Breastmilk vs. Formula Debate

Just IMO, I think bf/ff is a societal issue because it's a public health concern.  I think there should be more education and public dollars to improve support systems and increase the rates of bf'ing, both initiation and later when they drop off.  HOWEVER, to me, it's a big leap from there to me telling any individual how to feed her child, when and how to wean, etc.  Unless it's clear the other person wants to be part of an exchange, or I am asked for advice, I do not comment on someone else's choice.  (I'm talking IRL -- on message boards where people come to debate and/or get advice, you get what you get.) 

As many of us have had the unfortunate experience of finding out, not everyone feels this way.  Many people, from mothers who have BTDT to mothers (or non-mothers, for that matter) who have never BTDT to doctors with or (I find more commonly) without reliable training in lactation or nutrition, freely give their personal opinions as if they were divine wisdom. 

Now perhaps I should not post this topic at 4:45 a.m. during a bout of pregnancy insomnia following a very long and emotional day.  : )  But I'm wondering honestly when, if at all, you think someone else's feeding choice becomes your business or, conversely, when your feeding choice becomes someone else's business.  If you think bf/ff is a societal and/or public health issue, does that take it out of the realm of parenting choice to any extent and put it into the realm of public scrutiny? 

  

 

 

>>I'm wondering honestly when, if at all, you think someone else's feeding choice becomes your business<<

I can't think of a scenario when someone's individual choice becomes my business.

>>or, conversely, when your feeding choice becomes someone else's business. <<

I guess, to a degree, it would be my spouse's business and my pediatrician's business. But it's still my call.

>>If you think bf/ff is a societal and/or public health issue, does that take it out of the realm of parenting choice to any extent and put it into the realm of public scrutiny? <<

Great question. Yes! The fact that breastfeeding matters so much on a societal level means there should be public scrutiny on why more people aren't doing it. There should be more scrutiny about manufacturer's business practice. There should be more scrutiny about hospital practices. There should be more scrutiny about health professionals' training.

OTOH, scrutinizing individual choice? Kinda pointless. Understanding individual choices allows for better public scrutiny.

[Sorry you had a bad day, Emily]

I guess the point for me that an individual's choice becomes my business would be when they made it my responsibility to feed their child - whether by making me nurse the baby myself, making me donate breast milk or making me pay personally for their formula.

Other than that, I can't see how it would be my business how another person feeds their child.

Eh, I'm 35 wks pg with a non-stop fetus and I have a toddler, I'm bound to have a few rough days.  : )  Fortunately my mom's in town this week so I was able to go back to sleep after being up from 3 to 7 this morning, ugh.

<I guess, to a degree, it would be my spouse's business and my pediatrician's business. But it's still my call.>

That's how I feel but my spouse isn't agreeing so much these days...  Part of the bad day. 

  

 

 

For YEARS my daughters feeding method was everyone under the suns business it seemed.

I never want to go through that again.

I dont feel anyone has the right to know, object to or even comment on my feeding methods.

And I feel the same way about myself. Unless I am asked its a nunya biz for me too.