6 ms·

Assuming the mother has the time and has no circumstances such as medication or illness that prevents her from breastfeeding why is there a need for formula aft

Assuming the mother has the time and has no circumstances such as medication or illness that prevents her from breastfeeding why is there a need for formula after the initial time frame?

Broken_Hippo 9y ago
Because babies breast feed for months, ideally anyway. The hospital breast milk is really important for premature babies (cuts down hospital stays), and is really healthy for newborns regardless. But babies ideally breast feed for at least 6 months (The pediatric society might say much longer than that, easily googleable and telling of my own laziness on searching). Assuming there are absolutely no medical or circumstantial reasons to use formula (such as the complication with work in my original reply and public acceptance of breast feeding in public), there aren't many reasons. You know, except being able to be away from your child for any length of time in the first months. But this simply isn't reality, nor is breast milk always enough (my mother simply couldn't produce enough milk for my little brother to stay healthy, and his asthma was already a concern). Some women die in childbirth as well. Not to mention psychological concerns (I refuse to have a child. Pregnancy and breast feeding are the stuff of nightmares for me). We need the option there just to make sure all babies have nutrition. And the more folks push, the more acceptable it is to shame non-breastfeeding mothers. That really freaking bothers me.
- scalesolved 9y ago
  I'd say the conditions you listed are wholly acceptable, lack of milk, psychological concerns etc. I fully support women who choose to formula feed. I've found though that most people push formula more than anything. My partner and I have just had our first baby, she's fully breastfed and barely a day goes by where people ask whether we're supplementing with formula as breast milk does not contain the right or enough nutrition for them. I side with breast milk first and and foremost if it's a viable option as I'm less inclined to believe large formula manufactures such as Nestle really have the best of interests.
  - sdy 9y ago
    May I ask, where do you live? Where I am at, people push breastfeeding. I find your situation odd. Like if people were pushing soda over water. That does not make sense in this day and age.
    - scalesolved 9y ago
      Barcelona. We have a very supportive medical system but there is a trend towards cesareans and formula feeding (according to our paediatrician).
  - seanmcdirmid 9y ago
    The opposite is actually also true: many people push breast feeding at all costs, and formula is to be avoided for ideological reasons as you stated. Pediatricians hate these people, because it is super important for the newborn to get enough, and many moms can't do it with breast feeding alone. Hence the questions "are you supplementing?" It makes sense why these questions would be common during the first month or two, because hungry babies are such a bad thing. If the baby is purely breast fed and getting enough milk, you have to probably have add some extra iron to their diet around month 6 or so. We had to start supplementing early, my wife could never get her production up enough to fully feed the baby. Our pediatrician was relieved we were ok with supplementing, a lot of moms in SoCal aren't and it's a super big issue. They (the pediatricians) seem to be at battle with breast feeding ideologues, people really need to be pragmatic.
    - scalesolved 9y ago
      I agree pragmatism is the best way forward. As long as production is up though and the baby is putting weight on well I personally wouldn't push for formula nor would my partner. I think the problem we found with our personal situation was from day one anything that occurred such as baby crying,fussing, not sleeping was attributed directly to poor breast milk by both people we knew and strangers. My partner felt forced to move to formula but luckily with support from our midwife her supply came in well and both baby and mother are happy. Choices and support are the most important things but if supply,will,health and the option allow a mother to breastfeed I think the benefits do outweigh formula. Happy to hear you had a supportive paediatrician!

Assuming the mother has the time and has no circumstances such as medication or illness that prevents her from breastfeeding why is there a need for formula after the initial time frame?

Broken_Hippo 9y ago

Because babies breast feed for months, ideally anyway. The hospital breast milk is really important for premature babies (cuts down hospital stays), and is really healthy for newborns regardless. But babies ideally breast feed for at least 6 months (The pediatric society might say much longer than that, easily googleable and telling of my own laziness on searching). Assuming there are absolutely no medical or circumstantial reasons to use formula (such as the complication with work in my original reply and public acceptance of breast feeding in public), there aren't many reasons. You know, except being able to be away from your child for any length of time in the first months. But this simply isn't reality, nor is breast milk always enough (my mother simply couldn't produce enough milk for my little brother to stay healthy, and his asthma was already a concern). Some women die in childbirth as well. Not to mention psychological concerns (I refuse to have a child. Pregnancy and breast feeding are the stuff of nightmares for me). We need the option there just to make sure all babies have nutrition. And the more folks push, the more acceptable it is to shame non-breastfeeding mothers. That really freaking bothers me.

scalesolved 9y ago
I'd say the conditions you listed are wholly acceptable, lack of milk, psychological concerns etc. I fully support women who choose to formula feed. I've found though that most people push formula more than anything. My partner and I have just had our first baby, she's fully breastfed and barely a day goes by where people ask whether we're supplementing with formula as breast milk does not contain the right or enough nutrition for them. I side with breast milk first and and foremost if it's a viable option as I'm less inclined to believe large formula manufactures such as Nestle really have the best of interests.
- sdy 9y ago
  May I ask, where do you live? Where I am at, people push breastfeeding. I find your situation odd. Like if people were pushing soda over water. That does not make sense in this day and age.
  - scalesolved 9y ago
    Barcelona. We have a very supportive medical system but there is a trend towards cesareans and formula feeding (according to our paediatrician).
- seanmcdirmid 9y ago
  The opposite is actually also true: many people push breast feeding at all costs, and formula is to be avoided for ideological reasons as you stated. Pediatricians hate these people, because it is super important for the newborn to get enough, and many moms can't do it with breast feeding alone. Hence the questions "are you supplementing?" It makes sense why these questions would be common during the first month or two, because hungry babies are such a bad thing. If the baby is purely breast fed and getting enough milk, you have to probably have add some extra iron to their diet around month 6 or so. We had to start supplementing early, my wife could never get her production up enough to fully feed the baby. Our pediatrician was relieved we were ok with supplementing, a lot of moms in SoCal aren't and it's a super big issue. They (the pediatricians) seem to be at battle with breast feeding ideologues, people really need to be pragmatic.
  - scalesolved 9y ago
    I agree pragmatism is the best way forward. As long as production is up though and the baby is putting weight on well I personally wouldn't push for formula nor would my partner. I think the problem we found with our personal situation was from day one anything that occurred such as baby crying,fussing, not sleeping was attributed directly to poor breast milk by both people we knew and strangers. My partner felt forced to move to formula but luckily with support from our midwife her supply came in well and both baby and mother are happy. Choices and support are the most important things but if supply,will,health and the option allow a mother to breastfeed I think the benefits do outweigh formula. Happy to hear you had a supportive paediatrician!