NYT: Overselling Breastfeeding

[Deleted]

I want to add that I have had bad experiences with medical professionals from the other side. Doctors and nurses seemed very supportive of my BFing up to a point, but It seemed like once my babies reached their first birthdays I got lots of judgment. When I nursed DD2 to 27 months, I received quite a bit of negative feedback.

[WanderingWinoZ]

yea, I still think both extremes exist- generally when somebody is very ignorant.

I encouraged my freinds to do their own research, talk to others, and do what's best for them+baby. If/when it became too much or too painful or too time consuming or too mentally taxing, then it was time to quit BF. None of the guilt or shame or pressure on yourself for "not doing it long enough". Just do what is best foryour family- if it's easy & enjoyable, then the benefits outweigh the costs of BF-ing.

For me, going back to work & pumping was too much. I don't know that I'll even attempt to BF once I return to work. Ideally, I"d continue with a morning/night feed, but that just didn't happen with DD1- she slept so much better getting a big full bottle before bed.

[wawa]

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 18, 2015 13:20:53 GMT -5 wawa said:

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

Your Costco has a kosher aisle?  

[wawa]

Oct 18, 2015 13:31:56 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Oct 18, 2015 13:20:53 GMT -5 wawa said:

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

Your Costco has a kosher aisle?  

A refrigerated aisle, yes. Lots of smoked fish and brisket and random sides. Premade kugel. Etc.

[MrsAxilla]

Oct 18, 2015 13:50:41 GMT -5 wawa said:

Oct 18, 2015 13:31:56 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

Your Costco has a kosher aisle?  

A refrigerated aisle, yes. Lots of smoked fish and brisket and random sides. Premade kugel. Etc.

Huh.  Cool.

(see how I zoned in on the most important thing in this thread?  Lol)

[tacosforlife]

cville, I'm very disappointed you didn't phrase it as "udderly unsurprising."

Carry on.

[laurack]

I've heard of people saying wouldn't you at least give the baby the colostrum? As if a breast feeding relationship would be so easily turned on and off

I'll admit I'm sure I was weirdly judge mental to some degree as well in the beginning with my first. Not that I'd ever say anything. But maybe I thought "why not just try"

Now I see that even not spoken aloud that is a thought that is damaging as it contributes to an overall mentality that those who do not try care less or are less as mothers

I tried too hard with my first and I can't say I "regret" my breastfeeding relationships overall, they are generally positive in my memory. but I wish I'd allowed myself to supplement like I did with my second. It took so much pressure off me and in the end I realized it doesn't matter at all.

I hate that women have to feel bad about the feeding of their babies and defensive, defensive about formula at first, defensive about breast feeding after a year.

I wish we as a society could be supportive but not damaging. Because sometimes it IS better for everyone to not breast feed and sometimes I think women push themselves too far and it makes their early months/first year perhaps less enjoyable than they could be? By of course I don't know where the line is. Providing no support can also be bad. And I guess it is in the nature of a lc to be supportive but a little judgy/Pushy because they want to continue to have jobs

[hopecounts]

Oct 18, 2015 13:20:53 GMT -5 wawa said:

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

Baby Friendly hospitals:
1) have a written BFing policy
2) train staff to support this policy
3) inform patients of the benefits of BFing
4) Help Mother's initiate BFing within an hour of birth
5) Show Mother's how to BF and support Lactation when seperated from baby
6) Give nothing but BM unless medically indicated
7) Practice Rooming In 24/7.
8) Encourage on demand feeding
9) No pacifers or artificial nipples
10) Establish BFing support groups

www.babyfriendlyusa.org/get-started/the-guidelines-evaluation-criteria

[mrsdewinter]

Oct 18, 2015 12:41:30 GMT -5 bears said:

Oct 18, 2015 12:25:59 GMT -5 mrsdewinter said:

I'm not a fan of the Baby Friendly Hospital initiative either. I had my third baby at one and it seemed like a lot of their policies just make things harder for moms who are recovering from childbirth.

Agreed. IMO, the baby friendly designation is not caught up to the current science regarding what makes BFing successful, particularly around pacifier use (the hospitals aren't supposed to supply them after babies are born). I brought one in with me when my second kid was born because it was a lifesaver the first time without a single ill effect.

. Yes, the no pacifier rule is one of the things I was thinking of. Geez, let the mom soothe her baby without having the kid latched on like a lamprey every minute.

Another one that really bothers me is no longer having a well child nursery, which is how the BF hospital I delivered at was. I was fortunate with my third that I had a very easy recovery and my husband there too help so I didn't need the nursery. But women who have a difficult delivery or a CS or no family to stay with them should be able to send their baby to the nursery if they wish, so they can rest and recover. It's not fair to expect mothers to recover from birth and no allow them a real break from their babies and I think it could even be dangerous. I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't send my baby to the nursery after my emergency CS with baby #1. Fortunately that hospital wasn't Baby Friendly then--but it is now.

[cville]

Oct 18, 2015 13:57:25 GMT -5 tacosforlife said:

cville, I'm very disappointed you didn't phrase it as "udderly unsurprising."

Carry on.

Damnit! I hate that I missed a good pun.

[laurack]

The no pacifiers thing is super lame. I took a whole 24 hours of constant sucking and I was exhausted but afraid to ask the nurses for a pacifier. Finally I asked and it was such sweet sweet relief to have him sucking on that piece of rubber instead of my nipples for a while

[cville]

I would've sent a relative to the nearest store to buy a pacifier and snarled werewolf style at anyone who tried to say a fucking word about it.

[NitaX]

Oct 18, 2015 12:52:35 GMT -5 lurkingaw said:

I have spent over 7 years of my adult life BFing and will soon be doing it again. I do it because it's easier for me and I am super lazy - no warming bottles in the midfle of the night, makes washing diapers easier and is free. But I recognize that my experience is different than othet women. First, I actually enjoy doing it. Plus I have an overabundant supply, don't have to work outside the home, and have had very eager nursers. If I were a working mom who had to mostly pump, or had to get a baby used to a bottle, or couldn't cosleep snd wake on demand all night due to my job, I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much or even want to do it at all.

With that said, I understand why WIC is the way it is. If every mom is alloted the same amount, and one chooses to BF for free, she should be able to use her allotted money on other necessities.

I decided to BF because of the cost. I wouldn't have qualified income-wise for WIC and the thought of paying for formula was a no go when I could possibly feed my kid for free. What I am grateful for was the co-worker who didn't fluff BFing - it would hurt, but here are the things you need to get through the adjustment period. I had an excellent supply, so pumping was easy. 

But, I recognize that BFing isn't easy for everyone. It's one of those things women should decide for themselves - not be forced into by industry or browbeat by other women. 

[jeaniebueller]

Oct 18, 2015 14:05:08 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Oct 18, 2015 13:20:53 GMT -5 wawa said:

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

Baby Friendly hospitals:
1) have a written BFing policy
2) train staff to support this policy
3) inform patients of the benefits of BFing
4) Help Mother's initiate BFing within an hour of birth
5) Show Mother's how to BF and support Lactation when seperated from baby
6) Give nothing but BM unless medically indicated
7) Practice Rooming In 24/7.
8) Encourage on demand feeding
9) No pacifers or artificial nipples
10) Establish BFing support groups

www.babyfriendlyusa.org/get-started/the-guidelines-evaluation-criteria

From the anecdotes I have heard on this board, that is a really sanitized list of what these hospitals do.

[hopecounts]

Oct 18, 2015 15:06:27 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Oct 18, 2015 14:05:08 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Baby Friendly hospitals:
1) have a written BFing policy
2) train staff to support this policy
3) inform patients of the benefits of BFing
4) Help Mother's initiate BFing within an hour of birth
5) Show Mother's how to BF and support Lactation when seperated from baby
6) Give nothing but BM unless medically indicated
7) Practice Rooming In 24/7.
8) Encourage on demand feeding
9) No pacifers or artificial nipples
10) Establish BFing support groups

www.babyfriendlyusa.org/get-started/the-guidelines-evaluation-criteria

From the anecdotes I have heard on this board, that is a really sanitized list of what these hospitals do.

I just quoted the 10 pts they list there are sub-descriptions but it's too long to type and it's PDF so can't copy and paste, that's why I posted the link
I do think BF hospitals have issues so not promoting them at all just answering the question. 

[Deleted]

Oct 18, 2015 12:15:39 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Oct 18, 2015 10:51:19 GMT -5 ttt said:

Also, pumping sucks. I don't know anyone who didn't hate pumping.

Womp womp womp womp womp womp.

I will never not be able to remember that sound.

As I get older, I crave the camaraderie of women more and care more about the potential for dividing women (thereby disempowering them) than I do about the actual debate at issue.  I think that as long as we are focused on whether women should or should not breastfeed (intentional use of "should" there because for many working women it's a questions of "can"), we will lose sight of bigger issues, which for me these days is government paid maternity leave for all working mothers.  Breast feed or don't.  Circumcise or don't.  Co-sleep or don't.  But goddamn if we should be fighting about that when women are returning to the factory floor when they're stilling wearing the mesh underwear.  

I realize this is an about face from previous stances I have taken.  A lot can change in 10 years.  Yes, we've been together for that long.

YEASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Christ on a cracker. Are you feeding your kid? Great, keep it up! CO sleeping or not? I don't care-- are you getting enough rest? Natural, epidural, VBAC or RCS? Are you both healthy and alive? Yes? Then I don't fuckkng care how you chose to eject the child from your body!

[Deleted]

Oct 18, 2015 12:52:35 GMT -5 lurkingaw said:

I have spent over 7 years of my adult life BFing and will soon be doing it again. I do it because it's easier for me and I am super lazy - no warming bottles in the midfle of the night, makes washing diapers easier and is free. But I recognize that my experience is different than othet women. First, I actually enjoy doing it. Plus I have an overabundant supply, don't have to work outside the home, and have had very eager nursers. If I were a working mom who had to mostly pump, or had to get a baby used to a bottle, or couldn't cosleep snd wake on demand all night due to my job, I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much or even want to do it at all.

With that said, I understand why WIC is the way it is. If every mom is alloted the same amount, and one chooses to BF for free, she should be able to use her allotted money on other necessities.

You're assuming women get to choose how they feed their babies in all cases.

The fact that you stay home and can easily nurse is by far the minority of women.

I find the paragraph in the article that says pumping is not breastfeeding very insulting. Pumping is not nursing but it is breastfeeding.

My life would have been WAY easier if I had switched to formula. It was probably only hormones that kept me pumping for the first 5 months before it finally stopped being awful. I would not wish exclusively pumping on my worst enemy.

[Deleted]

Oct 18, 2015 15:16:57 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Oct 18, 2015 12:52:35 GMT -5 lurkingaw said:

I have spent over 7 years of my adult life BFing and will soon be doing it again. I do it because it's easier for me and I am super lazy - no warming bottles in the midfle of the night, makes washing diapers easier and is free. But I recognize that my experience is different than othet women. First, I actually enjoy doing it. Plus I have an overabundant supply, don't have to work outside the home, and have had very eager nursers. If I were a working mom who had to mostly pump, or had to get a baby used to a bottle, or couldn't cosleep snd wake on demand all night due to my job, I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much or even want to do it at all.

With that said, I understand why WIC is the way it is. If every mom is alloted the same amount, and one chooses to BF for free, she should be able to use her allotted money on other necessities.

You're assuming women get to choose how they feed their babies in all cases.

The fact that you stay home and can easily nurse is by far the minority of women.

I find the paragraph in the article that says pumping is not breastfeeding very insulting. Pumping is not nursing but it is breastfeeding.

My life would have been WAY easier if I had switched to formula. It was probably only hormones that kept me pumping for the first 5 months before it finally stopped being awful. I would not wish exclusively pumping on my worst enemy.

Actually, if you read what I wrote, I recognize that it isn't all a choice. It is easy for me because I have a great supply and my babies nursed well. Those aren't choices I made and I recognize that there are issues associated with nursing that are way beyond our control.

I also want to clarify that I worked part-time while nirsing my first four babies, so I am well aware of how hard it is to work, pump, and nurse.

[greeneggs]

I had DS in a baby friendly hospital and it was miserable. He was born at 36 weeks and absolutely refused to latch even after all the help from nurses, lactation consultants, my midwife, and my doula. Once it was established that breastfeeding was already off to a terrible start they brought in the pump, a few precious bottles of formula (which I had to call a nurse to get more and wait for her to bring them) and syringes to feed him because we couldn't risk nipple confusion. I was handling that fine until he needed to go under the bili lights for jaundice. He was miserable and cried the whole time we was under them so I had to sit in the room with my hand in the bassinet with him listening to him howl and scream for 24 hours except for the 30 minutes every two hours I was allowed to feed and snuggle with him. Since the hospital didn't have a well baby nursery I had no way to get away from the crying to rest or even relax enough to pump much of anything so by the time the doctor said he could come out from under the lights I was half crazy from the stress of it all.

Breastfeeding continued to be an epic failure until I finally gave up the pump at eight weeks and switched to formula full time. I truly think that the pressure to breastfeed with the whole breast is best and formula as the fourth best choice message is one of the things that pushed my already bad PPD into something that was almost dangerously worse.

[Deleted]

Also, this thread is making me thankful for homebirths because there is no one there pressuring me to do things I don't want to do or judging me for how I feed my baby. You guys are making hospitals sound terrible.

Yep. Don't have to worry about people judging for whether or not you breastfeed, just have to deal with the people telling you you deserve to have your kids taken away for making such a terrible choice by having your baby at home.

I really wish people would just mind their own business when it comes to how women birth and care for their babies.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Oct 18, 2015 10:51:19 GMT -5 ttt said:

Also, pumping sucks. I don't know anyone who didn't hate pumping.

I didn't. I expected to, but really, really didn't.

[2curlydogs]

The other thing that the author missed is that of COURSE we're leading the world in pumping supplies. We're the only fucking nation that doesn't have paid maternity leave. How, exactly, are women supposed to BF (if they choose to and are able to) when they have to go back to work possibly days after they give birth?

I don't doubt that there is commoditization of breastfeeding and pumping. It's what America does best. But there is an actual correlation the author totally missed.

And, yeah, don't fucking tell me that pumping is not breastfeeding. Fuck that noise. I wouldn't have strapped myself to the Devil Machine 3-5 times a day if it wasn't breastfeeding.

[omgzombies]

Oct 18, 2015 14:05:08 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Oct 18, 2015 13:20:53 GMT -5 wawa said:

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

Baby Friendly hospitals:
1) have a written BFing policy
2) train staff to support this policy
3) inform patients of the benefits of BFing
4) Help Mother's initiate BFing within an hour of birth
5) Show Mother's how to BF and support Lactation when seperated from baby
6) Give nothing but BM unless medically indicated
7) Practice Rooming In 24/7.
8) Encourage on demand feeding
9) No pacifers or artificial nipples
10) Establish BFing support groups

www.babyfriendlyusa.org/get-started/the-guidelines-evaluation-criteria

Is it no pacifiers at all, or unless parent has given ok, or pacifiers can be given by the parent in their room, but not allowed in the nursery?

[eclaires]

Oct 18, 2015 13:47:54 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

Oct 18, 2015 12:41:47 GMT -5 KateAggie said:

I was told, on the old politics board, that not even trying meant I wasn't worthy of being a mom. It was awesome.

Yes. I got this too. I don't remember which board, but that attitude was surprisingly prevalent on a lot of boards.

This is the one thing I still hold a grudge over 9y later. Most of the stuff that went down for me was on the parenting board, and I still scrunch up my nose like I smell a fart when I think of the people and what they posted.

I wanted to BF with my first but couldn't. Truly though the people most supportive of me IRL were the people I thought would be the most judgmental (ones who extended BF) which is what I ran into online.

The most sincere thing my MIL ever said to me was after we told her we had to switch to formula (she FF her kids) - she grabbed my shoulder and looked me dead in the eye and said "never let anyone make you feel bad for how you feed your baby." At the time we didn't have a great relationship nor were we close. It's different now because we've known each other a long time and she's gotten over some of her issues with us (like being worried we were too young to get married). But when she said that it meant a lot.

[eclaires]

Oct 18, 2015 16:06:50 GMT -5 omgzombies said:

Oct 18, 2015 14:05:08 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Baby Friendly hospitals:
1) have a written BFing policy
2) train staff to support this policy
3) inform patients of the benefits of BFing
4) Help Mother's initiate BFing within an hour of birth
5) Show Mother's how to BF and support Lactation when seperated from baby
6) Give nothing but BM unless medically indicated
7) Practice Rooming In 24/7.
8) Encourage on demand feeding
9) No pacifers or artificial nipples
10) Establish BFing support groups

www.babyfriendlyusa.org/get-started/the-guidelines-evaluation-criteria

Is it no pacifiers at all, or unless parent has given ok, or pacifiers can be given by the parent in their room, but not allowed in the nursery?

My understanding is they don't have any and you have to bring them yourself. The people I know who have had his issue have run into shaming/finger wagging over using them if they were 2nd time moms who brought them. First time moms I know didn't realize and we're basically out of luck.

[wawa]

Oct 18, 2015 15:06:27 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Oct 18, 2015 14:05:08 GMT -5 hopecounts said:

Baby Friendly hospitals:
1) have a written BFing policy
2) train staff to support this policy
3) inform patients of the benefits of BFing
4) Help Mother's initiate BFing within an hour of birth
5) Show Mother's how to BF and support Lactation when seperated from baby
6) Give nothing but BM unless medically indicated
7) Practice Rooming In 24/7.
8) Encourage on demand feeding
9) No pacifers or artificial nipples
10) Establish BFing support groups

www.babyfriendlyusa.org/get-started/the-guidelines-evaluation-criteria

From the anecdotes I have heard on this board, that is a really sanitized list of what these hospitals do.

Meh? I do not doubt that there are hospitals and medical professionals that take it too far and situations where these guidelines lead to less than ideal situations, you don't actually have to be staffed with a bunch of formula shaming assholes to get this designation. My hospital was fine. *shrug* keep in mind the horror stories make for better posts and are more memorable.

But I can totally tell a story about a non baby friendly hospital sabotaging my sister's attempt at bfing her first. Also her attempt at a med free birth. Works both ways.

[omgzombies]

Oct 18, 2015 16:09:28 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Oct 18, 2015 16:06:50 GMT -5 omgzombies said:

Is it no pacifiers at all, or unless parent has given ok, or pacifiers can be given by the parent in their room, but not allowed in the nursery?

My understanding is they don't have any and you have to bring them yourself. The people I know who have had his issue have run into shaming/finger wagging over using them if they were 2nd time moms who brought them. First time moms I know didn't realize and we're basically out of luck.

Gotcha.  It seems silly when they could easily give you that info at the hospital orientation.  How hard would it be to include a little sheet saying we don't provide pacifiers, so if you want one for the baby, bring it.  You could even post a quick qualifier that says if you are interested in bfing you may want to consider avoiding one since it can cause nipple confusion.  Done and done.  All you have to do is provide the information, parents can figure out how they want to proceed from there.

[bears]

Oct 18, 2015 16:09:28 GMT -5 eclaires said:

Oct 18, 2015 16:06:50 GMT -5 omgzombies said:

Is it no pacifiers at all, or unless parent has given ok, or pacifiers can be given by the parent in their room, but not allowed in the nursery?

My understanding is they don't have any and you have to bring them yourself. The people I know who have had his issue have run into shaming/finger wagging over using them if they were 2nd time moms who brought them. First time moms I know didn't realize and we're basically out of luck.

I think some nurses were still giving them out, undercover. Our nurse thought the one we had covered too much of my son's mouth and brought a replacement one (which he hated) despite the policy.

In a follow up convo with my OB, I mentioned that I brought in a paci and she started venting about the policy. My guess is that it was a pretty top down policy shift.

[One Girl In All The World]

Oct 18, 2015 13:20:53 GMT -5 wawa said:

I bf because it's there and it's been easy for me. Even pumping, while annoying at least isn't a big deal from a producton pov. I like not having to think about it or pay for formula.

I do get random people giving me the attagirl for NIP. I guess just because I clearly give zero fucks and will whip that out anywhere? (Standing in the kosher aisle at costco? Yes. That is my side boob old man. Thanks for the obvious doubletake.) It's a strange thing but for the sake of not having to beat a stranger's ass I'll take that over somebody giving me shit any day.

I do think bfing evangelism has gotten way the hell out of hand, though I haven't personally run afoul of it since I did bf. Friends have though.

Can I ask what people dislike about the healthy baby thing? My hospital does it but I have no idea what would be different if they didnt. I could google, but I'm lazy.

You mean the baby friendly thing? At my hospital, for my second child (who was in the NICU at the time) I was cornered and asked to sign an acknowledgment that my feeding choice was deemed to be like #4 (ie, the last option) on the options for feeding baby.  I was livid, but too exhausted to argue. I think some hospitals don't even provide the actual formula, but that was not my experience thankfully.

ETA: I don't know that my hospital was officially "baby friendly," but the attitude was very different the second time around. With my son, I tried BFing but was encouraged to supplement when the latch sucked. With her, I specifically stated no visits from LCs because I was going to FF, and that was what I got in response.