Why do people have to be so judgmental about breastfeeding?

Question

versus formula? I am so sick of people that give a thumbs down because someone even dares to mention the word formula in their answer! My son was almost 3 months early and I pumped breastmilk to be put in his feeding tube. When he came home 10 weeks later he had to go on formula and he is now 3 years-old with no health issues, and can read his own name. Breastfeeding is not for everyone and we do not need it forced down our throats or have our answers voted down for answering someone elses question regarding formula!

Umma: It is not lazy to use formula. It is better than letting a baby start to death if they are not able to latch on, and not everyone can afford to spend $200 on a breast pump!

It is a myth that breastfed babies have a closer bond with their moms than a bottle fed baby. Since my son was on a feeding tube he could not latch on and we have an incredibly strong bond!

Answer 1

Because people think they are always right generally. My daughter was 3/12 months early. My wife pumped because there are things that help a baby that they can't get from formula... She was in NICU for 6 weeks before she came home, then she got the flu. My wife still had some of the early breast milk frozen and we gave that to her. If she hadn't gotten it, she may well have died. Because she is now so strong and healthy (6 months old now), I am a firm believer in breastmilk - not that I was ever against it. But if someone chooses not to do it, who am I to tell them what to do?

I can recommend, but I don't need to cram my opinion down someone else's throat.

Answer 2

I think people are judgemental because they think that going the "formula" route is like taking an "out" from being a real parent.

I am one who believes that everyone should at least TRY breastfeeding first, since breastmilk can be healthier and does have some very real benefits in the first few days.

On the other hand, I think that you're right in saying that formula isn't a sin. My son was only 5 weeks old when we had to start supplimenting with formula and only 3 months when I switched all the way. Breastfeeding is extremely difficult to do in many situations. Sometimes our bodies or our babies just don't agree with it. Even in the "olden days" wealthy women often had wet nurses, and even in poor villages, some women would help other mothers nurse babies if they weren't producing milk.

These days there are so many different kinds of formula, and so much nutritional research into them, that I don't think that after the first few weeks, breast milk is really that much different. I'm sure breast milk from a mother with a good diet is still healthier, but since so few of us truly "eat right" who can say for sure with any given child? Besides that, formula is DEFINITELY better than starvation or dehydration from kids that aren't getting enough from mom. I even think it's better in the cases where breast feeding is wearing the mom out too much, because having a mom with energy is more important that having her milk.

That's just my 2 cents!

Answer 3

Hey there!
I am definitely pro- breastfeeding but more than that I am pro healthy babies! I breastfed my daughter for all of 2 weeks ( I was 21 , and it hurt!!), then, I made the choice to breastfeed my next baby and we have been happily doing so for close to 8 months so far. Brreastfeeding is the best choice and even formula companies will state this as a fact, but no matter wether it si breast of formula, a happy baby stems from a happy mommy/primary caregiver!!! PERIOD! If you are unableto breastfeed for whatever reason, as long as the primary caregiver is happy with the decision, then baby will be happy! Anyone who is pushy or judgemental about it must realize that there are a multitude of scenarios that occur that call for different solutions. That being said, there are so many misconceptions about breastfeeding and so many battles that breastfeeding mom's/families encounter, I too at times get a little "gung ho " when I feel attacked or once again misunderstood. For instance,society tells us that breastfeeding comes naturally ...NOT! That is why we have lactation consultants ( thank GOD for mine). In addition, our society gets so wierded out by a mom feeding her child ( even "discretely") in public that some face discrimination.No matter what your choice is , it deserves to be respected! At any rate, From one lactivist mom, I will say that no matter what we all have the same bottom line, healthy happy babies/children

Answer 4

I didn't breastfeed my daughter, I didn't produce any milk. I had planned on breastfeeding this little one, but some helath problems have come up and I"m not comfortable with it, so I"m not going to breastfeed. Judge me screw it.

My daughter was not and still isn't overweight, she has a very high IQ, she wasn't any sicker than normal. And developed right on shedule. Our bond, we are very close.

I have no problem at all with people breastfeeding, though be descreet about it.

Forumla feeding moms aren't lazy, its easier to breastfeed in the middle of the night, just latch the baby on, than to get up and heat the bottle ect.. So that arguement is null.
And we don't love our children any less, that is just stupid.

As for the thumbs down, dont worry about it, some people I think just go through and htumb down everything.

Answer 5

While I am a person who chose to nurse my son, I do know that there are women who have tried and really couldn't. Some moms cannot nurse due to certain medications that they take, some babies cannot latch on... other medical issues may be going on. Formula feeding is something that they have to do, and that's great, their babies are being fed. That's all that matters.

I wasn't able to nurse my daughter b/c she was born with a cleft lip/palate. I did try, but there was no way it would happen. I did try pumping, but it was difficult for me, I just couldn't keep up with it. I first supplemented with formula, then had to just strictly use formula. For me, it was quite devastating, only b/c I wanted to nurse so very much. However, it just wasn't meant to be.

My daughter thrived, regardless. Formula was a Godsend.

Answer 6

I believe that people act that way because for so long doctors and formula companies used very deceptive tactics to get people to bottle feed. Think of it like anti-biotics. Doctors used to overprescribe them so much that a lot of people won't touch them even when it is a good idea.

I think that breastfeeding, if the child is getting enough nutrition, is the healthiest choice. I tried really hard but after two weeks my milk hadn't come in. It was a horrible experience and I felt very guilty because I was one of those people who judged and looked down on people who bottle fed. Ironic?

Anyway. I think that it is a reaction to something that really was horrible. Women in the third world were given formula when they had plenty of natural milk, their milk dried up and the makers of the formula made a killing.

I'm glad that your son is healthy. My boy also has a strong immune system and is healthy. Thank the gods!

Answer 7

The reason is because breastfeeding is technically the healthier choice and many parents out there are not formula-feeding for health reasons, but they are doing it just because they are lazy.

Honestly, I was formula-fed and I am still a relatively intelligent person, and I get good grades in school.

It's not that formula-feeding will harm your child, it's just that the breast is always the better choice IF it is even an option.

Answer 8

Whatever topic you can name, there will be zealots out there beating their drums. Yes, breastfeeding is probably the best and most economical nourishment for a baby. But there are times it just doesn't work. My late wife went on chemo when our baby was five months. Anyway, you don't see formula fed babies dropping like flies, so try to ignore the zealots. I know it's difficult, but most of these people are idiots never exposed to how complex life can be.

Answer 9

There are a lot of self-righteous breast-feeding nazis out there that just have to shove their beliefs down your throat. Just ignore it. I think the breast-feeding propaganda (and yes I think that when issues are shoved at you it's propaganda) is actually a lot worse over here in the UK than in the US. A midwife over here was actually quoted as saying that she'd rather see a baby die than drink one ounce of formula. How insane is that??

I had a very traumatic pregnany that ended in a c-section. My midwife was (one of the very few in my opinion) very kind, intelligent and caring and she was the one who suggested that I use formula to give myself a chance to completely heal. I was in a shambles from the pregnancy and surgery.
I'll tell you and all formula using mothers what my midwife told me:

As long as you're feeding and loving your baby what does it matter what you're feeding them?

As far as breast-feeding mothers have a better bond with their babies..well that's just more propaganda rubbish. My brother and I were formula fed and we have a great relationship with our mother. I formula fed my baby and we have a fantastic relationship. I love her more than life itself.

Love your child and know that you did what was best for him. That's all that matters. All of the "haters" will fall down off of their soap boxes sooner or later.

Answer 10

I personally believe that people today don't seem to realize that not all babies can be breastfed, my son never lacted on properly, and I ran out of breastmilk, therefore, I was forced to only breastfeed him for about 2-3 weeks, then it was time for formula. Also a lot of people don't seem to understand that if it wasen't for formula, babies would starve to death!