The Analytical Armadillo said it so well "..the guilt culture has gone too far when it stops us giving mums the information they need to make their "choice" - the thing so many claim is a mother's right. What about a mother's right to the facts? Isn't it insulting to mothers to assume all would feel the same emotion upon receiving the facts? Perhaps they could ask the mother whether she would like to know the facts as we best understand them, or the airy fairy version they think you can handle"
If you are unable to breast-feed (because you are HIV+, you're on vital medication, your baby may even be allergic to your milk), then I get it. You're doing it in the best interest of your child. But I still don't understand why women would simply CHOOSE not to breast-feed like it's some kind of unnatural process. I honestly know women who have said "I don't want my boobies to sag, so I won't breast-feed" WTF!?
My mother wasn't able to breastfeed me because she was extremely sick when I was born! People need to realise that sometimes mothers need to give their babies formulas in order to keep themselves and the baby alive!
I think it's crap that the government is forcing women to breast feed when its their choice and that choice does NOT make you a bad mom. I could not breast feed because my one son was allergic to it and my other son list over 10% of his body weight and the Dr told me to stop because my milk was not good for the baby to drink. So they both had to drink formula and they turned out fine.
if mom do not breast feed babies,,,so why do they have breasts in the first place,..and what does it mean that a mom cannot breast feed, thats a fucked up mom....its a bitch mom....
Not everyone CHOOSES to not breast feed. And no one is a bad mom for feeding their baby formula.
Every time you get a shameful glare when you whip out your boob in public, remember that is how you make bottle feeding moms feel but saying formula is not healthy and your a bad mom for using it.
I dont think anyone is a bad mother for ff but that doesnt mean formula is risk free. Just because youre not aware of the risks or dont believe then doesnt mean theyr not there!
i wasn't able to breast feed b/c i was actually allergic to it. i was allergic to formula too, so i was raised on soy, and i am sick a lot. i am a believer that breast feeding is best, but not always possible.
So, those of us that decided to breasfeed have to defend ourselves as to why we do it. That is why we defend ourselves with the true benefits of bf. It is natural and the BEST thing for your child. Does that mean that everyone has to bf? No, but for those of us that choose to do it, we should not have to deal with those of you that are mentally incapable of seeing bf for what it is, just bf. You are the ones that make bf out to be a "sick" thing and make us have to defend ourselves.
i agree that negative advertising is not the answer.
a mothers right to choose to breastfeed is very important. a mother needs access to information that is not designed to scare them but rather to inform them.
But the ads are VERY true, most mothers would not expose themselves and their unborn child to unecessary risks whilst pregnant, so why would they do it afterwards?
Breastfeeding is what babies should naturally have so anything else IS inferior.
Formula companies do not care about the health of your baby - they care about making money.
Hospitals used to be given free bottles of formula to give to mothers because its hard to switch back once you start. It is nothing more than marketing.
The ad pisses me off. My son was on formula, and he's an honors student, he didn't get sick when he was young, in fact he is very healthy. Anyway, look at what this country eats, and you want to give this to your baby?
To make a comment like that just highlights the lack of knowledge mothers have about the harmful effects of formula feeding.
The companies want your money so like to keep you in the dark.
Why would any mother reasonably want their child to have anything less than what is best for them and what nature intended. The fact is a lot of mother don't even realise that formula is not the best option and has many many drawbacks.
I think you misunderstood the previous point of view, God bless your child was well develop and still is, but the reality and statistically proven BREAST-FEEDING is way better than formula, I 100% percent that mother nature does NOT make mistakes.
Can't we support mothers with whatever method they use to feed their babies? I'm not a bad mom because I bottle fed my sweet babies! Of course breast milk is best! But to the lactivists who offer unsolicited statistics & self-righteous comments to a mother innocently trying to nourish her child with a bottle, suspend your judgment until you know her story. We must treat ALL our sisters with compassion, make sure the facts are out there, & be thankful that it's 2008 and we have options!
My lowest weight as an adult was 116 lbs before we concieved our first child... In your opinion, because I was a formula fed baby, I was supposed to be fat at 21-25 years of age. Whatever. lol Over-eating is the reason for obesity. Sometimes depression plays a lot in weight gain. But no person who was 135 lbs @ 23 years old became 230 lbs because of the formula they consumed as a newborn.
Oh yeah...I forgot about that. Why doesn't that info get to everyone. I think one reason some people CHOOSE to use formula is because they don't know the full truth about. Whenever experts try to get the info out, people get all upset. The United States really needs to grow up!
First of all, formula is second best if the peson can't afford to pay a wetnurse if the mom can't breastfeed or express her own milk due to medical problems. You people make it seem as though breastfeeding is the easiest thing to do even when a mom can't. How judgmental.
It is easy - you know it is less than 2% of mother who "cannot breastfeed or express" I hear that excuse a lot - it doesn't work. It really does need to become the NORM in america.
Best for baby & mum Reduces incidence of allergies Economical - no waste Antibodies - greater immunity to infections Stool inoffensive - never constipated Temperature always correct and constant Fresh milk - never goes sour in the breast Emotionally bonding Easy once established Digested easily within two to three hours Immediately available Nutritionally balanced Gastroenteritis greatly reduced
Formula is contaminated by enviromental toxins & often bacteria such as Enterobacter sakazakii which can cause meningitis, enteritis & lasting neurological disorders in surviving infants. Many other contaminants are found in formula that can have negative consequences on infant health which may only surface later in life, therefore formula is a 'risk'. Human milk changes in composition at every feed as an infant grows adapting to individual needs - formula is standardized infants are not!
CART BEFORE THE HORSE! thank you! I have a 6 week old (see my video yes yes I have to show off my baby) and I could not imagine breast feeding in public. That would be a nightmare, literaly like the one where you go to school naked. I would if I could but like they said publics attitudes arnt that supportive. What one old lady saying Im a good mom is supossed out wiegh the hundred others that give me dirty looks and say horrid things to me?
What do you suppose would happen if the same thing happened with formula as did with that HUGE dog food recall? IT IS a manmade substance and if you think it's impossible for something like that to happen you're kidding yourself. Not highly likely but possible.
Then we would deal with it accordingly. It is also likely that something awful could be discovered about breastmilk, that suddenly it is bad for babies....not likely....but possible.
It has nothing to do with the last word. I am not surprised, though, that you feel like you need to patronize me just because I don't agree with your views...it isn't a laughing matter when I and others are criticized for our methods of feeding our children- it is disgusting.
Formula was made to feed babies who couldn't feed from a mom who couldn't/can't breastfeed. I think your views about pediatricians recieving money from formula companies is bogus.
There are women whose experiences would refute those articles. What about the human aspect of it, rather than JUST the scientific aspect? Not every thing works for every mom.
Thats true and I think a lot of the reasons so many women ff are because of social influences. However when it comes down to our babies we cant just say 'well it doesnt work for some' and leave it at that. Few mothers would deliberately put their babies at risk and I think thats what the ad was trying to get at. Perhaps it wasnt saying ff is as bad as riding rodeo whilst pregnant but was trying to get women to look more closely at what they believe about formula.
Actually sadly its true and they dont even try to hide it - formula compamies also fund a lot of medical research and as long as the medical world is funded by industry their advice will be biast.
where did u get that info from, Henry nestle invented fromula to help a mum whos baby was unable to tolerate her mums milk, good intentions that have since become a money making game, there is still a need for formula, just like diabetics need insulin.
Why do some moms who breastfeed or have breastfeed act as though those of us who didn't are insulting them in some way? I have a lot of friends who have breastfed their kids but never once have they passed judgement on my situation. At least they were open-minded enough to understand that I wasn't built for bf'ing. I loved them for what they did for their kids. And I love myself for what I did for mine.
I didn't say you did. LOL I was just making a matter of fact comment, that's all. That's why I said "They". I figured you didn't breastfeed and would understand what I was saying.
I bottle feed my son and it has nothing to do with anything but that s what was all around best for us. I am no less of a mother and he is a beautiful, healthy, intelligent baby boy and I challenge anyone to say otherwise. The gov't should be ashamed of themselves for making us feel inferior, as should the advocates that do the same.
here we go again...breastfeading or not, we need to stop fighting about it and just think about what is best for an individual mother and her baby, that's what's best, this is not forcing anyone to do anything its not different than the formula commercials, people need to calm down and do what's best for them and for their and their baby's health. reguardless to what anyone else thinks..
My mother and I were both quite sick when I was born, and after eight or nine weeks of going through intense pain, my mother came to her senses and stopped feeling guilty and put me on formula - and it didn't do me any harm.
I think that breastfeeding is a very personal choice for every woman, and I think that whatever her choice is on the matter, society should butt out and let her go her own way - whether that be breastfeeding in public, or bottle-feeding.
Im not yet a parent, but I intend to breast feed unless there is some serious medical reason that I cant.
I will feed in public.
My older sister has 8 month old twins, one is breast fed, one is bottle and formula (due to development complications as they were prem). She doesnt particularly like feeding, as she claims it is less convenient. (cant follow her logic there?)I was shocked to be told that "breast feeding is crap" by one of her friends,
I forgot to add that you've got to be crazy to worry about what OTHER parents are feeding THEIR children. As long as it's not harmful (AND FORMULA IS NOT HARMFUL) don't worry about it.
And yes, I breastfed before someone writes "Oh you didn't breastfeed though!"
I think American culture is so sexually obsessed with breasts that it cannot look at the breast in any other way. It is the sexualization of american culture that is the root of this. Nature created breast milk for a reason... Although if you cannot or don't want to you can use formula. It's an individual choice. But I think people have to see the human body in general as something other than a plaything. It has a grander purpose.
I do thinks its too bad that the money to support breastfeeding was wasted on those ads. They should have shown breastfeeding women breastfeeding while explaining the benifits, and educating women on their rights to breastfeed in public.
I'll agree with that. I think the commercials actually make moms who didn't bfeed feel like they're killing their children by feeding them formula. I'm okay with "bf'ing has these benefits". To put a mom down for making a choice to feed her child formula is tacky.
Instead of looking at the "benefits of breastfeeding", we need to look at the RISKS of formula-feeding. That's exactly what these ads do.
Breastfeeding is the NORM by which all other feeding options must be measured. It's not that breastfeeding is "superior", it's that formula is INferior!
Do you understand that that statement you just made is contradictory to how things really are? "Breastfeeding isn't superior (although its number one) ...formula is INFERIOR.) WOw.
The risks of formula feeding isn't equatable with riding a mechanical bull @ 9 months pregnant, or running on logs in or out of water @ 9 months pregnant. I think the commercials attempts to make formula feeding moms look like stupid, bad mothers. And that's not fair.
A person only feels guilty about a choice they made when they know they made a bad choice. If you don't know better, then you shouldn't feel guilty. If you know better- then well... you should feel bad.
If you know that letting your child eat nothing but junk food is unhealthy, but you do it anyway for convienence (cause your more comfortable ordering pizza than cooking dinner...)then you should feel guilty.
That's a rather judgmental view. We shouldn't liken junk food to formula. My girls thrived off of formula. I wouldn't have fed them cows milk as newborns because their bodies/ babies bodies aren't developed enough to handle it. Formula is.
Breastfeeding is best but when you can't (or hell, don't want to) formula is okay.
I think it is ridiculous to to puul out your tit on public.. that makes people around you uncorfortable. THere are covers sold to cover your tit and your baby, so use it!!! What is your problem?
haha, you've never breastfed a baby have you? It's hard to use a cover when you have to see what you're doing. It's hard to keep a cover on when the baby keeps pulling it off. It's not a smart move during warm months... List goes on. It's much easier for you to turn your head away and ignore it.
You'd be wrong. I'm one of those moms who couldn't breastfeed with each of my 3 children. And I tried my hardest. I have inverted nipples and the pain was too much. Even when I tried pumping. So your theory that women who say they can't bfeed,'didn't try hard enough."
I was told by two lactation consultants that I was 'too lazy' and 'not tying hard enough'. I think they were bullying me, no matter how hard I tried, I still tried.
Mine are still..innies. AAARRRGHHH!!! I think our bodies are as different as our personalities. My 'innies' may not look the same as yours once did. Which would probably explain why they didn't 'pop out'. (I'm SO trying not to give TMI) LOL
At any rate, I'm proud that I tried with all three of my girls... those LC's should've taken a flyin' leap.
Seems that u were badly advised, use of a nipplette during pregnancy would have drawn the nipple out. I'm aware of women who couldn't feed 1st child due to inverted nipples but went on to successfully breastfeed subsequent kids after finding out about the device & express to give milk to the ones that missed out 1st time round - genius!
Actually, it wouldn't have been drawn out. My nipples aren't properly formed. Period. It hurts to even try today, (and my child is 3 now) to extract them. Mine don't look like 'normal women's ' nipples.
I plan on not being pregnant again...ever in life (because I'm doomed to get pre-ecclampsia again.) If, in another life I did decide to have another baby, I'd try just like I tried with my other children.
Opps, I meant the women that don't even try to BF at ALL and just use the blanket statement that they can't. We all know that some women can't for medical reasons.
Not ALL moms haven't tried...I have counseled moms who have tried and have even had to refer them to lactation consultants and in actuallity they could not breastfeed...baby had problems latching, mom not producin even after taking pills and drinking herbs...SOME, can only do it for so long, however it is very few that can not do it.
The only benefits of formula I am aware of are selfish! It's not a choice, a last resort. Technically only 2-3% of women truly cannot feed, way less that those who claim to not be able to feed.
Formula advertising, unreasonable expectations of baby's behaviour, poor advice, scheduling...many reasons stop women from feeding, plus those who just don't care and would rather go out drinking etc.
That is shallow and completely crazy. I don't drink and I stay at home with my little boy every day. Just because I chose not to breastfeed (no, I didn't say that I "can't," I chose) doesn't mean I am a bad mommy. It means I made a choice that was given to me. I don't need to be made to feel like a bad mom for making the choice that was best for me and baby.
No ur not a bad mum but u are an ill informed one. Formula is contaminated by enviromental toxins & often bacteria such as Enterobacter sakazakii which can cause meningitis, enteritis & severe lasting neurological disorders in surviving infants. Many other contaminants are also found in formula that can have negative consequences on infant health which may only surface later in life, therefore formula is a 'risk'
Get it into perspective ur choice was not nutritionally & physically best for ur baby unless medically deemed otherwise. In a society obsessed with human/equal rights I am surprised this has not yet become a legal issue. There will come a day when a child sues its mother for failing to choose & provide the natural healthiest start in life. Infants receiving formula from birth are not getting equal & human rights as nutritionally superior breastmilk fed peers are. Thats simply not fair!
Well said! Scandinavian countries have a 98% success rate for breastfeeding/expressing, 2% have genuine medical reason for not doing, eg galactosemia. Britain & USA ought to hang their heads in shame for the lack of education on breastmilk benefits and formula risks. Infants don't ask to be born and can't choose, their needs should come first and foremost always.
There is no verifiable research that even suggests that obesity is due to formula. And Cearrach's comment is just so clueless that there is no good response except "huh?"
I have no concern or outrage over women breatfeeding. If they want to, fine. My MAIN problem is with idiots who insist that they have the right to tell everyone else what they should be doing.
Well last I checked, formula doesn't change it's calorie and fat content based on consumption. It also amazes me that so many people survived before formula with as many women as there are claiming that they "can't" breastfeed. I think the main issue that keeps women from breastfeeding is the idea that formula feeding is the norm and is just as good as breastmilk and that is NOT TRUE. If you choose not to breastfeed fine but to not allow both sides their fair share of advertising is "idiotic"
That isn't a "fair share." That is crossing the line. That is insulting bottle feeding mothers and basically inferring that we are less of mothers because of it. I could have breastfed, I CHOSE NOT TO. Does that mean the state needs to come take away my kid just because I made a choice that they don't agree with?
OK, I'm sorry, those who CHOOSE not to breastfeed are not any less of a mother. Hmmmm... how about just plain selfish? Afraid your boobs might sag a little? hahaha
Nope, not selfish either. Just my choice and my right...NOT YOURS. You don't get to call the shots in my son's life, plain and simple. Perhaps you should worry about your own children and not everyone else's. HA, my boobs have been sagging since sixth grade, hon. I am not worried about any kind of physical effect it would have on me...I JUST DON'T WANT TO!
The WHO advised that globally infants are fed as follows: 1 breastfed, 2 fed own mothers expressed milk when feeding at breast not possible, 3 fed expressed/donated milk of another woman / wetnursed 4 fed formula as a last resort. So who in their right mind really wants to subject their precious infants to a 4th rate form of nutrition by choice? It beggars belief!
What beggars belief is the BF NAZIS who believe that THEY have the only information. For every piece of "research" that you quote, there is an equal and opposite piece.
Sorry, while breast feeding may be good for the baby, that does not make formula feeding bad for the baby.
FYI contaminants in a bottle of formula that manufacturers don't list on the label!
Aluminum, silicon, cadmium, genetically engineered corn/soy, MSG, Phytoestrogens, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, Pesticides, Lead, Atrazine, Nitrates, Bacteria. Search on naba-breastfeeding org for associated risks - its an eyeopener!Please feel free to post search info on the research u have on equal and opposite pieces
My friend was upset when herself & son could not breastfeed, rather than deny him the benefits of species specific human milk she opted to express and managed to do so for 6 months - thats a selfless mother devoted to her sons welfare. i pity u and your mentality and your son even more.
Such a shame, breastfeeding is good for mum too. Weight reduction, oxytocin production, lower risk of breast & ovarian cancer, reduced risk of osteoporosis to name a few! Any breast sagging occurs because of pregnancy when main internal changes to breasts happen in readiness for milk production not due to actual breastfeeding.
Seraph998-scientific studies in the EU have shown the higher protein content in formula compared to low protein puts a child a greater risk of obesity. Breastfed babes regulate their own appetites by feeding on demand. By 8months old formula fed babes have consumed an average of 30000 calories more than breastfed babes, approx 120 mars bars, see INFACTCanada and babymilkaction for info.
Also see foodnavigator-usa com for info on the EU scientific studies relating to obesity and formula milk and how research is being carried out on a low protein formula with similar low protein levels to human milk - still better to breastfeed than subject babies to the forever ongoing experiment that is formula. Would we put our babies forward for drug experiments? Think not, so why formula!
There have been studies that have linked formula to obesity later in life not just for babies-and yes activity needs to be implemented! (We are told not to give our infants cow's milk until they are a year old-Formula IS cow's milk in a powdered form!)
Let me give you a little bit of information. While those studies may be all well and good the problem with the studies is that they're saying that overweight adults are fat because they were fed formula as infants. My children...all three, were formula fed as babies ...you can view them on my videos. They aren't fat.
Of course not all people are going to be obese if they were formula fed-genes and activity are involved however a mom is putting their child at risk for obesity later on in life-
I was formula fed but I'm overweight because of my eating habits, not because I was formula fed. I was skinny most of my life until I had children. I wore a size 5 at 20 years of age, and the highest my weight was as a skinny person was 135lbs. Anecdotal evidence aside, you can't say that for every person who has been fed formula as a child.
But you can't even really say that about ANY overweight adult. What overweight adult do you know that's overweight JUST BECAUSE they were fed formula?
Lead author Dr. Matthew Gillman theorized that breast-fed babies learn to "self-regulate" food intake better than formula-fed infants because they may have better control over stopping feeding when they are full.
By contrast, parents who use formula may see an unfinished bottle and try to induce their infants to drink more, unwittingly encouraging them to ignore their bodies' own hunger cues. That could raise the risk of weight problems later on.
"Self-regulate"? Breasfeeding babies will eat until their full, as will formula fed babies. A breastfed baby may eat more in a session than a formula fed baby. Does that mean that the bfed baby will be fat? I don't remember ever feeling..."Wow, I can't control my eating because of the way I use to consume formula as an infant." LOL I eat because I enjoy it. And I'm a big girl...
Bfed babies do eat until they are full-formula fed do also but when a parent is shoving an unfinished bottle down their mouth they will continue to eat-
First of all, you have no knowledge of what you're speaking about. For a parent to force feed their baby formula is to asphixiate them. You are apparently someone who has ONLY breastfed or someone who wants to when you have your own children. I have 3 children whom I tried to bf when they were babies, when it didn't work, I turned to formula and they thrived. I never "SHOVED" unfinished bottles down their throats. That's harsh.
I have done my research,I know some moms have to rely on formula-however there is donor milk-unfortunately my daughter was given formula the first few days of her life..I was ill informed at the time, I have done my research since then.Anyamount of bm that a child can get is better than none-which means I do not discriminate against moms who use formula-although YOU might have never done it there are parents who do shove the bottle in the kids mouth.
How do you know? Have you ever SEEN a formula feeding mom shove a baby in their kid's mouth? And another thing that hasn't been touched is the fact that when you see a mom feeding her child with a bottle don't ALWAYS have formula in there. Lots of times its expressed breastmilk. Some people, even I can't tell the difference (in eyesight) the difference between formula and breastmilk in a bottle. And I want to correct something you said...
I have known many ff babies and whilst shoved may be a harsh term most of them certainly encourage their babies to finish the set amount of ounces theyre supposed to have at that feed. The other side of the coin is if they have a 4 hour feeding schedule and they become hyngry after 3 then they may be distracted from feeding until theyr 'due' a feed so learn to ignore hunger cues which would also effect appetite control.
"Artificially fed infants consume 30,000 more calories than breastfed infants by 8 months of age"(equivalent to 120 Mars bars - 4 a week). Student Study Guide for Breastfeeding and Human Lactation KG Auerbach, J Riordan - 1993
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considered that there are only two potential, cost-effective interventions that can be put into place immediately to deal with the childhood obesity epidemic: decreased television viewing and breastfeeding promotion.
formula milk is based on cows milk protein, cows milk provides everything a calf needs to grow the main ingrediant being fat as a cow needs to put weight on quickly in order to survive whereas humans needs long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which help with brain developement, cows don't need this, therefore chidren who are fed formula are more likely to put on weight than breastfed babies who have a better brain developement.
Its not about the amount they consume its about whether theyre hungry when they consume it or whether theyre being encouraged to 'finish their feed' when theyve actually had enough. Besides you cant compare them like for like they have different fat contents and bm is digested quicker amongst the many other differences
One of the reasons ff babies are said to have more chance of being obese later in life is because bf babies always regulate their own food intake whilst ff babies are more likely to be fed to a routine and encouraged to consume a certain amount. The theory is bf babies will learn to eat only when theyre hungry where as ff babies are taught habits that will encourage them to overeat iyswim.
Seraph998 People who advise on the benefits of human milk are doing a service to mothers and infants, far from being idiots they are usually well educated, intelligent & socially aware. Mothers cannot make effective choices unless they are fully informed choices and this includes being made aware of any possible risk factors whether they cause conscious discomfort or not.
yes. However, there are plenty of well educated people who also choose to feed formula. My spouse and I both have Masters degrees, and I have a background in medicine.
I have no problem with people CHOOSING. I have a problem when someone says "this is what you HAVE to do"
Yes it's true that some educated people do choose to use formula, but many more breastfeed. In fact most fomula feeders are people who have gone to college. I see this as a problem because formula sometimes target less educated people and their children have to suffer.
They said people on WIC are the main ones using formula. WIC gives coupons for Similac. So if WIC receivers are the main ones using formula, how come Infamil is the top brand? Actually WIC also has breast feeding counslers and lend out pumps.
Yes, I know, I am a Breastfeeding counselor......sales from WIC and food stamps are not calculated into the sales of formula because it has to be reimbursed by the gov.
I have 7 month old twins, they are breast feeding and have never had formula. I enjoyed these commercials, of course, I tried and succeeded through willpower. America is the worst country for outrage when it comes to breast feeding.
I think this is one thing that there should be no "anti" about. Breast milk should always be tried. I'm not so pro-breastfeeding that I can't understand if a woman CAN'T, for some reason. But if you can, you should. Having a baby is much more than giving birth.
Search online for charities babymilkaction, IBFAN, save the children, unicef, key nestle into knowmore org and u will av ur proof. Lookup boycott nestle & formula for disaster videos on utube. Search milking it on uk news guardian unlimited for undercover reporting in Bangladesh and how upto 70% of hospital admissions are infants due to formula - its dirty stuff in more ways than 1!
Glad some people do their research. Unicef and WHO advise the figure is approx 1.5million per year, over 4000 per day. Formula should not be commercially available, prescribed only to those who genuinely need it. The US & UK governments should bring their maternity benefits in line with Scandinavian Countries to improve breastfeeding rates and infant/mother health outcomes.
Actually they've done tests on milk of women in 3rd wold countries with poor nutrition and it is the same quality as those w/ good nutrition. Bfeeding is best but remember some babies/mothers medically cannot do it... they should not feel guilty for using formula.
Formula actually CAN bring about A LOT of problems to tiny babies -- people MUST be informed about these risks because they are real.
In no other developed country is formula advertised as equally good to breast milk. In Scandinavia, Drs and nurses will intensevily help moms who can't BF before they leave the hospital, and the result is that nearly 100% of moms nurse there and formula companies are not allowed to give free formula samples as a "baby gift before they go home!
I did like the part about the government making provisions for working moms that are breastfeeding. Perhaps 20/20 could do one of their half-hour long segments on that matter, as it certainly deserves more than 2 minutes.
I know 20/20 is exactly a top-notch news magazine, but this is possibly one of the shittiest pieces I have ever seen. They are all over the place, and none of their leads ends with any kind of point.
Aside from that, I like breastfeeding ads. Woment that use formula are using the inferior "product", and they should realize it and accept it instead of trying to convince people that formula feeding is the same as breastfeeding.
The Analytical Armadillo said it so well "..the guilt culture has gone too far when it stops us giving mums the information they need to make their "choice" - the thing so many claim is a mother's right. What about a mother's right to the facts? Isn't it insulting to mothers to assume all would feel the same emotion upon receiving the facts? Perhaps they could ask the mother whether she would like to know the facts as we best understand them, or the airy fairy version they think you can handle"
Quin8tina 3 months ago
If you are unable to breast-feed (because you are HIV+, you're on vital medication, your baby may even be allergic to your milk), then I get it. You're doing it in the best interest of your child. But I still don't understand why women would simply CHOOSE not to breast-feed like it's some kind of unnatural process. I honestly know women who have said "I don't want my boobies to sag, so I won't breast-feed" WTF!?
GraceMartini 6 months ago
My mother wasn't able to breastfeed me because she was extremely sick when I was born! People need to realise that sometimes mothers need to give their babies formulas in order to keep themselves and the baby alive!
MomijiLover13 1 year ago
I think it's crap that the government is forcing women to breast feed when its their choice and that choice does NOT make you a bad mom. I could not breast feed because my one son was allergic to it and my other son list over 10% of his body weight and the Dr told me to stop because my milk was not good for the baby to drink. So they both had to drink formula and they turned out fine.
tmariebluesky 1 year ago
if mom do not breast feed babies,,,so why do they have breasts in the first place,..and what does it mean that a mom cannot breast feed, thats a fucked up mom....its a bitch mom....
egyptahly 2 years ago
Breastmilk is what is best for babies. Even formula companies agree, otherwise they'd stop trying to duplicate it.
vgarcia1 2 years ago
I call this modern day Breastfeeding Bullies!
Not everyone CHOOSES to not breast feed. And no one is a bad mom for feeding their baby formula.
Every time you get a shameful glare when you whip out your boob in public, remember that is how you make bottle feeding moms feel but saying formula is not healthy and your a bad mom for using it.
angelahk28f 2 years ago
I dont think anyone is a bad mother for ff but that doesnt mean formula is risk free. Just because youre not aware of the risks or dont believe then doesnt mean theyr not there!
mammyJulie 2 years ago
i wasn't able to breast feed b/c i was actually allergic to it. i was allergic to formula too, so i was raised on soy, and i am sick a lot. i am a believer that breast feeding is best, but not always possible.
hollyzone 2 years ago
So, those of us that decided to breasfeed have to defend ourselves as to why we do it. That is why we defend ourselves with the true benefits of bf. It is natural and the BEST thing for your child. Does that mean that everyone has to bf? No, but for those of us that choose to do it, we should not have to deal with those of you that are mentally incapable of seeing bf for what it is, just bf. You are the ones that make bf out to be a "sick" thing and make us have to defend ourselves.
kristinaallums 3 years ago
she is sexy as shit.
rodrico50 3 years ago
i agree that negative advertising is not the answer.
a mothers right to choose to breastfeed is very important. a mother needs access to information that is not designed to scare them but rather to inform them.
willowtreephoto 3 years ago
But the ads are VERY true, most mothers would not expose themselves and their unborn child to unecessary risks whilst pregnant, so why would they do it afterwards?
Breastfeeding is what babies should naturally have so anything else IS inferior.
Formula companies do not care about the health of your baby - they care about making money.
Hospitals used to be given free bottles of formula to give to mothers because its hard to switch back once you start. It is nothing more than marketing.
larutan3 3 years ago
The ad pisses me off. My son was on formula, and he's an honors student, he didn't get sick when he was young, in fact he is very healthy. Anyway, look at what this country eats, and you want to give this to your baby?
imanerd36 3 years ago
To make a comment like that just highlights the lack of knowledge mothers have about the harmful effects of formula feeding.
The companies want your money so like to keep you in the dark.
Why would any mother reasonably want their child to have anything less than what is best for them and what nature intended. The fact is a lot of mother don't even realise that formula is not the best option and has many many drawbacks.
larutan3 3 years ago
You have yet to respond to any of the points I have made.
imanerd36 3 years ago
I think you misunderstood the previous point of view, God bless your child was well develop and still is, but the reality and statistically proven BREAST-FEEDING is way better than formula, I 100% percent that mother nature does NOT make mistakes.
mangotwiss 2 years ago
Comment removed
angelahk28f 2 years ago
Can't we support mothers with whatever method they use to feed their babies? I'm not a bad mom because I bottle fed my sweet babies! Of course breast milk is best! But to the lactivists who offer unsolicited statistics & self-righteous comments to a mother innocently trying to nourish her child with a bottle, suspend your judgment until you know her story. We must treat ALL our sisters with compassion, make sure the facts are out there, & be thankful that it's 2008 and we have options!
heymols1 4 years ago
deesbabyphat...response 2
My lowest weight as an adult was 116 lbs before we concieved our first child... In your opinion, because I was a formula fed baby, I was supposed to be fat at 21-25 years of age. Whatever. lol Over-eating is the reason for obesity. Sometimes depression plays a lot in weight gain. But no person who was 135 lbs @ 23 years old became 230 lbs because of the formula they consumed as a newborn.
Imerica1 4 years ago
There are too many women that take it defensively that someone has an opinion about breast feeding.The problem is... it becomes too personal .
8122556 4 years ago
I actually know of people who were breastfed but as adults are overweight because of their personal decision (or compulsion) to eat unhealthily.
Imerica1 4 years ago
Formula feeding is second best
BoAFan149 4 years ago
According to the WHO formula ranks in 4th place:
1 Breastfeed
2 Express own milk if infant cannot feed from breast
3 Give donated human milk/wetnurse if mother cannot feed
4 Use formula
sassberry 4 years ago
Oh yeah...I forgot about that. Why doesn't that info get to everyone. I think one reason some people CHOOSE to use formula is because they don't know the full truth about. Whenever experts try to get the info out, people get all upset. The United States really needs to grow up!
BoAFan149 4 years ago
First of all, formula is second best if the peson can't afford to pay a wetnurse if the mom can't breastfeed or express her own milk due to medical problems. You people make it seem as though breastfeeding is the easiest thing to do even when a mom can't. How judgmental.
Imerica1 4 years ago
It is easy - you know it is less than 2% of mother who "cannot breastfeed or express" I hear that excuse a lot - it doesn't work. It really does need to become the NORM in america.
lacychenault 4 years ago
sassberry 4 years ago
I saw this on the la leche league site - ! Love it!
lacychenault 4 years ago
contaminants in a bottle of formula that manufacturers don't list on the label!
Aluminum, silicon, cadmium, genetically engineered corn/soy, MSG, Phytoestrogens, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, Pesticides, Lead, Atrazine, Nitrates, Bacteria. Search on naba-breastfeeding org for associated risks - its an eyeopener!
sassberry 4 years ago
Formula is contaminated by enviromental toxins & often bacteria such as Enterobacter sakazakii which can cause meningitis, enteritis & lasting neurological disorders in surviving infants. Many other contaminants are found in formula that can have negative consequences on infant health which may only surface later in life, therefore formula is a 'risk'. Human milk changes in composition at every feed as an infant grows adapting to individual needs - formula is standardized infants are not!
sassberry 4 years ago
I think Vargas is a decent reporter/anchor but that snobby lisp she has really gets on my nerves.
VoodooChile68 4 years ago
CART BEFORE THE HORSE! thank you! I have a 6 week old (see my video yes yes I have to show off my baby) and I could not imagine breast feeding in public. That would be a nightmare, literaly like the one where you go to school naked. I would if I could but like they said publics attitudes arnt that supportive. What one old lady saying Im a good mom is supossed out wiegh the hundred others that give me dirty looks and say horrid things to me?
hapav 4 years ago
What is more importnt-Your child's Health or what other people are saying?-
When someone gives you advise that you do not believe in youdo not listen to them right? So what's the difference?
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
What do you suppose would happen if the same thing happened with formula as did with that HUGE dog food recall? IT IS a manmade substance and if you think it's impossible for something like that to happen you're kidding yourself. Not highly likely but possible.
6Amazon 4 years ago
Then we would deal with it accordingly. It is also likely that something awful could be discovered about breastmilk, that suddenly it is bad for babies....not likely....but possible.
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
HAHAHA Are you serious?! Now that's really reaching , but it is a cute attempt at having the last word. Thanks for my laugh for the week!
6Amazon 4 years ago
It has nothing to do with the last word. I am not surprised, though, that you feel like you need to patronize me just because I don't agree with your views...it isn't a laughing matter when I and others are criticized for our methods of feeding our children- it is disgusting.
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
Never Possible-babies have been feed with breastmilk since the begining, formula was made so that pediatrician could make more money-
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
Formula was made to feed babies who couldn't feed from a mom who couldn't/can't breastfeed. I think your views about pediatricians recieving money from formula companies is bogus.
Imerica1 4 years ago
There are articles that support my comment-
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
There are women whose experiences would refute those articles. What about the human aspect of it, rather than JUST the scientific aspect? Not every thing works for every mom.
Imerica1 4 years ago
Thats true and I think a lot of the reasons so many women ff are because of social influences. However when it comes down to our babies we cant just say 'well it doesnt work for some' and leave it at that. Few mothers would deliberately put their babies at risk and I think thats what the ad was trying to get at. Perhaps it wasnt saying ff is as bad as riding rodeo whilst pregnant but was trying to get women to look more closely at what they believe about formula.
mammyJulie 2 years ago
Actually sadly its true and they dont even try to hide it - formula compamies also fund a lot of medical research and as long as the medical world is funded by industry their advice will be biast.
mammyJulie 2 years ago
where did u get that info from, Henry nestle invented fromula to help a mum whos baby was unable to tolerate her mums milk, good intentions that have since become a money making game, there is still a need for formula, just like diabetics need insulin.
ellybellysmellywelly 4 years ago
Why do some moms who breastfeed or have breastfeed act as though those of us who didn't are insulting them in some way? I have a lot of friends who have breastfed their kids but never once have they passed judgement on my situation. At least they were open-minded enough to understand that I wasn't built for bf'ing. I loved them for what they did for their kids. And I love myself for what I did for mine.
Imerica1 4 years ago
who said i breastfed
ellybellysmellywelly 4 years ago
I didn't say you did. LOL I was just making a matter of fact comment, that's all. That's why I said "They". I figured you didn't breastfeed and would understand what I was saying.
Imerica1 4 years ago
I bottle feed my son and it has nothing to do with anything but that s what was all around best for us. I am no less of a mother and he is a beautiful, healthy, intelligent baby boy and I challenge anyone to say otherwise. The gov't should be ashamed of themselves for making us feel inferior, as should the advocates that do the same.
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
here we go again...breastfeading or not, we need to stop fighting about it and just think about what is best for an individual mother and her baby, that's what's best, this is not forcing anyone to do anything its not different than the formula commercials, people need to calm down and do what's best for them and for their and their baby's health. reguardless to what anyone else thinks..
Julybaby1810 4 years ago
My mother and I were both quite sick when I was born, and after eight or nine weeks of going through intense pain, my mother came to her senses and stopped feeling guilty and put me on formula - and it didn't do me any harm.
I think that breastfeeding is a very personal choice for every woman, and I think that whatever her choice is on the matter, society should butt out and let her go her own way - whether that be breastfeeding in public, or bottle-feeding.
novamist 4 years ago
I intend to breastfeed when I have kids someday as well but it's just plain rude to whip it out and not cover up with a blanket or a towel
circevervain 4 years ago
Im not yet a parent, but I intend to breast feed unless there is some serious medical reason that I cant.
I will feed in public.
My older sister has 8 month old twins, one is breast fed, one is bottle and formula (due to development complications as they were prem). She doesnt particularly like feeding, as she claims it is less convenient. (cant follow her logic there?)I was shocked to be told that "breast feeding is crap" by one of her friends,
SexyCeleste 4 years ago
I forgot to add that you've got to be crazy to worry about what OTHER parents are feeding THEIR children. As long as it's not harmful (AND FORMULA IS NOT HARMFUL) don't worry about it.
And yes, I breastfed before someone writes "Oh you didn't breastfeed though!"
treelight 4 years ago
Oh bull crap about the "Oh our commercials were harmless and didn't mean formula feeders were terrible" bull crap.
No matter how they advertise people are STILL going to formula feed. There's nothing they can do.
If they took formula off of the market then babies would either starve (sadly) or their parents would give them whole milk.
treelight 4 years ago
I think American culture is so sexually obsessed with breasts that it cannot look at the breast in any other way. It is the sexualization of american culture that is the root of this. Nature created breast milk for a reason... Although if you cannot or don't want to you can use formula. It's an individual choice. But I think people have to see the human body in general as something other than a plaything. It has a grander purpose.
sephoramoon 4 years ago
I do thinks its too bad that the money to support breastfeeding was wasted on those ads. They should have shown breastfeeding women breastfeeding while explaining the benifits, and educating women on their rights to breastfeed in public.
aradiapaganus 5 years ago
I'll agree with that. I think the commercials actually make moms who didn't bfeed feel like they're killing their children by feeding them formula. I'm okay with "bf'ing has these benefits". To put a mom down for making a choice to feed her child formula is tacky.
Imerica1 5 years ago
Insulting is tacky, yes. Pointing out the truth is not.
lightmama 5 years ago
Instead of looking at the "benefits of breastfeeding", we need to look at the RISKS of formula-feeding. That's exactly what these ads do.
Breastfeeding is the NORM by which all other feeding options must be measured. It's not that breastfeeding is "superior", it's that formula is INferior!
lifescholar 4 years ago 5
That's a good idea!
BoAFan149 4 years ago
Do you understand that that statement you just made is contradictory to how things really are? "Breastfeeding isn't superior (although its number one) ...formula is INFERIOR.) WOw.
Imerica1 4 years ago
The risks of formula feeding isn't equatable with riding a mechanical bull @ 9 months pregnant, or running on logs in or out of water @ 9 months pregnant. I think the commercials attempts to make formula feeding moms look like stupid, bad mothers. And that's not fair.
Imerica1 4 years ago
A person only feels guilty about a choice they made when they know they made a bad choice. If you don't know better, then you shouldn't feel guilty. If you know better- then well... you should feel bad.
If you know that letting your child eat nothing but junk food is unhealthy, but you do it anyway for convienence (cause your more comfortable ordering pizza than cooking dinner...)then you should feel guilty.
aradiapaganus 5 years ago
That's a rather judgmental view. We shouldn't liken junk food to formula. My girls thrived off of formula. I wouldn't have fed them cows milk as newborns because their bodies/ babies bodies aren't developed enough to handle it. Formula is.
Breastfeeding is best but when you can't (or hell, don't want to) formula is okay.
Imerica1 5 years ago
I think it is ridiculous to to puul out your tit on public.. that makes people around you uncorfortable. THere are covers sold to cover your tit and your baby, so use it!!! What is your problem?
metkaja 5 years ago
If you don't like it turn the other cheek
JaSirkera 5 years ago
haha, you've never breastfed a baby have you? It's hard to use a cover when you have to see what you're doing. It's hard to keep a cover on when the baby keeps pulling it off. It's not a smart move during warm months... List goes on. It's much easier for you to turn your head away and ignore it.
lightmama 5 years ago
Comment removed
orangeflower 5 years ago
You'd be wrong. I'm one of those moms who couldn't breastfeed with each of my 3 children. And I tried my hardest. I have inverted nipples and the pain was too much. Even when I tried pumping. So your theory that women who say they can't bfeed,'didn't try hard enough."
I was told by two lactation consultants that I was 'too lazy' and 'not tying hard enough'. I think they were bullying me, no matter how hard I tried, I still tried.
Imerica1 5 years ago
They were bullying you by calling you lazy, etc. You should be proud for trying - breastfeeding is really hard!
By the way, I'm still breastfeeding my 9 month old daughter and I had inverted nipples as well. Took a
while to get past it, but now they're outies, hurrah.
lightmama 5 years ago
Mine are still..innies. AAARRRGHHH!!! I think our bodies are as different as our personalities. My 'innies' may not look the same as yours once did. Which would probably explain why they didn't 'pop out'. (I'm SO trying not to give TMI) LOL
At any rate, I'm proud that I tried with all three of my girls... those LC's should've taken a flyin' leap.
Imerica1 5 years ago
Seems that u were badly advised, use of a nipplette during pregnancy would have drawn the nipple out. I'm aware of women who couldn't feed 1st child due to inverted nipples but went on to successfully breastfeed subsequent kids after finding out about the device & express to give milk to the ones that missed out 1st time round - genius!
sassberry 4 years ago
Actually, it wouldn't have been drawn out. My nipples aren't properly formed. Period. It hurts to even try today, (and my child is 3 now) to extract them. Mine don't look like 'normal women's ' nipples.
Imerica1 4 years ago
just in case-try nipple shields-they really do work!
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
I plan on not being pregnant again...ever in life (because I'm doomed to get pre-ecclampsia again.) If, in another life I did decide to have another baby, I'd try just like I tried with my other children.
Imerica1 4 years ago
Opps, I meant the women that don't even try to BF at ALL and just use the blanket statement that they can't. We all know that some women can't for medical reasons.
orangeflower 5 years ago
Not ALL moms haven't tried...I have counseled moms who have tried and have even had to refer them to lactation consultants and in actuallity they could not breastfeed...baby had problems latching, mom not producin even after taking pills and drinking herbs...SOME, can only do it for so long, however it is very few that can not do it.
deesbabyphat 2 years ago
Benefits? I'm not aware of any other for those who are selfish and want to go out drinking and partying!
2-3% of women truly cannot feed, the rest are misinformed, have unrealistic expectation of how babies work, believe the crap advertising...etc
More women feed, more milk banks and those who can't feed can give their babies donated milk instead of that risky formula.
moogyboobles 5 years ago 2
The only benefits of formula I am aware of are selfish! It's not a choice, a last resort. Technically only 2-3% of women truly cannot feed, way less that those who claim to not be able to feed.
Formula advertising, unreasonable expectations of baby's behaviour, poor advice, scheduling...many reasons stop women from feeding, plus those who just don't care and would rather go out drinking etc.
moogyboobles 5 years ago
That is shallow and completely crazy. I don't drink and I stay at home with my little boy every day. Just because I chose not to breastfeed (no, I didn't say that I "can't," I chose) doesn't mean I am a bad mommy. It means I made a choice that was given to me. I don't need to be made to feel like a bad mom for making the choice that was best for me and baby.
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
No ur not a bad mum but u are an ill informed one. Formula is contaminated by enviromental toxins & often bacteria such as Enterobacter sakazakii which can cause meningitis, enteritis & severe lasting neurological disorders in surviving infants. Many other contaminants are also found in formula that can have negative consequences on infant health which may only surface later in life, therefore formula is a 'risk'
sassberry 4 years ago
Get it into perspective ur choice was not nutritionally & physically best for ur baby unless medically deemed otherwise. In a society obsessed with human/equal rights I am surprised this has not yet become a legal issue. There will come a day when a child sues its mother for failing to choose & provide the natural healthiest start in life. Infants receiving formula from birth are not getting equal & human rights as nutritionally superior breastmilk fed peers are. Thats simply not fair!
sassberry 4 years ago
get a clue. This society is obsessed with lawsuits, and such a suit would be just as frivolous as the judge who sued the dry cleaners for 12 million.
What is not fair is BF nazis trying to enforce their standards on others.
seraph998 4 years ago
Well said! Scandinavian countries have a 98% success rate for breastfeeding/expressing, 2% have genuine medical reason for not doing, eg galactosemia. Britain & USA ought to hang their heads in shame for the lack of education on breastmilk benefits and formula risks. Infants don't ask to be born and can't choose, their needs should come first and foremost always.
sassberry 4 years ago
No one mentioned anything about the higher percentage of over weight children and obesity due to formula feeding either.
6Amazon 5 years ago
There is no verifiable research that even suggests that obesity is due to formula. And Cearrach's comment is just so clueless that there is no good response except "huh?"
I have no concern or outrage over women breatfeeding. If they want to, fine. My MAIN problem is with idiots who insist that they have the right to tell everyone else what they should be doing.
seraph998 5 years ago
Well last I checked, formula doesn't change it's calorie and fat content based on consumption. It also amazes me that so many people survived before formula with as many women as there are claiming that they "can't" breastfeed. I think the main issue that keeps women from breastfeeding is the idea that formula feeding is the norm and is just as good as breastmilk and that is NOT TRUE. If you choose not to breastfeed fine but to not allow both sides their fair share of advertising is "idiotic"
6Amazon 5 years ago
That isn't a "fair share." That is crossing the line. That is insulting bottle feeding mothers and basically inferring that we are less of mothers because of it. I could have breastfed, I CHOSE NOT TO. Does that mean the state needs to come take away my kid just because I made a choice that they don't agree with?
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
OK, I'm sorry, those who CHOOSE not to breastfeed are not any less of a mother. Hmmmm... how about just plain selfish? Afraid your boobs might sag a little? hahaha
6Amazon 4 years ago
Nope, not selfish either. Just my choice and my right...NOT YOURS. You don't get to call the shots in my son's life, plain and simple. Perhaps you should worry about your own children and not everyone else's. HA, my boobs have been sagging since sixth grade, hon. I am not worried about any kind of physical effect it would have on me...I JUST DON'T WANT TO!
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
The WHO advised that globally infants are fed as follows: 1 breastfed, 2 fed own mothers expressed milk when feeding at breast not possible, 3 fed expressed/donated milk of another woman / wetnursed 4 fed formula as a last resort. So who in their right mind really wants to subject their precious infants to a 4th rate form of nutrition by choice? It beggars belief!
sassberry 4 years ago
What beggars belief is the BF NAZIS who believe that THEY have the only information. For every piece of "research" that you quote, there is an equal and opposite piece.
Sorry, while breast feeding may be good for the baby, that does not make formula feeding bad for the baby.
seraph998 4 years ago
FYI contaminants in a bottle of formula that manufacturers don't list on the label!
Aluminum, silicon, cadmium, genetically engineered corn/soy, MSG, Phytoestrogens, Phthalates, Bisphenol A, Pesticides, Lead, Atrazine, Nitrates, Bacteria. Search on naba-breastfeeding org for associated risks - its an eyeopener!Please feel free to post search info on the research u have on equal and opposite pieces
sassberry 4 years ago
My friend was upset when herself & son could not breastfeed, rather than deny him the benefits of species specific human milk she opted to express and managed to do so for 6 months - thats a selfless mother devoted to her sons welfare. i pity u and your mentality and your son even more.
sassberry 4 years ago
Such a shame, breastfeeding is good for mum too. Weight reduction, oxytocin production, lower risk of breast & ovarian cancer, reduced risk of osteoporosis to name a few! Any breast sagging occurs because of pregnancy when main internal changes to breasts happen in readiness for milk production not due to actual breastfeeding.
sassberry 4 years ago
Well said.
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
Seraph998-scientific studies in the EU have shown the higher protein content in formula compared to low protein puts a child a greater risk of obesity. Breastfed babes regulate their own appetites by feeding on demand. By 8months old formula fed babes have consumed an average of 30000 calories more than breastfed babes, approx 120 mars bars, see INFACTCanada and babymilkaction for info.
sassberry 4 years ago
Also see foodnavigator-usa com for info on the EU scientific studies relating to obesity and formula milk and how research is being carried out on a low protein formula with similar low protein levels to human milk - still better to breastfeed than subject babies to the forever ongoing experiment that is formula. Would we put our babies forward for drug experiments? Think not, so why formula!
sassberry 4 years ago
PSHAW! sorry... but give me a break.
We fed our baby formula, and she is the slimest little girl you'd ever meet.
Just like adults, babies and children need ACTIVITY!
it's not the formula or breat milk that puts them at risk for obesity, it's the lack of physical activity.
seraph998 4 years ago
There have been studies that have linked formula to obesity later in life not just for babies-and yes activity needs to be implemented! (We are told not to give our infants cow's milk until they are a year old-Formula IS cow's milk in a powdered form!)
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
Let me give you a little bit of information. While those studies may be all well and good the problem with the studies is that they're saying that overweight adults are fat because they were fed formula as infants. My children...all three, were formula fed as babies ...you can view them on my videos. They aren't fat.
Imerica1 4 years ago
Of course not all people are going to be obese if they were formula fed-genes and activity are involved however a mom is putting their child at risk for obesity later on in life-
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
I was formula fed but I'm overweight because of my eating habits, not because I was formula fed. I was skinny most of my life until I had children. I wore a size 5 at 20 years of age, and the highest my weight was as a skinny person was 135lbs. Anecdotal evidence aside, you can't say that for every person who has been fed formula as a child.
Imerica1 4 years ago
Again that is why I said NOT ALL-
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
But you can't even really say that about ANY overweight adult. What overweight adult do you know that's overweight JUST BECAUSE they were fed formula?
Imerica1 4 years ago
Lead author Dr. Matthew Gillman theorized that breast-fed babies learn to "self-regulate" food intake better than formula-fed infants because they may have better control over stopping feeding when they are full.
By contrast, parents who use formula may see an unfinished bottle and try to induce their infants to drink more, unwittingly encouraging them to ignore their bodies' own hunger cues. That could raise the risk of weight problems later on.
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
"Self-regulate"? Breasfeeding babies will eat until their full, as will formula fed babies. A breastfed baby may eat more in a session than a formula fed baby. Does that mean that the bfed baby will be fat? I don't remember ever feeling..."Wow, I can't control my eating because of the way I use to consume formula as an infant." LOL I eat because I enjoy it. And I'm a big girl...
Imerica1 4 years ago
Bfed babies do eat until they are full-formula fed do also but when a parent is shoving an unfinished bottle down their mouth they will continue to eat-
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
First of all, you have no knowledge of what you're speaking about. For a parent to force feed their baby formula is to asphixiate them. You are apparently someone who has ONLY breastfed or someone who wants to when you have your own children. I have 3 children whom I tried to bf when they were babies, when it didn't work, I turned to formula and they thrived. I never "SHOVED" unfinished bottles down their throats. That's harsh.
Imerica1 4 years ago
I have done my research,I know some moms have to rely on formula-however there is donor milk-unfortunately my daughter was given formula the first few days of her life..I was ill informed at the time, I have done my research since then.Anyamount of bm that a child can get is better than none-which means I do not discriminate against moms who use formula-although YOU might have never done it there are parents who do shove the bottle in the kids mouth.
deesbabyphat 4 years ago
How do you know? Have you ever SEEN a formula feeding mom shove a baby in their kid's mouth? And another thing that hasn't been touched is the fact that when you see a mom feeding her child with a bottle don't ALWAYS have formula in there. Lots of times its expressed breastmilk. Some people, even I can't tell the difference (in eyesight) the difference between formula and breastmilk in a bottle. And I want to correct something you said...
Imerica1 4 years ago
I have known many ff babies and whilst shoved may be a harsh term most of them certainly encourage their babies to finish the set amount of ounces theyre supposed to have at that feed. The other side of the coin is if they have a 4 hour feeding schedule and they become hyngry after 3 then they may be distracted from feeding until theyr 'due' a feed so learn to ignore hunger cues which would also effect appetite control.
mammyJulie 2 years ago
"Artificially fed infants consume 30,000 more calories than breastfed infants by 8 months of age"(equivalent to 120 Mars bars - 4 a week). Student Study Guide for Breastfeeding and Human Lactation KG Auerbach, J Riordan - 1993
The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considered that there are only two potential, cost-effective interventions that can be put into place immediately to deal with the childhood obesity epidemic: decreased television viewing and breastfeeding promotion.
sassberry 4 years ago 2
formula milk is based on cows milk protein, cows milk provides everything a calf needs to grow the main ingrediant being fat as a cow needs to put weight on quickly in order to survive whereas humans needs long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids which help with brain developement, cows don't need this, therefore chidren who are fed formula are more likely to put on weight than breastfed babies who have a better brain developement.
ellybellysmellywelly 4 years ago 7
Its not about the amount they consume its about whether theyre hungry when they consume it or whether theyre being encouraged to 'finish their feed' when theyve actually had enough. Besides you cant compare them like for like they have different fat contents and bm is digested quicker amongst the many other differences
mammyJulie 2 years ago
One of the reasons ff babies are said to have more chance of being obese later in life is because bf babies always regulate their own food intake whilst ff babies are more likely to be fed to a routine and encouraged to consume a certain amount. The theory is bf babies will learn to eat only when theyre hungry where as ff babies are taught habits that will encourage them to overeat iyswim.
mammyJulie 2 years ago
Seraph998 People who advise on the benefits of human milk are doing a service to mothers and infants, far from being idiots they are usually well educated, intelligent & socially aware. Mothers cannot make effective choices unless they are fully informed choices and this includes being made aware of any possible risk factors whether they cause conscious discomfort or not.
sassberry 4 years ago
yes. However, there are plenty of well educated people who also choose to feed formula. My spouse and I both have Masters degrees, and I have a background in medicine.
I have no problem with people CHOOSING. I have a problem when someone says "this is what you HAVE to do"
seraph998 4 years ago
That's an excellent point - even the most well-educated people can make bad choices that compromise the health of their own children.
cearrach 4 years ago 2
Yes it's true that some educated people do choose to use formula, but many more breastfeed. In fact most fomula feeders are people who have gone to college. I see this as a problem because formula sometimes target less educated people and their children have to suffer.
BoAFan149 4 years ago
Actually most formula feeders are the minority who recieve WIC and Food Stamps...I work for WIC...
deesbabyphat 2 years ago
B.S. So why is Infamil the top selling formula when WIC gives out Similac. Explain that?
angelahk28f 2 years ago
what does that have to do with BFing?
deesbabyphat 2 years ago
They said people on WIC are the main ones using formula. WIC gives coupons for Similac. So if WIC receivers are the main ones using formula, how come Infamil is the top brand? Actually WIC also has breast feeding counslers and lend out pumps.
angelahk28f 2 years ago
Yes, I know, I am a Breastfeeding counselor......sales from WIC and food stamps are not calculated into the sales of formula because it has to be reimbursed by the gov.
deesbabyphat 2 years ago
I have 7 month old twins, they are breast feeding and have never had formula. I enjoyed these commercials, of course, I tried and succeeded through willpower. America is the worst country for outrage when it comes to breast feeding.
I think this is one thing that there should be no "anti" about. Breast milk should always be tried. I'm not so pro-breastfeeding that I can't understand if a woman CAN'T, for some reason. But if you can, you should. Having a baby is much more than giving birth.
nocuously 5 years ago 2
Thousands of babies die every day due to being fed formula - if formula had never been invented, fewer babies would have died. Case closed.
cearrach 5 years ago 2
Where is that proof? Thousands of babies die every day due to all sorts of things...but where is that unbiased study that proves what you just said?
jessesgirl311 4 years ago
Search online for charities babymilkaction, IBFAN, save the children, unicef, key nestle into knowmore org and u will av ur proof. Lookup boycott nestle & formula for disaster videos on utube. Search milking it on uk news guardian unlimited for undercover reporting in Bangladesh and how upto 70% of hospital admissions are infants due to formula - its dirty stuff in more ways than 1!
sassberry 4 years ago
Glad some people do their research. Unicef and WHO advise the figure is approx 1.5million per year, over 4000 per day. Formula should not be commercially available, prescribed only to those who genuinely need it. The US & UK governments should bring their maternity benefits in line with Scandinavian Countries to improve breastfeeding rates and infant/mother health outcomes.
sassberry 4 years ago
Actually they've done tests on milk of women in 3rd wold countries with poor nutrition and it is the same quality as those w/ good nutrition. Bfeeding is best but remember some babies/mothers medically cannot do it... they should not feel guilty for using formula.
Rebecca327 5 years ago
Formula actually CAN bring about A LOT of problems to tiny babies -- people MUST be informed about these risks because they are real.
In no other developed country is formula advertised as equally good to breast milk. In Scandinavia, Drs and nurses will intensevily help moms who can't BF before they leave the hospital, and the result is that nearly 100% of moms nurse there and formula companies are not allowed to give free formula samples as a "baby gift before they go home!
polihaupt 5 years ago 2
I did like the part about the government making provisions for working moms that are breastfeeding. Perhaps 20/20 could do one of their half-hour long segments on that matter, as it certainly deserves more than 2 minutes.
RBCMLR33 5 years ago
I know 20/20 is exactly a top-notch news magazine, but this is possibly one of the shittiest pieces I have ever seen. They are all over the place, and none of their leads ends with any kind of point.
Aside from that, I like breastfeeding ads. Woment that use formula are using the inferior "product", and they should realize it and accept it instead of trying to convince people that formula feeding is the same as breastfeeding.
RBCMLR33 5 years ago
Hey, it IS risky to say "Who cares" to the benefits of milk. If you feel defensive about formula, maybe there's a reason.
halfdyke 5 years ago