Late to the party - did lobbyists take down the breastfeeding post?

[Anonymous]

Ugh I’m kidding but I did see some interesting conversation brewing regarding breastfeeding or not and when I finally found the article I was looking for, the post is gone. Coincidence? Haha.

First, I hope every mother has the support love and freedom to choose what is best for her and her child, fed is best. I am about to starting weaning my four month old for personal health reasons, and it’s been hard to make that decision and not feel terrible but I know given my situation, it’s what is best for us. And as it’s our body, our choice, any reason should be justified, the below is not an argument for, but rather big industry is scary and I want to push back and make sure this information is spread far and wide.

There are powerful corporations pouring millions of dollars in the US alone into marketing of formula and formula promoting research.

https://brownpoliticalreview.org/2018/12/breastfeeding-battle-infant-formula-industrys-political-power-putting-babies-risk/

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-influence/2022/05/13/heres-who-lobbies-for-the-biggest-baby-formula-providers-00032501

[Anonymous]

Omg private companies are advertising their products (often bragging about how similar they are to breast milk). Call.the FBI!

[Anonymous]

OP, people hate breastfeeding on this board. Your post won’t last long or is going to be get some seriously snarky responses. I’d find a more supportive group and ask this to be taken down.

[Anonymous]

And there are "health experts" that bully moms into breastfeeding when its health benefits beyond a certain point are questionable. And hospitals that put moms and newborns at risk under the guise of being "baby friendly."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, people hate breastfeeding on this board. Your post won’t last long or is going to be get some seriously snarky responses. I’d find a more supportive group and ask this to be taken down.

No, they just hate sanctimonious breastfeeding bullies who stigmatize formula feeding to the detriment of mothers.

[Anonymous]

Hello all, I wanted to mention to anyone who needs to hear this that it is now the year 2023. It has been decades since anyone has told a mother in the US that formula is nutritionally superior to breast milk. The articles above highlight how monopolistic behavior among formula companies and the lobbying that allows this has impacted formula supply chains, putting babies at risk of malnutrition and starvation. The ability to access formula is a good thing and has saved countless lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg private companies are advertising their products (often bragging about how similar they are to breast milk). Call.the FBI!

Formula isn't similar to my breast milk, which had gummy bears and tortilla chips in it. I would hope formula is healthier than what I produced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, people hate breastfeeding on this board. Your post won’t last long or is going to be get some seriously snarky responses. I’d find a more supportive group and ask this to be taken down.

This is so true. It’s insane how anti-BFing this forum is.
-a formula mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, people hate breastfeeding on this board. Your post won’t last long or is going to be get some seriously snarky responses. I’d find a more supportive group and ask this to be taken down.

This is so true. It’s insane how anti-BFing this forum is.
-a formula mom

It's not insane, it's just that most women don't enjoy breastfeeding and since this is an anonymous board we feel more free to share our authentic experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg private companies are advertising their products (often bragging about how similar they are to breast milk). Call.the FBI!

Formula isn't similar to my breast milk, which had gummy bears and tortilla chips in it. I would hope formula is healthier than what I produced.

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why this is so polarizing. I assume it's just a few trolls who rile up other, perfectly reasonable people. Breastfeeding is usually better than formula for the baby and mother (lowered risk of breast cancer), but there should be viable alternatives when this is not possible. I breastfed two babies, but had to abruptly switch to formula for the first when I had radioactive treatment for thyroiditis. We NEED safe and nutritious formula!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand why this is so polarizing. I assume it's just a few trolls who rile up other, perfectly reasonable people. Breastfeeding is usually very marginally better than formula for the baby and mother (lowered risk of breast cancer), but there should be viable alternatives when this is not possible. I breastfed two babies, but had to abruptly switch to formula for the first when I had radioactive treatment for thyroiditis. We NEED safe and nutritious formula!

FIFY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hello all, I wanted to mention to anyone who needs to hear this that it is now the year 2023. It has been decades since anyone has told a mother in the US that formula is nutritionally superior to breast milk. The articles above highlight how monopolistic behavior among formula companies and the lobbying that allows this has impacted formula supply chains, putting babies at risk of malnutrition and starvation. The ability to access formula is a good thing and has saved countless lives.

I agree with you but that was a claim made on the now-defunct thread. 2023 hasn’t sunk in for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don't understand why this is so polarizing. I assume it's just a few trolls who rile up other, perfectly reasonable people. Breastfeeding is usually very marginally better than formula for the baby and mother (lowered risk of breast cancer), but there should be viable alternatives when this is not possible. I breastfed two babies, but had to abruptly switch to formula for the first when I had radioactive treatment for thyroiditis. We NEED safe and nutritious formula!

FIFY

Ultimate point is the same. We need formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, people hate breastfeeding on this board. Your post won’t last long or is going to be get some seriously snarky responses. I’d find a more supportive group and ask this to be taken down.

This is so true. It’s insane how anti-BFing this forum is.
-a formula mom

It’s actually valuable— whenever someone claims that society supports breastfeeding moms I send them links to the vitriol thrown at breastfeeding mothers on this board to see how far we haven’t come.