should women be made to feel guilty for formula feeding?

Question

being that breastmilk is the normal and best possiable food for a baby should women who can but choose not to breastfeed be made to feel guility??? y is this topic viewed as such a "what ever feels right for you" thing....should women really be made to feel its ok to give their child something substandard? and yes i said substandard because breast milk is the standard food for babies!

here let me make it clear WOMEN WHO CAN BREASTFEED BUT CHOOSE NOT TO! if there are ligitiment medical problems well thats fine

Answer 1

Ooh, hot topic! This can get controversial. I am a breastfeeding mommy though I do feed my 12 month old formula as well. I chose to breastfeed because it is what is best for my baby. Yes, it's a pain in the butt sometimes, but I am a mommy now and my child's needs go before any of my own hangups or inconveniences. The first month after my baby was born, I had mastitis plus very painful blocked ducts. It would have been easy to quit breastfeeding then and there but I kept at it and a year later I am a pro at it. Listen, if you have a medical reason that you can't breastfeed then, no, you shouldn't feel guilty. But if you are just lazy and not willing to sacrifice yourself for the good of your child then, yes, you should feel guilty. And if you don't want to bf because you're afraid of getting saggy boobs, then, yes, you should feel guilty. Whenever you are putting your needs ahead of your child's - yes, you should feel guilty. In this selfish society, we are told to put our needs first, but NEWSFLASH - to be a GOOD mother, you have to put your child's needs first (or this will come back to haunt you years later).

Answer 2

NO NEVER. Some women have things to do in their life. Like a job. They cannot just breast feed on the job. Some women have to be away for hours on end. Not every women can stay at home.

I breast feed but once I go to work for 8 hours a day, and then school at night I cannot breast feed.

Plus some people smoke cigarettes or drink. Do you really want the baby to have THAT in their system! Some people cannot quit smoking so easily! Better to have the baby safe!

Doctors say the first week is the best milk from the breast, but you don't have to breast feed. Because they get all that goodness out of it after a week.

Plus there are formulas out there that have some of the same things as breast milk. And Look how well formula feed babies turn up. And breast milk babies as well.

I think NO one should be made to feel guilty. It's their choice and their life.

Answer 3

There are many reasons that a mother may chose formula over breast milk. In some cases, it's not even a choice... there can be real reasons for not going with the milk.

Turns out, while "breast is best," formula is still pretty darn good. It's not like giving your baby Coca Cola.

So, no, it is NOT acceptable to put down a person that's giving their baby formula. Keep your opinion to yourself.

In fact, lecturing a mother on this subject can actually backfire. There are women who have harmed their children because they felt guilt over giving formula. Instead of feeding their child, they proceed to force breast milk. However, if the milk isn't coming, the child can starve to death. Or, the mother may resent the child and may end up shaking it, throwing it, or beating it out of anger.

Stay out of it, OK. I've seen a child almost die because the mother was guilted by the pro-lactation crowd.

Answer 4

NO! I am totally for breastfeeding and have nursed all 3 of my children and will do the same with the one on the way. I do NOT agree however that they are giving their babies anything "substandard". Some women are not comfortable with it. Plain and simple. I would NEVER want to see a baby suffer because its mom is uncomfortable with nursing and is made to feel like she has to. I think as long as the baby is being fed that is all that matters. Some of the best moms I know give formula. Doesn't make them bad moms. I think it is this kind of thinking that makes people look at those of us that nurse like we are crazy!

This applies even if they COULD but don't. Sorry. I totally disagree with you!

Answer 5

why do people feels its any of their busines whether a women breast feeds or not. with or without a medical condition if she choses to formula feed thats her business. people should mind their own business and take a look in the mirror.

Answer 6

Absolutely not.....a woman should not be made to feel guilty for not choosing to breastfeed their child. There are many reasons and circumstances a woman cannot/could not/ will not breastfee their child....all personal reasons that are noone elses business.

As for me I choose to breastfeed but that doesn't make formula feeding moms bad to me.....two of my 3 daughters were not able to breastfeed for very long due to medical reasons and I had to put them on formula and they are no worse off for it.

Answer 7

You gotta do what you gotta do.

No one should feel guilty about anything they do for their child as long as the child is safe and healthy and happy and its the very best the parents can provide.

To each her own...It's only recently that breastfeeding has become so supported ...not so long ago ...it was all about formula...and the breastfeeding ladies were the freaks at the party...lol

You love your baby, your baby is fed and happy and healthy?

Then to hell with everybody else...

Your job is to worry about you and baby and your needs...you don't need to worry about anybody elses unsolicited opinions...if they don't like what you're doing...it doesn't really matter does it...cause it's none of their business.

Answer 8

What about women who can't produce enough milk to support the child, or adoptive parents?

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How about you concentrate on your choices rather then other peoples choices. I mean this is the 3rd question on this exact topic you have posted, is it not? Obsessiveness is not healthy for you or your children, if you want to bring up substandard mothering.

Answer 9

I don't think ANY parent should be made out to feel guilty for choices they make for their children PERIOD! Whether it be breastfeeding or formula feeding, staying at home, working, circumcizing, or not circumcizing. The list could go on....

There are plenty of well rounded successful adults out there for any of these circumstances! People act like some of these topics will ruin these childrens lives and people need to get REAL.

Formula is not wrong, comparing this topic to a litter of puppies is WRONG.

Of course you weren't, teagansmom

Answer 10

i think that breast milk is best for the baby, but if the mother can't because she has to go back to work or it is very uncomfortable then they shouldn't be made to feel guilty. you have to take care of yourself as well.