"Proud Formula Feeder"?

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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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Registered: 07-08-2001
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 11:04am
Thank G0d for the wink icon! :-)

Mary



Mom to Kevin 11/4/03



You can hate me, but do it because you know me, not because I’m a member of a group. Anyways, people aren’t grapes --- you can’t weigh them in a bunch, but I guess it’s easier than dealing with people as individuals. There, I’ve solved the riddle of prejudice: it saves time.



Rita Mae Brown, US author and social activist

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 11:30am

What superlatives? The starving mother statement is documented fact and has been quite effective when told to women who have read that diet doesn't affect the quality of milk nor can exercise when done properly but still don't quite believe it.

-jeanine

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 12:09pm

"I'm just heartbroken to learn that a decision I made could lead to cancer for my baby girl.

Cathie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 12:18pm

"I think this is a perfect example of why a ffer might want to proclaim herself "proud" of ffing. There is a lot of hyperbole and extreme examples being tossed around (by both parties, I know) when it is totally not necessary. If someone truely has a concern about loosing the weight postpartum (beyond 5 - 10 vanity lbs) give her the *information* and save the sanctimony for someone who cares. The extremes are what tends to drive a wedge between the two groups, IMHO."


IRL, I would agree.

Cathie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 12:21pm

"You have a point, of course if a woman is really concerned about her poor diet she should be taking her prenatal vitamin to alleviate some of her fears. As far as the prior poster, she was a bit off her rocker, IMO, and I *don't* think she was indicative of the attitudes that exist out there. I think if women are concerned that dieting might affect the content of their breastmilk they should be encouraged to eat as healthily as they can and rely on a supplement for the rest (that's really all most of us can do anyway). I still think the whole 'starving women in 3rd world countries' bit is a tad over the top in most cases."


Cathie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 12:26pm

There are a myriad of other factors that she can also change in her life as she grows. She may well BF HER children (which helps with lower BC risks compared to FFing), she can eat well, exercise well, get mammograms, not smoke, etc. None of these will ever totally eliminate the risk of BC (which is obviously higher in families with a HX of BC, compared to a family with no HX...) but they all do something to either help "prevent" it or to help "detect" it early on, in the hopes of getting adequate treatment to get into remission permenantly.

Fio

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 12:49pm

<>

Yes, but wouldn't that be drowning out what people are trying to say about the risks of FF? By defending your choice with "hey, it's not rat poison," you're essentially saying the risks are acceptable. Or, dare I say it, burying your head in the sand about the fact that there ARE risks involved with FF.

ETA: I'm pretty adamant about getting out the word that there ARE risks associated with using formula. I remember that when I considered weaning DD to formula to take a medication (which I found was perfectly compatible with BF), I was shocked to hear that there were risks to feeding a baby formula. I only though there were "benefits" to breastfeeding. So while it's not rat poison by any stretch of the imagination, it's not breastmilk either. ;)




Edited 1/5/2007 12:52 pm ET by cyber_steph27
Avatar for mrsmichael6300
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 1:04pm

<<>>Every time the topic of risks associated with FF comes up, I get this image of Jack Nicholson shouting "You can't handle the truth!"<<

And then you wonder why you are accused of judging/making people feel guilty. Amazing.>>

Well, I'm just gonna join the Judgemental Breastfeeder's Club along with Steph b/c I get this image in my brain, too, when ff'ers start sticking their fingers in their ears and yelling LA LA LA LA LA in response to facts about formula.

What are you finding "extreme"? Do you object to discussion of formula as having risks and increasing liklihood of disease, chronic conditions, and stunted development? Why are you so quick to defend the substance despite reams of research and fact proving its inferiority and inability to meet the standard nature has set for infant nutrition?

How would you have us debate this topic? Why is bringing up the point that even malnourished women make breastmilk far superior to formula an extreme example? How on earth? This is debate...and I have used that point IRL in reponse to questions about diet and breastmilk.

I am charged with presenting accurate, true information to my clients concerning lactation (among other things). If I am asked, for example, whether or not a bottle of formula a day will have any effect on the baby, I must truthfully say that yes, it will -- it alters the gut flora at the very least. Would you rather I put on my fakest smile and say, "Oh, of course not!" If I am asked if breastfeeding really increases IQ, I truthfully answer no: a breastfed baby's IQ is just what nature meant it to be, barring environmental influences (which have at least 50% responsibility for intelligence). Studies show that ff babies' IQ's are an average of 2-8 points lower, depending on the study. And again: environmental influences have a lot of say in this, too, so there are no guarantees. However, we do know that breastmilk contains substances which support development of the brain and nervous system which formula does not contain. Am I supposed to shake my head and call those studies hogwash and then add that the formula companies' recent addition of DHA/RHA to their product has fixed that gap?

Breast is best, there's nothign wrong with formula, it's okay if you don't breastfeed -- these all need to go. Breast is not best: it's normal and standard. THere's a lot wrong with formula, which is why they continually improve it. It's not okay if you don't breastfeed, and your child may not be "just fine." Point blank. And the more we continue to reiterate this message, regardless of who gets up in arms about it, the closer we'll get to proper breastfeeding rates. The more we Watch Our Language, the more we tell the *real* truth, not the one formula company ad execs are promoting and paying ACOG, AAP, and AMA to promote as well, the more women who will initiate bf'ing and see it through until the child weans.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 2:03pm

"What I assumed she meant (and please correct me if I'm wrong Steph) was that when this topic is debated here, many FFers (not all) will get really upset when confronted with the facts about formula and many many many of them leave. Sometimes it's because they don't like the way other posters come across. Sometimes it's because they "can't handle the truth!"

This is what I think as well. They deny formula has risks and then when the can't deny it anymore b/c of the mountain of evidence, then they pull out the 'you're judging me, I'm not a bad mother' routine. (many, not all).

Debbie

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Avatar for hokie1999
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 3:07pm

>>I remember that when I considered weaning DD to formula to take a medication (which I found was perfectly compatible with BF), I was shocked to hear that there were risks to feeding a baby formula. I only though there were "benefits" to breastfeeding. So while it's not rat poison by any stretch of the imagination, it's not breastmilk either. >>

that point is right on the mark. I think it does need to be out there that there are definite risks to bottlefeeding and it would probably make people tthink twice before giving up on BFing. I knew breast was better but didn't think formula carried true risks. After months of doctor visits, tests and DS finally outgrowing his reflux around 15 months I realized otherwise and truly regretted that I didn't try harder. I used that knowledge though and made a vow to BF my next babies, and succeeded!

Becca

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