Make Breastfeeding Compulsory for 6 mths? WDYT?

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With formula, on the shelves, and advertised EVERYWHERE :shakehead: its just made it far too easy (aka tempting) for women to stop BF their babies and go to formula....... had it been on prescription (as example)..... perhaps those women would still be BF their baby today? :dunno:

As for the above paragraph i've written, YES I completely agree for some women to BF their babies is simply not possible due to medical or emotional reasons, I respect that. I'm talking about the 'majority' (or 'others') whom stop BF their babies before 6mths who could have otherwise continued as nothing was wrong. They just "got tired of it" for example.

JMO.

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Just a thought. If I hadn't been able to buy formula for my babies, then I would never have been able to let them leave my side until they were old enough for cows milk. I breast fed all three of mine until they where ready to wean. But a couple of nights a week DH would give them a bottle while I went to work. When they were newborns I would express, but I have found that I am physically unable to express enough milk after about three months - despite having no supply issues and biibs that are FULL of milk. So I wouldn't have been able to leave my baby's side for more then 2 hrs at a time (which is about the longest any of them would go between feeds until about a year old). How fair is that?

I know I am not alone on this, many mothers combine formula and breastfeeding for many reasons.

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Once again, isn't that a mothers freedom of choice? If she's 'tired' of breastfeeding, shouldn't she be allowed to make the decision which only affects her and her baby's life?

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It doesn't only affect her and her baby. It has public health implications so it also affects tax-payers.

I personally don't feel judged or feel bad at all for formula feeding my DD along with breastfeeding (how we raise our child is between me and DH) but I'm sure a lot of women do. I think what the FF mums in this thread are trying to do is highlight the fact that as much as BF is natural, it is often far from easy. And rarely is it the lack of milk, it's the many other issues that can arrise with breastfeeding.

I had a midwife check on almost every one of DD's feeds in hospital, I did as much reading as I can before and after her birth, I got lots of advice from BB and I asked friends and family for further advice and I was given so much support and encouragement. I also paid for my own private LC. We eventually got there but no amount of 'support', 'encouragement' or 'training' could prevent DD from being sleepy, a lazy sucker, us both contracting thrush (twice) and my nipples being affected by severe vasospasm.

Oh, and expressing is not easy for some mums either so EBM is not always the answer to a difficult breastfeeding journey.

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I don't know why people can't just feed their own kids and get a hobby to pass the remainder of their apparently ample spare time.

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Because for some people 'feeding their kids' brings physical, emotional and mental pain. Breastfeeding is one of the toughest things I have ever done in my life. The early pain, the constancy of it, the effect on my hormones, sex life, working life, you name it, it has been central to my experience of parenting.

I persevered because I wanted to and I believe in it. There are many women who are not supported, or educated or physically well enough to continue, and many of these women feel guilty, uneasy, or sad about their experience. I don't want to negate anyone's experiences. Its not just feeding for many, it is a lifestyle choice, a health choice, a MASSIVE choice whether you FF or BF.

I would have thought that the emotion throughout this thread would demonstrate that its not just "feeding" children that is involved. Its our experience as parents we are discussing.

The lack of information and support about breastfeeding, and conversely all the 'breast is best' stuff works against women and against breastfeeding...yes it is normal, but it is HARD. Even if you succeed it continues to be a challenge...just like all parenting experiences.

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It doesn't only affect her and her baby. It has public health implications so it also affects tax-payers.

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Public health implications? There are plenty of BF babies out there who sadly, get ill later in life. I said it in my earlier post and although I can only speak on behalf of three FF babies all now in their 30's, my mum's three children are doing just fine.

3 people is generally not considered a large enough cohort to reach any definitive conclusion.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...th-burden.html

I agree with you Arcadia. I feel it is a public health issue very worth of discussion. It's a shame when dismissive and flippant comments are made when many are really doing the hard yards trying to look at the issue from so many more angles than their own. The original post high-lighted how outrageous it can be when you voice a strong opinon from a limited perspective. You don't have to agree with everything or explain exactly why you disagree but you can at least have the courtesy of acknowledging that it is an issue with multiple perspectives and that's it's one that is very sensitive to many....AND that's an issue that needs more attention of government funded policy makers. If you don't have time or inclination for all that then maybe it's you who needs to go do your hobby... with all due respect ;)

Don't worry Bath, my free time is well utilised. Parents make their own decisions based on their own circumstances and time spent "proving" how right you are on the Internet is time wasted. This microcosm of the parenting world doesn't change anything at all out there in the real world.

PS. Coming to you from a supportive husband of a BF'ing mother, neither of whom care what anyone else does in their own homes. Our babies have also had formula.

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3 people is generally not considered a large enough cohort to reach any definitive conclusion.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...th-burden.html

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I realise that but I was only attempting to reiterate that I'm still a firm believer in freedom of choice, especially when it comes to raising your children. I think when it comes to public health implications, there are a lot more serious issues to be considered than formula feeding babies. And once again, if the mother's sanity will be saved from formula feeding (ie being tired of breastfeeding could be more than simply 'oh I can't be bothered'), then surely that is a good idea for all of those 'immediately' involved.

ETA: and let's not forget, I'm actually still breastfeeding!!!

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It doesn't only affect her and her baby. It has public health implications so it also affects tax-payers.

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Sorry don't buy it. As far as I am aware, Although there are studies showing 'links' to various health concerns. There has been no causal effecfts actually proven. Unless you can show me in hard cold $ where formula feeding babies directly causes or contributes to an increased cost to the tax payer, This argument is week at best.

ok...well this is horrible no wonder women develop PND because of all this YOU MUST BREASTFEED nonsense...yes it probably is best but they wouldnt sell formula in the supermarkets if it wasnt at least half decent.....what bout my grandparents and great grandparents cows milk strait from the bucket and clearly that was okay for them because im here today.........so i must be part of this 1% group because i COULDNT breastfeed to the point the midwife shoved a bottle of FORMULA in DS's mouth sooo quick because he was going yellow and losing too much weight....i dont want to keep going coz its just going round an round in circles and my DS is fine from a day 3 ff baby.....good luck to those who can BF for a long period!!!

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ok...well this is horrible no wonder women develop PND because of all this YOU MUST BREASTFEED nonsense...yes it probably is best but they wouldnt sell formula in the supermarkets if it wasnt at least half decent.....what bout my grandparents and great grandparents cows milk strait from the bucket and clearly that was okay for them because im here today.........so i must be part of this 1% group because i COULDNT breastfeed to the point the midwife shoved a bottle of FORMULA in DS's mouth sooo quick because he was going yellow and losing too much weight....i dont want to keep going coz its just going round an round in circles and my DS is fine from a day 3 ff baby.....good luck to those who can BF for a long period!!!

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They also make cigarettes and sell those.....

IM NOT SAYING FORMULA IS AS BAD AS SMOKES!!!!!!

Im just saying 'companies' dont have our best interest at heart;)

In the end there's a lot more to parenting then having kids. As parents its our duty to make imformed choices. So what ever it is I hope the mothers/fathers are informed;)

Back to topic: sorry :redface:

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3 people is generally not considered a large enough cohort to reach any definitive conclusion.

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...th-burden.html

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I'm not entering into this debate but I just wanted to say that there are not enough studies to prove anything. The handful of studies that exist are simply not big enough or are flawed methodologically.

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It doesn't only affect her and her baby. It has public health implications so it also affects tax-payers.

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my breastfed son has spent far more time in the public health system than my formula fed daughter.

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Im just saying 'companies' dont have our best interest at heart;)
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Kass (im not attacking u i promise, u know i love ya!) 90% of the formulas on the shelves are owned by big brand companies, there is little choice, i understand your passionate but formula is not poison!
Hun u are incredibly lucky that breastfeeding has come easy to u and your girls and you've been able to maintain it for long periods which is absolutely awesome, but unfortunately for some mums its not that easy, and it hurts them to not be able to give their babies what nature intended, be gentle on them, u dont know how they feel. they arent bad ppl for using formula

My experience with DD1 was hard because of the dumb, uneducated il's. I was 19 yrs old and unsure of myself let alone my mothering. But I was sure I was doing the right thing, no matter what they said. They honestly put me through hell! But I pushed forward and dd1 and I are better for it.

Im not against formula. It was created for a reason. But I am and always will be against people that dont try or who dont respect bf.
I dont agree with the 'choice' of ff. A mother that CANT bf for what ever reason is not choosing, kwim. So if you CANT is different to WONT, and sits there denying the beauty of bf. Those have denied it to me are those making themselves feel guilty. I accept people feeding their child formula, as long as its for a reason, not 'just coz'.

ps, stop pickign on me :lol: Im not good with words and I get all flusted hahaha

I am assuming Dedicated Mummy is speaking on the same hypothetical political platform as I am? What you would say to a friend and what you want to say to a policy maker (polititian) is quite different... BB is public speaking... maybe we should all assume that we hope to address things in the same way as we would if we had the attention of the powers that be? Yes we should be tactful... but surely we should be able to say things as we see it (and yes, large multi-national companies DO often put profits before ethics).

Is this meant to be a gentle one-to-one chat with a friend or this is a place for us to say what needs to be changed according to the government policies that dictate our lives? It seems that a lot of tension is occuring because some people want BB to be a cosy chat between friends and others want it to be a platform for their bigger, hate to say it but: political, ideas. If you want both in the same place you're gonna get hurt feelings and conflict. The original post alluded to an idea that is political... compulsory Bfing... I reckon we should go with that and keep the discussion non-personal. just my vote.

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I am assuming Dedicated Mummy is speaking on the same hypothetical political platform as I am? What you would say to a friend and what you want to say to a policy maker (polititian) is quite different... BB is public speaking... maybe we should all assume that we hope to address things in the same way as we would if we had the attention of the powers that be? Yes we should be tactful... but surely we should be able to say things as we see it (and yes, large multi-national companies DO often put profits before ethics).

Is this meant to be a gentle one-to-one chat with a friend or this is a place for us to say what needs to be changed according to the government policies that dictate our lives? It seems that a lot of tension is occuring because some people want BB to be a cosy chat between friends and others want it to be a platform for their bigger, hate to say it but: political, ideas.

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See, good with words. Me, not so much hahahaha

Well I do think we're way off topic BUT I thinks it's a healthy convo still? FF VS BF always ends up mummas trying to justify their choices. Im not wanting anyone to feel this way :(