"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: 10-14-2003
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:39pm

I guess it depends on your definition of "destitute". I remember my friend complaining about how poor she was, because she couldn't afford to buy a cup of coffee whenever she wanted.

At the time, I wondered if she had any real idea of what poor was???

~*~ Catherine

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:41pm

It doesn't sound like it is nearly as widely available as formula is. Maybe it needs to be, but at any rate it's not so women will use what *is* available.


Of course it's not.

siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:44pm

Women will use what they don't have to jump through hoops for.


I have done 2 mom-to-mom's.

siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:46pm

I think it's great that this kind of thing exists, but I imagine most people have no clue that it's out there. If they are anything like me they also would imagine that there must be certain costs and restrictions on acquiring the milk. Also, how is the safety of the milk controlled? Who pays for the testing of all donor mom's and donor milk?


Exactly the reason I wear my "I share!

siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:49pm

If you force mandatory bfing in addition to having to basically be destitute virtually no one would qualify so what's the point of having assistance in the first place. You certainly can't qualify if you're married.


There are PLENTY of married couples who receive WIC!!!!!!


siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 2:53pm

Which is exactly what I was gettting at... you can't really call it the "next best choice" if it isn't readily available. Well, you *can*, just like monkies might fly out of my butt :)


Availability has absolutely nothing to do with where formula falls in the grand scheme of things as far as what's best for a baby.

siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-21-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 3:06pm

As others have stated, it's pretty easy to qualify for WIC -- without being destitute and certainly while being married since it's based on family income.

I never suggested mandatory breastfeeding for WIC participants. I know it wouldn't work. I think WIC overall has been working really hard to increase breastfeeding rates of their clients.

But just because I don't support mandatory breastfeeding for WIC clients doesn't mean that I have to be happy about my tax dollars going to buy formula for moms who certainly could breastfeed.

RPS

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 4:36pm

How are you feeling publicly ashamed for your choices? After all, you're in the majority. Does the minority really have that much power? And if they do, why do they need laws protecting their rights to BF their babies in public among other things?

-jeanine

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 5:31pm

"Availability has absolutely no impact on the hierarchy of infant feeding methods. Whether or not a woman has access to donor milk, it is still a better choice than formula."


I agree and disagree.

Cathie

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Sun, 12-31-2006 - 5:58pm

>>I am in no way saying which is better for your baby, but here is a bit of RESEARCHED material for those who would like to be judgmental:<<

Your post can hardly be considered objective since it comes from the article, When Breastfeeding is not an Option, by the U.S. Pharmacist. The U.S. Pharmacist has a clear position the breastfeeing IS the preferred feeding option. Here's a quote from another of there articles, also RESEARCHED:

>>Breast-fed infants in the United States have lower rates of morbidity, primarily from infectious diseases. The researchers concluded that promoting breast-feeding could save 720 babies a year in the U.S.<<

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