"Proud Formula Feeder"?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2004
"Proud Formula Feeder"?
1054
Thu, 12-14-2006 - 8:27pm

In my playgroup, I've noticed some members have a blinkie I haven't seen before: "Proud Formula Feeder". In the past, I've seen the "Formula Feeding Mom" and "It's formula, not rat poison", but this new one struck me as odd. I can understand simply stating that you formula feed or saying that formula isn't rat poison (because it isn't), but I've been trying to figure out just why someone would be "proud" to FF.

While I don't think that women should necessarily feel guilty about not BF, I don't get what about FF there is to be proud about. Most (or maybe even all) of the women with said blinkie acknowledge that breastmilk is better, so why would they be proud to feed their babies something they know is substandard, even if they couldn't BF and FF was their only choice? What do you ladies think? Is/should there be such a thing as FF pride?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 12:16am

You don't need to be a member of LLL to attend meetings or receive help from the volunteer leaders (it's $40 a year to become a member though). I'm not sure how much an IBCLC costs, it depends on where you live, I think it starts around $65 an hr and it depends on your insurance as to whether or not it's covered. I realize it's not possible for everyone to see an IBCLC or to find a local LLL, in which case it wouldn't hurt to let me know so and then I can stop wondering. The internet is a wonderful place to find help and support but since we're not there and we can't look at the latch in person or evaluate whether or not baby has a high palate, a narrow latch, a tongue tie, etc. etc. we can only do so much. Even if baby doesn't have any of that it still is helpful to have hands on help sometimes to make adjustments (took 20 min to fix my youngest's crummy latch). Though I have to say at times it's staggering how many women who do have access to an IBCLC or LLL leader don't bother to consult them unless it's a last resort. But, in one example, to expect the staff at your local GNC to know what herbs and supplements to take to help with supply when you have hypothyroidism, after being told that you should talk to an IBCLC or LLL leader in person, is pretty annoying. If you want my help great, I'm thrilled that you're on the support board looking for it. But if you don't actually want my help then please don't post your questions/concerns and then get snappy/cranky/grouchy when I don't pat you on the head and tell you to switch and instead bust my tail to help you as much as I can.

-jeanine

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 8:05am

>>how much does "real life help" cost? <<

LLL is a volunteer organization. All of the meetings, materials, phone calls, etc. are offered free of charge. Sometimes leaders will make house calls to check a latch, etc., but you can't count on it. LLL leaders are trained to understand the normal course of BFing, the regular problems, and how to provide all the "warm fuzzies" that new moms need.

An IBCLC is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, this is definitely the credential you want to look for if anything is going wrong. These people know their stuff and are committed to BFing. If you compare the cost to switching to formula, whatever it costs, it's worth it. I think most insurances only pay if there are extenuating circumstances, but I'm not sure.

Many hospitals try to pass off a nurse as a "lactation specialist" or "lactation consultant" after taking an eight hour training or something. These are the people you want to be wary of.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 11:06am

And in the "it never hurts to ask" catagory... I had a IBCLC that saw me twice for free! She is on staff with a hospital... *not* the one I delivered at, but she agreed to see me there and I agreed not to advertise to her bosses that I hadn't delivered there.

Kristy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 1:47pm

I asked that question, but you took it a little out of context. I was referring only to the article 'Bfing Sucks' as I was trying to deterime WHY she had such animosity for bfing advocates. Usually this is b/c you feel you are being pressured to continue bfing when you really want to quit.

I do agree with the other posters however. Many people want to be told it is ok to quit and do not appreciate all the help and ideas to keep them bfing (in relation to the problem they asked about). You know, b/c formula is just fine.

Debbie

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 4:36pm

I opted out of bfing my second boy out of fear for a repeat of the last time. I must argue with you about formula feeding not being what is best at the time for me. There are allot of things that are "natural" that don't necessarily make them best. My sons are both happy and healthy and at the end of the day, that is what matters.

Mel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 4:41pm

I have stuck around to listen but Christmas kind of got in the way. I think if someone has a support system and someone to help them thru the rough spots of bfing they may do better than I did. But when I was pretty sure I needed to stop, GUILT is the only thing I got to try to make me keep doing it...which ticked me off and made me more determined to stop. I can't debate the fact that my boys are healthy, no significant ear infections, sinus, allergies, you name it. They are healthy PERIOD and I don't believe that formula in any way shape or form harmed them, as I beleived when I stopped bfing that they would be fine on formula...

Mel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 4:45pm

I did refuse to seek more information for my second son. I was too afraid to do it and was not ready to deal with the "JUST DO IT" mentality which is what I got the first time. Future children are not at risk because I won't be having any more...if I did I would FF out of the same fear. Not to mention other personal issues. If it was a REAL health concern, (premature birth, birth defect, etc.) I would of course do what I had to but in the cases of both my sons, formula was fine.

Mel.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 4:49pm

well, in my humble opinion...I did try doggedly for 7 weeks (NO formula NO bottles) and I cried each time I fed him because I couldn't relax due to the pain and because I couldn't relax the milk wouldn't come down and because the milk wouldn't come down he ate forever and because he ate forever the pain increase...do you see a pattern here???

Mel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 6:06pm

"I must argue with you about formula feeding not being what is best at the time for me."


When "best" is discussed it's not usually in the context of what is best for mom.

Cathie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 12-26-2006 - 6:10pm

"GUILT is the only thing I got to try to make me keep doing it"


Why do you think that is a bad thing?

Cathie

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