General Discussion

GobBluth

(109 posts)

20. I am conflicted

Mon Apr 9, 2012, 11:05 PM

Apr 2012

I have 3 children. With my first, I thought breast feeding would come "naturally". Boy was I rudely awakened! We were pretty broke at the time, so thankfully I had a crap load of formula from the hospital.

With my 2nd I was much more informed. Told the nurses I didn't need the formula. As we were leaving, I swear to you all, a nurse came running out with all the samples. Thankfully I didn't need them, donated them to a food shelter.

BUT I will never forget how thankful I was to have those samples with my first child. Sadly there is still a mystery about breastfeeding. I would much rather have classes on that then formula samples. But it is a stressful time and I refuse to begrudge a new mother and child some formula samples. Wish that lactation consultants were more affordable and readily available.

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Hospitals pressured to end free baby formula [View all] Eugene Apr 2012 OP

I could not agree more. CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2012 #1

If a new mother doesn't want to use it, she won't HockeyMom Apr 2012 #2

The free formula I was offered stayed at the hospital... Kalidurga Apr 2012 #3

I had a friend who just didn't have the milk. YellowRubberDuckie Apr 2012 #4

Thank you. enlightenment Apr 2012 #5

+1. I have thyroid disease. I pumped after each feeding for a year. gkhouston Apr 2012 #41

Mine would have starved too Crunchy Frog Apr 2012 #92

I tend to believe that enlightenment Apr 2012 #96

We had latching problems - by day 2 the nurses said I really needed to feed the baby TBF Apr 2012 #72

Latching is not necessary by day two TBF vanlassie Apr 2012 #77

Thank you - TBF Apr 2012 #82

When my cousin gave birth about 8 months back she was sent home with a bunch of premade formula Justice wanted Apr 2012 #6

If a woman is going to breast feed, she's not going to NOT breast feed because gateley Apr 2012 #7

Amen! likesmountains 52 Apr 2012 #8

Gately? Don't believe everything you think. vanlassie Apr 2012 #21

That's a ludicrous comparison. Making such over-the-top proclamations gkhouston Apr 2012 #53

Apparently vanlassie doesn't think women are capable of making an informed decision. ceile Apr 2012 #61

The Marlboro is for the after-feeding smoke ... Bake Apr 2012 #63

My little sis went dry after 3 months FrodosPet Apr 2012 #73

and then there are those poor adopted babies blueamy66 Apr 2012 #81

Blueamy? You didn't know adoptive mothers sometimes bring in a milk supply??? vanlassie Apr 2012 #88

mine didn't blueamy66 Apr 2012 #113

So women are morons? jeff47 Apr 2012 #93

A lot of first time mothers give up because it becomes "too hard". Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #71

Because they are unable to get to the grocery store and buy their own? (nt) jeff47 Apr 2012 #94

Some things are difficult. Consistant support from hospital staff Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #95

Again, they aren't able to get to the grocery store to buy their own? jeff47 Apr 2012 #101

You are confuzzled. But that's okay. I have better things to do. Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #103

No, I'm not confused at all. jeff47 Apr 2012 #105

Yes you are. NO I'M NOT. Yes you are. NO I'M NAWWWWWT. Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #106

No. It gets hard, they see the freebie tempting them, they use it.... AND THEN.... vanlassie Apr 2012 #120

Milk production level isn't one-way. jeff47 Apr 2012 #130

But you're forgetting that women are mindless victims WolverineDG Apr 2012 #85

I get so frustrated that the free formula samples are blamed for our low breast feeding rates. likesmountains 52 Apr 2012 #9

Agreed. nt avebury Apr 2012 #10

Amen. Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #12

Yes, that is being addressed currently. vanlassie Apr 2012 #22

Well I work at a hospital that gives free samples Horse with no Name Apr 2012 #33

You believe mothers who smoke can't breast feed? vanlassie Apr 2012 #38

Would love to know YOUR training Horse with no Name Apr 2012 #40

Horse, if you work in a hospital and would discourage mothers who smoke vanlassie Apr 2012 #58

It's not "inflammatory". It's complete and utter bullshit. gkhouston Apr 2012 #67

Um it'sUNICEF and W.H.O., not me who say that a million babies a year DIE- because of formula vanlassie Apr 2012 #69

Because of a lack of clean water and impoverished mothers who gkhouston Apr 2012 #78

Remember that essay I posted a while back? REP Apr 2012 #79

Yes. n/t gkhouston Apr 2012 #83

AGAIN....what do you tell adoptive mothers blueamy66 Apr 2012 #86

??? I'm not telling mothers who are unable or unwilling to nurse that they're inadequate. gkhouston Apr 2012 #87

I tell them not to get advice from people who don't know enough to advise them... vanlassie Apr 2012 #89

I definitely agree with the medication reason rebecca_herman Apr 2012 #98

You can easily check on the meds. vanlassie Apr 2012 #121

I agree that the 6 wks is ridiculous laundry_queen Apr 2012 #25

Uh....no. jeff47 Apr 2012 #100

In your experience. laundry_queen Apr 2012 #107

In your experience. jeff47 Apr 2012 #111

Um. Not so. vanlassie Apr 2012 #122

Good to know my daughter doesn't exist, just on your say-so. (nt) jeff47 Apr 2012 #129

I agree Canuckistanian Apr 2012 #70

I don't think it does Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #11

It does get old, doesn't it? Mariana Apr 2012 #17

But mothers breastfeed when sick. They always have. vanlassie Apr 2012 #24

I just don't agree with that Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #50

In my extensive experience Horse with no Name Apr 2012 #34

I am very thankful for the formula my wife and I received when we had our first baby. ZombieHorde Apr 2012 #13

We have WIC for that. vanlassie Apr 2012 #26

Not true. n/t Horse with no Name Apr 2012 #35

Really. REP Apr 2012 #80

Yep. Really. vanlassie Apr 2012 #90

why would "consumer advocates" want to restrict choice? ecstatic Apr 2012 #14

Because some women make the "wrong" choice. Mariana Apr 2012 #45

I don't believe this is true. Alenne Apr 2012 #15

Statistically they do. laundry_queen Apr 2012 #27

If you are supported and believe you will succeed...sure vanlassie Apr 2012 #28

This should be an OPTION, and only after LadyHawkAZ Apr 2012 #16

Good suggestion. blue neen Apr 2012 #18

IIRC, the tote I got all those years ago *did* contain leak pads. gkhouston Apr 2012 #84

So exactly how stupid are women? jeff47 Apr 2012 #97

A new mom with a first baby? LadyHawkAZ Apr 2012 #112

I'm having trouble believing that you think women are so stupid they need to be protected jeff47 Apr 2012 #115

where did all this weird come from? LadyHawkAZ Apr 2012 #116

Because your argument requires that women have no agency jeff47 Apr 2012 #117

so once she has made that decision LadyHawkAZ Apr 2012 #118

No, my solution is to not have a 3rd party regulate the decision. jeff47 Apr 2012 #119

well, that's a bit harsh... LadyHawkAZ Apr 2012 #131

Actually, it's the opposite of what you're claiming. jeff47 Apr 2012 #132

No jeff47. You have missed several points. vanlassie Apr 2012 #123

Why on earth would manufacturers make such an effort to have all mothers leave Cairycat Apr 2012 #19

Ermmm.. because the mothers who were going to use formula anyway dmallind Apr 2012 #30

Abbott? vanlassie Apr 2012 #31

They tried to separate my daughter and I after she was born... Luminous Animal Apr 2012 #74

So we use pampers then? jeff47 Apr 2012 #99

Using Pampers will not diminish your milk supply. vanlassie Apr 2012 #124

Way to miss the point. jeff47 Apr 2012 #127

I am conflicted GobBluth Apr 2012 #20

There is a mystery EXACTLY because there is a billion dollar industry vanlassie Apr 2012 #29

No I don't think breastfeeding has always been a mystery GobBluth Apr 2012 #37

The human race survived because enough children survived Mariana Apr 2012 #47

Yes, and also there used to be a lot more women giving birth Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #51

About nursing mothers sharing their milk Mariana Apr 2012 #57

If true, what took so long? nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #23

Here is what I don't understand. vanlassie Apr 2012 #32

Thank you! soleiri Apr 2012 #46

The difference is we don't think women let a free sample rule them jeff47 Apr 2012 #104

I would not be so sure that the "Fearless Formula Feeder" vanlassie Apr 2012 #125

It's an aggregation of links to scientific journals. Their beliefs are irrelevant. (nt) jeff47 Apr 2012 #128

Breast is best--no doubt, but if it isn't working do you let that poor little kid starve? davsand Apr 2012 #36

Well said Yo_Mama Apr 2012 #52

"It's not a social priority" sums it up quite well. The health of mom and baby SHOULD be the focus davsand Apr 2012 #56

I'm sick of these breast-feeding nazis taught_me_patience Apr 2012 #39

Yes. Me too. Horse with no Name Apr 2012 #42

My daughter also had a high palate, and a tendency to spit out *any* nipple. gkhouston Apr 2012 #55

+10 RandySF Apr 2012 #44

Thank you. I had twins. HappyMe Apr 2012 #62

I'm tired of people who call laundry_queen Apr 2012 #66

The name calling will stop when the screaming stops jeff47 Apr 2012 #102

hyperbole much? laundry_queen Apr 2012 #108

Must've not looked very far. jeff47 Apr 2012 #110

Sorry, but not all moms can be perfect. RandySF Apr 2012 #43

Meh - I got free samples with every baby, yet I breastfed every baby. Chemisse Apr 2012 #48

we breastfeed both our girls belcffub Apr 2012 #49

The decision on whether or not to breastfeed has usually been made before baby is born Arkansas Granny Apr 2012 #54

We had a very hard time Maine-ah Apr 2012 #59

They are just a bonus and it's nice to have them on hand just in case. cbdo2007 Apr 2012 #60

I think everyone can agree that breast milk is best, but in some cases that it is not possible KitSileya Apr 2012 #64

Thanks Kitsileya vanlassie Apr 2012 #68

My wife received it and donated it to someone else. Zalatix Apr 2012 #65

A callous, bonehead move like this does a disservice to babies and moms. BlueIris Apr 2012 #75

Aw jeez...this was essential when my kids were born Taverner Apr 2012 #76

Yep - it's no longer a fetus anymore! So who cares about it? jillan Apr 2012 #91

Some women can not produce enough milk, I guess the baby should starve. Pisces Apr 2012 #109

Oh please. vanlassie Apr 2012 #126

For the profits Cairycat Apr 2012 #114

I was determined to breast feed and gave mine away to someone who I knew was formula feeding Nikia Apr 2012 #133