I have breastfed all three of my kids until between 10months - 1.5yrs. My milk has never come in until at least day 6 after having bubs. Apparently that is unusual. Even the very pro-breastfeeding midwives suggested I might want to stop trying b/f and give f/f a go after my first, because they didn't think it was going to come in. I WAS lucky. Aside from the late arrival of milk and the occaisionally sore nipples, I have never had a problem b/f.

But you know what? I reserve the right to feed my children whatever I WANT to feed them. I chose breastmilk, first and foremost. BUT my kids also had formula. After the first three months I have never been able to express more then a drop. My supply was there, but I just cannot express anything. This means that unless I keep my babies on my 24/7, then they would go hungry. Being a SAHM this is almost the case anyway, but by ruling out formula I would not be able to have ANY ME time.

Breast is best. Yeah OK. BUT Formula isn't chocolate mud cake. If I CHOSE to fed my babies formula, for no better reason then I didn't want to breastfeed (breastfeeding is alot of tiring non-stop work; I don't blame anyone for not wanting to do it!) then that is my choice. Not yours. Not the government. Not anyone else. If I were unable to buy formula and I wished to make that choice; you know what I would do? It wouldn't be breastfeeding. I would feed my babies plain old cows milk, just like my nanna did her babies. Of course it is not anywhere near as good for babies as breastmilk, not even close to formula - but that is the last resort, and it was happening a LONG time before formula was around.

I think the healthcare professionals have a duty to provide information and encourage and support mothers, not dictate choices. Everyone has a reason(s) why the either choose to breastfeed or formula feed. Some of those reasons are going to be flawed, but not all of them. And even those with flawed reasoning are entitled to their choices. IT is called 'free will'. It is a human right. So long as a persons child is being nurished, and is growing strong and healthy and cared for, then no-one has the right to imposed their beliefs and values about how a child should be raised on another.

You do have a right to be annoyed with others passing judgement on you that it must have been 'easy'. But you are being just as judgemental is saying that just because most women CAN breastfeed (and I beleive this too) that means they SHOULD breastfeed. You have made your decision - obviously you feel it is the best decision. But that doesn't mean it is the Right decision for everyone.