Breastfeed or else

Nurses General Nursing

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I have a real bone to pick with breast feeding. I know it is normally good, but when you have a mom that is for example drug addict, or has an eating disorder, it isn't good to be breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding isn't always best.

Angela R.N.

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Specializes in ER.
I have a real bone to pick with breast feeding. I know it is normally good, but when you have a mom that is for example drug addict, or has an eating disorder, it isn't good to be breastfeeding your baby. Breastfeeding isn't always best.

Angela R.N.

I dont think that a bottle-feeding drug addict parent is a good idea either. But the problem in these cases is drug addiction and eating disorders, not breastfeeding.

Have a great night:)

T

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I dont think that a bottle-feeding drug addict parent is a good idea either. But the problem in these cases is drug addiction and eating disorders, not breastfeeding.

Have a great night:)

T

The big debate on this thread is which is BEST... in this case bottle feeding would be BETTER than BF. Whether we like it or not these people do become parents and they have to feed their babies too. Granted that they will have bigger problems than what to feed their babies, but they still need our support and guidance as much, if not more than healthy non-addicted mothers. Since drug addiction and eating disorders are medical problems as well it is our job to help adapt... and get better.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
Well, Jay, I understand what you are saying. And when you meet an American that truly needs to increase their caloric intake by 500 cal, let me know. With the amounts that we eat anymore we could decrease by 500 cal and still be way ahead of the game:lol2: ! For that reason, I find the standard "increase your diet by 500 cals" to be a tad bit strange. Perhaps a better recommendation would be to follow the FDA food guide pyramid, take a daily muti-vitamin, and drink to thirst. Sound nutrition is just plain a good idea anyway.

Just a girl:)

T

T

i agree we as americans, as a whole, do overeat, but that is different than good nutrition or the food pyramid. and i DO know alot of females that are bone thin and skip breakfast, have a VERY small lunch and dinner. these same females are the same ones that are afraid of every pound that is gained in pregnancy. you have to admit that we are a thin obsessed society. as a man that likes women to have a softer figure, NO ABS please/ NO bones please, i enjoyed every pound that my wife gained during pregnancy. i also notice how many women are thin and saying "oh, i need to diet!"

one of the disadvantages listed in my maternity textbook for breast feeding is the cost of healthy eating. which it states is essential to the nutrition of breast milk. i still say, it's up to the individual family as to whether they want to breast or bottle feed. i do not think you are harming your child by giving them formula. i respect all opinions on the subject and understand where everyone is coming from, but i would have to imagine that it is a very PERSONAL decision best left to the mother and not the nurse, after being completeley informed of all the pros and cons of each!

sincerely,

jay

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
i agree it is far more likely to affect HER health, BUT.....according to what i learned in nursing school (textbook) the mother SHOULD...increase her caloric intake by 500 cal, her protein intake must be adequate and is ESSENTIAL since protein is an important component of breast milk, she should increase her nonprotein calories so as to not use her valuable protein calories, calcium should be at least 1000 mg/day and if not should be supplemented, and her liquid intake is vital. if she does not intake enough fluid her milk volume could decrease! and i've been told that they should watch their caffeine intake and i don't know about you, but most people love caffeine.

in a society that puts so much emphasis on being thin, i can easily see how a new mother would be eager to get off those pounds by not eating enough. and now we are going to tell her to INCREASE her caloric intake! yes, i do believe that the mother's nutrition plays a role in whether it is better than formula feeding. and yes some mothers do consider alcohol part of their nutrition! again, i DO believe that overall breast milk is better, but formula is an EXCELLENT substitute!

still just a man with an opinion,

jay

This is a prime example of "textbook" information that is not in touch with real world practice. A breastfeeding mother does burn about 500cal per day producing breastmilk, but the notion that she must INCREASE her calorie intake to account for this is largely false. Unless the mother is extremely thin to begin with, and has absolutely no pregnancy weight to lose, it is perfectly acceptable for the mother to continue with a healthy diet without increased calories, and allow those 500 cal/day to be burned from the "baby weight" she is trying to lose. Her dietary intake needs to be healthy, and most practitioners will recommend continuing pre-natal vitamins while nursing, but an additional 500cal/day is not necessary for the typical nursing mom.

This is one positive aspect of breastfeeding that most moms are eager to take advantaage of: quicker weight loss due to greater calorie expenditure, accompanied by quicker return to pre-pregnancy figure due to prompt involution of the uterus.

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This is a prime example of "textbook" information that is not in touch with real world practice. A breastfeeding mother does burn about 500cal per day producing breastmilk, but the notion that she must INCREASE her calorie intake to account for this is largely false. Unless the mother is extremely thin to begin with, and has absolutely no pregnancy weight to lose, it is perfectly acceptable for the mother to continue with a healthy diet without increased calories, and allow those 500 cal/day to be burned from the "baby weight" she is trying to lose. Her dietary intake needs to be healthy, and most practitioners will recommend continuing pre-natal vitamins while nursing, but an additional 500cal/day is not necessary for the typical nursing mom.

This is one positive aspect of breastfeeding that most moms are eager to take advantaage of: quicker weight loss due to greater calorie expenditure, accompanied by quicker return to pre-pregnancy figure due to prompt involution of the uterus.

I don't know how many calories pumping burns, but I lost my baby weight plus. My doc was actually pleased because I'm overweight to begin with. Most moms I know started out at least sllightly overweight, and while what Jay quoted from the text book is true, I agree with you that the average American mom does not need to increase her intake.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.
This is a prime example of "textbook" information that is not in touch with real world practice. A breastfeeding mother does burn about 500cal per day producing breastmilk, but the notion that she must INCREASE her calorie intake to account for this is largely false. Unless the mother is extremely thin to begin with, and has absolutely no pregnancy weight to lose, it is perfectly acceptable for the mother to continue with a healthy diet without increased calories, and allow those 500 cal/day to be burned from the "baby weight" she is trying to lose. Her dietary intake needs to be healthy, and most practitioners will recommend continuing pre-natal vitamins while nursing, but an additional 500cal/day is not necessary for the typical nursing mom.

yes, well, it was actually like, increase 300 cal while preg. and an additional 200 cal. after if breast feeding. the 500 cal are suppose to be nonprotein so that the mother does not use her protein cal for energy. protein is ESSENTIAL in breast milk. formula has alot of protein in it. yes, i'm sure a mother could drink water and eat bread and still breast feed, but her milk produced WOULD be less nutritious than if she ate healthy. again, this would mean that not all breast milk is equal and the statement "breast milk is better than formula" an inaccurate one. that is what the op was about.

jay

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But the government IS the taxpayers! The US government does not generate revenue in any way other than collecting it from taxpayers.

Ah you beat me to it. I was going to ask, where do people think "the governement" gets its funds. You and me, baby. And frankly, I get tired of my funds going to bankroll other people's bad or untimely decisions.

I just want to say thank you for paying your taxes. They have helped me to be able to leave an abusive relationship, i.e putting a roof over my kids heads and food on the table. Also, now your taxes are helping me to attend college so I can enter nursing school next year. And when I'am a nurse I look forward to paying my taxes even if only one person would use them to better themselves.

What you said really hurts, but just know I'am very grateful!

Chayarose

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Hemodialysis.

I just want to say thank you for paying your taxes. They have helped me to be able to leave an abusive relationship, i.e putting a roof over my kids heads and food on the table. Also, now your taxes are helping me to attend college so I can enter nursing school next year. And when I'am a nurse I look forward to paying my taxes even if only one person would use them to better themselves.

What you said really hurts, but just know I'am very grateful!

Chayarose

sounds like life is looking up for you. don't let others bring you down! everyone does not "start out at the bottom" so it's hard for some to understand that everyone on the "bottom" is not there by choice and some are bettering themselves; however, they should have learned about empathy and being nonjudgemental in nursing school.

i wish you a lifetime of happiness. i can't wait to see you post here one day saying "i passed the nclex!"

best of luck,

jay

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I just want to say thank you for paying your taxes. They have helped me to be able to leave an abusive relationship, i.e putting a roof over my kids heads and food on the table. Also, now your taxes are helping me to attend college so I can enter nursing school next year. And when I'am a nurse I look forward to paying my taxes even if only one person would use them to better themselves.

What you said really hurts, but just know I'am very grateful!

Chayarose

{{{Chayarose******

I don't think people like you was what Jolie targeted. I am tired the same way Jolie is, but I'm tired of people on public assistance having babies and staying on public assistance because they have the babies. People like you that get out of a bad situation and then work to better themselves......my hat goes off to you!!!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I just want to say thank you for paying your taxes. They have helped me to be able to leave an abusive relationship, i.e putting a roof over my kids heads and food on the table. Also, now your taxes are helping me to attend college so I can enter nursing school next year. And when I'am a nurse I look forward to paying my taxes even if only one person would use them to better themselves.

What you said really hurts, but just know I'am very grateful!

Chayarose

Chayarose,

Please go back and read the thread carefully. The first part of the quote, "But the government IS the taxpayers! The US government does not generate revenue in any way other than collecting it from the taxpayers." is correctly attributed to me.

The other part of the quote is not from me, but was cut and pasted from another poster, tntrn.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
{{{Chayarose******

I don't think people like you was what Jolie targeted. I am tired the same way Jolie is, but I'm tired of people on public assistance having babies and staying on public assistance because they have the babies. People like you that get out of a bad situation and then work to better themselves......my hat goes off to you!!!

Tazzi,

I am tired too, not only of high taxes, but of being misquoted!

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