RE: I don't understand the breastfeeding debate
"There are risks to choosing formula over breastmilk. Some moms
don't know that."
And herein lies the defensiveness. Though Susan didn't intend to offend with this statement...the first reaction of my heart was "thanks alot". I formula fed...and I will not go into the sob story why...."risks" is a negatively connotated word...it might be better to say "advantages to breastfeeding that moms don't know about...or maybe Susan really did mean that feeding formula is "risky"...either way...that's where the defensiveness is coming from. sometimes bfing moms (though uninentionally) have a way of making ffing moms feel inadequate. I personally hate it when the bfing moms talk about "educating" ffing women....like i didn't bf cause I'm stupid and dont know anything about it. I'm sure there are populations that could benefit from bf education, but let's be honest...a lot of us on the boards...AIN'T those populations....
I'll also go ahead and attack the ticker. the little "badges" some of the bfing moms put on their posts showing how long they made it for....just annoying and a slap in the face to us....what purpose do they serve? am i being educated by your badge? you might as well put a little ticker in there that says, "this is how long i've been a better mother than you". I know it's defensive...and related to insecurity I feel as a mother, but it's there. That's reality. I can't go back and do it over. That's what makes it so hard. No one likes to have regret.
I realize you (jen the OP) didn't want reactions like mine because you didn't want to start a debate, but i'm pregnant, hormonal and feeling the pressure to successfully BF this time...it's a lot to live up to...i am not looking for a fight either, so having said all that I did...remember i'm just offering my perspective...not looking for an argument.... i think we've all heard it all when it comes to bfing vs. ffing...
Megs
DD1 (13-ish)
DS (11-ish)
DD2 (5-ish)