20/20 Elizabeth Vargas Breastfeeding Story

Elizabeth Vargas reports on a controversial advertising campaign by the US government that compares not breastfeeding an infant to performing dangerous stunts while pregnant.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• breastfeeding
• nursing
• breastmilk
• formula
• pregnancy
• pregnant
• mother
• mothers
• mom
• moms
• infant
• infants
• baby
• babies

[ellybellysmellywelly]

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.

[lifescholar]

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!

[Quin8tina]

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"

[GraceMartini]

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!?

[MomijiLover13]

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!

[tmariebluesky]

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.

[egyptahly]

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....

[vgarcia1]

Breastmilk is what is best for babies. Even formula companies agree, otherwise they'd stop trying to duplicate it.

[deesbabyphat]

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]

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.

[angelahk28f]

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.