Breastfeed or else

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You get cupons don't you ?

I'm sorry I get extremely upset when it comes to this subject. I bf'd my 1st ( and only child) for 13 months, and wasn't happy when she weaned. The fact is ( in my opinion) with all the knowledge and research done on this subject- you should feel guilty if you simply chose not to breastfeed ( assuming that it was medically safe for you to do so). Breastmilk is best, formula is lacking in more areas than one. Statistically ( in our hospital) the norm is to forumla feed by an overwhelming majority. I have bf'd when most people wouln't, and the satisfaction I have from knowing I have given the absolute best for my daughter allows me the pleasure of not feeling guilty. A support group ???? HA !! What a joke. The focus here has been "people always looked at me giving my child a bottle..." Well, how in the h*** do you think people look at you when your 2 month old gets hungry at Wal-Mart and you have to nurse her ? Do you think they accept that ? Heck NO ! But what does it matter what other people think ? If you are that concerned about the opinions of others, you should NOT be bearing children of any sort, until you establish self-identity and a lil bit of self-esteem.

I do think that there should be a label attached to formula. Something like, "If you'd like to relactation assistance please call us at 1800#######. We here at (insert manufacture's name) believe that breastmilk is best, and truley are committed to your child's health and well-being"

If you get offended by this...too bad, nobody needs to tip-toe around anyone, facts are facts, they are not ruled by emotion.

Offended by your opinion? No. By how you stated it? Yes. There is a way to state your opinion without slapping the rest of us in the face while doing it. I get extremely upset too, because of people like you who make people like me think we did not give our child the best and are therefore "bad" parents and should feel guilty. People who choose to bottle feed should not have to feel guilty because they made a choice. The ones who feel guilty are people like me, who tried and failed and had to resort to formula.

Sorry, Mods, but this one hurt.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Remember this:

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best: "no one can make you feel inferior without your permission"

I think this goes for guilt too.

. Breast is best, but if a person cannot for some reason, then the only alternative is to bottle-feed. At the risk of sounding like a tired, old tape, Educating is not akin to GUILTING people to do the "right" thing. It's not we who are raising their kids, but them. They have to do what is best for them and their families, period.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Ending the thread on Smiling's note as outlived usefulness.

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