Comments on: Similac On My Doorstep Part 2 http://mamaheartsbaby.com/similac-on-my-doorstep-part-2/ Sun, 30 May 2010 02:35:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Elita http://mamaheartsbaby.com/similac-on-my-doorstep-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-83 Elita Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:16:25 +0000 http://mamaheartsbaby.com/?p=391#comment-83 You know, I have to say, they've definitely improved the information they are sending out to people in regards to breastfeeding. If you look at the Similac website, there is still a lot of inaccurate info posted there. It specifically says a baby should only nurse 5-10 minutes per breast, at which point you should move to the second breast. Well, many babies will have only gotten foremilk at that point, not the fatty hind milk, which could result in low weight gain. I also agree with Annie. The formula companies should be required to list the dangers of formula, the same way tobacco and alcohol companies do. There are still serious risks involved in formula feeding, even in the West where we have a clean water supply (and I say this as a mom who had to give my son formula, so I know that sometimes there really is no choice). At the end of the day formula does have its place, as a medically necessary alternative when breast milk is not available or lacking. It shouldn't be any baby's primary source of nutrition. You know, I have to say, they’ve definitely improved the information they are sending out to people in regards to breastfeeding. If you look at the Similac website, there is still a lot of inaccurate info posted there. It specifically says a baby should only nurse 5-10 minutes per breast, at which point you should move to the second breast. Well, many babies will have only gotten foremilk at that point, not the fatty hind milk, which could result in low weight gain.
I also agree with Annie. The formula companies should be required to list the dangers of formula, the same way tobacco and alcohol companies do. There are still serious risks involved in formula feeding, even in the West where we have a clean water supply (and I say this as a mom who had to give my son formula, so I know that sometimes there really is no choice). At the end of the day formula does have its place, as a medically necessary alternative when breast milk is not available or lacking. It shouldn’t be any baby’s primary source of nutrition.

]]> By: Annie @ PhD in Parenting http://mamaheartsbaby.com/similac-on-my-doorstep-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Annie @ PhD in Parenting Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:44:36 +0000 http://mamaheartsbaby.com/?p=391#comment-82 I think it is good that formula companies share breastfeeding information, but I don't think that is enough. I think they should also be required to share information on the risks of formula. In terms of making breastfeeding mainstream, a few things I would suggest are: 1) Seeing more women breastfeed. We see babies with bottles all the time, but breastfeeding tends to be hidden in public and in the media. This needs to change. 2) Better maternity leave provisions and better support for pumping in the workplace to make it easier for mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals. 3) Better support in the medical community. In the info you quoted above, you suggested that telling a mom to get a recommendation for a LC from her doctor would be a positive. Unfortunately, many women will not get past that doctor. The doctor will give her plenty of reasons why it is okay to give up on breastfeeding. We need to educate doctors more about breastfeeding and we need to give women easier direct access to quality breastfeeding support. I think it is good that formula companies share breastfeeding information, but I don’t think that is enough. I think they should also be required to share information on the risks of formula.

In terms of making breastfeeding mainstream, a few things I would suggest are:
1) Seeing more women breastfeed. We see babies with bottles all the time, but breastfeeding tends to be hidden in public and in the media. This needs to change.
2) Better maternity leave provisions and better support for pumping in the workplace to make it easier for mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals.
3) Better support in the medical community. In the info you quoted above, you suggested that telling a mom to get a recommendation for a LC from her doctor would be a positive. Unfortunately, many women will not get past that doctor. The doctor will give her plenty of reasons why it is okay to give up on breastfeeding. We need to educate doctors more about breastfeeding and we need to give women easier direct access to quality breastfeeding support.

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