Quote From: badtriphttp://www.promom.org/101/index.html
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1999/07/19/formula/
I am just curious, why you don't feel comfortable nursing in public? Is it the fear of being judged by others, or maybe a personal modesty issue? I nurse my son out in the open all the time, when I first started I was more nervous about it but over time I grew less so. I also used some formula until the age of 6 weeks but I feel that breast milk is better. And my son has lots and lots of bonding time and fun time with his dad and other relatives. The time spent feeding is a lot greater when they're younger, but that's not the only way to bond.
I don't want to come off as judgemental, but before I read the research on all the diseases that are so much higher in formula fed babies I didn't really think the way I do now. For me formula isn't an option any more. It doesn't matter to me if it is hard or if I have to show my boobies or if I get sore nipples or mastitis, I will breastfeed my babies until they wean themselves and unless I am hospitalized or dead I will never allow another drop of formula to touch their tongues. I know some women don't feel this way, and I just wish there were more women out there who understood that formula is nowhere near as healthy as breast milk, which is about the healthiest food you can find on Earth. Why would you willingly feed a bottle of formula to your baby when you're otherwise successful at nursing? I don't get it.
There's a great list of 101 reasons to breastfeed, and an article which cites all the various studies about increased rates of death and serious illness in babies, called "Formula For Disaster" on salon.com (the references are all on www dot promom dot org).
http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1999/07/19/formula/
http://www.promom.org/101/index.html
To me this is not about causing guilt or making enemies, it's about promoting health of babies, moms, and our nation. Currently breastfeeding goals set by the government (Healthy People 2010) are for all states to have at least half of new moms breastfeeding by 6 months, but only six states have achieved this, and only Oregon has achieved at least 50% of moms BFing EXCLUSIVELY by six months. The reason they set these goals? Because our health as a nation is going down the tubes, and serious diseases like diabetes, obesity, cancer, pneumonia, that are prevented and lowered in breastfeeders and breastfed babies, are on the rise. Breastfeeding rates have been going down over the last several decades for a variety of reasons, none of which should have anything to do with the idea that bottle feeding is better for bonding with dad. That to me is pretty sad. Isn't it better for the baby to get the best food, and then go cuddle his dad afterwards? This is a really important issue, not just a personal issue of choice but an important public health issue. NOt to mention, supplemental bottle feeding of formula lowers your supply and it is highly unlikely you will be able to nurse for the full year or longer that is recommended if you make bottle feeding routine and do it often.
One of the major reasons I set out to be a long-term nurser (past the AAP 1 year mark) was from reading the literature that says the WHO recommends it for 2 years AT LEAST. Also for every 2 years you breastfeed you lower your risk of getting breast cancer by 25%. With my already high risk of getting it because of fibrocystic breast disease, and my grandmother having died from it, this is as much a personal choice for my own health as it is for my son.
To the person who dogged the pro-baby pro-breastfeeding message, don't YOU think it IS sad that babies DID starve and suffer increased disease BECAUSE they were formula fed? These women did not ask for the hurricane, and they did not ask for the lack of food, clean water, and help. But it is one of the advantages of breastfeeding that the food is ALWAYS plentiful, clean, and at just the right temperature. It protects babies from extremely harmful diseases that can hurt the formula babies because formula offers little to no immunity protection.
To try and turn this around on the person who was only pointing out the DISADVANTAGE of being a formula baby, of the possibility of starvation, malnutrition and disease is to completely ignore the truth. This has been the leading reason why people boycott companies who market formula in the third world, because it is almost impossible to make sure formula feeding is safe when there's no clean water, energy to heat the bottles in boiling water for sterilizing, etc etc etc. AND why some poor babies whose moms feed them formula starve because they can't afford to buy it and it gets watered down.
We are not immune to these dangers of formula brought on by natural disaster any more than we are to a terrorist attack. A breastfed baby has every advantage a mother can offer as long as he is with his mommy. Take away the mommy or her ability to make milk by unnecessary and gratuitous formula pushing, especially in the early days when milk supply is being established, and you risk the baby's health, safety and very survival.
I didn't "dogg" anyone I stated a simple fact I it is CRUEL to make those who bottle fed their babies feel responsible for the death of their children. Does it not occur to you that they're reading these boards? Is this you're way of comforting them too? & I'll add that I think it is CRUEL to suggest that mothers of bottle fed babies are just recklessly leaving them at risk. I'm not sticking my head in the sand or ignoring what the reality of things are. To say that breast milk is always fresh, and always available even in a disaster is enough to survice don't you think?! We can also go on to say all of the wonderful things that we give our babies when breast feeding with out adding "AND why some poor babies whose moms feed them formula starve" well aren't they just abusive? This is what it sounds like you're implying & we don't have to get mean do we? You say you don't want to come off as judgemental but that's exactly how you come off. You sound as thought this is "as much a personal choice for myself as for my son" and if others make a personal choice for themselves that doesn't fit your criteria of what is correct they are somhow irresponsible! Even a parent who's breast feeding & supplementing you have to try to make feel bad about her choice because it's not what you decided &/or as good as your decision? We're not all as perfect as you honey and yes this has everything to do with making others feel guilt. I mean after all they're not trying to "promote health in babies and moms" so I guess the rest of us are not?
I don't need to read the research I'd done that long ago & life does not always follow the "research" I'm not going to sit here & argue the points of pro & con to breast feeding. This would serve no purpose but to upset people but just the same you don't need to make those who are not breast feeding feel inferior & do it in such a mean spirited way.
Dr. Phil and his guests strike up heated conversations as they debate the latest hot topics. Should women give up their right to breastfeed their babies in public so other people don't feel uncomfortable? Will passing out condoms in schools prevent unwanted pregnancies or just send the message to kids that it's OK to have sex? And, is it acceptable for others to discipline your kids if they see them acting out in public, or should they just mind their own business? Dr. Phil weighs in on these controversial subjects. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.
