Thought I would do an informative survey of the BF vs. FF history of participants of this board (and any lurkers willing to come out of lurkdom). Basically, I think it will be interesting to know what each of us has done in terms of BFing, FFing, combo-feeding, EPing, etc. for all our children. So basically what this survey is asking for is the BF/FF history of each if your children. Below is the specific details for you to provide. Note that you are free to only include as much detail as you wish. Also feel free to be more or less specific about reasons for weaning from BFing or choosing to PLW if you wish. For example: "Weaned at 6m due to contradicted medication" or "Weaned at 1 year due to discomfort with BFing a toddler" vs. "Weaned at 6m for medical reasons" or "weaned a 12m purely by choice" are both acceptable answers. Note that I am posting this in the non-debatable folder so that posters can feel free to share their BF/FF history without concern that any their previous feeding choices will be debated.
For each of your children please indicate:
* DS/DD # (i.e. DS #1, DD #2, etc) or first name of child (if your comfortable sharing that)?
* Current age?
* Did you BF, FF (from start). combo-feed BM/Formula (from start), or EP (from start) and for how long?
* Did you later switch to combo-feeding BM/Formula, EPing, or formula before 12 months and why (medical. logistical, purely choice, BF problems, nursing strike, etc. - you may be as detailed as you wish)? Indicate if you eventually went back to back to strictly BFing at breast from EPing or combo-feeding.
* When did you start solids?
* If you weaned at or after 12 months, was it CLW (Child-led weaning), PLW (Parent-led weaning), or nursing strike? If PLW, Why (Purely by choice, pressure from others, misinformation/not fully informed on benefits of CLW, TTCing, PG, etc.)?
* If still BFing, are you planning to CLW or PLW or undecided?
Example:
DD #1: 12 yo, FF'd from start (teen mom who was uninformed on benefits of BFing), Solids at 4m.
DS #1: 10 yo, BF'd for 1 week, switched to EPing till 12m due to introduction of bottle causing nipple confusion problems, solids at 6m.
DD #2: 8 yo, BF'd 4m, weaned to formula for medical reasons (had to take contradicted medication). Solids at 6m.
DD #3: 6 yo, BF'd 6m, switch to combo-feeding (due to pumping issues after returning to work ), PLW at 2 years (due to pressure from family). Solids at 6m.
DS #2: 2 yo, still tandem BFing, planning to CLW. Solids at 12 months due to allergies.
DS #3: 3 mo, still tandem BFing, planning to CLW. Solids at 9m.
Note to UK/Ireland//European/Australia/NZ moms: In this survey, weaning means completely stopping of BFing (American English sense). Also, do not confuse "Child-led weaning" (where the child determines the end of the BFing relationship) with "Baby-led weaning" (a method for introducing solids to the baby's diet).
Edited 10/20/2009 12:14 am ET by charleen2008
