"Proud Formula Feeder"?

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Registered: 06-23-2004
"Proud Formula Feeder"?
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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: 01-07-2005
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 10:51am

From the sounds of it, Kylie must have thought she was number 2...where I put my first child, I have no clue...LOL! *I am joking btw!*

Spud...







Lilypie




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Registered: 10-20-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 10:55am

My #1 was super easy...as long as I held him and nursed him all day long. Since he was my first, I was fine with that, and I really did not want other people touching him anyway. My second was even easier...with him I learned that babies do not actually HAVE to be nursing to fall asleep. #3 was fussy! He came out screaming, and he is still the loudest of my kids. I remember being with him in the hospital and asking him how he knew he has two older brothers. He got easier the older he got...but he was MAD the first 9 months or so before he could at least crawl after his brothers. But he has always been a great 'on the go' baby. He gets bored at home, but take him in the stroller or car and he's fine.

And #4 is still less than a month old, but so far he's pretty easy. I took him to a party last weekend (had a sitter for the older 3) where I got there, nursed him, passed him around the room. After about 30 minutes he looked like he was going to start fussing, so I swaddled him and gave him a paci, and holding him close to me and jiggled him to sleep. Then he slept for a few hours, and I woke him to nurse again, then we went home. I told DH that if our single friends think that is how a baby is supposed to be, they might be in for a surprise if they have their own kids.

People talk about not wanting to be 'tied down to the baby' with breastfeeding...but for DH and I a nice evening out is when we take the baby, and leave the others at home, lol. Our youngest has been to a few restaurants, and late night christmas shopping (that was FUN) and to the party. It is so easy to take care of just him, he either nurses or sleeps in my arms. Of course that will quickly change.

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Registered: 11-06-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 11:15am

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There does seem to be "rules" about nursing. When the baby is just born, you have a lot of pressure to breastfeed. Once the baby is a bit older, 4-6 months, you're given a pat on the back for breastfeeding so long, but most babies have been switched to formula. By six months, it seems that formula is the norm and anyone who makes it to a year is a "superwoman." By one year, you're getting funny looks, and by two years you're a certified freak for continuing to nurse. After two years, it borders on abuse.

It's funny how even women who nurse for one year themselves become all weirded out by the idea of longer nursing.

Guess we just can't win! ;)

Avatar for kfira71
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 11:19am

We're stopping with two, but ours are opposite from what you list. My first was (and is) totally laid back and mellow. He was just the most easy going baby and toddler ever. His little brother, however, is another story! The word that most often comes to mind is "dramatic." I swear, the first time he threw himself on the floor and started crying over some perceived slight, I thought for sure he must have fallen and hurt himself, LOL. Why else was he lying down?? My first never had a tantrum in his life, and here was DS #2, not even a year old, face down on the carpet and wailing. On the other hand, he also laughs a ton. Basically, where his brother was even-keeled, this one has higher highs and lower lows.

My MIL's theory is that the second one of the same sex is always "frisky" (her word). Has definitely held true in our family. :o)

~Kim


"Becoming a parent means agreeing to allow your heart to go walking around outside of your body."

~Kim

"Becoming a parent means agreeing to allow your heart to go walking around outside of your body."

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Registered: 06-02-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 11:43am

Connor, the first born, was kind of an odd mix. Incredible high needs when it came to sleep of any kind, would fight it tooth and nail and needed to be held or be right next to you for a good 15 months of so if he were to get anything resembling decent sleep. And even then, when he woke at night he was up for at least 1-2 hours pretty much every time. ALWAYS had to nurse to sleep, there was no other way around it. Otherwise he was pretty happy and easy going, still is. I have people commenting all the time on how happy he is and how easily he laughs and he finds humor in the oddest things. Alex is sooo much better when it comes to sleep, he loves his sleep and if he's tired he'll crash. Have never been interested in nursing to sleep, it's very, very rare when he does happen to fall asleep nursing. His deal was don't you dare feed him if he wasn't hungry, he'd scream bloody murder if you tried. He would also only ever nurse lying down. Just recently he started nursing while I was sitting up on a somewhat regular basis.

Connor never was interested in doing what others did. He'll do it when he's darned good and ready and that's all there is to it, no matter how much he'd watch other kids do it first. Which is why he didn't crawl until 10 months and walk until 14 months. Alex on the other hand has been little Mr. Me Too since he became aware of Connor and daddy at a few weeks old. Always has to be in the same room with them and right in the middle of things. He started crawling at 6 months, pulling to a stand at 7 months and cruising at just before 8 months. Probably won't be much longer before he starts walking. Little booger. I figure I'm stopping while I'm ahead of the game, who knows what number three would be like! LOL

-jeanine

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 11:47am

"For me, #1 was extremely high needs, #2 was ridiculously easy, #3 was average, #4 came with #5....#4 was miserable from day one--she was born screaming and we're still waiting for her to stop seven years later, #5 was sweet as pie, but had pretty nasty reflux, so would puke on you whenever you tried to cuddle him. #6 is the boss, and always will be!"

Wow, how different for me...#1 easy going #2 really hard, and wants to lay around, #3 the drama queen, #4 very sweet, but gets into everything(boy here), #5 stubborn to the hilt just like her great gram lol.

Would love to see this thread get to 1000!!!

Michele

Michele

Avatar for trinaf
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Registered: 07-23-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 12:13pm

#1 easy going.


#2 high maintainence.


#3 is somewhere in between.

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 12:21pm

I have one real friend who nursed 3 at a time, and have known several ppl online who have done it.

My friend's kids were 2 and 5 when her 3rd was born, though, not quite so young...

Fio

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 12:24pm

My 2nd is dramatic too, but not in a temper-tantrum type of way. It's just her facial expressions and body language are totally hilarious. ;-)

Fio

Avatar for trinaf
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2003
Wed, 01-10-2007 - 12:24pm

Since we're trying for 1000, I just thought I'd add that at 5 months old (or she will be tomorrow) Kelsey is 17lbs 3oz and 26 3/4 inches long.

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