Mayim Bialik : Don't fall for that similac commercial

[h]

Feb 4, 2015 9:18:28 GMT -5 hermione said:

Feb 4, 2015 9:11:16 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

LOLZ all day that "formula" is fine and "artificial baby milk" is offensive, though. "Formula", as in "the recipe we make up something to feed babies" isn't a word with a warm fuzzy past.

Meh. Meanings of words change and "formula" is is commonly accepted now. I have zero doubt that "Artificial baby milk" was meant to be inflammatory.

This is where I am. The mere fact that a group of very pro-breast-feeding lactation consultants felt the need to come up with another name almost defacto makes it inflammatory. Clearly their intent is to portray formula as unnatural.

[SJ]

Completely agree that taking medical advice or "recommendations" from a non-vaxxer is a huge joke.

I intellectually have no issue with "Breast is Best".

I did find it incredibly obnoxious and offensive that it is printed ON FORMULA CONTAINERS that breastfeeding is recommended/preferred. I was very incredibly aware of the breastfeeding recommendations when I reluctantly and somewhat emotionally had to start supplementing. I sure as hell didn't need it rubbed in my face or once again pointed out that I was doing something sub-optimal for my child.

ETA: I know not everyone is aware of guidelines & recommendations, and of course there is a time and a place for balanced education.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 8:36:36 GMT -5 kershnic said:

Wait, for real someone who doesn't vaccinate is preaching about the importance of listening to medical recommendations on the best way to feed a kid? Um, nope.

yeah, Um what? I didn't realize she didn't vaccinate. I mean that's a serious wtf? Medical advice says to bf so everyone should do that even though the choice not to do so has no impact on others yet she ignores medical advice about vaccinations which does impact others. Oh, f*ck that!

[narockshard]

Feb 4, 2015 9:14:58 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

She's an idiot, and I don't know why people (including me!) listen when she talks.

I don't buy into Breast is Best. There's really no evidence that properly supports it.* There's evidence that correlates with healthy babies. But in the west, breastfeeding correlates with higher levels of affluence and longer maternity leaves, too.

*I know it makes the best sense often for babies with some known health issues/digestive issues/some preemies. But for standard healthy babies, I really haven't seen evidence that shows causation that breastfed babies are any different from formula fed babies.

Though I do agree it's a commercial, and I didn't find it all that sweet. It really pinged my corporate cynicism meter.

This is where I'm at. Well, let's just say that if I COULD have EBF, I would have, because part of me does believe that if our bodies make it, it must be what's best for our babies, but then again, I can't see how all the research could be objective because of all the other factors that take place. I really agree that BFing seems to correlate with higher levels of affluence and such.

And anecdotal, but my FF baby seems about as healthy and smart as any BF baby I know (if not more healthy)

[ilikedonuts]

The word "formula" and the words "Artificial baby milk" have completely different tones to them.

[imojoebunny]

Feb 4, 2015 8:55:47 GMT -5 bowies said:

I use a cover.

(wilted)

I support your choice.    (rose)

My rose rose won't show up :-(. 

I have no idea who the article writer is, but I did not find the commercial offensive.  If we want to talk about commercial parenting stereotypes, the one that is currently bugging me, is the one for cold meds that says "dad's don't take sick days".  Maybe in some villages, but in my village they do.  

[h]

Feb 4, 2015 9:39:24 GMT -5 @awinter said:

Feb 4, 2015 8:36:36 GMT -5 kershnic said:

Wait, for real someone who doesn't vaccinate is preaching about the importance of listening to medical recommendations on the best way to feed a kid? Um, nope.

yeah, Um what? I didn't realize she didn't vaccinate. I mean that's a serious wtf? Medical advice says to bf so everyone should do that even though the choice not to do so has no impact on others yet she ignores medical advice about vaccinations which does impact others. Oh, f*ck that!

I think she is into homeopathy and generally anti-Western medicine. So maybe by "medical recommendations" she means those endorsed by the dubious holistic practitioners she prefers? In the weird alternative medicine world she inhabits with Dr. Wolfson and his ilk, breastfeeding is probably considered a medical rec, while vaxxing isn't. I think she has drunk the alternative medicine kool-aid to the point that she doesn't even process the irony of touting the benefits of "medical advice" while not vaccinating. But, yeah...

[babyrn]

I prefer the term sloppy seconds baby milk








(Which I happily gave my kid as a supplement from 4 months on and exclusively from 10 month on )

[rbp]

Feb 4, 2015 8:27:50 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

But she doesn't vaccinate. I don't listen to anything that comes out of her mouth. She's all about how you MUST BF but it's cool if her kids get diseases that could kill them rather then vaccinate. Go the fuck away, Blossom.

Wait, WHAT?? OMG. I am telling my BBT-loving CWer. LOLOL

[rbp]

Also, how does this woman have a PhD in neuroscience? I am ashamed for her. WTF.

[rbp]

Finally, ditto everything h said.

[heygrey]

I read the article and totally dismissed it on the basis that she doesn't vaccinate therefore she cannot spout of "medical science" or whatever.

the most offensive (or probably lol-worthy) part of the video to me was the insecure babywearing moms. like, they needed to huddle together and couldn't make a decision without consulting each other. how that get to be a stereotype?

[cilantro]

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

[D2M]

As someone who really, really wanted to EBF and couldn't, I was prepared to go all Hulk raaaaaaaage on this article, but I do agree with her cynicism about the commercial. However, it's a commercial for formula, not a public service announcement. What are we supposed to expect?

As for "artificial breast milk," even though I intellectually know it's the same thing as "formula," it is a judgment-laden term that brings back so many of the inadequate, awful feelings I had about myself when I realized I couldn't feed my baby girl the way my grandmothers and great grandmothers had.

Actually, maybe I'm Hulk raaaaage-y, after all.

[h]

Feb 4, 2015 10:05:47 GMT -5 rbp said:

Also, how does this woman have a PhD in neurosciences? I am ashamed for her. WTF.

This is what kills me the most. I want to like Mayim. She is Blossom and Amy Farrah Fowler. She seems genuinely intelligent. She doesn't get caught up in the Hollywood scene, and she has dedicated time and effort to some noble and very non-Hollywood pursuits (getting a PhD in neuroscience, becoming an LC). She could be such a great role model and advocate, and then she goes and drinks the crazy juice. It's such a bummer.

I really want the non-vaxxing celebs to be complete idiots with no science background like Jenny McCarthy. I want Mayim Bialik to be on the other side of the debate shooting her down.

[rbp]

Feb 4, 2015 10:23:18 GMT -5 D2M said:

As someone who really, really wanted to EBF and couldn't, I was prepared to go all Hulk raaaaaaaage on this article, but I do agree with her cynicism about the commercial. However, it's a commercial for formula, not a public service announcement. What are we supposed to expect?

I do sort of see where she's coming from with this, though. Don't try to pretend like you're giving a PSA when you're really out to sell a product. It's disingenuous and insulting IMO.

But MB is still an idiot.

[anna7602]

Feb 4, 2015 10:19:46 GMT -5 @mrswindycity said:

I thought the commercial was dumb. I couldn't understand why everyone loved it and was heralding it all over FB. Bottom line, though, it was brilliant because everyone is still talking about it and knows it's for Similac.
s

I actually didn't remember which brand of formula the ad was for. Do ads like this really sway FFing moms more than the free samples/formula checks or a doctor or friend's recommendation? I guess I rely more on the opinions of GBCN for most things than on advertising.

[redheadbaker]

Feb 4, 2015 10:29:08 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:19:46 GMT -5 @mrswindycity said:

I thought the commercial was dumb. I couldn't understand why everyone loved it and was heralding it all over FB. Bottom line, though, it was brilliant because everyone is still talking about it and knows it's for Similac.
s

I actually didn't remember which brand of formula the ad was for. Do ads like this really sway FFing moms more than the free samples/formula checks or a doctor or friend's recommendation? I guess I rely more on the opinions of GBCN for most things than on advertising.

But moms who post here are not representative of the general population. So maybe ads like this do work? 

[dancingirl21]

Feb 4, 2015 9:00:05 GMT -5 hermione said:

I have several issues with what she said - like how she glosses over that some women simply don't want to breastfeed even if they are educated about it. Those women shouldn't have to endure a lecture from a doctor in order to get formula.

Artificial baby milk? Fuck her. Seriously, I don't care how many "Certified Lactation Educator Counselors" call formula that. She knows it's inflammatory and that's why she used it.

And LOL foreverrrrrrrrrrr at an anti-vaxxer invoking medical science as a reason to do anything.

And no, I can't just get on board with Breast is Best. That is only true when all things are equal - which they never are with babies. I'm happy to jump on the notion from the recent FFF article - Bottle or Breast, Fed is Best.

hermione is saying everything that I feel. Fuck her for saying "Artificial baby milk". She knows what she is doing when she says that.

I also won't jump onboard with Breast is Best. Because that makes those of us who choose not to breastfeed to feel like we aren't doing the absolute best for our baby, when in fact, breast might actually not be best for them. 

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 10:30:17 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:29:08 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

I actually didn't remember which brand of formula the ad was for. Do ads like this really sway FFing moms more than the free samples/formula checks or a doctor or friend's recommendation? I guess I rely more on the opinions of GBCN for most things than on advertising.

But moms who post here are not representative of the general population. So maybe ads like this do work? 

Ads like this give you a warm feeling about the company. They work, whether you think they do or not.

Brand-name formula of any sort if kind of a scam. If you buy a brand name, odds are some kind of ad or promotion did work on you.

[smock]

You know what bothered me about the commercial? It makes a point to include a group of dads, to show that HEY, dads also feed their babies! And then the tagline is "The Sisterhood of Motherhood." So . . . what about the men? It ends up reinforcing and promoting the idea that women are in charge of feeding babies.

[anna7602]

Feb 4, 2015 10:30:17 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:29:08 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

I actually didn't remember which brand of formula the ad was for. Do ads like this really sway FFing moms more than the free samples/formula checks or a doctor or friend's recommendation? I guess I rely more on the opinions of GBCN for most things than on advertising.

But moms who post here are not representative of the general population. So maybe ads like this do work? 

Ok. Access to online forums aside, I still feel like there are certain products that have very high marketing budgets when it seems like word-of-mouth would count for more. Another example is cars. Do people really go out and buy a certain make/model of car because an ad showed Sting riding in one? Again, I can't remember what kind of car that was in the ad.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5 cilantro said:

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

I don't see the board leaning that way. I think the statement "breast is best" is very loaded but no one on this board argues there aren't proven health advantages that come from BFing.

[cilantro]

Feb 4, 2015 10:44:30 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5 cilantro said:

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

I don't see the board leaning that way. I think the statement "breast is best" is very loaded but no one on this board argues there aren't proven health advantages that come from BFing.

People have argued it in this very thread. 

[catbus]

Feb 4, 2015 10:44:30 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5 cilantro said:

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

I don't see the board leaning that way. I think the statement "breast is best" is very loaded but no one on this board argues there aren't proven health advantages that come from BFing.

I've actually seen that opinion stated here a few times. People saying they just don't believe breast milk is any better for babies than formula.

[h]

Feb 4, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5 cilantro said:

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

I do kind of hate it when things veer so far over to the "all choices are equally valid" end of the spectrum that suggesting there is any benefit to BFing over FFing becomes taboo.

Also, if we are going to talk about medical benefits of BFing and whether breast is actually best, I think we have to specify which benefits and which studies we are referring to. I do think the benefits of BFing are often overblown, and I will agree that the studies showing long-term IQ benefits, for example, are not particularly persuasive since they mostly just show correlation. OTOH, I think the short-term immunological benefits of breastmilk are pretty tough to dispute. I don't think breastmilk is a magic elixir that makes your kid brilliant, attractive and healthy, nor do I think it is without any proven benefits. The reality is somewhere in between, IMO.

[gibbinator]

Feb 4, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5 cilantro said:

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

I think there's little doubt on the board that there are lots of benefits to be gleaned from breastfeeding. I'm assuming the correlation vs causation concerns pp brought up are more geared to studies that link off the wall things like high IQ and good grades to breastmilk.

[hermione]

I'll jump in on the Breast is Best discussion (shocking, I know).

In a world where everything is equal - sure breast is best. But that's never the case.

I need to be on injectable medication to control psoriasis. Uncontrolled my psoriasis leads to open sores that spontaneously bleed, staph infections every 4-6 weeks, itchiness, pain, and embarrassment about my skin. My dosage of medication is absolutely incompatible with breast feeding. I can assure you that breast was NEVER going to be best for my family.

Another poster on this board is on medication that keeps her alive. Said medication is also incompatible with breast feeding. Again, breast is no where close to best.

I have a friend for whom BFing came easily for her and the child. Except she hated it with every fiber of her being. She kept going for a while because "breast is best" and it pretty much made her resent her baby for weeks. She never really bonded until she made the choice to FF.

While these are all anecdotes, there are a million more like this. Breast is quite simply not always best. It's just not.

ETA: I feel the need to throw in that I absolutely support mothers who choose to BF anywhere at anytime. Absolutely.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 10:56:54 GMT -5 gibbinator said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5 cilantro said:

I AM GOING TO GET CONTROVERSIAL HERE!!!

And then mmm accidentally posted for me before I got to finish this....

She's a crazy hippy judgmental anti-vax looney who thinks her neuroscience PhD makes her an expert in all the things baby and health related, but...the responses here are kind of showing me that there's little room left on this board to say you think the studies showing Breast is Best are sound.  And that sort of rubs me the wrong way.  It reminds me of all the people who have suggested to me that I wasted my time choosing to breastfeed.

I think there's little doubt on the board that there are lots of benefits to be gleaned from breastfeeding. I'm assuming the correlation vs causation concerns pp brought up are more geared to studies that link off the wall things like high IQ and good grades to breastmilk.

I agree with cilantro - several posters have made known that they don't really think breastmilk is a benefit in any significant way. And that saying it does have benefits is some kind of slam against their sub-par parenting.

[jeaniebueller]

Feb 4, 2015 10:47:13 GMT -5 catbus said:

Feb 4, 2015 10:44:30 GMT -5 @notquiteblushing said:

I don't see the board leaning that way. I think the statement "breast is best" is very loaded but no one on this board argues there aren't proven health advantages that come from BFing.

I've actually seen that opinion stated here a few times. People saying they just don't believe breast milk is any better for babies than formula.

I don't!