Why do women believe that breastmilk suddenly loses it's nutritional value at 6 months?!?

Question

Do you think our society would benefit from educating women about the benefits of breastfeeding in high school during sex/reproductive education ? and stomp out the misconceptions that cow's milk formula is just as good ? I'm a nurse and am shocked that so many people believe that breast milk loses it's nutritional value at 6 months postpartum or that formula is "just as good". What do you think?

Answer 1

Our country is sorely behind when it comes to the concept of breastfeeding. It lags behind many other countries not only in its acceptance but also its endorsement. Women need to be taught the benefits of BF in school during sex ed absolutely. This country is all about freedom however we are such a prudish nation that we are frequently enslaved by our skewed moral compass.

Answer 2

I agree, breastfeeding has so many health benefits that it's surprising most people don't know about them and think formula is just as good, or even better (ug). There's such lack of knowledge on the subject, both on the differences between breastmilk and formula and on breastfeeding itself - even on here there are so many mothers convinced they don't have enough milk and whatnot. The big problems are mainly the formula companies trying to act all nice by saying "breast milk is best" then adding "but this is just as good", and God forbid we ever hurt anyone's feelings if they were formula fed as infants or formula fed their children, by saying breast milk is better. We kind of need to get over that. We know better now. You're right, we need to educate women, the sex ed thing is a good idea. Maybe when they learn what's actually in formula they'll be convinced it's not the same as breast milk. And another thing that gets me: there's all these studies out there that show that breast milk is superior, and nobody really pays attention. Then one little study comes out that says one little thing about breast milk might not be so much better and it's flashed all over the place. I'm not bashing anyone who can't breast feed or formula feeds but I just don't get why it's not more well known that breast milk is so much better for their babies. If you can give your baby the best, why wouldn't you?

Answer 3

I think that this is all still a new field of research, and most of us who have babies now are learning all this new. In high school maybe they should teach that the best thing when you have a baby is to breastfeed, maybe it would discourage some of these teen pregnancies, having a baby stuck to your boob isn't exactly sexy!
I do believe that we are just now learning the obvious that we are made to produce the best thing available for the baby. It is up to the doctors and the hospitals to educate. I know our local hospital is doing a good job, but some moms just can't handle the thought of breastfeeding (personally I loved it and looked forward to it). It's a personal thing, and although it is best for you and your baby to breastfeed, some women are just too selfish or have other reasons they can't.
Personally my milk supply dropped around 4-5 months and pumping was only frustrating me more so we had to switch to formula at 6 months, absolutely not by choice. I am thankful that the formulas are as well developed as they are that I was able to switch with minimal guilt (although I still feel horrible about it and only wish I knew why my milk went away).

Answer 4

Why would they think b milk loses nutrition after 6 months? I'm currently b feeding my third child, she is 7 months old and 20 lbs. By no means malnurished. She is a happy healthy chunk! Never drinks a bottle and dosn't even really eat baby food yet she just keeps spitting it out. Breastfeeding is best and it's the right chpice for me but formula seems to work fine too. Look at all the healthy kids and adults that were formula fed. More education would be benificial though. Many women dont know that breastfeeding helps your uterus shrink faster, helps you lose weight, and reduces your chances of breastcancer greatly. I do believe boobs are there for a purpose. the reason men like them too is because they are big babys themselves!

Answer 5

Breastfeeding and infant care are on my lists of things that should be taught in highschool. This also includes workplace safety, how to actually report an unsafe workplace, how to report sexual harrasment, tenant protection laws... etc, etc.

But in all honesty I don't see how anyone with any logic can believe that breastmilk turns to water at 6 months or a year.

Also read this site if you want to be disgusted more: http://www.momsfeedingfreedom.com/

Apparently giving moms free formula has nothing to do with increasing formula feeding rates (nuh huh, formula companies are that dumb)

Answer 6

I often feel that women who don't breastfeed at all or don't breastfeed for long do in some way feel inferior, like they took the easy way out. Perhaps that is why they can be critical of those who do nurse for longer because they are trying to make themselves feel better about not trying it. This is of course not true for all formula feeding moms, just an observation I have made.

Answer 7

It would be better to get back to nature-notice how formula fed culture has turned into overweight culture. I nursed my son for 20 months and recommend every mother breastfeed for as long as she can-I am a stay at home mom so I had no time limit & never had to pump.

Answer 8

I think that's a great idea. Far too many women wean their babies because of lack of information and support. Plus our maternity leaves aren't long enough - that needs to be addressed as well! But I totally agree that there is a lot of ignorance about breastfeeding and how truly superior to formula it is.

Answer 9

its a plot by the formula compaines. around 6 months breastmilk changes, simply because a baby starts on solids around that time and depends on breastmilk less. If a baby is not eating solids at 6 months then milk will usually remain the same.

Answer 10

I completely agree with you!!!!! I'm a nurse also, and we do teach this in our High schools, and I have noticed, around here South WI, that the younger the mother, the better chances of nursing!!?? Don't know why.....but they do, and I love it!!