How can anyone think formula is "just as good" as breast milk ... IT'S NOT!

Natalie - posted on 05/07/2010

oh and saying brest feesing mums lose weight faster lol i was 45kg befor i fell and as 45 2 weeks after! and thats because all my weight was baby and fluid! so i did fine with out feeding her

Natalie - posted on 05/07/2010

i will just put this out there, that my sister inlaw was formul fed and is 1st in her uni class of 300 people in sience. so what u r saying about intelligence is wrong, u could have a breast fed child and the not be smart at all! like many i know. its on the child not there milk they drank! and i was a formula fed baby and have never been over weight threw my whole life! fat kids r a fault of there parents and what there parents let them ear not the milk they had as a baby. and fat adults r a fault of there own who just cant keep food away from there mouth!!! or in some cases its just there build and who cares.

i formula feed my baby as breast feeding was imposible for me to do and i can tell u she is 5 months old and very tall and not fat thats for sure! she is also doing very well for a baby her age, she learns things very easy.

i think what upsets me most is mothers who think babys will be fatter and dumber on formula! i would love for u to see me and my sister inlaw and the many others out there i know.

Autum - posted on 05/05/2010

This is just rude and disrespectful, not every one can breatfeed. I tried and wasnt able to so therefore my daughter was formula fed and for you to throw out bullshit about her not being as intelligent is stupid on your part...my daughter starting crawling at 4 months, walking the day after she turned 8 months and by the time she was a year old she had well over a dozen understandable words to her vocabulary, she already eats using utensils, sleeping in a toddler bed with absolutely no difficulty...so next time you have something to say do some actual research on what youre saying because you are the one that sounds unintelligent.

Izzy - posted on 05/04/2010

@ Destiny Wetzel - I found this site where it says that breast milk does contain iron. Do you have any sites that says the opposite??? just wondering, because i find lots of sites where doctors and research just contradict each other. Im just researching and i'd like t read the information you have read.

This is what i found:

What nutrients does my breast milk contain?

Casein
The fancy word for the special protien found in human breast milk that helps to preven gastroenteritis, respiratory infections, otitis media, some cancers, juvenile diabetes, and allergic reactions.

Iron
There is the perfect amount of iron for baby in mother's breast milk. Although cow's milk and infant formula contains more iron that breast milk, the human milk iron is abosorbed more efficiently by the baby.

Lactose
Mother's milk has a high concentration of lactose, which helps to absorb much-needed iron.

Vitamin C
Also aids in the iron-absorption.

DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid encourages brain development and stimulates vision.

Lipase
This fatty acid found in human milk contributes to how baby digests and abosorbs fats.

Lactase
Aids lactose absorption. Both the central nervous system and "intestinal flora" are boosted by the high contents of digestible lactose found in breast milk.

Amylase
Contributes to the digestion of starches.



http://www.modernstork.com/content/00247...

Sarah - posted on 05/03/2010

I struggled to breastfeed my son and only succeeded for the first 2 weeks before switching to formula. I was devastated that i failed because there was so much pressure to do what was "best for my baby" and prevent things such as asthma/allergies and all that jazz. But he is now a very intelligent little boy (turning 3 in september), tall for his age and average weight, has no known allergies, yes he suffers from asthma but i have a strong history of asthma and was fully breastfed as a baby/toddler so if you're gonna get it, breastmilk isnt going to stop it. In the end i did the best i could for my son and myself and feel that the decision to stop fighting it and transfer to formula was the best option for both of us and did not disadvantage him in any way. I am pregnant with my 2nd and will again give it my best shot at breastfeeding but am not afraid of formula if we need to go back down that path (apart from the cost and inconvenience.)

Rachelle - posted on 05/03/2010

I agree with you totally Stevie!

Ciera - posted on 05/03/2010

ok first of all, i can tell you are not an expert bc your information is wrong. there ARE instances where formula is BEST. For instance, babies with Jaundice or any iron-deficiency illnesses. Breast milk does not contain iron which is why babies in these cases NEED formula with iron. Also, there is NO "proven" study that breast milk babies have higher risk of lower intelligence. That is only something that has been theorized but cannot be proven and, in fact, has not even had enough supporting evidence to be taken seriously in the bio-research world. (I'm a bio-researcher and this is actually something I did a field study on and that is how I know). Also, there is no link between childhood obesity and formula. As a matter of fact, it IS, in fact, PROVEN that babies who are breastfed have a tendency to grow plumper and they have higher childhood weight up until 18 months when too many other variants factor in to know if it is a leading cause thereafter. Formula-fed babies would, in anything, be smaller than breastfed babies. So I don't know where you heard that but any knowing doctor will tell you what I just have. The only way that formula babies are more prone to illness is because they are not getting the antibodies that mommy's breast milk produces however, that only affects them if they are subjected to illness. It doesn't mean they will just contract it on their own. And, in this instance, babies who DO receive the antibodies are still threatened by illnesses that they are subjected to. Only in certain cases, as when the baby has any pre-existing conditions (such as illness or defects resulting from genetics or prematurity, etc.) will outside illnesses play a major role in the difference of health on the breastfed baby verses the formula-fed baby. You might be doing yourself a favor to actually research it and find out the truth before you go intentionally insulting other mothers regardless of why they made their choice. You can't sugar-coat your insult and expect that to help it get through to people. You obviously ARE one of those psycho bully moms who has been ill-educated. Yes, there are benefits to breastfeeding. Everyone knows that and nobody is saying otherwise. But, there ARE, in fact, benefits to formula-feeding as well of which you obviously have not been made aware of. These are the kinds of things people in my field get irritated about. When people who are very OBVIOUSLY improperly educated about issues try to get points across about why they are right about something even though it is obvious that they don't even know about what it is they are arguing. I honestly think you should be ashamed of yourself. Even if you had made a good argument, you have bee horribly judgmental about many mothers. It doesn't matter WHY they choose to do what they do, it is fully up to them. Their answer could be "Circus Peanuts" and it doesn't matter whether or not it makes sense. You shouldn't judge other people and then try to make it look like you are in the right by sugar-coating you judgments. and Bri, the ear infections are also not proven. The difference is less than 2% of children and that is not NEAR enough to validate the argument. In order to validate it, the difference would need to be at least a 12% difference and that would not PROVE it, it would only make it a reasonable argument. Anyways, that is all I am done.

Amanda - posted on 05/03/2010

Everything i've read does indicate increased intelligence, however it's only marginal. It really does depend on the parents, the environment the child is raised in, ect. As for illnesses, also comes down to the parents. BF does, for sure, give kids a boost because of antibodies passed down from mama.



Judging people for formula feeding is incredibly unfair. There are people out there who can't produce milk (like some of the ladies on here). Some babies don't take to it, or (like i was) are lactose intolerant and have to have soy based products. Reasons vary. Not everyone "fails" to breast feed because of choice. Sadly there are also bf moms who express and bottle feed and get the same 'how dare you' attitude because people assume the bottle contains formula.



Don't be so quick to judge. Do what you feel works best for you. Be it breast or bottle. As long as your child is happy, healthy, and growing within acceptable ranges there shouldn't be an issue. We pick on each other over some of the stupidest things, colour, race, religion. Breast feeding/Formula feeding shouldn't need to be added to this horrendous list. The world needs more understanding and tolerance.



BTW i'm a proud breastfeeding mama, because i can be, and i like it. But had i not been blessed with the ability i would NOT be ashamed to use formula.

Heidi - posted on 05/03/2010

I was raised on formula, due to being adopted, i have a 156 IQ, you're telling me that i'm less intelligent because of it? BS. My mother was raised on formula as were her 4 siblings due to her mother being unable to breast feed. All of their children were as well, one of which is currently a medical researcher chosen out of everyone in Canada to do what she is doing. So please don't be foolish and say things like "They will be less intelligent" because it is not the case. My baby girl is being raised on formula because I can't produce enough milk, and frankly I have no problem with it. I would rather her get the nutrition she needs than losing a ton of weight and being sick.

Linea - posted on 04/24/2010

I have to aggree with the original poster on this one...i am planning to bf, but if something goes different I am not going to let my baby starve b/c of it. I know that breastmilk is better than formula, but for some moms bf is not an option whether by choice or medical issues. I really do encourage bfing, but I at least want all expectant moms to do the research and weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes formula is the way to go...I was actually a formula fed baby my mom was on medication that she couldn't take while pregnant and needed to get back on asap...I haven't had any of the problems that you associated with formula feeding. I will not bash a mother for choosing formula over bfing, but would like to think that the mothers that make that choice are making an informed decision! I am actually curious as to what prompted their decision not so I can pick a fight, but just for my information...mothers who have made this decision, and you don't mind sharing please message me...I would start a thread, but unfortunately we all know that any thread involving bfing vs. formula ends in somebody bashing somebody elses decision.

Lindsay - posted on 04/23/2010

I will comment of the "Formula is better" Comment and leave it at that. Formula is only better if you do drugs, drink and have a serious illness that passes through breast milk. Formula was invited for those who couldn't breastfeed due to death, etc.. It was only then excepted by those who didn't want to breastfed as being normal. It is not normal. In fact who knows what is in that stuff? Last time I checked a cow ate off a cows boob and a cat ate off a cat's boob.

Angie - posted on 04/23/2010

Formula is not the same as breastmilk. If people are going to be so blindsided by the "GREAT INVENTION OF FORMULA" then they are wrong. Unless something is wrong that you cannot possibly go on to breastfeed your baby then you should stick with breasfeeding. Its my opinion I breastfed all three of mine and will do so for this one. The last one was breastfed for 21months. But hey am in no position to judge anyone who wants to shove cows milk, animal fats all sorts of nasty things down their kids throats thats their choice. Proof of that can be found here btw in case anyone thinks am being a bitch I am not I have done my research
http://www.answers.com/topic/baby-formul...

Jamie - posted on 04/16/2010

Breast milk is superior to formula for a lot of reasons. It's natural milk made specifically for a human baby, and there are even studies that indicate that a mother's breast milk is even more specialized for her specific baby. Colostrum (fluid that comes before the milk comes in) is filled with anti-bodies from the mother's own immune system which help build baby's immune system and keep him from getting a lot of the same illnesses that adults and older children get. Breast milk will change in protein and fat content based on how long you've been breastfeeding and how old your baby needs, so it does change nutritionally according to your baby's needs. Every scientific study done on breast milk vs. formula comes out with the conclusion that breast milk is the best option for infants. Many formula companies advertise their products as being "closer to breast milk" than other formulas, this should give an idea as to which is preferred.

That being said, some women are not able to breast feed, or are not willing to breastfeed for whatever reason, and some women have to supplement with formula... these are personal choices that they have to make as parents, some people will make the choice out of ignorance, convenience or vanity.. but i prefer to give every one the benefit of the doubt and think that they made the choice based on what is best for their child and themselves.

Chantelle - posted on 04/16/2010

I am planning on breast feeding but I know sometimes you might have to do both or if it doesnt work then yea you have to feed your baby some how. its just the other choice that women have.

Katie - posted on 04/16/2010

my daughter is 4, never breast fed her, and has yet to have an ear infection.....and honestly, some ear infections have nothing to do with being sick, you have swimmers ear, and built up wax that can cause an ear infection, so its not what you feed your child that prevents them or causes them...unless they have an alleric reaction that causes an infecton.

Amber - posted on 04/13/2010

You shouldn't get so upset, some mommies can't breastfeed and I thank god someone did make formula so those babies can get the nutrition they need. I'm going to breastfeed and I love the benefits of it but you have to remeber that not everyone wants to be a mommy and they give their babies away and luckily there is a way to feed those babies, yes it might not be as good as breast milk but its the best alternative. Besides I've known alot of people who wanted to breast feed but couldn't because of the baby not taking to it or the mothers getting sick and the milk being unfit for their babies.

Pamela - posted on 04/12/2010

breast is best but not all of us can breast feed for as long as we hope. formula is for those mums out there with lots of troubles with breast feeding and to be honnest just coz u feed ur baby formula doesnt mean that ur baby will be less intelligent!!! At the end of the day if bubs is losing too much weight or mum is not producing enough milk or in lots of pain from breast feeding its the only other option. some ppl need to get off their high horse and realise there are many reasons for not breast feeding. Give these women a break as they surely need it with all the pressures of being a mum.

Jasmine - posted on 04/12/2010

if i had not put my girl on formula at 3 weeks she would have continued to lose weight (she had been losing basically from birth) an would have ended up sick, my milk never came in an she was born with a tounge tie so did not know how to latch properly which left me with chunks missing from my nipples, now being on the formula she is happy putting on weight an sleeps now because she has a full wee belly, i always wanted to breast feed but it did not work for us, my great nana had 7 children all feed on formula and my nana and great auntys an uncles are wonderful succesful people. there is nothing wrong with formula feeding an i actually feel quite offended that you would suggest my baby girl is not going to be intellegent. shame on you!

Izzy - posted on 04/12/2010

Do you have any websites I can look up tp for the advancements in formula? I think its good to get ourselves educated, and maybe we can help other moms know more about the pros and cons

Aurora - posted on 04/09/2010

I would think that everyone would know the benefits of breastfeeding. But just to be clear I am a very heathly person and I'm just as smart as any other twenty year old. I tried breastfeeding my daughter but she just wouldn't. I had nurses and others try and help but in the end I bottle fed. My daughter has never had the flu and has never been to the doctors for being sick and is a very smart little girl. Yes I think breastfeeding is great but I don't judge people who choose not to. Everyone has a chocie and if they choose to believe that bottle feeing is just as good or better than breastfeeding then let them. They're doing no harm to you.

Krystal - posted on 04/09/2010

oh and my son has been fully weaned onto sippy cups with no problems at all. :) x

Krystal - posted on 04/09/2010

well formula was better than breastmilk for me and my son, i had a very bad infection and was put on medication that my son was not allowed to have i was also very aneamic and my milk turned bad from the infection and the meds, if i had breastfed my son he would of been seriuosly ill or could of even died. my son is a very healthy happy little boy, hes dead on the line for his age, weight and height, hes very idependant and is very intelligent, he says muma, dada, nana, baby, dog, hello and bye, no and yes and he knows how to turn the pages in books and points at the pictures and tries to say what it is, he knows the word no and what it means( if i say no he looks at me and shakes his head and says no back to me) and hes only 11 months old, he pulled himself up at 9 months and is walking along furniture and takes up to 10 steps holding on to something. he has only ever been sick once and that was a tiny cold which he had for 3 days and hes had no ear infections what so ever, he got 2 teeth by the time he was 3 months, he now has 8 teeth and they are healthy, white and perfect(told by my dentist). yes i am overweight but thats not because i was formula fed, my mum had to put me on whole milk when i was 11 weeks old because i refused her breastmilk and all formula. i have only been overweight since i was 12( wen i was 7 i was actually underweight, and when i got to 10 the weight piled on and by 12 i had put on 3 stone and i was 2 stone overweight) i am 19 now (still overweight, my own fault) but it was due to lack of exercise and i was comfort eating because of bad things that had happened in my life (i had to see a therapist to help me sort out what was behind my over eating). but im smart, very independant and i am a qualified nursery assistant. i am now 7ish weeks pregnant and i do plan on breastfeeding again with the 2nd but if things turn out bad again or the baby wont accept me or my milk or i dont have enough milk(i dried up in 2 days with my first) then i will not hesitate to give my baby formula. in the situation i was in i had to feed him something and formula was the best thing for him. it is up to the mother how she feeds her child, the child is not missing out on anything, the child is still going to be healthy, have a brilliant immune system and be intelligent and average weight, just like a breastfed baby. the only difference is breast milk is from the breast and formula is man made and in a bottle. the formula is not the same as breastmilk but it is very close to it, the whole reason its there is to help mothers in my situation or even mothers that do not want to breastfeed for what ever reason. it is thier choice how they feed their babys, wether its from breast or formula they are still geting the nutritions they need to thrive. if formula was that bad they would of banned it.my son is very very very healthy and im proud of the way iv fed him and they way he has grown. hes healthy and thats all that matters. :) x

Stacy - posted on 04/09/2010

there is actually new studies and formula has been advanced and now has all the essentials as breastmilk. just bcuz u breastfeed doesnt mean ur child will be smarter nor healthier, it all has to do with the parents and there backgrounds in that, its a old wives tale like many others, science has advanced enough for formula to have the same benefit, like most all foods are man made so if your such a hypocrit to formula feeding moms, what are you doing when they eat solids or jar food? everything is processed alot has perservatives. i do not agree. my children are very smart and and are not anywhere near obese, actually right on the dot where their suppost to be, my 3yr old is way smart. and i was formula feed, i have never been overweight, if anything i have been underweight! and in 6th grade i was at a college learning level! so by no means i do not think anyone should be saying (oh, my child will be smarter then yours and not overweight cuz i breastfeed and you formula feed) not true! i dont breastfeed cuz purely i dont get how a child latched to my breast is bonding? and i see no since in spending all my time pumping when i can be spending that precious time with my babies. and whats funny is the expecting moms that talk so highly about breastfeeding and so lowly about formula will more in likely formula feed, and that is a proven fact. the circles of moms is for moms to ask questions and bond with other moms not to gang up on moms for what they are doing, it is your opinion keep it to yourself!

Kat - posted on 04/06/2010

Some of the information out there gets misunderstood. Prolonged BOTTLE feeding after twelve months CAN increase Obesity, Tooth Decay, Ear infections & among other things. So you read Bottle Feeding & assume Formula. Well that's not necessarily the case. It could be Bottle fed cows milk, breast milk or juice even. I Breastfed my daughter for nearly 13 months, but I won't be preaching that down anyones throat. To each their own. Some woman will hear what they NEED to hear to cope with not being able to bf. A doctor will comfort her by giving her the bonuses of Formula. Like Alyssia's in-laws, it can be family provided information because I know my Mothers generation were discouraged from Breastfeeding, sometimes the Matriarch is seen as all knowing & why would a son question it. I do believe that the majority of woman know that breast is best but they'll take on board whatever information is going to get them through the experience as is their right.

Alyssia - posted on 04/05/2010

I can honestly say when I got prego my boyfriend was completely against breastfeeding because he had heard formula was just as good and the only way he would even think about changing his mind was by talking to the doctor about it. It took a couple of months and pamplets but eventually he did come around and we have agreed that I will breastfeed for 3-6months and then we will look at it again...the best thing I can say is he was misinformed by his family so sometimes its the whole family who can have the wrong idea. I know ive heard a lot of remarks from his family about my plans but at the end of the day its a decision we made together and we are standing behind each other.

Brandy - posted on 04/05/2010

I think it's funny that Stevie never came back on to respond to any of the posts she received. Where are you? Anyways, I am a breastfeeder all the way. I love it and I love spreading the word to other young moms (I had my first at 21) about how great it is and giving them advice and information to help them to understand what is going on with their bodies and with their babies so that they aren't discouraged by their baby's behaviour or think they aren't producing when really they are. I think that is what needs to be done rather than attacking mothers who are usually simply uninformed or don't have the support they need. Society is starting to lean back towards breastfeeding (where I live anyways) and we can help by informing people of all the great benefits that come with breastfeeding and encouraging moms to do their research and just to try it and tough it out for the first few weeks because it gets better!

Izzy - posted on 04/05/2010

I think every mother has a right to choose what works for her and her baby. It is true that breastmilk is WAY better than formula, i mean, its natural, its there for a reason... we dont just give milk because, right? But not every mother has enough milk, or maybe its harder for some moms and their babies. Breastfeeding is not for everyone. The way i look at it, it depends on the situation. I dont think it will make your baby "smarter" but i do think that it will help them to get less sick. What i dont get is if you have no problems (not enough milk, takin medicine, health problems, ect...) and its proven that breastmilk is better, why wouldnt you give it to your baby? Some people think its gross to bring your baby up to your nipple. To me it seems so natural, again.... our boobs are there for a reason. They are not only for sexual pleasure, or for our partners to play with them. They are there for our babies. Anyways, i know thast a question that will never be answer, because its juts not my place to judge and to receive explanation from other mothers about how they are goin to feed their babies. That was just a question. I hope noone gets offended, as i said, it was just a question, im not pointing fingers or judging or bashing. Anyways, every mommy knows whats better for their babies.

I found this site real helpful. I hope someone else benefits from it. And no matter we choose, we're not wrong. No one is going to be a bad mother just because their baby is not breastfed.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/food/infant...

Jenna - posted on 04/05/2010

I chose NOT to breastfeed, as is my right as a mother. My reasons are mine and mine alone. My son is healthy, happy, well-adjusted. Has never had to see a doctor other than check-ups. Has been the easiest baby/toddler(now 15 months) I know of since he slept through the night at 4 days old and has since. Has had diaper rash less than I can count on 2 hands. He has had NO ear infections and rarely even gets the sniffles. His development is ahead of others in his age. Never suffered from acid reflux/gastro problems, colic, or fussiness. He weened perfectly from bottle to sippy cup and is now on to regular cups. He is not a picky eater and loves to try all sorts of new foods.



I praise anyone who does breastfeed, I think it is a great option but it not for everyone. And that is why formula is so popular. Honestly, I believe my son had a much more "consistent" nutrition from the formula than he might have had from me.



I get angry at those who feel the need to accuse mothers of being inadequate when they choose to not breastfeed. If you want more mothers to breastfeed, try not cutting mothers down when they express concerns with breastfeeding. Making women feel that they are less of mothers because of this all too personal choice just creates a greater divide between a community of mothers.

Kristy - posted on 04/05/2010

Niki just wondering if you have read my earlier post, because that is exactly what i did i weighed up whether or not to keep breatfeeding and not being judged by other mother's or do what's BEST for my baby, and yes i mean formula is the best thing for my child!!!! so before other mother's go around judging non breastfeeding mother's maybe you should know all the reasons and facts for why that child is bottle fed!!!

Niki - posted on 04/04/2010

wow intresting reading - yes formula is a fantastic thing for thoes poor unfortunate souls that cannot breastfeed their own babies, and these people should never, ever be jugded or put down for bottlefeeding! but i find it absoultly shocking that over half the mothers in america CHOOSE not to breastfeed. its totally insane! It all comes back to advertising, these formula companies though years of subtle advertising & generation of false 'facts' about formula (and gigantic surpression of the negative effects of formula and information about the totally unnecessary and harmfull additives get put into!) so that now people really have no real idea about what thier child is missing out on by not having breastmilk - they are quite happy just to believe the bullshit their told, and not even do any proper reasearch into formula. I feel so sorry for all of these children, and equally sorry for all the parents that are doing their kids harm simply because of the ignorant society they live in. so i plead with all the parents out there to do reasearch, look throughly into both sides of the argumaents (and look at where the information is coming from - formula compaines will fund reasearch, but only publish the bits that make them look good) know all the facts, weigh up the pro and cons and examine your reasons for wanting to bottle feed really, really closly (is being able to drink again really worth negativly effecting your childs long term health?) make an informed decision before chooseing to formula feed - and dont just fall into the trap of doing it just because thats what my mate did etc. dont play into the steriotype that all americans are stupid ignorant selfish assholes - you have a brain so start using it!!!!

Bri - posted on 04/04/2010

and BTW, it is also A PROVEN FACT that children who are breastfed have LESS ear infections than those formula fed... my daughter went 8month breastfed & didn't have a SINGLE ONE...at least 3 of the many parents I know have had a child/children who were formula fed and suffered at LEAST one ear infection if not multiple.... food for thought

Bri - posted on 04/04/2010

As Ms./Mrs. Innes pointed out- she is NOT bashing mothers who choose not to breastfeed...maybe some of you should re-read her intro before you get all offended over nothing... she is simply pointing out that the mothers who DO choose formula for the SPECIFIC reason that their practicioner said it "was better or JUST AS GOOD as breastmilk" are doing it for the wrong reasons... as a mother- i don't ALWAYS trust someone else with advice on what's BEST or GOOD for my child... I look into something myself and truthfully formula is NOT the same and is NOT better for any child due to the simple FACT that there is helicopter fuel and other ingredients put in formula that is NOT in your breastmilk... formula doesn't exactly make a child dumb or defective---HOWEVER as with anything- there are risks that a mother takes when she chooses it over breastmilk....

It doesn't make you a bad mother if you can't or even CHOOSE not to feed naturally... it's your choice, BUT instead of taking someones word for it-you should just look into the pros & cons of both BEFORE making your decision...and it IS PROVEN on more than one occasion that breastfeds do have a slightly higher IQ than those who were formula fed... but as stated by Ms./Mrs Innes---she's NOT BASHING those that choose formula for WHATEVER reason- she's just pointing out that alot of mothers use the excuse of doing it "because the doctor said it is the SAME or BETTER than breastmilk" when they should just be truthful & say that they're doing it because they want to or they weren't comfortable enough to breastfeed or just couldn't.... PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S POSTED BEFORE U COMMENT & TAKE OFFENSE WHERE IT'S NOT NECESSARY...

Angel - posted on 04/04/2010

I am unable to breast feed, does that make me a bad mum? my daughter is one year and two months, she has 14 teeth, all of which are straight white and perfect! she says mum, dad, nan, pappa, ta, this, that, door, car and even says oh shit! she is running, and can swim, she trys to read, even if sometimes her book is upside down, she gets me things out of the fridge and does everything she is told~! id she less intellegiant than your breast fed baby? Maybe you should not comment on things that you do not have a complete understanding about, some mothers can not breast feed, i am one of those unfortunate mothers, i went through a ver hard time because of people like you who made me feel inadequate because i couls not feed my child, oh and we have the strongest bond you could imagine! so please lets not make statements if we really have no idea!

Kirsty-Louise - posted on 04/04/2010

calm down love im sure everyone has heard all that before but nothing has been scientifically proven to show kids who arent breastfed arent as intelligent or are obese, i was formula fed from the start and got straight A's in school and weigh no more than 8 stone and im now 8 months pregnant and i dont watch what i eat so figure that one out love cause i think I've just proved everything you just said isnt fact. everyone is entitled to do as they feel comfortable with their child and there is no need for people like you putting moms who dont breastfeed down!!

Michelle - posted on 04/03/2010

First off I could be considered a Breastfeeding nazi . Second ..... although I have strong opinions about it , I have gotten to expirence the flaws to it also and have had to give up early with some of my children due to circumstances .
Baby #1, Severe thrush , lack of support , and my being a first time mom with noone to turn to = breastfeeding for only a couple months .
Baby #2, BF until nearly a year old and was completely weened from bottle/boob to a sippy . There were other reasons involved I will not go into .
Baby #3, BF until a year old , Needed to start working because money was an issue .
Baby #4, BF until I had to go back to work 2 weeks after he was born . I tried pumping, however my boss was a C**t and wouldn't allow breaks if you were not a minor . My milk dried up from my crazy schedule . Noone offered to pay my bills so I could stay home and breastfeed, noone offered to pay my rent, buy my kids clothes . I was very saddened, but we all do what we have to do !
Baby #5, BF until she was 18 months old . I ended up with mastitis, but pushed forward. Also ended up with an infection from the delivery. Never imagined stopping or supplementing. Refused bottles of "ANYTHING" including breastmilk! Even tried once to give her pedialite when on a long trip to tide her over and ended up having to contort my body to give her boob inroute ! LOL that was funny !
Baby #6 , He will most definitely be breastfed ! And I hope to do so as long as I can

It is very immature to sit and poke at people not knowing their situation. That acutally makes one look ignorant and ill mannered no matter how meaningful it was intended .
YES I will tell people the wonderful things about BF . I am all for more education for new mommies , but bashing is just WRONG !

Jennifer - posted on 04/02/2010

I believe that a lot of the people you hear say things like this are stuck giving their kids formula. My expirence was that I wanted to breastfeed so so bad but couldn't, I treid so hard and ended up with a horrid case of mastitis in both breasts. I was so sad, but I had to feed my kid. . .formula. . .but he is healthy and fine and while I totally agree with you that breastmilk is 100% better, I see where other people are coming from where they don't or can't breastfeed. My advice for you would to be to stop being so judgemental, pick your battles, why get so mad at moms that are feeding their kids something compared to the millions that get neglected or barley get food or clothes daily, look at the positive and let people raise their kids the way they want to, just like you would want them to treat you.

Jennifer - posted on 04/02/2010

Well some people cant breastfeed. I did for a wk or so but I had to go back on some bp med and couldnt breastfeed my son so sometimes u cant help it but I am planning on with my baby number 2 to breastfeed

Danielle - posted on 03/31/2010

You are right, breastmilk is definitely the best "food" for your baby, but luckily through research formula companies have been able to make formula very close to breastmilk. I agree it isn't as good as breastmilk, but for those who are unable to breastfeed, it is the next best thing. I am totally pro-breastfeeding, but everyone has different opinions on things and you just have to let people chose what they feel is best for their child and themselves. It can be really hard when you know all of the benefits behind breastmilk, but sometimes people have no choice but to use formula. Breastfeeding dosn't always come easily, trust me, both my boys were born prematurely and it took me two months to get them to latch on the my breast, but it was definitely worth the hard work. My youngest breastfed until he was 15 months, it was great! But my older one just wouldn't latch and after 3 months of pumping I was just so worn down and not able to enjoy my baby because my life revolved around pumping and heating up bottles, I switched him to formula and I was actually able to enjoy him and was so much less stressed. I really wish I could have breastfed him, but sometimes you can try and try and try and things just don't work out. He did have a lot more health issues than my second child, but he had those issues even before I started him on formula. So anyway, I am glad you are sticking up for breastfeeding, but just be careful because you don't want to hurt other mothers out there who chose to do things differently. For all the mother's who do chose to formula feed, you are just as wonderful of a mother as those who breastfeed. Just keep you main focus on your child and their happiness and never take a moment with your children for granted. That is what counts in life!

Kerri - posted on 03/30/2010

when will people learn that life is not a flaming text book if that were true there would be no reason for groups like this. i feel people that run down mothers that don't breast feed are also guilty of being ignorant to the individual circumstances of those mothers seeing as most don't stop to ask as to why, not to be compleatly honest that it is anyone's business but that of the individual. i have 3 children who were all formula fed from day one all are very bright, normal weight and very healthy thank you very much,and i for one will not be told i gave my kids a bad start in life because i couldn't breast feed them as it's not true.

Katie - posted on 03/30/2010

some babies just wont take to breast milk, and some mothers dont produce breast milk, so formula is really the only option. or in my case, my mom told me that i wouldnt take to either, so i had to be on 2%. so its really up to the baby themselves and the mom.....im for breastfeeding, doesnt mean ill do it, but it is healthier, but not better...the only real difference between formula and breast milk, is breast milk has colustrum, and it cant be duplicated.

Karen - posted on 03/30/2010

i think this is jst silly comments about intelligance and obesity my daughter was bottle fed she is nt obese this is down 2 parents over feeding and she is extremely intelligant for a 2yr old why? bcoz i sit down with her and teach her numbers, colours etc if u start teaching ur children early thy will b smart and Alarna I feel for u hunnii this is obv a distressing time for u and this subject isnt making u feel any better bt dnt worry ur baby will b fine xxx

Cecelia - posted on 03/29/2010

Personally......I feel like a mom should be able do what she feels is best for her baby and her liferstyle without being judged.

Alarna - posted on 03/29/2010

ok so i see where u are coming from. But i also think that you are being really harsh. When i had my little girl in January this year i wanted to breatfeed more than anything. And i did for 1 day, then she stopped. For some reason she hated breasfeeding and wouldn't go onto the breast. I was in hospital for a week working with lactation consultants trying every trick in the book to get her to feed but Olivia was just becoming more and more distressed by the experience. I expressed milk in hospital and in the end i was so sick of being there i bought a breast pump and cried myself to sleep wishing there was something i could do to fix the problem. But fact was that there wasn't. So after getting up during the night every 3 hours to express my breast milk even though my baby was sleeping for 4 and 5 hours at a time then i was getting up to feed her i was so exhausted and i couldnt do it anymore. After 5 weeks my milk dried up and i had no choice but to formula feed. So yes breast milk is proven to be better but some people dont have a choice and you telling my that my child isnt going to be as intelligent as breast fed babies and that she has a higher risk of being overweight isn't really something i want to hear. It doesnt make me feel any better or help my situation so i say its best to leave this argument alone and if u arent going to have something positive to say then you shouldn't bother.

Belinda - posted on 03/29/2010

i agree with katie i was unable to bf due to infection my daughter has just turned 1 and has been bottle feed from 2 days old she was crawling at 5 months walking at 10 and half months and is above ahead of her self with all motor skills it make me so disapointed when people are so one eyed about things and make there child starve for the sake of saying i breast feed and to me that is doing more damage to your child then formula so until you know the ins and outs of every ones situation and know there child like your own i suggest you get down off your soap box and get back to your own issues like being over opinionated!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristy - posted on 03/29/2010

my daughter is 6 months old and has been on formula since 6weeks, i had no problem breasfeeding and loved doing it until my daughter started pooing blood because she is protien intolerant, since then i have had to formula feed (medicated formula) and i have to admit i am quite sick of being judged by other mother's (or soon to be mother's) who think they know whats best for my baby. My daughter is crawling at 6 months and saying words and pointing to things. She is way ahead in her development and has never been sick since she has been on formula. what you feed your baby is a personal choice and every mother is allowed to make that choice for themselves without being seen as not doing whats best for there baby.

Red - posted on 03/29/2010

I'm sorry you feel this way but it is out there for people like me. By that I mean women who do not product milk. Also I don't think I would of if I could. Do to health problem it was best to get back on med asap. I would not be able to do this if one was to brestfeed. I belive it is the child mom to know what is best for there own baby.

Stephanie - posted on 03/29/2010

its amusing really.. the mothers who have formula feed are not saying its better but their saying in their experience its worked for them and they children are fine. And tuenesha whos pushing for breadfeeding is shoving websites down everyones throat. Let it be, people will do whats best for them and their lifestyle.Anyone who goes to a doctor or hospital will be told the story of bottle or breast.

Tuenesha - posted on 03/29/2010

AND breast feeding helps mom lose weight faster. here is another benefit for those girls who want to shed those pounds quicker, I know I do!! Here again on the Similac formula website.. here is the ip address if you don't believe...

http://similac.ca/en/articles_advice/adv...

Tuenesha - posted on 03/29/2010

ok people are goin to do what they want but I am sick of people saying formula is just as good as breastmilk for real. Here go on similac.ca/En/ this is the Similac Formula website. THEY ADVOCATE BREAST FEEDING! Jesus people come on. How are you going to argue with science when the product you're advocating DOES NOT agree with you???, I just dont get it?? Formula is a SUPPLEMENT not a SUBSTITUTE

Kathryn - posted on 03/29/2010

i will say i agree that breastfeeding your baby is suppose to be the best for your child...but what about the mothers that do not produce any milk....i am speaking from experiance....with my daughter there was nothing..i never produced any milk at all and my doctors don't know why...so i had no choice but to feed my daughter formula....and she is very smart for her age....her doctors were amazed that she was doing everything so early...the only thing that my daughter is lacking is height...but she will most likely be short because i am and so are all the women on my side...i am pregnant with my second child and if for some reason i do not produce any milk with this pregnancy then this baby will be formula feed also...everyone has their own opinion about what is right for their child..