Dealing with the formula shortage

[Anonymous]

I know many, many women have valid reasons for using formula. I tend to think some do, understandably, to simplify their lives and relieve the burden of being tethered to baby for 12 months nursing - either because of stress, going back to work, or some other non-medical reason (for mom or baby).

I can't help but wonder how many families use formula out of convenience, and how we might all be better served if we gave women the space, time and support to breastfeed. I recognize that there are different interests at play.

This is not meant to suggest any judgment or incite any breastmilk/formula wars.

I'm watching the news unfold today about Biden invoking the defense production act to produce formula. Heaven knows there are so many broken parts in our systems, but I've been mulling this over for weeks now. Why aren't we putting any effort into breastfeeding education??

I'm about 10 years out now from having had an infant. A coworker recently returned and mentioned using formula to both give dad an "opportunity" to feed and to get a break. And I felt a little sad for her.

For those of you closer to this stage, I'm curious about your take on this. I sense a level of panic around this formula shortage and I wonder how many parents actually medically need it, and how many are on it out of convenience and why we don't do anything to help support those families?

[Anonymous]

Not every mother can breastfeed (supply, pain, everlasting latch issues, prescriptions that contraindicate, etc.). Not every mother enjoys breastfeeding.

I think maximizing options and supporting mothers in the choices that are best for them and their family are best. Not assuming one choice is best for all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not every mother can breastfeed (supply, pain, everlasting latch issues, prescriptions that contraindicate, etc.). Not every mother enjoys breastfeeding.

I think maximizing options and supporting mothers in the choices that are best for them and their family are best. Not assuming one choice is best for all.

PP here. Also, couples who adopt, same-sex male couples, and many others may not be able to nurse as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry OP, but this post is stunningly insensitive and ill-timed. What is a mother who was depending on formula supposed to do at this point? I breastfed my child for 12 months and I remember how important it was to establish milk supply after the birth. I also regret not using formula more because I was a stressed out mess. But that's beside the point, because if a person has not established their milk supply, regardless of whether this was for their "convenience" (I see that word thrown out there a lot as a way to judge people who made different choices than you did, so lame and trollish OP), they CANNOT BREASTFEED AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILD STARVING. "Breastfeeding education" is not going to change that, referring to "convenience" is not going to change that, all you are saying is you think their child deserves to starve to death, which of course is par for the course for lactivists like you. Go to hell OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry OP, but this post is stunningly insensitive and ill-timed. What is a mother who was depending on formula supposed to do at this point? I breastfed my child for 12 months and I remember how important it was to establish milk supply after the birth. I also regret not using formula more because I was a stressed out mess. But that's beside the point, because if a person has not established their milk supply, regardless of whether this was for their "convenience" (I see that word thrown out there a lot as a way to judge people who made different choices than you did, so lame and trollish OP), they CANNOT BREASTFEED AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILD STARVING. "Breastfeeding education" is not going to change that, referring to "convenience" is not going to change that, all you are saying is you think their child deserves to starve to death, which of course is par for the course for lactivists like you. Go to hell OP.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know many, many women have valid reasons for using formula. I tend to think some do, understandably, to simplify their lives and relieve the burden of being tethered to baby for 12 months nursing - either because of stress, going back to work, or some other non-medical reason (for mom or baby).

I can't help but wonder how many families use formula out of convenience, and how we might all be better served if we gave women the space, time and support to breastfeed. I recognize that there are different interests at play.

This is not meant to suggest any judgment or incite any breastmilk/formula wars.

I'm watching the news unfold today about Biden invoking the defense production act to produce formula. Heaven knows there are so many broken parts in our systems, but I've been mulling this over for weeks now. Why aren't we putting any effort into breastfeeding education??

I'm about 10 years out now from having had an infant. A coworker recently returned and mentioned using formula to both give dad an "opportunity" to feed and to get a break. And I felt a little sad for her.

For those of you closer to this stage, I'm curious about your take on this. I sense a level of panic around this formula shortage and I wonder how many parents actually medically need it, and how many are on it out of convenience and why we don't do anything to help support those families?

Why did you feel sad for her that she was happy to have her husband feed the baby. That is a great perk for families that use formula. It is not just an education issue for many people. It is a life issue...whether physical, medical, work.

[Anonymous]

OMG the way some lactivists are soo excited about this formula shortage. When the "liquid gold" and "breast is best" doesn't give you quite the smug satisfaction it used to, now you can say "sorry you were so concerned about your **convenience**, now your baby will just die I guess!" #fappingforArmageddon, indeed.

[Anonymous]

Sure, Target should just put some educational pamphlets on the empty shelves. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG the way some lactivists are soo excited about this formula shortage. When the "liquid gold" and "breast is best" doesn't give you quite the smug satisfaction it used to, now you can say "sorry you were so concerned about your **convenience**, now your baby will just die I guess!" #fappingforArmageddon, indeed.

+1 there is a special place in hell for people like OP, I swear to God

[Anonymous]

This must be a troll post??

If not—OP, I was given the “time and space” and “education” to breastfeed, as well as all the fancy gadgets to pump, and it still didn’t work for me. Mainly because I did not like it. I did want a break from the baby. It was great that my husband and I could truly try to share responsibilities. Formula is a miracle for many reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry OP, but this post is stunningly insensitive and ill-timed. What is a mother who was depending on formula supposed to do at this point? I breastfed my child for 12 months and I remember how important it was to establish milk supply after the birth. I also regret not using formula more because I was a stressed out mess. But that's beside the point, because if a person has not established their milk supply, regardless of whether this was for their "convenience" (I see that word thrown out there a lot as a way to judge people who made different choices than you did, so lame and trollish OP), they CANNOT BREASTFEED AND THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILD STARVING. "Breastfeeding education" is not going to change that, referring to "convenience" is not going to change that, all you are saying is you think their child deserves to starve to death, which of course is par for the course for lactivists like you. Go to hell OP.

+1

Yeah I mean regardless of why someone chose not to breastfeed, if they’re 6 months out from birth, it’s going to be VERY difficult to try to begin lactating again, especially at high enough levels to feed an older baby.

This post is just insane.

[Anonymous]

Currently breastfeeding baby #3. Breastfed baby 1 for 18 months, baby 2 for 26 months.

I have a lot of feelings about breastfeeding and I NEVER talk about it because so many women have stronger feelings about it. It was hard as hell to breastfeed baby #1 at the start. She would cry and cry. She finally figured it out. I didn't have any formula to feed her with, so I just had to figure it out. Lots of googling. I dealt with A LOT of cracked nipples, bleeding nipples over the years. Seems that women should be sent home with a script for APNO. If they don't need it- great. If they need it, they can send a DH out to get it filled asap. I had to make my own because no way did I have the bandwidth to make a doctor's appt because my nipples were bleeding- wtf? I shouldn't have to jump through hoops. I started using APNO from the start with babies 2 and 3 and never got any bleeding, cracking or infections. Lots of women stop breastfeeding just for that simple reason.

I've felt very supported with lactation consultants. They were easy to find and also were at the hospital. I got free pumps from insurance.

I will say that I don't speak up when other women are having trouble. Women rarely help each other with nursing or reach out for help either, I know I didn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG the way some lactivists are soo excited about this formula shortage. When the "liquid gold" and "breast is best" doesn't give you quite the smug satisfaction it used to, now you can say "sorry you were so concerned about your **convenience**, now your baby will just die I guess!" #fappingforArmageddon, indeed.

Wait what

[Anonymous]

IS formula more convenient?? I breastfed 3 babies. It was so easy to just nurse any time I needed. No bringing bottles, no formula, no cleaning bottles. My diaper bag consisted of 2 diapers and a thing of wipes. It was particularly easy in the middle of the night with newborns. I never left my bed, just picked up baby, nursed and put them down. I really feel like I got more sleep that way than going to the kitchen to make formula, turning on lights, etc.

Pumping is harder than formula, yeah, but not totally. I pump 3x during my work day. I don't stop working and just pump at the computer. (I realize that not everyone has a job they can pump at)

[Anonymous]

I'm shocked by the amount of people who don't understand that once you stop breastfeeding (or choose not to do it to begin with) that you can't just suddenly change your mind a few weeks or months later and start producing milk again.