the most* as it means that the rest of my life is going incredibly well.

Comments

[taimatsu]

My gut, somewhat uninformed feeling is that while it's probably a good idea to breast-feed if you *can* (as that is a food which is made specifically for human babies, and I suspect it has components we can't manufacture artificialy yet), if you *can't*, because you are ill or have to take medication or are on drugs or, yes, can't or really honestly totally don;t want to for some other reason, fair enough. The mother's mental and physical health is just as important a concern as the baby's - if she's ill or distressed as a result of trying to breast-feed and stopping is the appropriate way to ease that, it makes perfect sense. I'd certainly never say that formula feeding is *wrong*, or that no-one should ever do it - that's clearly bollocks. My mother was very ill (pre-eclampsia) when I was born (she had a caesarean and I was about a month premature) so I guess I would've been formula-fed. Doesn't seem to have done me any harm

[vilenspotens]

There are other bonds, yes. But the feeding bond is widely regarded as the strongest.

[castorpollux23]

In international development, there are quite a few programs to encourage breast feeding... but a big problem is that women indeed thing formula is better. But the formula is expensive so it's watered down.

But not being an expert (and right now happy to just be mommy to a hedgehog) I would think a mixture of both wouldn't be bad, or either or. So I don't disagree with you at all, really.

And that last fact is making me think of the Family Guy Episode where Peter went to the women's camp and tried to breast feed Stewie.

[sea_of_flame]

But the formula is expensive so it's watered down.

Not just that - in 3rd world environments, the water itself isn't necessarally safe unless it's been sterilised first (or the mothers haven't been told it's a necessary step - and that's a whole world nastier than merely "Only washed with Fairy & nice hot tap water"!).

Formula and, say, liver flukes, or any of the only parasites & diseases that can be in that water? Seriously Not Good...

Unfortunately, from what I can tell, a lot of people have got the "formula=TheBad" idea lodged into their heads because it isn't ideal in 3rd world situations where breast feeding is a far more economic & sanitary option *if it is an option* - but then proceed to apply it world wide, even in situations where that logic doesn't follow...

[kittensandsteam]

You know, in the end of the day people will have to see what's best for them.
There's plenty of people that got formula that were babies and are perfectly healthy adults, and the same goes for people that were breast fed as babies.

If I later have a child then Bert and I will look at the options and see what's best for everyone you know. If formula is better in the circumstances then formula it is, if breastfeeding will work, then that's what'll happen, and possibly there will be a mix of both. I can't say what will happen now, because let's face it, it's something you have to see when the moment is there. I can't predict how my health will be, or my mood etc right now.

[vilenspotens]

Sounds completely and perfectly sensible.

One good reason

[gently_snoozing]

Please note that my tongue is firmly planted in cheek here as you are arguing a truism.

That said and I am waiting to get yelled at a lot (by anyone who didn't rad the first sentence) but... Exclusive breast feeding will stop unrealistic breast fixation in the child whereas the vast size and curiously perfectly spherical/ circular shape of a bottle will require the individual to join the breast police and demand perfect silicon implants with all the concomiitent downsides of such a predilicition.

Re: One good reason

[lanfykins]

Ow! My sinuses!

Re: One good reason

[gently_snoozing]

"Ow! My sinuses!"

OOh er missus I've never heard them called that before:)

How are you btw?

Re: One good reason

[madwitch]

Tea doesn't belong in sinuses. Stop doing that.

[woodbrook]

Hi. I found this via a friends friendlist and thought I'd stick my oar in briefly (sorry if it annoys you). I'm about half way through training as a dietitian and yes we have been told about the benefits of breast feeding. From what I understand

*waves* Hi there, welcome to my LJ

[vilenspotens]

More than welcome, is why I left it open

Re: *waves* Hi there, welcome to my LJ

[woodbrook]

I think the banning comes from the fact that formula milk companies really try (obviously) to get people to use their stuff instead of breastfeeding.
There's certainly a perception in some areas (developing countries spring to mind but I'm pretty sure here) as a result of very clever advertising that formula milk is actually BETTER than breast milk. Hence the whole banning and stuff I think is trying to fight back against this huge perception that's built up. Kinda the whole 'give them an inch and they take a mile'. I'm certain that I heard that it's only recently that these companies have been banned from saying their stuff is as good as BM (cos it isn't).

As for 'why give it to babies if it's not as good' well I think you've answered your own question. Because otherwise you'd be starving said baby ;-)

*waves*

[vilenspotens]

Seems a fair point.

But all companies advertise their product as being the best, whatever that product is. Advertising rules state that they are not allowed to say it is as good as breast milk, much like they have to state that the Loreal model has actually had extensions.

I just wish these protestors would be equally as honest in their campaigns. But no one would back them if they said "You are all obviously too dumb to make decisions so we will make them for you."