Why is it when someone asks a question about formula that people think that they need to chime in?

Question

to say that they should be breastfeeding? It is really none of your business if someone chooses to breastfeed or not. Some people don't feel comfortable breastfeeding and it ends up frustrating both the mom and the baby, some women can't breastfeed because of medical conditions, some women can't produce enough milk for the baby. So please quit chastising women that choose to use formula. I pumped breast milk for my preemie son for the 10 weeks he was in the hospital on a feeding tube and when he came home he went on formula and he just turned 2 last month and has no delays and is very smart, so breastfeeding does NOT have to be done for a year or longer to have a smart or healthy child!

I actually did use Walmart Parent's Choice Soy formula. He had acid reflux and spit up 2-3 times a day on Enfamil milk based formula

Even with my son being born almost 3 months early and only getting breast milk for 10 weeks he has only gotten 1 bad cold and he is 2 now

Answer 1

Although breast milk is best for baby, some mothers cannot or choose not to breast feed. When this is the case, then the obvious necessity is infant formula, and mothers need not be chastised for their choice of nourishing their infants. As for which formula is best, there are many formulas on the market, and it will depend on which formula your baby does best on, and which one he can tolerate the best. Some babies cannot tolerate cow's milk-based formulas and must be switched to a soy-based formula. Similac and Enfamil were both used by hospital nurseries when I worked in the post partum unit, as were SMA, Pro-sobee and Isomil. Both Pro-sobee and Isomil are soy-based formulas, Whereas Enfamil is a whey-based formula.
Whey based (or 'premium' formulas are the most similar to human milk protein composition. New and premature babies should be given these for the first 8 weeks of life as they will find it easier to digest. Whey formulas put less strain on the kidneys (low renal solute load) therefore reducing the incidence of dehydration.
Mothers should consult their pediatrician to determine which formula is best when breastfeeding is not an alternative. This is a choice that is between a mother and her doctor and has no bearing on how the child will fare in later life.

Answer 2

You sound like a good mom. Stop worrying about what other people think. Everyone knows that breastfeeding is the ultimate best, but having a happy mom is pretty darn important too! You did great with your premie, and I'm sure you gave him the best start in life possible, good for you! :-) But don't feel guilty if breastfeeding didn't work for you or you don't want to do it again, it can be an ordeal if you're heart's not in it or if it doesn't work out for some other reason. BF is a great start but you won't ruin your child's life if you bottle feed. You CARE, that is the most important thing of all. Some people just want to feel superior in feeling that they did something better than somebody else. Don't listen to 'em.

BTW, I am a breastfeeding mom. But I have felt the frustration and pain of breastfeeding and know that it is not for everyone. The fact that you pumped for your premie speaks volumes about you -- what a dedicated mommy! The fact that you switched to formula when he came home does NOT mean that you became a slacker -- millions of babies thrive on the superior formulas that are produced these days. Besides, what else could working moms do if it weren't for formula?

The next time someone rags on you for not breastfeeding, just smile and say, been there, done that. My babies are thriving.

Have a great day!

Answer 3

I am a strong believer of breast feeding however! I can respects others choices. I wont bash anyone for choosing formula! you do whats best for your child and I will do whats best for mine and what wrks for mine. I don't think women are saying that your child wont be smart however its proven that breast milk does improve the IQ of a child. What medical conditions prevent you from breastfeeding? If a woman with an implant (a foreign object in her breast) can be successful at breastfeeding what condition besides having your breast surgically removed? Its very rare a woman does have a condition where she has low milk supply and if she does its bc shes been supplementing with a pacy or formula or had some type of drug while birth that has the child asleep for long periods of time (which did happen to me). Bottom line if there's a will there's a way. So don't use excuses just say I didn't want to bc I didn't think it was the right choice for my family. That's what gets to me. My son was hospitalized for 1 week for pneumonia and he didn't breastfeed and I did start to dry up but I was able to get my milk supply back up. So like I said if a mother truly wanted to breastfeed she just would. don't hang on to excuses

Answer 4

I have two children. I breastfeed my son for a month. My daughter was breastfeed for 6 months. Health wise (like catching colds and things) my son kept them all the time. Now my daughter has just had one (she's 11 mths.) She has done things like crawling & walking a lot faster than her brother, but I seriouly dont think that the type of milk (breast or formula) made that difference. So when it comes to getting sick, I think breast milk does help a child but as far as learning I dont really think it makes a difference. I dont critize anyone who chooses to use formula (I quit breastfeeding my son after 1 month because I was uncomfortable with it). When I brestfeed my daughter, it didnt bother me (had to quit because I didnt produce enough) It's the womans choice. I believe breastfeeding is better, but I'm not going to sit here and make a big deal of it if you chose not to do it.

Answer 5

Hey its your child, your body, your choice. Some women breast feed, some don't. Sometimes its medical, sometimes it just a decision that was made. No one else should chastise anyone else for thier own personal choices as long as they aren't causing harm to anyone.

I tried to breastfeed my daughter as long as I could. My problem wasn't lack of milk, diabetes, or any other medical condition, mine was post-partum related. I got to the point where I just couldn't handle the demand any more!! My body for some reason wouldn't respond to a pump so I was the only person that could feed my child. My doctor actually recomended that I stop Breast feeding and take a break. My daughter turned out just fine. Perfectly healthy and very very smart.
I think that if you are going to bash someones personal choices, them maybe you should just mind your own business!!

Answer 6

I think the reason people feel the need to chime in is because they have heard that breastfeeding is the best way to go and want to share this knowledge. I don't think that they think about the people who want to breastfeed but can't because of schedules or lack of milk production. I have two beautiful daughters and tried to breastfeed with them and did not produce enough milk. I am MORE THAN HAPPY there was formula available for my children to receive their nutrition. The way I see it is YOU are having the baby...You can listen to advice but in the end you have to choose what works best for you and your baby. Best wishes to your family.

Answer 7

Some people think they are God, that's why they assume they can choose what a mother does. I desperately wanted to breastfeed my son and I tried unsuccessfully for 4 months to produce enough milk for him. I was under a lot of stress and had a "best friend" always over so I never had any privacy, or quiet time to bond with my son. He also had trouble latching onto my nipple because of his tongue tie. We both ended up frustrated and gave it up. He's 16 months and healthy. He's only caught minor colds from family members, other then that I have a perfect, healthy, smart as a tack toddler.

Answer 8

I believe that choosing to breast feed is a personal matter. No one looks down on a woman for choosing to have some sort of pain medication during labour. Or for choosing plastic over cloth diapers. Breast feeding is the same. Like you said not every one is able to breast feed.
While yes I do agree that the research shows that breast feeding is best, but if you can't you can't you shouldn't be looked down upon for it.
I say save your lectures for those woman who are drinking, smoking, doing drugs. Something that can really hurt the baby. Something that the mother has a choice over.

Answer 9

everyone has their own opinion on how people should raise children and how they should be fed. They say that the best nutriion if from breast feeding, but it is not logical for everyone. Like you stated some women do not feel right breast feeding at all so it is easier to do formula. What ever one you choose is what you think is the best for your child. Either way you choose the child will be healthy and happy! Good Luck!

Answer 10

i hear that. i was ordered not to breastfeed my two children because of my diabetes. it just made my blood sugars way to crazy. i tried it for 6 weeks with my daughter, but got really sick. then i made it 7 months with my son! but i had to quit. they are both incredibly healthy and smart children. actually, people are always commenting on how brilliant my three year old is and she was only breastfed for 6 weeks. i think some people just don't understand. it's frustrating that some people can't put themselves in other's shoes, they cannot look beyond themselves.