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well said pet-a-pet!!  couldn't agree with you more!

being a mammy is a hard enough job, nevermind be criticised for how we choose to feed. i breastfed both of mine too and changed to formula when they weaned off 6-9 months later. we should all be supported and supportive of each other. breastfeeding is a commitment and its hard to do it when there's negativity, but likewise if a mammy formula feeds and feels guilt or pressured to breastfeed, then its not easy either.

bf two of my three the second just didnt work out and formula fed him, feel guilty but all my own feelings not letting anyone else comments etc weigh on my and would never mine on anyone elses, not one of my friends ever bf and i never judged them for it- think its media at times and few ones on either side of the fence who presume to be know alls and look up or down at others.

have to say post bf with mine all weaned there is no difference between the bf and ff kids now - no one would know to look at them and none of them will turn around in years to come and thank me tfor bf/ff them. 

each to their own and enjoy what you choose/ or what chooses you where one size doesnt fit all!

I think you make a good point SmBee about breastfeeding mothers wanting to go back to work.  Not the original subject of this thread, but something that is not really discussed.  There is only protection in law for bf / expressing breaks at work up to 26 weeks after having a baby, which is pretty useless to most people as they are not back at work till after that.  So unfortunately it is not always possible for women to continue to feed their baby they way they would like because it's made very difficult for them. 

I've a friend going back to work now who is hoping to continue to bf her 10 month old and express at work.  She said she is going to make them give her expressing breaks - because other people have smoke breaks!  Fair enough.

LoreCasas, I have heard the stories of nurses feeding formula to baby behind your back but don't know anyone who it actually happened to so don't panic about that one.  I think the reason that there isn't a breastfeeding culture in this country (and I'm happy to be corrected if anyone thinks I'm wrong) is because back in the 1970's formula was being promoted as being better than breastmilk.  This was my mother's experience.  She breastfed all of us, but was put under enormous pressure to formula feed and was looked at in horror at the idea of her breastfeeding.  As a result of the pressure she was being put under, she only (and I don't say that against her or anyone else) breastfed for six weeks.  Having done it myself on my three and currently expecting number four, those first six weeks are really hard work and I always felt that getting to somewhere between weeks four and weeks eight were when it gets really easy.  I bf my first one for almost five months, the second for about eight months and the third for nine months.  I have two friends who've had babies recently, one tried to bf (sort of under pressure from her hubby) and gave up after about two weeks, the other girl was never going to bf because she feels that her boobs are for the enjoyment of her and her hubby, not for feeding, and I admired her for having her opinion and sticking with it.  She doesn't love her child any less than a bf mammy, and not right to suggest that by anyone.  All mammies together!!

Hear hear!  I BFed both mine for 15 weeks and 19weeks.  Stopped with first due to being stupid and not asking advice first (couldn't keep up with him and stopped abruptly, so painful).  Fed exclusively to 5 weeks with DS2 then slowly introduced bottles as I was going back to work at 10 weeks and as I work for myself 20 mins away, continuing EBF wasn't an option, I never had enough supply for expressing.  But I fed morning and evening, then was going away  for a weekend so I stopped.  BFing didn't stop both of them getting ear infections but they are 2 fine strong thumpers. 

I am a GP and have lots of BFing mums coming into me on a regular basis heartbroken at having to stop because their bosses won't accommodate them.  I agree with the girl from Spain that it is much more acceptable on the Continent, indeed it is normal and everything possible is done to accommodate it.  But Ireland is still prudish, as well as the brainwashing that went on in the 70s.  My mum FFed all of us, none of us suffered for it, but she nearly had a heart attack when I went the other way, she asked my dad to leave the room etc.  It's very hard to change that attitude.

As for formula feeding behind your back, that is really not done anymore, largely because the hospitals are so busy that the midwives don't have time to take the babies anymore and you are left to care for them yourself.  Feeding is a woman's choice, make your choice and stick to your guns and if you make any changes give them 2-3 weeks before changing again.

On another note, this website is also guilty of a litte BFing Nazi-ism on the Ask the expert on breastfeeding forum.  I have complained to the people who run it and gotten no reply, twice.

Hi again..

Just wanted to say in regards drspocks post...my parents were the opposite! LOL. I am a 70's baby and was formula fed, as was my brother born in 69. All my cousins etc were too. BUT, I chose to formula feed both my boys from day one and it was my father who asked would I not breastfeed!! Him in his 70's! LOL. I said no, bottle is my choice, I dont want to bf and I have 2 healthy happy kids now..but just thought it was funny..you're right, would usually be like you said, embarrsament esp on the mens part. And I agree with you..not once was my baby taken to be fed...nurses came regularly and sat patiently with anyone i saw wanting to bf and with bottlefed, we just had to ask for a bottle...never did i see a baby being taken away to be fed by a nurse...esp not bf babies.

meant i didnt breast fed

Manumadmum, I also find that mad you are being hounded? Who is hounding you? I was asked on both my boys at my checking in apt at 13 weeks if i was going to bf..I said no..that was end of it! Same when baby was born..midwife asked which..I said bottle and they said no prob. And it was only a couple of bf babies who screamed crying all night in my ward...it was hf hf for bottle and breat in my ward...all the bottle babies slept well..but so did a couple of brerats fed ones too...def shouldnt be judged for whatever way you choose to feed your baby...either way you love and are caring for your baby so makes no odds how you want to feed him/her..its your baby! What hosp was it that is pressuring you? Must say staff in Holles st are fab...they dont bat an eyelid as to how you want to feed your baby..as it should be, and are as helpful to bottlefeeding mothers as they are to bf mothers...both the same..as that should be too. Dont feel pressured into anything you dont want to.

Hi Dee-Eliz, I have to say I agree with both your posts. Somehow it seems to me that natural food, whether it is breast milk or fresh produce, has to be better for a baby than processed stuff. And I assure you I'm no hippy! On the other hand I do see a lot of kids playing outside, around where I live there are a few parks and when I walk my dogs I see lots of kids playing. So it's not really a lack of exercise, it has to be the diet. Processed foods contain lots of sugar and salt to keep the taste.

Can I just make the point that there is NO SUCH THING as a Breastfeeding Nazi  Some of us may be passionate about breastfeeding but we do not  want to stick formula feeding mums in concentration camps and gas them to death.

To be honest, as someone whose grandfather was held in a labour camp in Germany during WW2 I find this term extremely offensive. However, I shouldn't have to have a relation who was nearly killed by the Nazis to find it offensive though, any one of you who has ever opened a history book should know better than to use such a term. Hitler and the Nazis killed millions of people, mostly Jews but also others who didn't fit into their plans such as gays and gypsies. To use the term in such a flippant way to describe people who have mildy pissed you off is extremely disrespectful to all who died and siffered under the real nazis.