[Daphne_Blue]

: Has anyone else read this?

http://www.bocaratonnews.com/index.p...y=LOCAL%20NEWS

I am so TIRED of the FF/BF media hype! First of all, it's a personal and private thing that every mother decides for herself and her child. There are tons of women who can't BF for whatever reason: some women don't have all the resources and support to BF, some women have to go back to work, etc.

Not to mention, instead of portraying FF as BAD and trying to make mothers feel guilty they should portray BFing as GOOD!! Make it more socially acceptable so that moms aren't harrassed in shopping malls and restaurants when the feed their kids.

I tried to BF my 6yo when she was born, but I didn't know how to do it. Nobody told me it would hurt. Nobody told me how to hold her, or check her latch, or anything like that, so I FF her. It incenses me that that article would equate me FFing my DD with getting on a mechanical bull while pregnant. For crying out loud, that's just so ridiculous.

I'm sick of society telling us one thing (like breastfeed) and then doing another (freaking out when we do it in public).

GAAAH!! I usually brush stuff like this off but this time it really got to me.

 

[ShadowMom]

Daphne_Blue - I respect your opinion, but I feel differently about it. I'm only able to produce a few ounces of breastmilk a day for my son. Breastmilk is, as we all know, the very best thing for our babies. In some cases it is a personal decision, but from the perspective of health organizations, it is a public health issue.

I'm very glad for the new campaigns. If I meet one more mother who didn't breastfeed because "it seemed weird" or it was "inconvenient", I'm going to scream. The only way to change minds is to make everyone understand that breastmilk is the natural way and the best way to feed a baby.

I feel horrible that I can't provide more milk for my son, but awareness of how valuable human milk is is the whole reason why I go to such extremes to give him what little milk I have. If I had understood about breastfeeding before I had breast reduction surgery, I might not have gotten the surgery (or would have made sure the surgeon was more careful about preserving the ducts).

 

[guestmama9924]

Hopefully with all the new media hype, BF in public will start to become a little more tolerable to some ( not that it ever stopped me, but I know it does for some)

Also, the messages from LLL and other groups for DECADES has been " bf is good for baby" "breast is best" "breastfeeding is loving..." all true, but doesn't exactly get the point across like " formula leads to diabetes" does.

Quote:

tried to BF my 6yo when she was born, but I didn't know how to do it. Nobody told me it would hurt. Nobody told me how to hold her, or check her latch, or anything like that, so I FF her

I agree, but be mad at our culture, not the bf advocates. The same system pushing formula is the same system that kept you from having easy access to help and care when you needed it.

 

[Aura_Kitten]

i, too, am happy there is now a pro-bf campaign. i used formula w/ my son, and have regretted it since my milk dried up.

i also think the ad campaign shouldn't have been allowed to be watered down.

eta ~ just noticed the caption: Some women feel that the pressure to deliver breast milk 100 percent of the time is unfair to working women.

:

but there was this at least: "As long as we keep telling mothers that formula is almost as good as breast milk, then they will always have a reason to formula feed and they won't work as hard to breastfeed because of the challenges that they might face while trying to breastfeed."

 

[Daphne_Blue]

I don't have a problem with the article, I have a problem with the Ad Council's campaign. It's ridiculous of them to say that FFing your baby is the same as physically harming it.

I wholeheartedly agree that agree that there should be more attention to BFing and that mothers should be given all the help they need. My point is that instead of making one alternative seem bad, they should hype up how good it is to BF. It's a positive reinforcement issue.

KeysMama- I am not mad at the BF advocates, I'm mad at the Ad Council's "anti-campaign". It doesn't seem so much a campaign for BFing as it does to bash FFing. I'm tired of society trying to make mothers feel guilty for FFing instead of praising the ones that BF.

I'm sorry to hear that it has been so hard for you, Kristi. You sound like a really strong person who cares for your child's health and well-being very very much. When you say you feel horrible that you can't give your son more breastmilk is it because you feel guilty supplementing? I only ask that because the distinct impression I got when I read that article was that it was trying to make mamas feel guilty for FFing, and I don't think that's fair, and I don't think that's the right way to handle it.

Anyway, that's just my 0.02. Thanks for hearing me out and allowing me to vent.

 

[guestmama9924]

I hear ya, daphne, and certainly many women might feel like you do too. Personally, I did FF some with my first, bf some too , and WISHED I knew that FF had potential for harm, especially since it was by choice and not by need that I used that stuff. A woman who needs to use formula should not feel bad or guilty, any more than a mama who needs a c/section, or needs meds or can't afford organic everything.
I don't feel any guilt, I feel a bit mad that I didn't know, and hopefully this campaign will be able to close that gap for others who were like me- I had a choice and maybe would have chosen better if I had the right info

 

[ShadowMom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daphne_Blue I'm sorry to hear that it has been so hard for you, Kristi. You sound like a really strong person who cares for your child's health and well-being very very much. When you say you feel horrible that you can't give your son more breastmilk is it because you feel guilty supplementing? I only ask that because the distinct impression I got when I read that article was that it was trying to make mamas feel guilty for FFing, and I don't think that's fair, and I don't think that's the right way to handle it.

Hi Daphne. Well maybe guilt isn't the right word... maybe the right word is "regret". I have to supplement because I've had breast reduction surgery and my supply is pretty low. In addition, in spite of all the reading I did before having the baby, I still had some poor advice after he was born, and probably wasn't able to maximize my supply (at least I'm hoping that's part of it, so that next time, maybe I'll be able to make more milk).

To be honest, knowing all that I know now, I regret getting my breast reduction surgery. If I had understood the differences between breast milk and formula, I probably would have waited to have the surgery until after my children were born.

Thanks for your nice note.

 

[mom2lyndsey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daphne_Blue I don't have a problem with the article, I have a problem with the Ad Council's campaign. It's ridiculous of them to say that FFing your baby is the same as physically harming it.

Just wanted to say that I agree with you. I was unable to produce enough milk to keep my daughter alive. I had lots of support and help. I pumped every 3 hours and would get less than an ounce a day. After 7 weeks of no latch, no milk and lots of tears (on my part) I had to let go of the idea that I could nurish my baby with my body. It was so important to me that she have breast milk that we contacted several milk banks. It wasn't an issue of money, because my daughter was able to suck and tolerated formula and was over 5 pounds...no sale. I even looked to some of my support groups but no one was able to supply milk for a second baby.

Because of all the crap in the media (womens mags) I had someone screaming at me in public about formula. Of coures she had no way of knowing if I was the babies mother or what was in her bottle. When I looked her in the eye and asked if she would be willing to pump so that my daughter could have breast milk (she had an infant with her) she just walked away. Of course I broke down in tears after that.

mom 2 Lyndsey who is loved with all my heart

 

[stafl]

I think this thread should probably be in support and advocacy.

I recently read in Mothering mag how the breastfeeding ad campaign has been sabotauged by the formula industry, and I feel that negative articles about the ads, like the one linked above, is a sure sign of such conspiracy.

I also had to supplement with formula when my first was unable to nurse. BUT, I knew that formula was indeed bad for her (have you bothered to read the ingredients?) and I saw how terribly she reacted to the supplements. It was a total nightmare, but I managed to eventually give her 100% expressed breastmilk until she was finally big enough and strong enough to nurse. No, it wasn't easy, it was actually the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. But seeing in my own offspring, blood of my blood, heart of my heart, the world of difference between when she was given formula and when she was given breastmilk convinced me just how necessary it was to stick with it and pump all day and night, and to keep trying to make breastfeeding work.

Feeding my baby formula did in fact harm her (though it was totally necessary at the time). She was physically ill and in serious pain because of it. Though, of course, her pediatrician said it was "normal" - yeah, well, if that's normal for a formula fed baby it still isn't good enough for mine! I'd hate to imagine what sort of long-term damage might have been done to her immune system and to her hormones, especially with our family history of diabetes and endometriosis.

 

[loving-my-babies]

I agree with the ad because I feel a little impact is needed for people to listen. I don't agree that ff'ing = physically harming your child, but I feel nowadays especially in the US, please NEED to be informed of the benefits of breastmilk and that abm is not "the same" as breastmilk. I think we actually need these ads, to have an impact on people, because apparently repeating "breast is best" and others like this, do not get the attention of mothers. I think we are doing this for the children of these mothers, and whatever benefits them, I say go for it.

 

[Daphne_Blue]

DH and I had a very long discussion about this and I see both sides. I can see why the Ad Council would want to make a strong statement about BFing, but I still stick with FFing shouldn't be portrayed that way.

I'm glad to see that there are so many women out there that are such strong supporters of BFing. I wish I had known some of you the first time I gave BFing a try.

P.S. Big hugs to you Mom 2 Lyndsey.

P.P.S. In retrospect I should've started this thread in S&A. Next time I will be much more careful.

 

[jeca]

i am thrilled they are finally advertisinf BF. Maybe it will make it more comman knowledge for those of us who didn't know anything about it(I FF my firstborn). I don't really care if the ad is bashing formula or not as long as it's positive for breastfeeding I'm just glad it's an ad.

 

[Gidget]

this is a little off the original topic here. But I think formula does do harm, maybe not to all kids, but definitely to those more vulnerable to it. My two little ones are allergic to dairy. With dd it was not too severe, whenever I ate dairy she would become congested and her eczema flared up. With ds2, it caused severe reflux. Had I not even nursed it would have been a serious health issue. Reflux as we know, erodes the esophagus and causes congestion and alot of babies with reflux end up with pneumonia from trying to breathe as they reflux/vomit. My mil bought ds one of those hypoallergenic formulas one time and tried to feed it to him while I was at school. I was not happy about that, but I was happy that he refused it. Some got on his clothes, if it tastes even half as bad as it smells, I would not want to eat that junk every day of my life for every feeding. Blech! And my first child was ff'ed after three months because I, like you, had no one to turn to when troubles arose. I was so totally ignorant about bf I am surprised we made it three months. I know some here remember my post about it, but my ds1 has a few health issues and I am not completely convinced that formula did not play a role in it.

As for the ads, I was happy at first, then I got to thinking that so many people will be angry and indignant at the content, that the message is going to get lost in the delivery. Not very effective advocating. I am one of those rare people who need to learn by shock such as that, but I am in the minority. Give me the cold, hard ugly facts. Were it not for those, my two littles ones would have been given up on too.

 

[manitoba_mommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gidget As for the ads, I was happy at first, then I got to thinking that so many people will be angry and indignant at the content, that the message is going to get lost in the delivery. Not very effective advocating. I am one of those rare people who need to learn by shock such as that, but I am in the minority. Give me the cold, hard ugly facts. Were it not for those, my two littles ones would have been given up on too.

You know, I was thinking about this and I do think they will be effective. Lets take the example of anti-smoking campaign (not the same, I know, just the tactics). The anti-smoking campaigns have contained a LOT of hard hitting facts and rather "offensive" messages. A lot of smokers got right royaly cheesed off by them and they made some of them less likely to quit. However, pre-teens and teens watching the same ads started to see the reality of smoking and youth smoking numbers dropped off at an unprecedented rate. Today, maybe a decade or so later, even less young people are taking up smoking and more see the dangers of it then ever before.

My point is that by presenting an accurate non sugar coated image of the risks of formula, and the benifits of breast feeding, they can effect all of the people who are not parents yet and maybe convert some of the formula feeders.

Geesh, I realy hope no one gets ticked at my analogy but it was the only example of such a campaign I could think of!

MM

 

[guestmama9924]

I compare the 2 often. Compare- not equate. Anyway, here we are ,what, 20 years after the first reports started coming out about smoking? I know many people that STILL defend their right to smoke, and well, go ahead, but at least we all know the truth about tobacco. It takes campaigns like "Shards of Glass" from www.thetruth.com and anti-abuse ads from www.peta.org to grabs folks attention and get them talking.

The images of soft lighting on a white woman rocking her perfect baby in the perfectly decorated nursery while sipping chamomile tea and in a long flowing white gown while peacefully nursing have failed- and those images are far from truth

 

[oceanbaby]

Quote:

It's ridiculous of them to say that FFing your baby is the same as physically harming it.

My take on the campaign is to make formula feeding seem like the odd thing to do, not breastfeeding. And that's what it should be, like c-sections - an odd thing that is used for those rare times when there is an actual medical condition that prevents breastfeeding or a vaginal birth.

Yes, there is a horrible lack of support around breastfeeding. But I think that if enough people can get that breastfeeding is supposed to be the norm, then that could slowly change. Maybe having to go back to work will no longer be a reason not to breastfeed. As our culture accepts breastfeeding as normal and important, then maybe getting a break and a place to go pump milk will become as normal as getting a break and a place to go pee.

Maybe a new mom like yourself would no longer be faced with no support or education when a new baby is born. We will all see everyone breastfeeding, we will all have the support from friends, family, and professionals when it is needed.

 

[LizD]

As someone very particular about diet, esp for babies and children, I do feel formula is harmful. I would not want that going in my baby. I would much prefer to see that for those who cannot breastfeed other women's breastmilk is made affordable and available through milk banks, instead of only being used for preemies and ill babies, and then only by those who can afford the outrageous cost.

I mean no offense or insult to women who chose to formula feed, for whatever reason.

The formula industry is also not one I would ever want to support; profit comes before our health and always will.

 

[Aura_Kitten]

Quote:

As someone very particular about diet, esp for babies and children, I do feel formula is harmful. I would not want that going in my baby. I would much prefer to see that for those who cannot breastfeed other women's breastmilk is made affordable and available through milk banks, instead of only being used for preemies and ill babies, and then only by those who can afford the outrageous cost.

YES!!

i was looking over the ingredient list on the sample can of formula i got the other day...

uke

 

[Quirky]

But this is the thing....formula does harm babies. And kills them. FF babies are 20 percent more likely to die in their first year than BF babies, a study recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics found. This is in the US, mind you, not developing countries (where formula kills thousands and thousands of babies every year).

Babies get sick with asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, allergies, ear infections, to name just a few - because they weren't breastfed. Some will die from their formula-caused diseases, whether in childhood or later on.

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/risks...ula_08-02.html

And some moms will die from not breastfeeding, too - not breastfeeding raises your risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Should a mom who had no knowledge of these risks and no support for breastfeeding feel badly about FFing? Not for a minute. Society in general, and the formula companies in particular, have done a total snow job selling us on the idea that formula is natural, normal, healthy, and a good second choice to breastmilk. It's not like you're going to find a Surgeon General warning on a can of formula like you do on a pack of cigarettes.

But should we downplay the risks of formula feeding? No, in my opinion - not because we want anyone to feel guilty about what they did in the past with whatever information they had then, but because we want all women who are going to have babies now or in the future to BE INFORMED so they can make an INFORMED decision about their future babies (hopefully, to breastfeed).

This campaign is not retrospective, it's prospective, aimed at moms who can still make the choice to breastfeed!

 

[brandywine]

I ff'd dd after 6 wks because I got a very nasty systemic infection from a dirty IUD being inserted (lovely eh?). I had a very high fever and PPD, and was sick in bed for a few weeks. My supply was greatly diminished and my babe started to lose weight. I felt so ill that I was glad when the ped. suggested that dh start ffing so that I could rest and get better. I though...sure, breast is best, but formula will suffice. However, if I had been told that formula could make my baby disease prone (something I absolutely believe now) I think I would have tried to stick with the nursing. Even in a true emergency, formula is a poor substitute for real mamamilk, even if it makes me feel guilty to think about it.