To all the breastfeeding mothers who are anti formula ..?

Question

I have read over and over all these people on here putting down formula feeding mothers .. why is it so important to YOU how they feed THEIR child?
I'm just curious?
I have read sooo many negative responses when a woman asks a question about formula .. why do you breastfeeding mothers bother to read the question if you are so anti formula?
Why don't you just skip that question and go to the next?
Does it give you some kind of power trip because you breastfeed your child? Do you need that pat on the back?
I just don't get it.
Why is it SO important to you that they don't formula feed their child??
(and for all the breastfeeding mothers who answer those questions with an honest, nice, helpful answer .. thanks!)

I breastfeed my child (and give her formula occasionally) but I would NEVER think to criticize someone for strictly giving their child formula .. how does their choice in feeding their child affect me? or my child?
Someone please shed some light on this ..

Answer 1

Amen! Its as if I'm less of a mother because breast feeding was just not for me. My mother's generation was all about the formula feeding and we didn't come out mutated or stupid. I think breastfeeding mothers feel superior, but I think all moms deserve some respect. It's like breastfeeding vs bottle feeding is becoming as controversial as abortion or the death penalty, for crying out loud! You should have heard the nurses at the hospital when I delievered, they treated me like I was a horrible person because of it.

Answer 2

Hi, I'm a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. When I first started in this job, I was dead set against formula. The more eduation I recieve, the more I learn that there are times when formula is required to keep the baby nourished.

I would imagine that there is such a battle because breastfeeding is so highly tied to hormones and mom's who breastfeed become very passionate about it. It can be a very emotional issue.

You are correct that it is each mother's own choice. People are hearing more about breastfeeding though because even in most state WIC clinics, breastfeeding education is now a requirement for all pregnant moms and WIC is cutting formula packages down.

Answer 3

It is sad that any mother can be criticised for what is her own right to choose how she feeds her baby. Of course we all know the benefits of breastfeeding and I'm sure most people would choose to do what is best for their child but for some mothers it is not possible to breastfeed. Perhaps some make a choice without a valid reason but some women simply can't do it for genuine reasons. I tried and tried to get my first born son to latch on correctly and spent 5 painful days in hospital after he was born with a whole lot of different midwives giving different advice and techniques - some were excellent and I got it but then I'd have trouble and a different midwife would try to help without success. It was terrible and I was in tears every day. When I got home I expressed for two weeks but had to give it up because it took so long to get enough milk out and by the time I'd spent an hour on the pump it was time to feed him again - I never left the couch, always with a pump on me! I tried with my second but having the same problem on the first two days I decided to go straight to a bottle with him too.
My children have thrived and are healthy and happy and in the top percentile on the growth charts. I still feel a sense of guilt though, especially every time I read an article about how we should breastfeed for as long as possible. Sure we should be informed about what is best for babies but not made to feel bad if we choose to formula feed. It would help if the health professionals supported women in whichever choice they make, and anyone who feels a need to criticise should have some empathy and keep their opinions to themselves!
(Mum of a two year old and one year old)

Answer 4

Well, because breast milk is best and it is taken so lightly because of the way formula is advertised and sold. Many mothers do not understand the risks of formula feeding, they get upset if you even mention the words "risk" and "formula" in the same sentence, but it is still the truth.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html
There is so much misinformation about breastfeeding and formula, along with lack of proper support. What is important to me that women get the proper information about the risks of formula and the benefits of breastfeeding. It is so important to me that women are given the proper information about the normal course of breastfeeding.
No, breastfeeding does not give me a power trip, and no I do not need a pat on the back.
When I say "breast is best" or that "formula cannot compare to breast milk" or even "formula feeding has risks", I am not judging mothers who formula fed. I fed my first born formula. I breastfed for 6 months and then switched him to formula because, as I had lack of proper information and support, I mistook a nursing strike as him weaning and me not having a good enough supply. I do not judge at all. I am simply stating facts about breastfeeding and trying to inform other mothers of the information that I did not have with my first born.

Answer 5

I think it is just selfish for someone to say that you can only breastfeed and there is no other way. But for me there was no other way, I had a rare disorder that made my milk dry up so the only way I could feed my son was formula! So what hes happy and healthy now and we still bond like you would never believe! So I agree with this site! And thank you for posting it!

Answer 6

I agree completely. I breastfeed my daughter, but who cares what anyone else does. Give them helpful advice and be kind about it.
There are often times a situations where a mother cannot breastfeed, and where breast is not best. I was almost one of those mothers, a health condition of mine was going to have me on medication that was bad for my daughter, it turned out that they were able to find another med. that was equally as effective, but that wouldn't harm her.
Please don't judge people, you don't know their situations, and even if you think you know their situations, it doesn't give you the right to tell them they are wrong for bottle feeding. We are all human and none of us are perfect parents. If you want to criticize the way that someone is doing things with their child, take a step back and look at your own parenting and decide what you can change. Thanks for posting this!

Answer 7

Forgive me, Pixie. I'm not addressing this post to you although you have asked the question. This is for *Do Your Own Thinking*.

DYOT,

I appreciate why you're angry, and for the most part, you are one of the few people I usually agree with when reading folks answers; however, as one of the freaks who must bottle feed I think your remarks are a bit harsh. Formula is indeed "junk" compared to mother's milk but, unfortunately, some of us need to use it in our half-@ssed quest to be good mothers. I nursed my baby for weeks and though I know I had colostrum (was able to express some), I never got milk. My breasts never got full, my daughter lost almost two pounds while I fought off the pediatrician and my mother in law in efforts not to use formula. She fed day and night, crying because she was hungry. As for me, I pumped to try and increase production, saw the chiropractor, acupuncturist and the lactation consultant -- drank Mother's Milk tea, took herbs... blah, blah, blah. No milk. I cried all day the first time I gave her formula; and my own mother (who breastfed me until I was 3) says, " Poor baby, how can she drink that nasty milk?" What the **** else did she want me to feed her?

Bit much to call me a selfish jerk who could have found a more appropriate thing to do than have a baby.

Let's have your recipe for homemade formula.

Answer 8

That's the thing:

I'm not anti-mom,

I'm anti-formula.

Do you know the history of formula? How the companies that make and market formula have systematically been responsible for the deaths of children all over the world? Did you know that most of the marketing formula companies do is ILLEGAL under international law? Did you know that Nestle has been under an embargo since thousands of children died using their formulas (yes, even "Comfort Proteins"?) Frankly, I think the companies that market this stuff hate women. They are out to make a buck on your baby, no matter who it hurts.

I can't stand when formula is marketed by companies as a "choice." The baby doesn't usually make the choice. Women are told that that formula is 'just as good' or 'really improving' or 'really close to breastmilk.' That just makes me sad, it strikes me as misogynistic, telling a woman that she's no better than powdered food in a can.
I hate how formula makes women doubt themselves and their amazing capacity to nurture a child.

It makes me sad when women give up because they don't have the support, the education, or as in my case, had a medical professional give them bad advice.

Almost everyone wants to breastfeed, but so many women are hamstrung by idiot medical professionals or lack of education. I want women to know that they have options. I want them to question the establishment, to empower themselves to reject formula pushing nurses or bad advice giving grandmas and doctors.

It's important because the long term health of a child and its mother is at stake. The government's own statistics don't lie: there is a risk of formula feeding. If we can help other women realize their full potential, our world will be a more powerful place.

Answer 9

I just recently had my second son. My discharge nurse started pushing her views on me to only breastfeed. She swore up and down that if I gave my baby formula he would not breastfeed. Well needless to say she was wrong. I have a son who is 22 months and I breast fed him until I went back to work. Im going to do the same thing with my newborn. I think breastfeeding is good for the bonding and the nutrients breast milk gives the baby. But everyone is not comfortable with it and thats perfectly fine. Only thing that matters is that your baby is eating. Formula or breast milk. Women that lash out on mothers who choose not to breastfeed are ignorant. To all be their own.

Answer 10

Personally, I really don't care how other people choose to feed their children.

I do, however, care that the information presented about breastfeeding and formula is correct.