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January 2013 Moms
Is it just me?
I have made the decision to breastfeed exclusively but it seems to me bottle feeding is in and breastfeeding is out. I recently went shopping for a breast pump and other items and was disappointed to find a vast selection of products for bottle feeding while only finding one brand of nipple relief cream and two breast pumps. I have also had some negative reactions from friends and family (even those that are pregnant or just had a baby); oh you're breastfeeding? As if it's a bad thing. I don't understand this at all, it is the best thing for my baby. Why wouldn't I do it? I know it is hard... I've done it before and believe me after a couple bad latches and two cases of mastitis in the beginning I never wanted DS coming near my breasts again. However, his bottle fed counterparts were constantly getting sick or having tummy problems and DS didn't break his first fever until he was 20 months old. I also lost all 43 pounds in 10 weeks while my friends struggled with their weight for months afterwards. Is it just me or have any of you experienced something similar?
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Re: Is it just me?
it has actually gotten a lot better in recent years. I am suprised that such a high percentage of ladies on this board are planning to EBF. When I had DS (5 yrs ago), my board was almost exactly split 50-50 for EBF vs FF.
How many options do you really need for nipple cream? I would go with Lanolin (I think that is the brand).... I know Target carries that. As far as a breast pump, iif there is a specific one you are looking for, go to their website and see waht stores carry it in your area.
As far as your family adn friends are concerned... who cares what they think. Let them have their opinions. Dont feel like you need to justify it to them. It is ridiculous that they are giving you attitude about breastfeeding. So sad.
I think you mean formula feeding, not bottle feeding, right? You can feed with breast milk via a bottle (with the pump, etc.) so I just want to make sure that what you're talking about is breast milk versus formula and not exclusively using your breast versus using a bottle so I know I am understanding you.
That said, I have not hear of a sudden shift to formula feeding and I think breast milk is still preferred and widely accepted. I am actually surprised to hear people give you grief for breastfeeding, usually it's the other way around. I will say if the people pushing forumla are older, it just might be a generational thing. At the end of the day though, just do what works best for you and your family, whether it's method of feeding, diapering, sleep arrangements or whatever.
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There are more products available for bottle feeders because there's more money to be made with bottle feeding mammas than there is with EBF mammas. Just consumer demand - technically, historically- you don't need anything (product wise) to breastfeeding besides your own body, right?
Exactly this, don't let people give you any slack for the way you choose to feed, diaper, bath, essentially raise your child. You are the parent and you will know what is best for your child.
Good Luck!
Exactly this. Money talks.
Well, the thing is the majority of people formula feed (definitely bottle feed, if you're including people that exclusively pump) and this number only increases as baby gets older. Not to mention, when you're talking about seeing stuff in stores you have to think that there's not much money to be made from successful breastfeeding, certainly not the way there is for formula feeding so there's a reason there are aisles of bottle feeding products, and not much as far as breastfeeding items.
As far as people talking about it like it's a bad thing, that's definitely just an education issue. :shrug:
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I would agree that you would find lots of bottles since you can use bottles for both breast and formula feeding.
I would not expect to find a lot of selection of breast pumps in store. for selection, shop online.
This. I'm puzzled by your perception that BF isn't common/popular. Everyone I know BF. I think maybe your family/friends also have some outdated preconceptions about BF in 2012. That's their problem, not yours or your baby's. Its a popular decision and highly encouraged by the entire medical community. Again, I'm confused as to why you feel otherwise.
I guess it is just the people I know then but in the 11 years since I became a mother, my sister and I are the only women I know that chose to breastfeed over formula feed. I don't understand the negative reaction from friends and family at all. I asked my SIL if she was nursing because she is always complaining about her baby weight; I told her it really helps and that was one of the reasons I plan to BF and she said "well good for you! I don't want to make everyone else feel uncomfortable".
I knew I wanted to try BF but I'm also not going to beat myself up if my milk doesn't come in right or if I decide to stop BF after the first several months. It doesn't bother me if people have an opinion on one or the other...I'm going to do what I want to do because I feel it's right. But I also don't place judgement on EBF or FF either way. It's a personal decision and why would I care if someone else does or doesn't do something...it's too bad your family/friends cannot be more understanding.
So what I'm trying to say...sorry I think I babbled up there...do what you want and forget about what everyone else says.
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BFP #3: EDD 1/10/13 **DS born 12/30/12!!!**
BFP #2: MC 7/2/11 @ 12 weeks
**Missing our February '12 LoveBug**
BFP #1: MMC discovered on 12/6/10
26 years old, married since June 2009, DS born 1/19/13
Dear Baby Pacheco...
ditto PPs. BFing has become much more popular recently. I know my mom EBF all fir of us, averaged about 2 years (well not 2 years exclusively of course, but no formula etc) and that was VERY much outside the norm then. She has been really happy to hear how accepted it is now. Around me it is very much the norm. Maybe not extended BFing, but first 6m-year for sure. My local is very BF friendly etc.
You may live in an area that isnt as educated on this subject in general. But if YOU BF and dont hide it, you will help normalize it for others and maybe make that choice easier for another mom
It definitely isnt something to hide though! To me, because I grew up with it, it is the norm, the status quo etc and FF is weirder.
But yeah you see a lot of FF stuff out there because it is a cash cow. That is why there are "baby friendly hospitals" with rules about giving formula out - and why moms who BF will be marketed to by formula companies with freebies etc... because they know we arent spending our $ wtih them and they want to get us. It is a LOT of money!
And most moms, FF or BF use bottles and there are a ton of different WAYS bottles can work and be designed. So - big selection. Nipple cream is nipple cream, not necessary to have a million versions of it.
For pumps, there are a couple major brands out there. Where did you shop that you only saw a couple? One thought on that is that it sounds like your area isnt big on BFing. Maybe the stores dont stock too many types of pumps locally just because they dont sell as well there, and they are a high value inventory item. Luckily you can get them online if you cant find the one you want
11/18/16 missed m/c 9w1
08/03/17 no hb 8w