I have wondered for a long time *not a debate*

[Jennifer13]

I understand that all BM donated would be screened but what if they make mistakes or become slack and something is passed on our babies, i'm not saying that would happen but i atleast know formula is fine and that it doesn't stop a child from being smarter than those who are BF.

Actually, we don't know that formula is fine. The recent incident in China highlighted just how 'not fine' it is, with babies being given formula laced with melamine that had fatal consequences. We also don't know what's in formula, they don't label for GM ingredients if it's less than a certain %age, for example. The idea that a multi-national company that is there to make a profit has your child's best interests at heart is fundamentally flawed IMO.

There are so many issues with providing breastmilk for sale that I think a simpler solution would be to increase bfing amongst the community in general. And encouraging (not disparaging) those mothers within a community who share their bm. Milk banks for sick and prem babies are wonderful, but not really viable for the broader population.

[Aligater]

Even 40 years ago (longer very popular in victorian times.) wet nurses were used in some circles. The mothers wouldnt feed but would pay another woman to feed the baby often at the expence of that womans own baby and family. I dont disagree with it but only if people dont put their own baby at risk

[MrsFabuloso]

I would use donated BM if it were as viable and easy an option as using formula is. I would love to be able to say my babies were fully solely fed on BM. But I doubt it ever would be an option. I don't find it disturbing or horrible or offputting in the least. It is what it is, feeding your baby. Just like feeding a baby formula IMO. Doing either things carries risks. Albeit differnt risks, but risks all the same. If I took milk from a milk bank it would have to meet all health standards. But I would also be willing to use a wet nurse if someone I knew and trusted were to offer up their boobies (such as a best friend/sister/cousin...)!!
But taking into consideration the amount of women who do breastfeed (vs formula feed) I don't think there would be enough milk to go around for all of those bubs! And as Tanstar points out many women have trouble expressing for their own bubs, let alone on mass scales. I could only ever express at most about 100ml of milk at a time, on a good day. If I needed a whole bottle (200ish mls) or god forbid more than one bottle to go to work or out, DS was supplemented with formula because I just couldn't get enough. Plus there is the time factor, it used to take me a good 20ish mins to get 100ml or less. I am aware it takes different women different amounts of time to get more or less milk out, but realistically would many mums have the time and energy to spare? It would take alot of dedication from a mother to do it. Personally I don't think I would have the energy or dedication to do it myself, despite the fact that it would be such a great gift to someone elses bub. I would however quite happily feed someone else bub if they wanted me to and I knew them well enough to do it. But tha's a whole seperate issue!!

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Actually, we don't know that formula is fine. The recent incident in China highlighted just how 'not fine' it is, with babies being given formula laced with melamine that had fatal consequences. We also don't know what's in formula, they don't label for GM ingredients if it's less than a certain %age, for example. The idea that a multi-national company that is there to make a profit has your child's best interests at heart is fundamentally flawed IMO.

I understand and appreciate your comment but i was brought up on formula as a child and so were my siblings and we are 100% healthy, and any health issues we may have are genetic. Formula didnt make my sister epileptic or cause my pcos or cause our poor vision. What happened in China is yes a very devastating incident but thats not to say that all formula is bad.

And i think these comments are wasted on me because i can't exactly change my mind my bub has been FF for 3.5 months now.

I will try my hardest to BF or express my next child but for now unless my child gets seriously ill from what im feeding her with then nothing will change my opinion on it.

[MrsFabuloso]

HUn, noone is saying formula feeding is a bad thing. I think Jen is just trying to point out that there are risks to feeding a baby anything other than it's own mothers breast milk. Even then I believe there can be risks of ifection with certain diseases.

[Jennifer13]

And i think these comments are wasted on me because i can't exactly change my mind my bub has been FF for 3.5 months now.

Hun, I'm not trying to change your mind. Your choice is yours and I absolutely uphold the rights of a parent to choose how they feed their child. I'm only pointing out for the record that you can't rely on a company to act in your child's best interests. That's why it's so important to hold them to account, as consumers and through our government, to make sure our children are safe.

Chances are, nothing will go wrong with feeding formula your child. But as a society, making bm available to more babies (preferably from their own mothers) would have both short and long term benefits.

[trishalishous]

my phone ate my reply!
excellent info Boomba.
I haven't read the whole thread but I personally who have no problem either donating or receiving BM, or wetnursing.
after a traumatic birth I've had huge supply issues. being able to give BM rather than formula would have helped my menta state so much!

[Kazmar]

Sorry ladies I have been out all day but just going through the thread now

[Fleur]

hmmm, sorry but I found that abit aggressive. Breastmilk is a body fluid and the drinking of other peoples body fluid such as breastmilk, urine etc does not sit comfortably with some people.

I don't go out to my backyard, kneel beneath a cow and suck on it's teat...I do, however, drink cows milk that has been pasturized to remove as many microbials as possible. When they can find an appropriate way of removing contaminates out of breastmilk (which pasturizing is not suitable because it is suggested the heating of breastmilk removes the nutrients anyway) I will consider using donated BM for my DD.

For the record, I had blood tests before my milk was accepted, and 6 months later also. The donated milk is pasteurised & then tested again for contaminants. Considering that most of the milk bank milk goes to premmie or very sick babies, they are extremely dilgent about making sure it's safe to give.

So you don't drink cows milk? It's someone else's breast milk, just the "someone else" eats grass and says moo.

And that's pretty much what I said to my kids (who were grossed out by the idea of drinking my EBM)

For me, it isn't about BM v ABM (I see that as a completely separate issue), it is about the very real risk of women being exploited for their milk. Just where do all of those who support the use of BM in place of ABM think all the milk required is going to come from? Do you have any idea of how many women it would take to fill the gap of formula? And how will these women be compensated for it, if at all? And they would have to be compensated in some form because how is it right that women wouldn't get anything for doing it yet the ones that are selling it make all the money kwim. It's a wonderful idea in theory, but it is a rather Utopian one that will never fly. Besides, how long do you think it will take Nestle and Wyeth etc to try to get in on it? Afterall, they are the ones who will lose billions of $$ if it ever happened and they will want a slice of the action considering how large the baby food market it. And if that happens, well we may as well be back where we started from. I fully support 100% the use of milk banks for ill and prem babies, but for the wider population of babies it just wouldn't work.

well said Trillian, what i was kind of thinking this morning but couldn't formulate

[Barb Glare]

Popping in very late, but just noted the original contention that "formula is made in a factory" - nup, it's the milk of another animal! My daughter just started her first after school job, and while I grew up on a farm - it brought it back to me abruptly when I picked her up from work....the smell, the cowsh***. Ughhh

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Popping in very late, but just noted the original contention that "formula is made in a factory" - nup, it's the milk of another animal! My daughter just started her first after school job, and while I grew up on a farm - it brought it back to me abruptly when I picked her up from work....the smell, the cowsh***. Ughhh

I've just googled whats in formula and it hasnt mentioned anything about milk from another animal..... can you show me where you got this from?

[Tinks]

It's cow's milk KM

[Junglemum]

It's not listed as 'milk from another animal' more likely whey protein or something like that.....

[delphmoon]

Its on the can KM. Formula is powdered cows milk (basically)

[Junglemum]

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...east-milk.html

[boomba]

Great post Trill! I definitely dont think BM can take over from Formula...no money in it for our fav companies But I think we ned to start supporting eachother and creating villages where BM is available for those who wish to wet nurse etc

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Ah is that what Whey is. Thanks.

i wasnt having a go just more confused and cows milk doesnt bother me.

[Pretty Butterfly]

I would of GLADLY used EBM from another mum for my little Kane after I stopped expressing for him...

Most clefties have many problems, a major one being ear troubles...

I read up all about it before his birth, and knew that Formula had a worse effect on his ears then BM... it wouldnt drain well from his ears and can go mouldy or contaminate his ear canals... so express I did... for 10 months...

Within weeks of going onto formula, he had a major ear infection, and has had many since, including 2 lots of grommits...
I KNOW this would not of happened had I continued to EBM... and had another womans EBM been avaialable I would of grabbed it with both hands...

Nothing takes away the guilt that I made a bad choice and did more damage to my baby....

I would love to donate also, but there is no milk bank even close to here....