This probably won't be a surprise to many, but other than the bit about fb I really don't agree with the article. I think when Mia refers to "breast feeding association" she's a little confused, she seems to be using it interchangeably about at least 2 organisations. And the ABA that she might be referring to at times is not anti-formula. It's pro-mums and pro-families, and yes, pro-breastfeeding. They support ff mums also - they offer all sorts of support but not specific information about formula brands or amounts as this is the job of health professionals and counsellors are not trained in it.
I have had a child fed formula in hospital without my consent or knowledge. Totally un-necessarily. I have also successfully bf a baby who was unable to attach for the first 3 weeks without a nipple shield, and I'm very grateful that i had midwives try to help me with bfing instead of giving him formula. I wonder if the mum Mia refers to in the article, or Mia, are actually aware that breastmilk is the best thing for jaundice, and that sadly many doctors are not even aware of that fact. I wonder if that would change Mia's view. I have come across a number of mums who are distraught that they are no longer able to bf because they've been given bad information and no support to keep bfing. Many of these mums are grateful that there is a "breast feeding association" who can help mums to continue feeding if they want to, or just to listen to them when they need to talk.
Being pro anything does not make you anti something else. The fact that a group of volunteers devoting their time to help other mums can cause such negative feelings really astounds me. The fact that midwives, or any other health professionals, might want to give a mum and bub the best chance of bfing, something mums have been doing since the beginning of time and which many actually desperately want to do, is a good thing. The real problem is that too many do not know enough about bfing to support mums. Doctors with 4 hours of bfing training, child health nurses attending seminars and workshops run by formula companies, that is what is taking away mums' choices.
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