Society and BF makes me angry
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Topic: Society and BF makes me angry
Posted By: Danaj
Subject: Society and BF makes me angry
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 5:36pm
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Now I understand that Breast is Best and I tried desperately to BF but I do not produce milk. I expressed every day till I was in pain and only getting 20-40mls for a whole days effort. There is no way I can feed my girl.
I actually found this quite traumatic and got so upset about it that I started to question my ability to be a good mum seeing that I couldn't even feed her. This isn't logical but it was just how I felt. I stopped expressing to save my sanity and started thinking hard about why I felt so bad about not being able to BF. Then I realised that it had nothing to do with me, but had everything to do with the expectations I placed on myself because of what I had read, been told, seen advertised and had basically been programmed to believe. Even the walls in the hospital are covered in posters for BF and not a single one on the best formula to choose or what to be aware of. I have gone through the bounty book which has pages of BF and only a couple of small paragraphs on formula. The only advice it gives is not to use cow's milk. Same with all the other info i've been given or located through health professionals. They weren't even allowed to discuss formula at our Antenatal classes because of the WHO code. What about those of us who want to but can't?? What are we supposed to do for information to make the best informed decisions for our children? I'm sorry for the vent but I am so so angry that I was made to feel so useless for something I can't control and then being left hanging out to dry to stumble on my own. I didn't even know formula could cause constipation so spent 3 nights with a screaming baby when I could have sorted the problem earlier if I had the information I needed. I'm lucky my MW is very down to earth and she bought me formula before I even knew what was happening. Just really ticked about the whole thing really. It's just not fair. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 6:12pm
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Thankyou!
Slightly different situation, exactly the same thing. I can breastfeed, I don't take it for granted but I really do hate it. Thanks to a head injury 2 years ago I have anxiety as an ongoing side effect. That, coupled with general shyness, means I cannot breastfeed in public / around family (except mum, MIL and hubby). I actually start having trouble breathing and get the shakes etc. Now I went into this, knowing that it was possible anxiety and feeding would be an issue, searching for help and back up plans. I had every intention of BF for as long as possible, but I wasn't going to let myself get anxious or let it get to me enough to affect my bond with my baby. All I got was 'You'll get over it, everybody loses their dignity with childbirth anyway' and ;why would you risk expressing before 6 weeks?' I'm still bf'ing now, my wallet thanks me for it. But every time I've considered swapping I've got the guilts because of the big deal that society makes of BF'ing being better. I have a healthy, happy, well fed, well clothed child. Who cares if I bottlefed? Except I'm so damn sensitive to the rest of the worlds opinions. Sorry - kind of a rant too. -------------  http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 6:16pm
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Yeah I couldnt express either .. but fortunately I was able to manage to bf her and she weaned with relative ease.
I do recall I had an allergic reaction to the synthetic morphine in the hospital and DH had to sign a consent form before they would feed Isabelle formula WTF, you want her to starve while her mother recovers from an allergic reaction to drugs?? ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 6:41pm
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Yeah the hospitals are weird. Rowan wasn't feeding properly in the start and was getting weaker and weaker and they were so apologetic about needing to feed her formula.
I was like 'honestly whatever gets her fed'. I don't understand why it had to be such a big deal. -------------  
 
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Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 6:42pm
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I completely understand where you are coming from. I have had such troubles with breastfeeding. With Dominic I really loved feeding him but my milk dried up when he was 3 months old, I tried taking drugs, homepathics and expressing, I did it for 7 months before I couldn't stand it anymore. When I weaned him on to formula I had a plunket nurse (not my usual one who is great) who told me that I should be bfing him until he was at least 1 and made me feel so awful about it. As if over the last 10 months I hadn't been beating myself up enough about it.
I was breastfeeding Isobelle, although not enjoying it because of her reflux every feed was a heartbreaking fight. One day at almost 3 months old she just refused to feed off me. I had no choice but to put her on formula or she would have died from dehydration. Yet if I give her a bottle in public people look at me as if its child abuse. Breast is best if you can but being a good mum means making the best decision for the welfare of your child. And if that is to bottle feed then it is nobody's business except yours. I mean what would they have us do...let our children starve to death?! |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 6:57pm
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Golly DHs family in the UK bottle feed straight from hospital because (and I quote) ..
"Then my DH can do night feeds too"  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: Glow
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 7:35pm
 Dana. It is very disheartnening thats for sure!
I have inverted nipples & low milk supply, so also physically couldnt do it. I BF DS1 for 4days & DS2 for 8days & they were the worst days of my life!
It does get easier with the not so welcoming advice/comments etc you do develop a harden ear! You are doing what is best for you & your baby In my grandmothers day the fed their babies on milk straight from the cow ------------- Mummy of Two Boys B: 2004 K: 2007 |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 7:50pm
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I hated BF'ing with a passion when I started , i looked at the clock counting the minutes, only reason I perservered was because I lived at Bethany and they make it very hard to formula feed, once I got the hang of it , I enjoyed it, or at least got to a "meh , caring " stage .
BUT , if I hadn't been able to do it , I would have stopped . I know Breast is best, im not disputing that, and I know the hospital has to promote it , BUT i do think more info should be made available for those who formula feed , for whatever reason . These first years, first months, are so precious, you don't ever get them back , and I find it really sad that so many women are not able to enjoy them as much as they should because of the guilt that comes with not being able to , or not liking to , breastfeed . I cant tell the difference in Caitlyns class , who was bf and who was ff. Either way , they were all fed one of those ways, and thats the main thing . ------------- 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 7:59pm
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There was a link to a study in the UK that someone posted on here a while ago that talked about the effects of the "breast is best" message on women who can't or don't want to breastfeed. Was an interesting read and I related to a lot of it. Is sad that society and probably more so ourselves put so much pressure on ourselves over something that in the grand scheme of raising a child isn't that important.
I also think the lack of information and support for bottle feeding sucks and is actually irresponsible. I understand about the WHO guidelines but I don't think giving info on bottle feeding to women who need or want it is going to be detrimental to the breastfeeding message, but making it hard or even shameful for women to ask for that info and get that info is damn right dangerous and potentially detrimental to the health of those infants. Ok that is my rant over. I will see if I can find that link to the study for you and also check out the bottle feeding thread for any advice or support you need. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 8:05pm
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I totally agree cuppatea.
Do you think the worry is that if they put info out there on formula feeding that every mother will suddenly decide not to breastfeed. I would have loved to breastfeed right up to weaning, for a start its cheaper. We had a big struggle and as a first time mum I am now very angry at my midwife and in fact all the mw's that looked after me in the hospital, my boy could not latch at all for nearly 4 days and would cry and then pass out, I didn't know better but now I do i don't know why they didn't say to express even, anything to mean he got fed. ------------- 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 8:06pm
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You are right. I have a friend who just doesn't build up the milk glands in her breasts while she is pregnant - as a result she produces only colostrum. The posters in the maternity wards surely only shame those kind of people in a very negative way. -------------  |
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 8:31pm
I applaud these posters for normalising breastfeeding. I remember when DD was young a woman being asked to leave a cafe for discreetly BFing her baby. It wasn't that long ago it was illegal for Maori women to BF in public. Society has changed their attitude towards BFing and that has to be a good thing. Unfortunately it can create a lot of guilt if you can't BF. That's when you go on OhBaby to get some hugs. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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busymum wrote:Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 8:32pm
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I can only speak for myself - and this topic often leads to a huge debate on this forum - but I ended up with PND due to the guilt and shame of not being able to b/f. I felt like the ultimate failure.
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 9:02pm
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Aww retrospective I'm so sorry that happened.
I've been able to BF with minimum hassle and pain and I still do BF Rowan. However I acknowledge I am fortunate to be able to do so. I am totally with you on the fact that the scales have tipped far too far over in favour of BFing to the detriment of those women who just can't. I agree - it's not like everyone's going to jump on the formula wagon if they ease up a bit on the 'breast is best' message. -------------
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Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 9:19pm
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Thanks Bobbie - I am a whole lot better about it now, but I still have a lot of shame, and sadness about it. Not helped at the time by some very judgmental comments recieved whilst bottle feeding my baby in a parents room (happened twice!!!) I am still very pro b/f and fingers crossed next time around it will be easier and I will know to ask for help and support sooner.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 9:30pm
In Ireland it's presumed you'll FF. And if you do BF it'd only before the first 6 weeks and not definitely not in public! 
Funny about the hospitals attitude, our Paed encouraged us to put Eimear on formula for the first few days , saving the colostrum for Aoife, until my milk came in. |
Posted By: Leelee
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 9:30pm
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I know exactly where your coming from Dana, I am still having the same issues as you but I just cant bring myself to give up bf even though Alex is predominately formula fed, I have struggled with my supply from the get go. I feel so guilty and ashamed when I'm out and have to feed him a bottle but when it comes down to it he is gaining nice amounts of weight since having predominately more formula whereas it was a diiferent story before this.
I do feel like a failure and a really bad mum for not being able to exclusively bf and its something I'm having to deal with every day ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 9:46pm
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I developed a reaction in my nipples the night after Jackson was born, and I was unable to feed him. I had to sign a consent form for Jackson to have some formula, you would have thought I was signing for drugs
------------- Mummy to two beauties... Formerly Kaiz. |
Posted By: Chickaboo
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 10:18pm
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I gave up BF Rhyley before we went tot he uk as I knew it is not accepted in public - sure they are getting better but I would of felt like a lepper and because we were being tourists alot of times I just could't feel comfortable about it.
My cousin in the Uk said she got asked as soon as she had her baby (2006) if she was FF or BF - when she said FF she got loads of phamplets about it and advse - free milk powder for a month and a free bottle..... I agree Breast is best if you can but should not be complusary and if you choose to FF then you should get the support you need (and by support I don't mean trying to support you to change to BF) I loved BF for as long as I did with each of my children but I loved FF just as much - as long as i didn't stave my child thats what counts. How rude of other people commenting in a parents room - I remember a lady I vagley knew commenting to me when I said my baby was FF (she had previously randomly asked if I was BF'ing) she was almost telling me off - I just said - Its what i choose for my child! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 10:52pm
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I'm not wading into this argument, however, i wouldlike to say
The posters, ad's etc are NOT to make you feel bad about FF. It is WHO code and part of the Baby Friendly hospital inititive which is why hospitals are unable to give you anyt information about FF AT ALL unless you very sepecifically aske for it. Suck, I know and hard, but policy. I hope you soon feel confidence in your decision. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 11:08pm
I had to sign a consent form as well Julia  I was exausted and caden was screaming and so hungry but my nipples were bleeding and sore and I was toos cared to latch him on, and the suggested formula and I said yes, and they amde me sign a form!
Dana, I agree 100% with everything you said! Im hoping to BF this new baby, but if I cant Im just thakful I now know all about formula. My MW was very supportive when we chose to formula feed after too muc stress trying to BF, but she wasnt even allowed to recommeend a formula to us!!! PATHETIC!!!! and I think she thought so too! ------------- |
Posted By: Jay_R
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 7:43am
Can I ask Danaj, were you only expressing, or were you b/feeding and expressing? I couldn't express at first either. Think it was about 6 weeks after Josh was born before I could. Hope you are doing ok. |
Posted By: 2boysnbug
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 8:28am
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hi dana and everyoner else- remember there is not a Hallmark card out there that says thanks for breast feeding me... only cards that say thanks for being a great mum! dana u already know my story and i hope it helped you to come to terms: hunny wish you could have talked to me sooner....yep damn WHO code!.... my baby is now ovr two years old and is very healthy and none worse the wear for being a bottle feed baby. actually i still get cant im off the darn bottle!
------------- DS1 (20.11.06) 5 years DS2 (15.09.09) 2 years http://www.beginnerbaby.com/ticker/"> 
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Posted By: flakesitchyfeet
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 9:07am
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No hallmark cards but there is a baby tshirt that says breastfed bestfed. I breastfeed but as I said only because I feel I 'have' to and because Hollie isn't so great with a bottle and I can't be bothered with the fuss. That tshirt upset me.
------------- http://lilypie.com"> |
Posted By: sweetpea
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 11:16am
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Well i'm not a mum yet i do believe that this whole thing about only being able to give advise about bf and not FF is a heap of c@#$p. I have a cousin who wasn't that into BF did it for a month then went onto FF those kids haven't looked back. As a mum you do what ever you can for the health of your child and if that means FF rather than BF so be it don't get too wound up about what other people think as long as bub is happy and thriving thats the main thing. I do believe though that in the whole mist of educating the public there should be something about reasonswhy women can't or simply choose not to BF.
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 11:19am
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Just on a side note - I FF from birth and never had to sign anything! Maybe its cos I had discussed it with my MW prior to etc and she wrote on my notes/file that I wasn't BF but def never signed anything! -------------  
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Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 11:24am
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Also, MW are allowed to give you info and recommend formulas - that is completely acceptable. Mine gave me a hige amount of stuff as well as a sample of karicare formula. I think some MW use it as an excuse as their belief is strongly pro BF. -------------
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Posted By: mrshouse
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 12:01pm
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Dana big hugs to you and i completely understand! with my first DD i hated BF with a passion and even got to the stage that i started resenting my baby! so i gave up at day10 but after all the stress and guilt from those around me esp my MW!-BF so wasnt worth it.
My DD2 is now 10weeks and i havent been painfree. because i felt like such a failure last time i was determined this time- so with one inverted nipple with gashes that wont go away, and thrush now for over 2weeks, and mastitis starting in on the right breast-the pain is still here! and i hear some women have pain that shoot down their arm!!!..................ive just started introducing formula and i agree with you that the pressure to BF these days is just too much! ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Posted By: mrshouse
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 12:08pm
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LOL theyre smart over there in the UK ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/">
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DH would probably have a heart attack if i woke him up to do a night feed....Posted By: BessieBear
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 1:13pm
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THANKYOU i only lasted 4 weeks, but i hardly remember any of it, that first week even i got a total 4hrs sleep a night and maybe half that during the day. ryan wouldnt latch and so it would take 3 hrs IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT to get him to feed half of what he should be getting. I couldnt feed him yet i still refused formula i wouldnt feed my kid that stuff. i was one of those who was like ew formula whats wrong with you. I didnt like feeding him even though i wanted to it took so long my boobs hurt my MW didnt push it at all, she gave him formula on his 3rd day coz he wasnt getting enough. I hated it i felt like such a failure even my own mother was looking down her nose at me. even now im so mad at myself coz i couldnt do, FORMULA IS SOOOOOO EXPENSIVE!!!! ------------- Sarah Mum to, Boy 07/2008, Girl 03/2010, Boy 05/2012, Angel  07/08/2014
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Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 1:49pm
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I was discussing this with a friend last night who is pregnant with her #2 and still feeding her almost 2year old. I told her how I felt judged for FF Isobelle and she said, interestingly, that she felt that society is judging her negatively for BF past the 1yr mark.
You just can't win! |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 1:49pm
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There are policies which protect the rights of parents who wish to formula feed to access accurate and up to date information about formula feeding. This is an extract from an article I wrote for OHbaby! Magazine on infant feeding, you can see the whole article in the July/Winter 08 issue of the magazine, or online as an OHbaby! Max member.
"The Ministry of Health has developed a Code of Practice for Healthcare Professionals when dealing with the subject of infant feeding, and while its main purpose is to promote and protect breastfeeding as the best way to feed your baby, it is also clear in the obligations it sets out for healthcare professionals when dealing with women who, whether by choice or other circumstance, bottle-feed their babies. The Code states that mothers who do not breastfeed their infants should receive the same attention from health workers and the healthcare system, and that if a health worker should feel that he or she is unable to provide information about formula-feeding, he or she has an obligation to refer the mother and child on to an appropriate person who can. Similarly, if you feel that your healthcare professional is not providing you with appropriate information, don’t be afraid to ask to be referred on to someone else." I personally can see it from both sides, I've breastfed two of my children, one exclusively, and I've mixed-fed the other two to 10 weeks before weaning fully onto formula. The best advice I can give, and it's already been said a thousand times, is that a happy mummy = a happy baby. There are so many things we beat ourselves up about as parents when at the end of the day, we can only do the best that we can do in any given situation. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 2:01pm
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Michaela was mixed fed from 5 1/2 months because I had trouble expressing at work. I Bf'd morning and night and she was FF during the day. I was out with her on one of my days off and giving her a bottle when I saw a young girl from my AN group who, when she spotted me bottlefeeding my baby, exclaimed "I'd never give my child formula" in a very judgemental tone of voice. I continued BFing Michaela morning and night until she was about 15 months old and just wasn't interested anymore but I was still BFing when I ran into the same young girl again who was completely aghast that I'd still be BFing - she had weaned her baby onto the bottle at 9 mo since it gave her so much more freedom -------------  
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 2:29pm
Smart is not a word I would associate with a majority of young mums in the uk ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: LeahandJoel
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 4:20pm
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Leah was FF and BF right from the start in hospital. She was losing too much weight and it ended up taking about 5 weeks for my milk to come in enough to exclusively BF her. I didn't have to sign anything, she had been taken into special care and they gave it to her in there before I got taken in. Joel was BF from the start but at day 5 he had caused so much damage and pain in my nipples that he had 2 days of FF and EBM as I couldn't stand the pain of feeding. So began the 5 month jurney of thrush, mastitis, cracked, bleeding and blistered nipples until I finally couldn't cope any more and changed him to formula. My MW was the one to suggest FF at 5 days to help my nipples, and she also said to do it again if they got really bad again. FF has also has its ups and downs, he is more spilly on formula and we have had to try a couple of different ones until we have found one he is less spilly on. He is a big feeder and was always very wriggley and a biter, didn't suck very well at all, now he lies nice and still, each feed is calm and pain free so I can enjoy them so much more. I still feel bad about not feeding for longer, but that I think is just me, people I have spoken to who know what we went through are all surprised I lasted as long as I did, and some days so am I. At least he is happy and well and being nourished, no matter how he gets it. -------------  
 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 5:27pm
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As I said, I feel really bad for mums who are missing out on being able to enjoy their babies because of feeling guilty, and there are a few on here .
To me , the fact that you all feel bad, and feel guilty , already shows that if you could , you would do everything in your power to do the best for your baby . Yet, so many still feel like failures, ...thats sad, thats really , really sad . In my opinion, the only parents who "fail "are the ones who deliberately fail to protect their child (note the word Deliberately ) and im sure most of them didnt even care how they fed their child . -------------
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Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 6:25pm
Thats a very good point. After months of feeling guilty and really grieving about not being able to BF Dominic I decided exactly that myself. Only to start berating myself all over again with Isobelle. It is part of being a good mum though, to be constantly thinking about their welfare and how you can provide better. Your post has really made me think, however, about how much time I loose worrying when I could be enjoying them. |
Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 7:52pm
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I'm pro FF and BF only because I've done both and I would never past judgement on anyone.
I wanted to give you this website to have a look at, it's basically story of woman who have been where you are now. http://www.breastisbestunless.com/1/home.php - Linky ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: LadyLizard
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 7:54am
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I can't believe that people can be so judgemental about BF!
I am not a parent yet either, but I plan to try BF, but will try to get info on FF in case it doesn't work out, best to keep your options open. I was living in the UK too where it seems to be accepted to do either- but BF in public is definitely not the norm, which I don't agree with, it should be OK whatever mums choose. A good friend of mine had a terrible time with BF, and once they switched to FF it was a huge sigh of relief for all of them, and her DH did a few night feeds too- my DH will def be asked to participate in that arena! At the end of the day, its a personal choice and as long as the baby is getting fed well and gaining weight then isn't that the main thing? It does seem that as soon as your are pregnant or a parent everyone and their mother has some advice for you- that is something I am struggling with already, as I appreciate some of it, but some advice is just plain silly (or weird) I am quite a private person, and not that into the idea of everyone feeling as if I am public property! Not looking forward to the day some random person touches my bump. ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: 2boysnbug
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 8:33am
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its what caused my postnatal depression... i got heaps of help but it eneded being my son that didnt want to do what he was meant to do once on the breast so had to go formula in the end... best decision in hindsight now. will try my hardest with next bubbas as it is my mission to breastfeed as i feel i did miss out with DS. however if it doesnt happen then i will be ok with that.
------------- DS1 (20.11.06) 5 years DS2 (15.09.09) 2 years http://www.beginnerbaby.com/ticker/">
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 9:21am
ah, don't worry LL ...anyone that touches your stomach , just touch theirs back , quite amusing ...-------------
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 19 February 2009 at 9:49am
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All my kids have been formula feed and so will the twins. I can BF but chose not to...my choice. I saw the hospital Midwife on Tuesday and she asked if I was going to BF and I said no, FF. Her reply was 'so you are going to artificially feed them'. I decided to let the comment go even though it really annoyed me.
I don't think it matters if you want to BF and can't or decide to just do FF....there should be information available to you and you should be able to feel confident with your decision. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: Danaj
Date Posted: 21 February 2009 at 9:12am
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I think the posters in the hospitals are great as the more info the better, I just wish there was more information for mums that have no choice but to FF like me. Even if they can't give us the info because of the WHO code, could they not give us a little pamphlet directing us the websites or groups that CAN supply this info?
Joshierocks, I know what you mean about only expressing. I hand expressed, used a pump and tried to get M to latch before every single feed. She was such a piggy that she would throw a tanty if the milk wasn't there straight away. Even if I hand expressed to try to get some there before latching her, she'd throw a wobbly until I gave her a bottle. The last days I was only getting 10ml out and that took a good couple of hours. Cracked nipples from feeding is one thing but nipple blisters from your own hands out of desperation is awful. ------------- http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wyI1oWn/">
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 21 February 2009 at 2:44pm
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...you can do that damage with a breast pump in desperation to extract more too! Now doesn't it just stink that we should even know this!
I hear you on the lack of info - best advice I was given about FF is to contact the formula company with all your questions - they're apparently usually very helpful and informative. The company that manufactures Ella's stuff have been awesome when it comes to answering questions and giving out info. I used to get a little worked up about the whole 'breast is best' campaign (and this was when I was still BFing my daughter, but it was going very badly), until someone explained to me that formula companies have multi-millions of $$ behind them, and if they were allowed to campaign away freely in NZ, we'd be bombarded with so much more info on FF, free samples, etc, that BF would slip under the radar - Formula would be well advertised, but where's the huge budget for advertising Breastmilk going to come from? Taxpayers. Not ideal. I'd love to see info given about BF AND FF at antenatal classes and through Plunket - at least that way both methods could be taught. The lack of info available about bottle-feeding (unless you know where to ask for it and do so) is dangerous, if you ask me. ------------- Andie |
Posted By: nictoddie
Date Posted: 22 February 2009 at 7:20pm
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Hugs, I have formula feed all my children exclusively and they are the healthiest children around, my nearly 6 year old has been on antibiotics once in his life............ I had a bad experience also trying to bf my eldest which put me off for life ........... but have learnt not to beat myself up about it.......... as Emma said Happy mummy = happy baby.............. hugs Dana and I agree about the lack of info and was reading my discharge from the hospital and it said artifically feeding too , does it really matter !!! ------------- 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 22 February 2009 at 11:07pm
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ok...this you guys will find interesting!
Extract from the latest "New Babies Club" letter from NW. " In our survey last year lots of people asked for more promotions on baby formula. We wanted to clarify our position of not price promoting infant formula for babies aged 0-6months as we abide by the WHO code guidelines, which aims to protect the nutritional wellbeing of infants by encouraging breastfeeding. www.who.int " ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 8:28am
 . Formula is so bleeding expensive - I don't think that doing a promo of $1-2 off will make women suddenly switch from BF to FF. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: ClareB
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 3:15pm
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I am so sorry to hear that so many of you have had to deal with over-enthusiastic opinionated nosie people while trying to feed your children!! I'm soon to be a mom and very excited about it, My sister had issues with BF in the states and has given me all sorts of info I'm hoping I can BF but the most importaint is bubs. to you all thanks for sharing ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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