to all moms that formula feed?

Question

ok this mom called " do your own thinking" just answered a question that someone posted about formula and " do your own thinking" called formula "inferior food" . Im sorry but breast fed babies r in no way better to formula fed babies. That really bothered me that she would say that. My 2 girls r formula fed and they r smart, happy and healthy, even though they eat the so-called "inferior food" Oh, by the way, just because you breast feed does not make you better than someone who formula feeds. Does anyone else agree? It just seems like everyone on hear that breast feeds feels like they r superior to everyone else. When in fact everyone is the same because we ALL ARE MOMS
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Answer 1

That's right we all are moms and should be supporting each other not nit picking at who's better than who! In the end as long as our babies are well fed and healthy that's all that should matter!

Answer 2

I don't think the comment implied that the babies themselves are better, but rather that breast milk is better than formula. And that, I'm afraid, is a fact; on the back of every formula container, it says the same thing.
I certainly don't hold it against mothers who can't nurse for medical reasons. It's the ones who say the baby didn't latch on easily (they didn't give it enough time), or they "just had no interest in it" that are in the wrong. You may not be interested in it, but you're not the one who is completely helpless and relies on others for survival. If mothers are fine CHOOSING second best for their kids, that's fine. While they'll never admit it, they'll probably choose second best when it comes to other parenting decisions down the road as well. I also find it amusing that the moms of formula - fed babies always have to throw in that their kids are smart, gifted, healthy, and so on. But, as another answerer pointed out, where are they compared to the breastfed babies? And who are the moms really trying to convince?
And it truly scares me that there are some parents saying formula is as good or similar to breast milk. That tells me they've never even read the container of food they're feeding their babies. Personally, I'd want to know exactly what I was putting into my baby's mouth, but that's just me.
We are all moms; some just put in more effort than others.

Answer 3

I am a mom to 4 kids plus I have provided child care in my home for 20 years. I have both breast fed and formula fed my own kids. I have a 6 months old grandson who is both formula fed and breast fed. Additionally, I have cared for many babies who were breast fed, formula fed or a combination of both. All babies need to be fed, a fact no one can refute. There are only 2 choices for milk, either breast milk or formula milk. While breast milk is understood to be the "best" choice, this does not mean that the other choice is the "worst". Rather, it makes formula the next best thing. Formula is designed specially for a baby's needs and mimics breast milk better in this day and age than it ever has. Babies can and do thrive on formula as well as babies who drink breast milk. Whether a baby receives breast milk, formula, or a combination has no reflection on a mom/dad's parenting skills. Nor does formula feeding produce a less than intelligent child. While my oldest 2 children were first breast fed and then switched to formula, my youngest 2 were exclusively breast fed until they self-weaned. Those children are now 28, 26, almost 23, and 10. Each is intelligent, happy, healthy and unique. Additionally, several of my early formula-fed daycare children are now high school graduates attending college, and working good jobs. Much more goes into growing healthy, well adjusted children than simply what they ate in their first months of life. I believe that all parents should be accepted for their choices and encouraged, not put-down, by other parents. Passing judgement on parenting practices that differ from our own serves no good purpose. As parents, we are all in the life-work of raising our children to the best of our ability.

Answer 4

I really wish I could have breastfed but I had to take a medication for a pre-existing medical condition that worsened when I was pregnant, that wasn't safe for the baby. I was able to breastfeed for the first week to give colostrum, which I was grateful for though. I know that formula is inferior, who are we kidding, but I had no choice. If I DID have a choice I would have never formula fed and would have definitely nursed by baby because I know how beneficial it is. I don't get angry or defensive when people talk about how "breast is best" because I know it is. And I know that I would have if I could have.

Answer 5

OK what about if you can not fed due to a health reason!!! That is a very cruel thing to say. I can not feed due to having had breast cancer at 22yrs I have had 2 children and are now having my 3rd It is upsetting to be given looks by breast feeding mums when you get out your bottle..... Instead of passing judgement they should just think there maybe a very good reason that someone is not able to feed by breast. Both my children are very bright my eldest the top in her class
and she has just been awarded a prize for poetry the judge was very impressed with her entry...... If you can and do breast feed great just don't pass judgement on those who don't though choice or necessity!! Yes we are all mums who do the best for our babies.

Answer 6

I breastfeed my daughter and I'm happy I choose to but that defiantly doesn't define me as a mother. I totally agree that breastfeeding doesn't make someone a good mom. I do however feel it has allot of great benefits and we should encourage women to try. But that doesn't mean its for every person or every baby. I had a really tough time breastfeeding and really wanted to formula feed our baby. I had infections and was sick but my family was really supportive. On the other hand my old roommate just choose to feed her baby formula and it was defiantly the right choice for them. She loves her baby and is a great mom. How to feed a baby is a personal choice and its not going to be the toughest or the most significant one a mother make. The one thing that really bugs me is this huge debate over who's right or who's wrong when its more like whats write for one family isn't right for another. Ow and for the person "do your own thinking" she doesn't only criticize formula. She told my my she thinks my boyfriend couldn't be over the age of 19 and why did I procreate with him. She just judges people allot so I don't hold any validity to what she says.

Answer 7

One mom isn't superior to another mom, that's just silly. It is a fact, however, that breast milk is the better choice for babies than formula milk. Ergo, formula is an "inferior food." It doesn't make you an "inferior mom," though.

When people say deleterious things about formula, it is a criticism of a corporation, advertising, drug lobbyists, formula reps and the actual formula ingredients. It is not a criticism of the mom.

Answer 8

I hope that what say to this doesn't come out the wrong way... I in no way think that breast feeding Mums are better than formula feeding Mums. I am pregnant with my first and hoping to breastfeed but I don't think that makes me superior to those who don't. Having said that, there are actually several benefits of breastfeeding (e.g. antibodies in breast milk, the bonding etc. In fact breastfed babies show lower incidence of respiratory conditions like asthma). That's not to say that you cannot bond with your baby if they are not breast fedor that you are doing the wrong thing by formula feeding. So you are right, breast fed babies are no better in the long run that formula fed babies but there are some bonuses to breastfeeding. Much like there are bonuses to formula feeding (anyone can feed the baby etc).
I think that all you need here is to be comfortable in your decision and don't let judgemental, tactless people aggrevate you. Easier said than done I know!!

Answer 9

I don't take offense. I know that breast milk is much better then formula. Take it in stride. It's the truth. Sadly some HAVE to use formula. We all do the best we can. But it is true that breast milk is superior and therefore formula is inferior. But babies of mothers who can't breastfeed have to drink something to survive.

Answer 10

Just because you feed her an inferior food, which formula is, that does not make your daughter inferior. Studies have proven time and time again that breastfeeding babies are allowed to reach their brain's full potential (i.e., allowing them to reach higher IQ levels) while formula fed babies are not. That's fact, hon, not just a jab at you or your family's choices.

Have you actually researched formula? It's scary stuff. Honestly. I'm not trying to be rude to you, but "do your own thinking" is right in calling it that, even though she does come off as rude sometimes.

Answer 11

Don't feel guilty and get offensive with others who chose to do things a different way. If you wanted to formula feed then that's fine. But to say that a woman who says that breast milk is better then formula is insulting you and your children is ridiculous and petty. Breast milk is much better then formula, but she's not saying her kids are better then yours. Get it straight. Sheesh! You must feel really guilty or something to be so defensive. You're right, we are all MOMS so stop getting so offensive when people state the facts.