Post by diapersnwipes on Oct 24, 2014 12:11:44 GMT -5
I read about half. I will never understand who these people are that think they need to comment of how a baby is fed. Unless it's coke in a bottle for a 6 month old I have nothing to say. And after breastfeeding a kid for 8 months that refused to take a bottle, ate every 2 hours and basically never left my side for 8 months I can't say I would recommend breastfeeding to anyone right now. I'm still fairly traumatized.
Post by amynumbers on Oct 24, 2014 12:19:31 GMT -5
Big surprise but I truly believe this is pretty much a manufactured issue by bored moms on the internet. Kind of like the people who claim people say shit to them about being a SAHM -- on the internet maybe, but I refuse to believe it is that prevalent in face to face real life. Makes for good click bait though.
I Breastfed two kids for over a year each. I never felt compelled to blog about it or attend a nurse in or otherwise whine about what other moms thought. Same should go for people who are truly comfortable formula feeding.
Advocating for women who want to breastfeed but face barriers isn't the same as shaming formula feeding. If it has that much of an impact on someone, that's on them.
Big surprise but I truly believe this is pretty much a manufactured issue by bored moms on the internet. Kind of like the people who claim people say shit to them about being a SAHM -- on the internet maybe, but I refuse to believe it is that prevalent in face to face real life. Makes for good click bait though.
I Breastfed two kids for over a year each. I never felt compelled to blog about it or attend a nurse in or otherwise whine about what other moms thought. Same should go for people who are truly comfortable formula feeding.
Advocating for women who want to breastfeed but face barriers isn't the same as shaming formula feeding. If it has that much of an impact on someone, that's on them.
And my point is, no, I don't believe half the shit she says people said to her. She had a double mastectomy FFS -- unless she is friends with actual idiots, I doubt it.
I think people make this an issue when it's not. If everyone is so secure in their choice then why are there so many freaking blog posts defending BFing/FFing/SAHM/WM/ whatever?
I think people make this an issue when it's not. If everyone is so secure in their choice then why are there so many freaking blog posts defending BFing/FFing/SAHM/WM/ whatever?
TOO MANY BLOGS! Forget Ebola....blogs are the real epidemic!!!
Yes I realize this is hypocritical, considering the thread I just posted.
I'm with Amy, wondering who in the hell gives a breast cancer survivor a hard time about not BFing?? She's either lying or way exaggerating a couple of insensitive remarks.....I would hope so anyway....
Post by lattelady5 on Oct 24, 2014 12:36:18 GMT -5
Articles like these go viral instantly but the reality is, most women aren't in her position. Very few women physically can't breastfeed and to act like formula feeding is not the norm is inaccurate.
Most women who don't breastfeed can't because of society. They have to return to work after 4 or 6 weeks and don't have an established milk supply or the right place to pump, or enough time to pump. Employers don't recognize breastfeeding as beneficial because mom can just give formula.
Lower income moms don't have access to lactation consultants or help with breastfeeding. They can't afford a breastpump, or bags to store their milk in and WIC only pays for formula (in my area at least).
I know not every hospital is like mine but the nurses ask when you check in if you are FF or BF and that's it. Great either way. If you're BFing the lactation consultant comes by to answer questions. She holds a baby weigh in weekly and is there for BFing help. It's open to any mom and absolutely free. She gives out her cell phone number too.
I've never IRL had a friend give me a hard time about BFing and I have tons of FFing friends and I've never thought to give them a hard time for FFing. I just don't think FFshaming is nearly as big of a deal as it is often made out to be.
Articles like these go viral instantly but the reality is, most women aren't in her position. Very few women physically can't breastfeed and to act like formula feeding is not the norm is inaccurate.
Most women who don't breastfeed can't because of society. They have to return to work after 4 or 6 weeks and don't have an established milk supply or the right place to pump, or enough time to pump. Employers don't recognize breastfeeding as beneficial because mom can just give formula.
Lower income moms don't have access to lactation consultants or help with breastfeeding. They can't afford a breastpump, or bags to store their milk in and WIC only pays for formula (in my area at least).
I know not every hospital is like mine but the nurses ask when you check in if you are FF or BF and that's it. Great either way. If you're BFing the lactation consultant comes by to answer questions. She holds a baby weigh in weekly and is there for BFing help. It's open to any mom and absolutely free. She gives out her cell phone number too.
I've never IRL had a friend give me a hard time about BFing and I have tons of FFing friends and I've never thought to give them a hard time for FFing. I just don't think FFshaming is nearly as big of a deal as it is often made out to be.
I'd add to this that someone who made the choice to formula feed isn't really the audience for "breast is best" these days -- it's not about you. "Breast is best" is about educating decision makers -- many of whom don't have kids and most of whom don't have tits -- in order to alleviate the societal barriers to Breastfeeding.
At the core, I truly every woman deserves complete control of her body, so that has to include the choice to formula feed. But when you come at it with formula feeders being this poor maligned minority in this country, it diminishes your (the royal your) argument because it's not even true. Most babies are formula fed, and I've yet to hear of a mother whose civil rights were denied when bottle feeding.
Articles like these go viral instantly but the reality is, most women aren't in her position. Very few women physically can't breastfeed and to act like formula feeding is not the norm is inaccurate.
Most women who don't breastfeed can't because of society. They have to return to work after 4 or 6 weeks and don't have an established milk supply or the right place to pump, or enough time to pump. Employers don't recognize breastfeeding as beneficial because mom can just give formula.
Lower income moms don't have access to lactation consultants or help with breastfeeding. They can't afford a breastpump, or bags to store their milk in and WIC only pays for formula (in my area at least).
I know not every hospital is like mine but the nurses ask when you check in if you are FF or BF and that's it. Great either way. If you're BFing the lactation consultant comes by to answer questions. She holds a baby weigh in weekly and is there for BFing help. It's open to any mom and absolutely free. She gives out her cell phone number too.
I've never IRL had a friend give me a hard time about BFing and I have tons of FFing friends and I've never thought to give them a hard time for FFing. I just don't think FFshaming is nearly as big of a deal as it is often made out to be.
I'd add to this that someone who made the choice to formula feed isn't really the audience for "breast is best" these days -- it's not about you. "Breast is best" is about educating decision makers -- many of whom don't have kids and most of whom don't have tits -- in order to alleviate the societal barriers to Breastfeeding.
At the core, I truly every woman deserves complete control of her body, so that has to include the choice to formula feed. But when you come at it with formula feeders being this poor maligned minority in this country, it diminishes your (the royal your) argument because it's not even true. Most babies are formula fed, and I've yet to hear of a mother whose civil rights were denied when bottle feeding.
I understand that. My point was simply the "I had a double mascetomy and people are judging me for FFing" is not the norm. Most women who choose not breastfeed make that choice because of societal influences, not because they physically can't. Yes, there are some women who physically cannot breastfeed but that is not the majority.
When it comes to this topic, Amy always says what I think, just a lot more clearly.
I think saying breastfeeding for most people is traumatic is kind of ridiculous. I've had a fairly rocky road of it, more so than lots of bfers, but traumatizing? No. My kid getting stuck half way out of me? That's traumatizing.
Post by Kcthepouchh8r on Oct 24, 2014 13:29:42 GMT -5
I think I've mentioned this before but I feel like this is a socioeconomic phenomenon. I have friends that are lower income and I can't think of one who bf. They don't have people asking why they aren't breastfeeding because their friends/family don't do it. I live in an upper middle class suburb and everyone is bf and lugging their infant around in a beco carrier. I have in fact had to lecture more people that I care to admit that really, not producing milk is a real thing as my kids weren't peeing enough from the know it alls who tried to tell me I was wrong when I said I didn't produce enough milk as that is a myth. I'm not trying to play the pain Olympics here, just that formula shaming in fact does happen.
Post by Kcthepouchh8r on Oct 24, 2014 13:31:10 GMT -5
I've also met numerous LC and while the majority are lovely I don't doubt some lactivist wacko tried to tell her that a double Mastectomy wouldn't affect BF.
I think I've mentioned this before but I feel like this is a socioeconomic phenomenon. I have friends that are lower income and I can't think of one who bf. They don't have people asking why they aren't breastfeeding because their friends/family don't do it. I live in an upper middle class suburb and everyone is bf and lugging their infant around in a beco carrier. I have in fact had to lecture more people that I care to admit that really, not producing milk is a real thing as my kids weren't peeing enough from the know it alls who tried to tell me I was wrong when I said I didn't produce enough milk as that is a myth. I'm not trying to play the pain Olympics here, just that formula shaming in fact does happen.
The thing is, the reason people say it's a myth is b/c it is extremely uncommon for someone to not make the right amount of milk for their baby. Often people say they didn't "make enough," but then you learn the rest of the story which usually explains why they didn't have a big enough supply.
I get it, I know from first hand experience that it is possible to not make enough milk. But it's not common at all.
Would I ever tell someone who said they had low supply or didn't make milk that they were wrong? Nope. But depending on the person I may or may not share my story b/c (and this might be a flameful confession) I don't want to perpetuate the idea that low-supply/no milk is some super common thing.
I have no doubt that bfing rates correlate to socioeconomic status, education, etc. But it's due to lack of ability - it always always always comes back to education, information, support & money.
I've also met numerous LC and while the majority are lovely I don't doubt some lactivist wacko tried to tell her that a double Mastectomy wouldn't affect BF.
And if I were here and a hospital LC actually told me that, I'd probably report her to her manager or someone for giving out incorrect medical information. I don't think the average IBCLC is going to go around telling someone w/ a mastectomy they can still totes BF, no problem.
I think I've mentioned this before but I feel like this is a socioeconomic phenomenon. I have friends that are lower income and I can't think of one who bf. They don't have people asking why they aren't breastfeeding because their friends/family don't do it. I live in an upper middle class suburb and everyone is bf and lugging their infant around in a beco carrier. I have in fact had to lecture more people that I care to admit that really, not producing milk is a real thing as my kids weren't peeing enough from the know it alls who tried to tell me I was wrong when I said I didn't produce enough milk as that is a myth. I'm not trying to play the pain Olympics here, just that formula shaming in fact does happen.
The thing is, the reason people say it's a myth is b/c it is extremely uncommon for someone to not make the right amount of milk for their baby. Often people say they didn't "make enough," but then you learn the rest of the story which usually explains why they didn't have a big enough supply.
I get it, I know from first hand experience that it is possible to not make enough milk. But it's not common at all.
Would I ever tell someone who said they had low supply or didn't make milk that they were wrong? Nope. But depending on the person I may or may not share my story b/c (and this might be a flameful confession) I don't want to perpetuate the idea that low-supply/no milk is some super common thing.
I have no doubt that bfing rates correlate to socioeconomic status, education, etc. But it's due to lack of ability - it always always always comes back to education, information, support & money.
Oh, I agree I am a SSS when I say I physically was incapable of bf. The point is I've in fact been questioned about it and subsequently shamed when I said I wasn't able to because I was obviously wrong in saying I didn't make enough milk. Also I just googled out of sheer curiosity and 74% of middle class families BF vs 57% of lower income families so amynumbers saying everyone is FF is just inaccurate.
I've also met numerous LC and while the majority are lovely I don't doubt some lactivist wacko tried to tell her that a double Mastectomy wouldn't affect BF.
And if I were here and a hospital LC actually told me that, I'd probably report her to her manager or someone for giving out incorrect medical information. I don't think the average IBCLC is going to go around telling someone w/ a mastectomy they can still totes BF, no problem.
Oh I don't agree the average LC would either. I just don't think its so unbelievable she would come across a LC who would say such a thing.
The thing is, the reason people say it's a myth is b/c it is extremely uncommon for someone to not make the right amount of milk for their baby. Often people say they didn't "make enough," but then you learn the rest of the story which usually explains why they didn't have a big enough supply.
I get it, I know from first hand experience that it is possible to not make enough milk. But it's not common at all.
Would I ever tell someone who said they had low supply or didn't make milk that they were wrong? Nope. But depending on the person I may or may not share my story b/c (and this might be a flameful confession) I don't want to perpetuate the idea that low-supply/no milk is some super common thing.
I have no doubt that bfing rates correlate to socioeconomic status, education, etc. But it's due to lack of ability - it always always always comes back to education, information, support & money.
Oh, I agree I am a SSS when I say I physically was incapable of bf. The point is I've in fact been questioned about it and subsequently shamed when I said I wasn't able to because I was obviously wrong in saying I didn't make enough milk. Also I just googled out of sheer curiosity and 74% of middle class families BF vs 57% of lower income families so amynumbers saying everyone is FF is just inaccurate.
It's absolutely not inaccurate because if you googled 10 seconds more you would see those aren't rates of EBF for 12 months. Even most of the evil preachy breastfeeders are using formula at some point.
I mean you are actually trying to say 57% of low income families EBF for a year? Because lol.
It's why I don't buy it -- 12 month EBFers are a rare breed. Even many very committed BFers are using formula in some capacity.
Is that the percentage doing it at birth? Usually they're broken down by at birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, etc. It drastically drops.
The article didn't break down by infant ages but according to the CDC 50% of women are bf in my state at six months so still untrue that the majority are ff.
Also, EBF technically excludes food too. So when you say "I EBF for a year" you're saying your baby received nothing but breastmilk for the first 12 months of their life. That is actually a much smaller number regardless of SEs
Oh, I agree I am a SSS when I say I physically was incapable of bf. The point is I've in fact been questioned about it and subsequently shamed when I said I wasn't able to because I was obviously wrong in saying I didn't make enough milk. Also I just googled out of sheer curiosity and 74% of middle class families BF vs 57% of lower income families so amynumbers saying everyone is FF is just inaccurate.
It's absolutely not inaccurate because if you googled 10 seconds more you would see those aren't rates of EBF for 12 months. Even most of the evil preachy breastfeeders are using formula at some point.
I mean you are actually trying to say 57% of low income families EBF for a year? Because lol.
It's why I don't buy it -- 12 month EBFers are a rare breed. Even many very committed BFers are using formula in some capacity.
I don't doubt that EBf at 1 is a rare phenomenon but I don't doubt someone who Bf for six months would shame some mom FF her infant either. Formula shamers need not be someone BF a five year old.
Is that the percentage doing it at birth? Usually they're broken down by at birth, 6 weeks, 6 months, etc. It drastically drops.
The article didn't break down by infant ages but according to the CDC 50% of women are bf in my state at six months so still untrue that the majority are ff.
BFing or EBFing? Makes a difference. Sorry but even if I bought the assumption that 50% of babies in your state were EBF at six months, it's absurd to assume that translates to 50% EBF at 12 months.
Which would in fact mean the majority does use formula.
Post by wesleycrusher on Oct 24, 2014 13:55:51 GMT -5
I didn't breastfeed, my reasons are my own, but to put simply I just didn't want to do it. I never had anyone say anything to me about it ever, so it always makes me do a double-take when I hear stories like these because it wasn't my experience at all. I'm not saying that women don't experience it, I know they do, but I never did.
I do think that there is a difference when women want to breastfeed and can't vs those who choose not to. I never felt any guilt about my decision because I made my decision, my body didn't make the decision for me. So I think when women feel guilty (and they shouldn't) they do take everything to heart, looks and comments that may not even be about feeding. I especially noticed this on my BMB after we all started to have babies.
Most recent data from the CDC says the national averages for EBF at 3 months is 40.7% and 18.8% at 6 months. Now, I think that is tricky to interpret b/c EBF will mean no solids and most people are told to start solids somewhere between 4 and 6 months. Simply breastfeeding at 6 months is 49.4% but is the exclusivity dropped b/c they intro'ed formula or b/c they started solids?
So the overwhelming majority, over 80%, of babies in KC's state are getting formula in some capacity at six months? And in fact 53% are getting no breast milk at all at that age?
The article didn't break down by infant ages but according to the CDC 50% of women are bf in my state at six months so still untrue that the majority are ff.
BFing or EBFing? Makes a difference. Sorry but even if I bought the assumption that 50% of babies in your state were EBF at six months, it's absurd to assume that translates to 50% EBF at 12 months.
Which would in fact mean the majority does use formula.
A low rate of bf at 12 months doesn't necessarily mean they used formula. I know people who quit in the 9-10 month window that went straight to cows milk. I know people who stopped bf but had a freezer stash of breast milk and did a combo of that and solids. They might not report as still bf. Others justify it being ok to use formula past six months because that's when the gut can handle solids and it isn't so bad using formula in that window. It doesn't mean those people wouldn't formula shame.
BFing or EBFing? Makes a difference. Sorry but even if I bought the assumption that 50% of babies in your state were EBF at six months, it's absurd to assume that translates to 50% EBF at 12 months.
Which would in fact mean the majority does use formula.
A low rate of bf at 12 months doesn't necessarily mean they used formula. I know people who quit in the 9-10 month window that went straight to cows milk. I know people who stopped bf but had a freezer stash of breast milk and did a combo of that and solids. They might not report as still bf. Others justify it being ok to use formula past six months because that's when the gut can handle solids and it isn't so bad using formula in that window. It doesn't mean those people wouldn't formula shame.
lol backpedal all day.
Sure some random assholes will formula shame. Just like everyday some random asshole violates the civil rights of a woman nursing in public. Neither one are the norm.