WSJ article on BF

sekura

This is a good, balanced article on the WSJ regarding the new breastfeeding policies in NYC, and whether they are truly good for moms (or too much pressure).

https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444320704577565443888428780.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle

bearkatjen

Breast feeding, whether you nurse or pump, is good for the mom and baby. I have no problem with getting the word out, but "educating" women isn't enough. There needs to be more support. The health mandate that just went through that covers support and supplies is a nice step forward, because in my home, producing breast-milk cost a lot more than formula. It's still not enough. If we want women to have a fair shot at being successful with breast feeding, then we need real maternity leave in this country too.

sekura

I'd be happy with an acceptance of breastfeeding in public--that should be a normal sight, and women shouldn't feel ashamed or embarrassed to do it.  My SIL wouldn't even BF in the same room with anyone else (but her husband), even close family.  That isn't right, and it puts a great strain on the woman to spend most of her time hidden away.

JJsMum

sekura:

I'd be happy with an acceptance of breastfeeding in public--that should be a normal sight, and women shouldn't feel ashamed or embarrassed to do it.  My SIL wouldn't even BF in the same room with anyone else (but her husband), even close family.  That isn't right, and it puts a great strain on the woman to spend most of her time hidden away.

Wow, I can't imagine the isolation she must have felt!  As far as your SIL though, that is a personal choice to take it to that extreme.  I BF DS for 4 months and never got stares or wierd looks when I did it in public.  Sure, I got the occasional look, but once it was realized what was going on people just moved on.

sbevmc09

bearkatjen:

Breast feeding, whether you nurse or pump, is good for the mom and baby. I have no problem with getting the word out, but "educating" women isn't enough. There needs to be more support. The health mandate that just went through that covers support and supplies is a nice step forward, because in my home, producing breast-milk cost a lot more than formula. It's still not enough. If we want women to have a fair shot at being successful with breast feeding, then we need real maternity leave in this country too.

Also, I've never really understood how promoting breastfeeding puts down women who formula feed for whatever reason.  Breastfeeding IS best for babies, that doesn't mean that it's the best choice for every family necessarily, but it being biologically best for babies is a fact.  Promoting it helps normalize it and encourage women to do it.  If you formula feed you know the facts, you need to be secure enough in your decision to know that you're doing the right thing for your family and to heck with what others opinions might be.  I don't think we should discourage promoting something that's beneficial for both moms and babies because it might make people on the other side of it feel bad.

FWIW, DS was formula-fed.  

zonagirlie

sbevmc09:

bearkatjen:

Breast feeding, whether you nurse or pump, is good for the mom and baby. I have no problem with getting the word out, but "educating" women isn't enough. There needs to be more support. The health mandate that just went through that covers support and supplies is a nice step forward, because in my home, producing breast-milk cost a lot more than formula. It's still not enough. If we want women to have a fair shot at being successful with breast feeding, then we need real maternity leave in this country too.

Also, I've never really understood how promoting breastfeeding puts down women who formula feed for whatever reason.  Breastfeeding IS best for babies, that doesn't mean that it's the best choice for every family necessarily, but it being biologically best for babies is a fact.  Promoting it helps normalize it and encourage women to do it.  If you formula feed you know the facts, you need to be secure enough in your decision to know that you're doing the right thing for your family and to heck with what others opinions might be.  I don't think we should discourage promoting something that's beneficial for both moms and babies because it might make people on the other side of it feel bad.

FWIW, DS was formula-fed.  

All this. You always say what I'm thinking so well! 

Jbosarge85

sbevmc09:

bearkatjen:

Breast feeding, whether you nurse or pump, is good for the mom and baby. I have no problem with getting the word out, but "educating" women isn't enough. There needs to be more support. The health mandate that just went through that covers support and supplies is a nice step forward, because in my home, producing breast-milk cost a lot more than formula. It's still not enough. If we want women to have a fair shot at being successful with breast feeding, then we need real maternity leave in this country too.

Also, I've never really understood how promoting breastfeeding puts down women who formula feed for whatever reason.  Breastfeeding IS best for babies, that doesn't mean that it's the best choice for every family necessarily, but it being biologically best for babies is a fact.  Promoting it helps normalize it and encourage women to do it.  If you formula feed you know the facts, you need to be secure enough in your decision to know that you're doing the right thing for your family and to heck with what others opinions might be.  I don't think we should discourage promoting something that's beneficial for both moms and babies because it might make people on the other side of it feel bad.

FWIW, DS was formula-fed.  

My sister couldn't BF her first because he had to have soy formula (some allergy). I personally don't care, I think it's all personal choice. I plan to BF but again personal choice.

jdm7

I personally think that every woman has the right decided what she wants to do without having someone get up in our face and tell us what is the better choice. Even if she goes in saying she'll be BF-ing but turns out she can't do it, there shouldn't be some form she has to fill out or give an explanation why. It should be left to her decision if she's going to switch while in the hospital and not have some LC running in telling her she needs to try harder. If one of those stupid LC people came into my room and told me I needed to try harder I might've slapped them in the face.  

laurapacheco

sbevmc09:

bearkatjen:

Breast feeding, whether you nurse or pump, is good for the mom and baby. I have no problem with getting the word out, but "educating" women isn't enough. There needs to be more support. The health mandate that just went through that covers support and supplies is a nice step forward, because in my home, producing breast-milk cost a lot more than formula. It's still not enough. If we want women to have a fair shot at being successful with breast feeding, then we need real maternity leave in this country too.

Also, I've never really understood how promoting breastfeeding puts down women who formula feed for whatever reason.  Breastfeeding IS best for babies, that doesn't mean that it's the best choice for every family necessarily, but it being biologically best for babies is a fact.  Promoting it helps normalize it and encourage women to do it.  If you formula feed you know the facts, you need to be secure enough in your decision to know that you're doing the right thing for your family and to heck with what others opinions might be.  I don't think we should discourage promoting something that's beneficial for both moms and babies because it might make people on the other side of it feel bad.

FWIW, DS was formula-fed.  

I agree. This is almost like saying we shouldn't have anti-smoking campaigns because it might offend smokers. WTF? If something has been proven time and time again to be the healthier choice, I see nothing wrong with getting the word out there. 

sbevmc09

jdm7:

I personally think that every woman has the right decided what she wants to do without having someone get up in our face and tell us what is the better choice. Even if she goes in saying she'll be BF-ing but turns out she can't do it, there shouldn't be some form she has to fill out or give an explanation why. It should be left to her decision if she's going to switch while in the hospital and not have some LC running in telling her she needs to try harder. If one of those stupid LC people came into my room and told me I needed to try harder I might've slapped them in the face.  

While I don't agree with the marketing they do to new mothers in the hospital regarding formula, I do agree with you here.  If they want someone sign a form saying they're formula feeding, fine, whatever.  But yeah, trying to talk someone out of it, or requiring an explanation would be going too far.