On second thought... I'm actually quite offended!

[Lolpigs]

What on earth does "baby friendly" mean? How insulting! Formula or BM, you gotta feed your baby.

I would be very unhappy as well and would be looking to make major complaints.

[Party-of-five]

I would be angry too.

[Gigi]

Strawberry, i agree it's ridiculous you should be put thru the loop.

But unfortunately, whether you use formula or breastmilk, BOTH options get judged harshly by medical staff, complete strangers, friends, acquaintances etc.

i had a emergency c in a "breastfeeding friendly" hospital, but the posters in the hospital saying that, was the sum total of the bf-ing support i got. So, go figure. I quickly realised, it was the LAST place, i would be getting bf-ing support.

I was astonished, to find out that it seems EVERYONE thinks it just fine, to pronounce their judgements, (on how you feed your bub), when it's none of their business, and they don't know the story anyhoo and it's not their child/ren.

I believe mothers think long and hard about how they end up feeding their child, and the last thing they need is judgement on that decision. Support yes, judgement no. The decision is SO individual, so many variable things to take into consideration.

I have come to the conclusion that big organisations spend lots of money (and policy) SAYING they promote bf-ing, but when it comes down to the actual REAL LIFE support, when it matters, nada, zip. (thank goodness for the ABA to fill the gaps, for those who know of them, have milk, can bf, bubs are able to suckle etc).

I hope you get your bit of paper you need soon. One thing goes south (your usual GP goes away), and it all goes awry.

Having a baby, and all the accompanying judging i got, (on my decisions for the welfare of my bub) has made me develop a thicker skin, and realise (over the last five years) that i DO have to fight for her, i AM her advocate. But it was such a shock, to have all those confrontations in the first year, i was unprepared for it, hormonal and sleep deprived - not the best time to have the strength to advocate.

best of luck Strawberry, no-one will ever know your babies like you do.

[Floweryfields]

What on earth does "baby friendly" mean? How insulting! Formula or BM, you gotta feed your baby.

I would be very unhappy as well and would be looking to make major complaints.

Yes I think it would be very baby unfriendly not to feed them anything at all!

[Tinks]

That's ridiculous.

[starangelk]

Ditto what Tinks said. I'm sorry SF.....I think you are doing a great job.