Breastfeeding Advocacy vs Formula Bashing

If you ever want to see my panties get into a bind there is an easy way to do it. Call yourself a breastfeeding advocate or 'lactavist' but spend most of your "education and informational" time bashing formula and women who use it.

We know my stance on the marketing of formula and the companies themselves. Something really needs to change in THAT aspect, but you wont ever read me bashing formula itself and will for sure NEVER see me refer to it as poison or cast judgments on women who need to OR choose to use formula. 

Breast is ideal. Nothing manufactured can come close to breast milk. It is incredible. It is however sometimes not possible for women or babies for many reasons that are really our none of our business.  What is our business is to be an advocate for the rights of breastfeeding women and families, to protect our rights to feed our children and to not have our confidence undermined or to battle against Booby Traps.  To be there for women struggling and confused and to promote correct information about breastfeeding.

Support - NOT fear mongering - is what breastfeeding advocacy and lactivism is about.

In a perfect world there would be no need for formula. Women would not have their confidence undermined or be thrown judgments. Doctors, hospitals and families would be armed with the correct information about breastfeeding and be supportive.  There would be milk banks in every city that is affordable, covered under insurance and never at danger of closing.  There would be no such thing as galactosemia, casein intolerance, latch problems, every work place would be supportive in breastfeeding, women would have adequate maternal leave and women wouldn't have to choose between breastfeeding and taking a non compatible medication to save their life. Breastfeeding would come easy to everyone and no one would be looked at when breastfeeding in public or asked to leave or cover up.

We do not live in this world. It would be amazing  - but we don't.

If you hate formula and think it is evil and poison and should be banned - take a look at your life. Did you ever have to struggle at breastfeeding? Did it come easy to you with no booby traps and tons of support? Are you healthy and don't have to choose between breastfeeding and your life? Do you have to be separated from your child? Are you able to afford and have access to breast pumps or milk banks?  I can bet I know the answers to these questions...

Fear mongering and scare tactics are not conducive to POSITIVE lactivism. 

Think about who needs your help the most? Is it the woman who has all the support in the world and none of those barriers? Is it the woman who is fully aware of the barriers and has all the support to overcome them? NO. It is the woman who has no support, is surrounded by barriers and difficult issues who's confidence is undermined.

If you ever want to see change you need to be approachable. No one is going to "listen to your message" if it is full of hate and judgment and fear mongering. Calling formula "poison" shuts that communication down completely - bashing women who use formula shuts the communication down completely. 

If you spend most of your time bashing FORMULA (not their marketing) & the women who use it (without EVER taking the time to listen to THEIR story) you are NOT a breastfeeding advocate. You make life harder for those who are BREASTFEEDING advocates.  

Educate yourself not only on the 'dangers' and inferiority of formula but on the barriers of breastfeeding. Listen to stories and stop the judgments. Be thankful if you did not have any barriers.  Think about who your message is intended for.  Are you trying to promote change or rally with the other 'formula bashers'.  Which is more conductive to your time?

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

              

WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes And How It Protects Breastfeeding & Formula Feeding

International Code of marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was drafted by the World Health Organization as a result of the 1977 boycott of Nestle after their formula campaign killed millions of babies in third world countries.  The Code's main focus was to call for no advertising to the public and to distribute factual and ethical information to parents the code was signed by all nations in the early 1980's when it was drafted & finally signed by the United States in the mid 1990's.  

WHO Code – related to the marketing & practices related to the marketing of the following:

breast-milk substitutes including infant formula, other milk products, food & beverages when marked (or represented) as full or partial substitute of breast-milk, feeding bottles and pacifiers & bottle nipples.

My abridged version of the code:

• No advertising of any of these products to the public
  
• No special displays, discount coupons, special sales for products within the code to consumer at retail level to induce sales
• No free samples to mothers or pregnant women, infants or children – including gifts or articles which may promote use of breast-milk substitutes or bottle-feeding
• No promotion of products in health care facilities, including the distribution of free or low-cost supplies – no posters, brochures or special displays in a health care setting
• No company sales representatives, in their business capacity, are to advise mothers, pregnant women directly or indirectly
• No gifts, personal samples or low-price sales to institutions, organizations or workers within the health care field
• No words, pictures or statements idealizing artificial feeding, no pictures of infants on labels for breast-milk feeding substitutes.
• Information on artificial infant feeding should clearly state the superiority of breast feeding & a clear advisement to only use at the advice of health care provider
• Unsuitable products (sweetened condensed milk, almond milk etc) should not be promoted for babies & be clearly marked as so – including no instructions on how to modify for the purpose of infant feeding
  

Follow Friday Guest Post: A Male Perspective On Breastfeeding

Today for the infant feeding series this guest poster offers a perspective we don't often get to hear.  There has been a lot of media coverage lately about breastfeeding and sexuality and how it affects our marriages, our bodies and our relationships. Today, my husband Ryan is offering his perspective on breastfeeding, marriage and parenting. Here is his story in his own words: 

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When my wife first asked me to do a guest post for her breastfeeding series I was a little confused as to what exactly I would be able to add to the conversation as I've obviously never breastfeed a baby.  I though it was pretty funny when Peter Griffen gave it a try on Family Guy, creepy for sure but very funny.  Then she explained that she was interested in getting a male perspective on how breastfeeding affects the way we raise our children and our relationship.
   
While I was trying to organize my thoughts on my male perspective I remembered a very controversial article about the negative effects breastfeeding can have on a marriage that I read a few months back.  The article I'm referring to is titled Moms, Don't Forget to Feed Your Marriages and was written by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.  If you've not read it, it may be beneficial for you to read over it before reading on as I'll be referring to it through out this post.  It can be found at this link:

http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Relationships/2006/07/Moms-Dont-Forget-To-Feed-Your-Marriages.aspx?p=1
 

Follow Friday Guest Post: My Stylish Fail at Breast Feeding

Today is the second last story in our infant feeding series.  Dana Sears is an incredible mother to 3 beautiful boys. Her journey has not been easy and I am thrilled she is willing to share her story! Here it is in her own words:

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Our story has never been simple.
My Husband and I met when I was 16 and fell instantly in love.
We lost his father to cancer at age 56 in 2003.
I married the love of my life in April of 2004.
May of 2004 brought the Battle of Breast Cancer, which my MIL won!
Among all the loss and hardships we found out we were having a little boy.

Meet Joshua...
The start to our BIG family and the beginning of my stylish fail with Breast Feeding.
Joshua was born October 2005, at 37 weeks, he was 8 pounds and beautiful.
The labour was quick and Joshua was HUNGRY!
Josh was put to my breast within the first 15 minutes and didn’t leave it for the 24 hours.
I had a great nurse who worked with me so I understood the latch.
I left the hospital with a hungry baby boy, the happiest young 21 year old Mom.

I struggled with my health for the first 4 weeks of Joshua’s life loosing 45 pounds (more than I gained with pregnancy.)
I would have to breast feed Joshua on the toilet and laying in bed. I couldn’t go anywhere and I didn’t know what to do.
All this child wanted to do was eat.
He would sleep for 15 minute intervals, wake and want the breast again.
So I would give it to him.
I did this for 8 weeks.

Follow Friday Guest Post: Letting Go of the Guilt

Today the lovely Nikki from Mommy Oblongata is so kind to share her story and her struggle with breastfeeding and the guilt she experienced when introducing formula as well.  Here is her story in her own words:

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I never thought I would have a problem breastfeeding. All the women in my family have been blessed with fabulous milk makers that could feed multiple children, so I assumed I would be fine. Plus, at around 28 weeks pregnant I started excreting colostrum, so I had no doubt in my mind I was going to have plenty of milk for my new baby.
 

When my son was born, he had a very mild form of torticollis. It wasn’t too bad that a little bit of stretch therapy has completely remedied him, but enough where he preferred to lay only on one side while nursing. 

So, I would do the cross cradle position for one side and the football hold for the other. This affected my supply a little. On the side I had to use the football hold, he never ate much out of, so that side’s supply kept going down.
 

Then, my son had his first check up and it was discovered he had lost more weight since leaving the hospital…which is never good for a very young infant. I was told by my pediatrician to feed him basically whenever he wanted food and not to go over two hours between feedings. In addition, I was to nurse him on each side for 20 minutes. When it boiled down to it, I would feed my son for twenty minutes, burp, twenty more minutes, burb and then we had an hour before he would need to eat again. I felt like a Jersey Cow offering my boob to my child over 12 times a day.

Follow Friday Guest Post: Breast Feeding After Surgery

When Karen contacted me asking if she could share her BFAS (Breast Feeding After Breast or Nipple Surgery) story I was thrilled. I am so amazed by Karen's strength and determination.  Here is her story in her own words:

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My breast reduction surgery was my 18th birthday gift from my parents. When I met the plastic surgeon he explained that one of the negative side effects was that I might not be able to breastfeed. But my 18 year old mind was in bikinis and button downs, not on bottles and diapers.

2 years after the surgery I met the man of my life and 8 years later I sat in a childbirth education class listening to the instructor say that it is very common for women who have had breast reduction surgery not to be able to breastfeed, especially if the surgery was the type where the nipple is removed and then reattached (the type I had of course). So when the instructor proceeded to explain the benefits of breast milk and to show a video explaining the whole technique I basically spaced out, trying not to dwell on how my 18 year old selfish and vain act would deprive my baby of “liquid gold”. Instead I focused my whole attention on preparing for a natural childbirth as if that would somehow make it up to my baby.  

But then something weird happened. I was taking a shower when I noticed a milky white discharge coming out of my nipples. I didn´t really think about it until a couple of days later when my ob/gyn asked if I was planning to breastfeed. I told her that I probably wasn´t because of my surgery, but she swiftly assured me that she had seen plenty of women who breastfed after surgery with no problems. She then proceeded to pinch my nipples (which for those of you who are wincing didn´t hurt at all since I have no sensibility) and show me how a few drops of colostrum came out. That´s why in my hospital bag I packed breastfeeding supplies  along with my robe and slippers. But all my energy and thoughts where centered in this painful but beautiful birth I had visualized for months, I really didn’t know much about breastfeeding and even less about  Breast Feeding After Surgery (BFAS). (Big mistake No. 1)

Follow Friday Guest Post: Overcoming A Breastfeeding Obstacle

Today we are lucky to have an amazing story to continue the infant feeding series coming to us from Cindy from This Adventure, Our Life.  Cindy has a gorgeous 7 month old daughter, Bailey who she has been breastfeeding now for 7 months. 

Her story did not start of easy - she and Bailey had to overcome a huge obstacle when her beautiful vision became a bit more difficult.  Here is Cindy's amazing story in her own words:

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My breastfeeding experience did not start out as a beautiful moment.  I guess like many other people wanting to breastfeed I imagined giving birth and then having this beautiful moment where the baby did “the crawl “ and gracefully latched on.  I mean, this is what the videos showed and what our natural birth instructor taught us about.  I dreamed of this beautiful moment, and even if she did not latch on right away I had grand thoughts that I would give birth to her and have her in my arms shortly after and we would be skin to skin.  My labor was not so, after 25 hours of back labor, 4 of those hours dilated at 7 pushing 8 and not progressing to 8 fully along with her heart rate going up too much and causing concern.  I had my first surgery ever, a c-section.  I never dreamed that it would be the next day when I first would experience holding my daughter.  Of course, this was not in my plans, why would it be. 

Follow Friday Guest Post: Why Formula Was Right For Us

For today's guest post we are still continuing on with the infant feeding topic. Today is a bit different because instead of featuring a Mama that breastfed, we have a Mama sharing her story on why she didn't breastfeed and why formula was the choice for her family.  Today we are welcoming Blair from Heir to Blair as she shares her story in her own words:

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We formula feed, aka POUR RAT POISON DOWN OUR CHILD'S THROAT EVERY DAY.  ::enter maniacal laughter::

Good.  Now that we got that bullshit out of the way, Hi, I'm Blair & I formula feed my baby.  By choice.

 

Going into pregnancy & motherhood, I always planned to formula feed since I had a breast reduction in Fall 2007.  It was simply a fact that my chances of lactating were slim, so it didn't surprise me that I didn't even get a squeeze of colostrum until almost two weeks postpartum.

Secret side note:  I still hoped that I would miraculously turn into a cow & be able to nurse an entire village after delivery.  But no dice.

Anyway.  BACK TO BOTTLES OF POISON.  Formula feeding has been so easy. Sometimes, I literally cringe at the breastfeeding stories I hear & if my nipples still had sensation, they would hurt for you.  Because from the beginning, it's been a simple shake & serve for us.

I know you can be mildly jealous of the perks formula feeding has, even if you are a Lactation Nazi. Because while i will never deny that 'breast is best," I will certainly never deny the benefits of formula feeding for our family.

• I never have to worry about modesty, nursing in public, or being kicked out of the local Target for feeding my child.
• I can wear dresses with ease.
• I have never felt like this:

photo credit

• I have never spontaneously dripped milk down my silk blouse.  Granted, I've SPILLED because I'm a sloppy feeder.  But never DRIPPED.
• My husband can feed him just as easily as I can.
• Which translates into, my husband can take NIGHT DUTY.  As can my mother, sister, dog, & neighbor's second cousin twice removed so that I can sleep.

Yep, benefits!!  Love them.  & so I proudly sport my Munchkin formula dispenser with pride, despite some dirty looks from "wanna-be La Leche Leeches".  Because at the end of the day, I'm feeding my baby.  & I'm simply PRO-FEED YOUR BABY at this point in my life.

But Coke versus Pepsi?  Now that is something to get worked up about.

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I want to extend a thank you to Blair from Heir to Blair for sharing why formula was the right choice for her family.  LOVE her and love her site so be sure to check her out and say HELLO. 

I would also like to add that if you have had a breast reduction surgery or nipple surgery and wish to breastfeed - please check out BFAR for resources and support.

:: Did you have negative experiences with "pro-breast feeders" that turned you off?::

Do you have a breastfeeding/formula feeding story you would like to share on Accustomed Chaos? Send me an email at accustomedchaos[at]gmail[dot]com

 
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Follow Friday Guest Post: Exclusively Pumping & Successful !

Today I am continuing on my guest posts related to infant feeding. This post today comes from Elizabeth (LutherLiz) and she is a mommy to a very handsome boy (Baby Goat) who is now 15 months. I put out a tweet looking for a mom who was able to exclusively pump for their baby and she so amazingly agreed to share her story.  So, without further adieu - here is LutherLiz's story in her own words: 

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I didn’t plan on pumping exclusively when my son, baby goat, was born.  In fact I wasn’t even aware that it was a realistic option.  I knew that breast-feeding moms pumped to make their lives simpler at times, particularly if they were working moms, so I put a pump on my baby registry and didn’t think too much of it.

Or rather, I didn’t have time to think too much of it because a week before my first baby shower I found myself heading to the hospital.  A routine check had found my blood pressure had skyrocketed (176/110) and there was little question that our plans had to change.  I was 32 weeks pregnant.

As it turned out pre-eclampsia had already taken route and despite bed rest in the hospital and lots of blood pressure drugs I delivered my son at 33 weeks by C-section.  There was no thought given to whether labor should be induced, or whether it could be held off longer.  I made it a week which gave the Dr’s just enough time to get some steroids for my son’s lungs and prepare us a bit for what to expect with a premature baby, but it was safest for me and baby goat to delivery immediately.

When you have dreams of a real labor, a full term baby, and a moment of initial bonding with your child on your breast the reality of an early C-section hits hard.  Regardless of what people told me I was aware that my body had failed my son and that guilt is huge.  When you are so sick and drugged that you have little to no memory of seeing your son the first time and you don’t hold your son until over 24 hours after delivery it is painfully clear that this not the way it is supposed to be.

Follow Friday: Why Can't YOU Lactate?

Today we are honored with a guest post from Lindsey at  Waking Up Williams. I am a huge fan and think you should all run over there (well, after you read more about her here) and I guarantee you will fall in love too. Blogging with her husband (JPW) and learning more about their life with their gorgeous daughter Ryann, today Lindsey gives you a glimpse into her breastfeeding adventures:

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Hi, I'm LCW or Lindsey from Waking Up Williams.  I'm a first time mommy, with a crazy start to parenthood and I'm here to share my breastfeeding story, how we started, how it evolved and how it hasn't ended yet.  Enjoy!

JP and I made the decision early on in my pregnancy that I would breastfeed.   I read a lot of books, asked a lot of questions and knew I would latch that little baby on right after birth.  And I did!  I was so proud that I was doing what the books and nurses told me to do and I was even more proud that my wee little hour old baby knew what to do.  I thought to myself, this is awesome, my baby knows what she's supposed to do, this breastfeeding thing is easy.  (I'll be eating those words in a  few days)