10 things breastfeeding advocates should stop saying

[BellyBelly]

I agree with you too Trill. It looks like some blog post, so it could have easily been written by anyone. Anyone could write a list of the top 10 things they hate to hear, and we can only ever agree or disagree with that based on our own situation, and it could be based on research, organisational advice, or not. But its still great to see someone's views regardless, and how we all feel about that. We're all entitled to an opinion.

Different methods work for different people. For some, the gentle approach, for others, the hardline approach - for some women, hearing some of those things could have helped, like Trill said. I too would have liked suggestions, when I want to know something, I research as much as I can to see what options I have before accepting a form of intervention. It's just me. I like learning and having more options (or tools in the toolbox) open to me to try as I am sure some or at least one will help or work. We're all different. So we'll never all come to an agreement.

I think this has been a great discussion to see the pros and cons to this article, seeing differing reactions etc. I think sometimes when a discussion takes a different path than expected, everyone can learn so much through sharing. Its when people react to that, instead of a simple I agree or disagree, then they blame someone, the problems/war starts.

Lots of good sharing in here, I think.

[Smoke Jaguar]

This thread has raised concerns for me in terms of people saying these things to BREASTFEEDERS in a misguided attempt to keep them breastfeeding! False 'arguments' and statements like these very quickly lose their potency and someone who's really struggling to keep their baby BF will just be defeated by being told these things - they are just of no use at all. And if you're telling a formula feeding mum, well isn't that shutting a badly made gate after the horse has bolted?
That's why I see a wider relevance of this thread - it serves ALL mothers to shoot these statements down. No 'taking sides', no 'us and them' from me in any of what I've posted thus far. And you're not gonna see it.
I also think it's fairer for the person who created this list (I know it wasn't you, Tinks, you're just the messenger!) to call it "10 things SOME dumb-dumb breastfeeding 'advocates' say". Because these things don't actually ADVOCATE breastfeeding, they just condemn people who really need support to do their mothering job.
But go ahead, pigeon-hole me and read something in my posts that isn't there, but is in your attitude towards me because you've got baggage about anyone who does breastfeed (never mind that I've been through hell and back and know how people do turn to formula when the going gets tough...).

[Smoke Jaguar]

Here's input from a member on a self-ban (NaeNae, who has given permission for this to be reposted):

Still, I am glad for articles like this because it really does bring the issues both sides feel to the table, makes you sit up and take note, stirs up emotions of all kinds and makes you see the other sides perspective (which more often than not has the same if not similar arguements) no matter where you sit ... I wonder if, essentially, thats what both sides advocates really want ... a little recognition, a little respect and just a little compassion for their cause???

I agree with Nae

[Erin_25]

I haven't got time to post all I wanted atm, and I am one who did bring up the issue as to where this was posted & the comments being posted....just want to say I do not believe anyone pin pointed BF'ers & said do not post.........more so if it's not consturctive, on topic, or supportive to the thread it is posted in (that being FF discussion & support) then perhaps just don't post. We may not always agree but often we should just let some things be.

[Sagres]

I haven't got time to post all I wanted atm, and I am one who did bring up the issue as to where this was posted & the comments being posted....just want to say I do not believe anyone pin pointed BF'ers & said do not post.........more so if it's not consturctive, on topic, or supportive to the thread it is posted in (that being FF discussion & support) then perhaps just don't post. We may not always agree but often we should just let some things be.

I agree. I am an active member in a different subforum and I feel the same, if you post in a thread (even if it is really relevant to your own experiences) with support and understanding you will be welcome. But if you come in all guns blazing telling people what they should be doing or how they should be feeling and throwing criticism around the other posters would rather you didn't. I think that is a natural reaction when you have a group of posters with a shared experience and a group of posters without that experience.