I'm going to bottlefeed and sometimes I feel like people are drilling me about it. Why do people feel the need to do this and what is wrong with formula feeding anyway? i have asked this question many times and than it gets removed they want you to do what they did and not anything else. they want you to believe that you will be a bad mommy for giving formula and not breast i did both and my baby fine my mom did just breast with my three youngest siblings and they have always been sickly baby's and kids it has not a darn thing to do with the breast it is the genes. i was a bottle baby and i am hardly sick. just blow off the rude people who think they are better than everyone else Of course nobody should be rude, or 'drill' people about their choices.
But if you really don't know what is 'wrong with formula feeding', it would suggest that you have not made an educated choice -- so maybe what you are viewing as 'rudeness' or 'drilling' is simply an effort to provide you with the information you need to make an EDUCATED choice. (Which may well end up being the choice to formula feed -- but needs to be a decision made with the full understanding of the risks and benefits of each option.)
Here's a good link on 'what is wrong with formula feeding.'
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi... Just remember that it is your baby and your body. Breast is best, yes, but by no means is formula a death sentence or some kind of horrendous alternative. Both of my children were bottle fed as I was literally unable to breastfeed (not common, but possible). I got harassed by women at the pediatrician's office, at the mall, just about anywhere I went, and they had no clue that my children were not bottle fed by choice. It doesn't matter why your child is on a bottle, because it is YOUR child. Both of my kids are very healthy and very smart (my oldest is in the gifted program) so it doesn't seem to me that either of them suffered for having formula. If someone says to you "I feel bad for your child having to have formula" just respond "I feel bad for your child having to grow up with such a closed minded Mother". Your kiddo will be just fine. i didn't understand this at first but now i strongly encourage people to nurse if they are not sure what to do (i have nursed and formula fed)
basically people are only trying to be encouraging about breastfeeding as it used to be a shameful, embarrassing thing (esp in developed countries, and especially in the USA - and some people still do look at it as an embarrassing thing). however it is the healthiest option and people are only trying to encourage you, not be rude.
people have to be a strong and outspoken about it to overcome the negative association it used to have (and sometimes still does).
some people come off rude because they don't understand why someone would choose to formula feed when you have free, healthy milk available in your body for your baby to use. (i thought formula feeding was easier and it turns out i was very wrong).
they are looking out for what is best for the baby and trying to help you see that. (it's like when you were younger and thought your parents were being mean when they were only looking out for what was best for you)
and no, formula is not going to make your child turn into some sort of freak, they are simply trying to encourage you. those are people that are self righteous and holier than thou. The slogan is "breast is best." and Im sure that it is, but formula is a very strong follow up to breast and people shouldnt be condemned for doing it.
I tried breastfeeding, my son didnt want to latch so i went to formula. and he is no worse for it. he is growing properly, developing properly, and is a happy healthy baby. I dont think he could be any happier or healthier if he were breastfed. He has had no colds, no ear infections, is gaining weight just fine, some of the reasons why they claim that breastfeeding is great.
i call those women who really hound you about breastfeeding, the breastfeeding nazis. And not all breastfeeding women are like that. some of them understand that it is a personal choice and sometimes a medical one, but some of them just dont get it. they think that they are better mothers, which is totally incorrect.
You are a great mother whether breastfeeding or formula feeding. no one can tell you any different. dont worry about what they say.
i heard one lady say she wouldnt be friends with her bestfriend anymore because she chose to formula feed. that's so stupid. dont worry about them. they suck and are judgmental. Nothing is wrong with it if that's what you choose to do.
I breastfed and supplemented for 3 weeks and then went straight to formula and my twins are:
Happy
Healthy
Advanced in their gross motor, fine motor, and linguistic development
Secure
Self-entertaining
Amazing
Beautiful
Strong
I'm sure they would be all these things had I stuck with breastfeeding but I'm happy too and that's also important.
I don't think they would have grown to be as secure, happy, independent, etc. had I been miserable throughout their infancy and breastfeeding twins was making me miserable.
I do plan on breastfeeding my new baby that I'm expecting because I found formula feeding to be a major pain in the butt between buying it, mixing bottles, washing bottles, etc. I also feel that breastmilk is best but you know, if breastfeeding is making me miserable again and I decide it's best for my mental health to formula feed then I am going to choose to be a mentally healthy mom for my kids. In addition to what Baby Booey said...
Some of us breast feeders are also so very proud of ourselves for overcoming huge hurdles to breastfeed that we are very passionate about our choice and this passion can sometimes come off as being pushy. Really I am just hoping that someone would look into it as an option, so many moms these days just automatically go for the formula thinking it's easier. In the beginning it may be because breastfeeding is a learned art (bottle feeding is not) but once you get the hang of it , it is much easier.
Either way though, whatever works for each mother is just fine with me, who am I to say how you should feed your child. I can offer an opinion though. It actually goes both ways - some breastfeeding advocates are pretty harsh on formula feeders. Some formula feeders can be pretty harsh on breast feeding mommies (particularly extended breast feeders).
What matters in the end is that you do your research and make the decision that is right for you and your family. It is true that breast milk offers tons of health benefits, and is made just for you baby. It saves you money, etc. But that is not all there is too the situation or choice. Formula may not be "perfect" compared to breast milk but it is not poison.
As someone who struggled to breast feed for several reasons, and made it (shockingly) to 3 months and then felt incredibly guilty over the switch to formula (but ended up a much happier baby and mommy)....I could go on and on about how this is YOUR choice. It truly makes me ANGRY when people try to push their opinions on others.
And FWIW, despite my struggles I am again going to try to breast feed my next baby. But at least this time, if we are miserable, I won't feel guilty if I need to switch to formula for our own good because I will know I am doing what is right for us - and not what others think is right for EVERYONE. You are a grown woman (presumably) and have access to the same information about the benefits and drawbacks to breastfeeding as the rest of us. If you make the choice to bottlefeed because that is what is right for you, then don't worry about the people who will judge you for your choice. Just live your life the way you think is best, and ignore those who disagree (because there will always be someone who does!). People always have something to say..
And,they'll always tell you that you go about things the wrong way..
Because everybody has different ways of doing things.
And most people think that they're way of doing something is the correct way.
When the so-called "Correct" way is more of an opinion really...
If this is something that you want to do,go for it.
If it were such a negative thing,you wouldn't even be aloud to do it. i know how you feel. i just told them its none of your business or im gonna bottlefeed and i dont want your input. it stopped it alot. with my son i had to bottlefeed he was a preemie and he did awesome with it. he gained his weight and now he is 7 and about 60 pounds. my daughter i did both bc i was not producing enough milk to fill her up as much as she wanted to eat so the doc told me to alternate anyway she is 4 and weighs almost 40 lbs i told see whats wrong with formula my kids did fine with it and i know u will get a lot of answers saying formula inst as good bllah blah blah but if it was so bad they would NOT allow it to be given to a baby especially at the hospital it wouldnt be an option Well...I mean breastfeeding does give your baby better nutriets. But there is nothing wrong with bottlefeeding. I always knew I was going to bottlefeed and not breastfeed. It was just my preference. I mean of course I thought about it..I want the best for my baby. But I didn't do it..just wasnt right for me. There are a lot of people that will get on you about it I am sure...don't let them bother you. I have had plenty of women tell me I need to breastfeed. i was formula fed. my baby is formula fed. go ahead and give me a thumbs down! i don't care! i'm healthy and my daughter is healthy. i already know the benefits of breastfeeding. i'm never sick and my baby is 8 months and hasn't been sick. i'm not overweight (5'8" and 130 lbs) and my baby is not overweight. she's in the 50 percentile for weight and 75 for height. perfectly healthy. having a healthy child is more than breastfeeding. its teaching healthy eating habits such as eating fruit and veggies, having lots of love and care, and keeping children active. both have good and bad points.... i breastfed both of my kids....pros of breastfeeding are weight loss is so easy when you breastfeed... great for the baby especailly the first 3 months... easy no making bottles..but here are the cons.. embarresment in public.. my kids would not take a bottle they were horrible for anyone who kept them...its been 14 years thats all i really remember...make your own decision and tell whoever is drilling you thanks for your advice but i am choosing this because I WANT TO.... *sigh*
Here we go again.....
Honestly, who gives a crap what other people say? Do what you feel is best for your baby and ignore the people who judge you.
Everyone feels that their way of doing things is best and is going to try to push their beliefs on you.
As long as you have a happy and healthy baby and family, ignore the nay-sayers and enjoy your baby! it is none of anyone else business how you plan to feed your baby , when people are rude , you should nicely tell them that it is your choice , and none of there business ... Nothing is wrong with formula feeding Why do you think your breasts produce milk for? To feed a baby. Formula is disgusting it smells and tastes bad and can't recreate antibodies and other wonderful things breastmilk provides. I think its because some formula feeders insist that formula is "just as good" as breastmilk. Its not.
There's nothing wrong with formula feeding though, IMO. But its not the same as breastfeeding Because people are judgemental. It pisses me off when strangers ask me if I am breastfeeding. It's nobody's business but your own. As long as your feeding and caring for your baby, it doesn't matter. why are some women so rude about nursing in public or nursing a toddler? some people get off on being negative towards others. They have their own issues and love to pick apart others. I think you are overly sensitive about your "choice" so even perfectly normal questions sound like an attack
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa...
Infants who are formula fed are at risk for more short- and long-term health problems than are their breastfed peers (Table 1). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 1997) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first 6 months of life, and continued breastfeeding to at least 1 year or beyond. Formula-fed infants have more allergies and incidents of asthma and wheezing (Burr et al, 1993), more episodes of diarrhea (Clemens et al, 1999), more ear infections (Duffy, Faden, Wasielewski, Wolf, & Krystofik, 1997), and are more likely to be overweight or obese entering kindergarten (Armstrong & Reilly, 2001). Children who were not breastfed as infants are at increased risk for developing childhood cancers (Davis, 1998) and type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes (Virtanen et al., 1991).
If a mother chooses (or is advised) to formula-feed, her health is at risk, too, both in the postpartum period and in the long term. Not breastfeeding increases the risk of postpartum bleeding, and women who do not breastfeed also have a greater incidence of obesity and osteoporosis later in life (Lawrence & Lawrence, 1999). Mothers who do not breastfeed significantly increase their risk of ovarian cancer (Lawrence & Lawrence), and a recent large -scale reanalysis of data from 47 different studies (including more than 500 ,0 000 women) found that mothers decreased their risk of breast cancer by 4.3% for every 12 months they breastfed (Collaborative Group, 2002). Mothers who do not breastfeed miss out on important mother -infant bonding and the empowerment many mothers find in being able to provide something positive and special for their babies (Lawrence & Lawrence). In other words, not only is "breast best," breast is normal.
http://www.naba-breastfeeding.org/images...
Contaminants In Infant Formula
You鈥檒l never find these listed on the label!!
Aluminum
<5-45 ug/l in breast milk
557-2,346 ug/l in soy formula
Aluminum interferes with cellular metabolic processes and information transfer from DNA
Silicon
55.45ng/ml in milk of mothers with silicone implants
51.05ng/ml in milk of mothers without implants
746-13,811 ng/ml in 26 brands of formula tested for silicon
The effect of large amounts of silicon on an infant is unknown
Cadmium
Cadmium is a highly toxic metal that can cause kidney damage in high amounts. Neurotoxic effects such
as psychomotor disturbances, behavioral and cognitive disorders have been demonstrated in animal models
with low-dose exposure. Cadmium levels can be 6 times higher in soy formula compared to milk- based
formula. Cadmium is also found in cereals with the exposure of dietary cadmium from weaning diets up to
12 times higher in children fed infant formula compared to breast milk.
Genetically engineered corn and soy
Detected in Alsoy (Carnation/Nestle), Similac Neocare (Ross Labs), Isomil (Ross Labs), Prosobee (Mead
Johnson)
Transgenic ingredients pose the risk of introducing novel toxins, new allergens, and increased antibiotic
resistance to infants. The FDA does not require labeling of genetically engineered foods, so parents will
remain unaware that their baby is consuming transgenic ingredients
MSG (processed free glutamic acid and processed free aspartic acid)
These are known neurotoxins found in a number of infant formulas. Because the blood brain barrier is not
fully developed in infants, these neurotoxins are more accessible to the infant brain than the adult brain.
The highest levels of these neurotoxins were found in hypoallergenic formulas. Because no studies have
been done on the long term outcomes of infants fed on hypoallergenic formulas it is unknown if they
will exhibit more learning disabilities at school age, and/or more endocrine disorders such as obesity, and
reproductive disorders, later in life.
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are endocrine disruptors found in soy formulas. Infants fed soy formula can have circulating
phytoestrogen concentrations that are 13,000-22,000 times higher than normal levels in early life. These
bioactive compounds can create steroid hormone imbalance, compete with enzymes that metabolize steroids,
drugs and xenobiotics, and can influence gonadal function. Genistein can be carcinogenic if exposure
occurs during critical periods of differentiation. Soy formula has been linked to premature thelarche (breast
development in infants and girls under eight years of age).
Phytoestrogens (isoflavones) also act on the
thyroid gland. They are well known inducers of goiter and anti-thyroid agents. They act against the thyroid
by inhibition of thyroid peroxidase. Children with autoimmune thyroid disease were three times more likely
to have been fed soy formula in infancy.
2
Phthalates and Bisphenol-A
These are endocrine disrupting industrial chemicals. Phthalates are used as plasticisers and are testicular
toxins as well as estradiol imitators.
Bisphenol-A is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and has been found in plastic baby bottles.
It can leach from the container and has been known to be estrogenic since 1938. Bisphenol-A resins are
used as lacquers to coat metal products such as food cans. With a high affinity for fatty products, it has
been shown to leach into the content of cans during the autoclaving process, including cans of milk based
infant formula.
Contaminants in water used to reconstitute concentrated and powdered formula
Lead
Lead in water used to reconstitute formula can cause elevations in blood lead levels if used from the hot
water tap or boiled. Boiling concentrates lead. There is a 6 point IQ drop for every 10ug increase in blood
lead levels.
Nitrates
Infants fed formula reconstituted with nitrate-contaminated water are at risk for potentially fatal methemoglobinemia.
Nitrates are converted to nitrites by the baby resulting in hemoglobin being converted to
methemoglobin that cannot bind molecular oxygen. This risk increases if babies under six months are also
fed baby food with high concentrations of nitrates such as green beans and bananas.
Atrazine
Atrazine is a weed killer that causes mammary and uterine cancer in rats. In the cities and towns with
the worst tap water contamination, formula-fed babies who consume reconstituted formula would receive a
lifetime dose of this chemical in the first four months of their lives.
Bacteria
Significant bacterial contamination can occur during home preparation of powdered infant formula.
Reconstituted formula stored in the refrigerator shows increasing bacterial counts over time.
http://www.breastfeedingtaskforla.org/AB...
Selling Out Mothers and Babies - Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in the USA
The practice of feeding babies infant formula, rather than breastmilk carries with it profound risks in modern, industrialized countries, as well as, in developing countries. While many are familiar with the well-publicized tragedies of formula-fed infants in developing countries, many are unaware of how the lack of breastmilk and the use of infant formula compromise the health and well being of children in the United States. These risks are well documented in the medical literature. A few are listed below.
Illness and Hospitalization
* Formula feeding accounts for up to 26% of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in children.
* Otitis media (middle ear infection) is up to 3-4 times as prevalent in formula-fed infants.
* US Formula fed infants have a 10 fold risk of being hospitalized for any bacterial infection.
Mortality
* One sudden infant death for every 1000 live birth occurs as a result of failure to breastfeed in western industrialized nations.
* For every 1000 babies born in the U.Ss each year, four die because they are not breastfed.
Development and Intelligence
* Scores on the Bayley Mental Development Index were lower in formula-fed children at 1-2 years of age. Scores were directly correlated with the duration of breastfeeding.
* Formula fed preterm infants had lower IQ scores (8 points) at age 7-8 years than breastfed premies, even after adjustment for mother's education and social class.
Composition and contamination of infant formula
* Due to an excessive phosphate load in formula, formula fed infants face a 30 fold risk of neonatal hypocalcemic tetany (convulsions, seizures, twitching) during the first 10 days of life.
* Formula fed infants are at a high risk of exposure to life-threatening bacterial contamination. Enterobacter sakazakii is a frequent contaminant in powdered formula and can cause sepsis and meningitis in newborns. "what is wrong with formula feeding anyway?"
It's not nearly as good as the people selling it make it out to be. It increases the risk of illness, hospitalization, and death for babies, even in the first world.
Contemporary commercial formula has no proven benefits over the old-fashioned "formulas" of cow's milk + sugar + water (with some too-early solids for added vitamins). Despite what the advertising would have you believe, formula is not a great choice for a baby. |
