I wish to make it clear that we are neither pro breastfeeding or pro formula feeding. We are merely trying to provide information (including personal experiences) and chemical free products for those mothers who can not, or choose not to breastfeed.
Like most things in life, the choice to breastfeed is a personal one, but sadly not a choice that all mothers are presented with. I solely breastfed my beautiful angel from the second she was born, however after a couple of weeks I visited my lactation nurse and was horrified to find that she had lost a considerable about of weight. Honestly, it was one of the worst days of my life - I felt I was a failure as a mother. I was reduced to tears, my poor baby - she must be so hungry - how could I let this happen! I fed her as often as I humanly could, but unfortunately I was unable to produce enough milk to satisfy her - particularly as she was a very large bubba (10 pounds 7 at birth). I ate well, took vitamins and herbs such as blessed thistle and fenugreek to help my flow, but unfortunately I still did not produce enough. It was suggested to me that I could take a particular drug to assist with my milk flow, but I have a strong anti drug policy (particularly when breastfeeding!) so this was not an option for me.
My lactation nurse recommend that I supplement feed her with formula, and within a week she had gained weight, started sleeping well, and I started to regain my sanity. I continued to feed her with both bottle and breast until she was ready to be weaned, and whilst I adored breastfeeding her - she was never as satisfied after a breastfeed as she was after a bottle feed. This would not be the case for everyone of course - but it was certainly the case for me. Of course, I suffered a great degree of guilt and a sense of failure that I could not solely breastfeed her - but as I watched her thrive and develop in to a beautiful healthy child, I knew that all that mattered was she was happy and healthy - regardless of where she was getting her milk from.
She is now 2 and a half and she has never been sick - despite being unimmunised - and is the most beautiful, healthy. happy child in the world (well, we think so anyway). From 12 weeks old, she has slept 12 hours straight every night, and 2 hours every day, she has no allergies, is tall and strong, and is as bright as a spark. Now - there is no doubt that my child enjoys the blessing of optimum health due to her being breastfed - however I have to say that I believe formula also provided her with wonderful nutrients, and prevented her from being hungry. I receivied a comment from on lady who claimed that formula fed babies are "deprived". Of course I find this comment highly offensive - as would all mothers who formula feed. My child has never, and will never be "deprived" of anything - especially nutrients! So, I have to say that formula feeding my precious angel with formula was in no way detrimental to her health. But again - this is simply my experience.
Unfortunately, when I was struggling with breastfeeding and trying to find the most natural way of bottle feeding my child - there were very few sites that sold organic formula and it was almost impossible to find baby bottles that did not contain Bisphenol A in them. This, was one of the main reasons we had for starting this business. I want to be able to provide those mothers who can't, or choose not to breastfeed - with chemcial free alternatives - and help alleviate the guilt they may suffer as a result of not breastfeeding.
I have many friends and customers who have had differing experiences with breastfeeding. Some have breastfed up until their children are 2, some until 6 months, some, like me have breast and bottle fed, and some have chosen not to breastfeed at all. Whilst I may not agree with some of their decisions, I still embrace them and understand that this is a very sensitive subject for some mothers - therefore I would never dream of criticising them for the choices they have made. Acceptance brings peace. And lets be honest - the last thing we need in those first few months of parenthood is criticism. So, next time you see a baby being fed from the breast, or from the bottles, smile, and be happy that that child has someone to love and care for it and that it is being nourished.
Love and light
Siobhan
Oh! And in response to those comments that we are providing this information about formula because we are "money hungry monsters" and "greedy", allow me to make some facts clear. We sell over 1500 natural and organic products on our site, 3 of these products are organic baby formula. As a small retailer, the profit that we make on this formula (like most organic products) is miniscule - roughly $5 per box. The sale of formula on our site represents a very small part of our total sales. The money that we make on selling formula per year would barely be enough to take ourselves off to the movies. Hardly money grabbing..........
Further information:
Australian Breast Feeding Association - here
Information regarding formula - here
Information regarding herbs that may assist with milk flow - here
A wonderful lady Michelle who lives in our local area in far north NSW, who offers incredible advice on all things bubba related - here
World Health Organisation information on breastfeeding - here
Australian Government information on bottle feeding - here
All about the pros and cons of bottle and breastfeeding - here
Video below about benefits of both bottle, and breastfeeding:
11 comments:
I think it is commendable that you have chosen to alter your sit content after receiving complaints.
Unfortunately, likening breast milk to 'salad' and formula to 'steak' is not only offensive to breastfeeding women, it is 110% false and not backed up by science.
Just to let you know, it is perfectly NORMAL and USUAL for babies to drop up to 10% of their birthweight after birth, and many do not regain it until around 3 weeks post partum. Unfortunately, many MCHN staff do not follow evidence based research and best-practice, and what happened to you was that you were a new mother that was not well supported.
Many women who experience this end up giving up breastfeeding when, with the right support they could have continued.
what happens is this:
your mchn starts banging on about babies weight-loss at 10 days or so. Suggests that youhave a supply issue.
mother starts comp-feeding with formula, which actually DOES reduce her supply (which was most likely abundant, or at least adequate, and which could have been boosted with bed rest, skin to skin contact and herbs such as fenugreek, goats rue, and blessed thistle)...soon the baby is either continuing to not gain, or mother notices a marked reduction in supply, and begins to introduce more formula.
It is here that most women can kiss breastfeeding goodbye (although, the mchn would never think to tell you that you can relactate at any time)...
I had a 4.4kg boy in 2007 and then this year I had a 4 kg babe. I breastfeed them both, and both rely on my milk as either an exclusive source of nourishment (the babe) or a big chunk of nourishment (the toddler).
I am sorry the system failed you. Please don't compound this experience for other women by suggesting that formula is equal or superior to breastmilk.
For heavens sake, I am not an argumentative person but was so surprsed to feel myself so emotionally rattled by this subject after 20 years...
My beautiful daughter was born in 1989 weighing 3.3kg, I wanted so desperatly to breastfeed her as I believed it was the best thing for us both and I persevered for 3 months, she lost 1.2kg and was feeding for UP TO 6 hrs AT A TIME, and would only go down for an hour or so in between. I had bleeding nipples, mastits, she was throwing up all the time, we tried expressing and bottle feeding that to her, we went and stayed at Karitane for a week to try and get help.
Sadly after many tests we found my milk was useless, no nutrient and actually making her ill, I was sick with undiagnosed ceoliac disease (which we did not find out about until 4yrs ago) and gall stones which was souring my milk...
I only wish that these products had been available back then.
So I find it EXTREMLY OFFENSIVE for people who get up on their high horse saying "it is normal, you should have tried harder"...
Sorry it is NOT always normal and there comes a time where a decision must be made.... It is never an easy one and regardless of the doctors, nurses, my mother and Karitane staff all giving me support (along with my family). WE HAD NO CHOICE but to go to bottles and formula I spent months dealing with guilt and feeling like a failure... It took months for my cherub to regain her weight and become healthy, but thankfully she did with no real long term effects...
I guess what I am saying is, no one is NORMAL.. there are reasons why these things happen and thank the goddess there is a solution now that is more natural than chemicals and rubbish.
Perhaps people who make comments such as some of the ones that have been made with the whole normal and ususal thing should re think the way they put their points across too....
Think of the young mum, looking desperatly for a solution to help in a situation that is HER situation... everyone is individual... Comments like this could be devistating and perhaps do more harm than good to mum and the child as well as the family unit in general than looking at each case individually and going with what is best for THEM...
To this day Charmaine has had no effects of the hell we went through, except for the following.... Or initial bonding as mother and child was disrupted as we were both ill and suffering by the end of it, it took some time to be able to repair that, but after I got past the idiots that were saying "your doing it wrong" and was well enough physically to cope after the exhustion and stress, looked at the MEDICAL evidence and spoke to cousellors at the baby clinic and Karitane felt assured I was not a failure and doing it wrong, we moved past it. But it took a lot of time and tears to get there...
I, on the other hand to this day can still not stand to have anyone (doctors, nurses, partner - even me) touch my breasts, I instinctivly cringe... and regardless of everything else still have the odd touch of guilt when remembering all those who abused and lectured me because I was not a good mother in their eyes.. but I know I did the best thing for her at the time.
So I suppose what I am saying is PREJUDGEMENT WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE INDIVIDUAL SITUATION IS, NOT ONLY WRONG BUT KINDA DUMB
Mim now gets down off her soapbox and looks about furtivly to dodge the oncoming abuse...
By the way... whilst being up on my high horse I forgot to say one thing that I wanted to...
BLESS YOU for having the sight to see the need for this and the desire and strength to provide people with these products... If you were "money grubbing" etc you would charge a hell of a lot more than your really great prices.
I am currently shopping for cleaning products and personal products as I need to make the change, we are moving away from the city and going as natural as we can, due to long term chronic illness and after finding your site this morning feel lucky to have found such an inexpensive and comprehensive range.
Blessed Be!
Hi Kimba - thanks for your comments. My child, without a doubt found formula far far more filling than breast milk - and for her, it was like eating a steak! She was happy, content and slept for hours after a bottle feed - just as we would after a big dinner. After a breast feed, she was still unsettled and hungry, simply because MY MILK was unable to satisfy her - by no means would this be the case for all mothers. I am sorry that you find my personal opinion on this offensive - but I have to say - it is far less offensive than some of the comments I have received from some extreme pro breastfeeding mothers about the way I have fed my child! I do not claim that this comment is based on "scientic evidence" rather is merely personal experience - infact I freely refer our customers to the WHO and Aust Breastfeeding Assoc and of course - their doctor, if they are seeking scientic facts about breastfeeding.
I completely disagree and am some what offended that you claim the system failed me - quite the contrary. I have a beautiful, healthy daughter and every time I took at her I feel such a sense of pride - hardly failure.
Mim - isn't it incredible that that this is still such a contentious issue in this day and age. One would have hoped that in 20 years there would be a shift towards more acceptance of a mothers choice. Thank you for all your lovely comments - I really appreciate them.
Love and light
Siobhan
Thank you for sharing your story with us all, I understand this can be an emotive topic. I think you made the best choices you knew how to given your circumstances and the information you had on hand at the time, and I applaud you for that. I think it is great that you have changed what was written after getting complaints as well.
I think it is not about ‘demonising’ formula, a life saving intervention when used correctly, but it’s about not patronising women by spreading misinformation. It is important for everyone in society to understand the health risk’s artificial feeding carries, because only when that happen’s will mothers get correct information and support from health care professionals, family members etc. [when breast feeding is seen as the norm, and bottle feeding carries health risks, rather then bottle feeding been seen as the norm and breastfeeding just has ‘extras’]
It is true that some babies thrive on formula, unfortunately, many babies do not, and this is proven by data that is far more reliable.
Also, formula requires a baby's digestive system to work overtime as baby tries to digest something not specific to the human body. Formula is harder to digest than human milk; thus formula-fed babies tend to go longer between feedings. While this may seem like a benefit, it's probably not something we want for our babies bodies unless there are no other alternatives.
Human milk is also thinner then formula and more easy to digest as well. Babies need a lot of human contact to thrive, hence why human milk was designed that way for our young. So that they would feed regularly. At nine months, human milk contains something extra in it (cant remember the name from the top of my head) that makes it so the baby wont feed such regular feedings as before that.
You did the best you could do for your daughter, and I bet she loves you for it, we all do the best we can do given the support and information we have at the time and given our own point of view on the world.
I don't think any body deserves to be put down on how they feed their infant. Unless it is quite obliviously neglectful.
I wanted to share my own experience's with breastfeeding, briefly
I was lucky because I was fed for five years as a child and still have fond memories of breastfeeding. There is a much deeper side to breastfeeding that most people just don't think of much, which is the emotional, bonding, loving, spiritual side to breastfeeding. It can be deeply moving, lovely perfect and beautiful.
My mum was the one who really taught me unconditional complete love. It was at her breast, next to her heart, I learned about love, and trust.
I know that people may have trouble to understand the concept of such a non-sexual intimate giving and taking. But I thank her for breastfeeding me, I can't express how happy I am for the gift she gave me.
I am a young mum i didn't have much support or accurate information from health professionals (sadly, they often aren't taught about breastfeeding), for example, I had cronic fatigue, due to undiagnosed celiac disease, and I was told by my GP to wean my then six month old! no way was that going to happen. And thank god I did not listen, Breastfeeding has made my boy thrive.
To breastfeed my son, I over came many bumps in the road, a few things being blistered bleeding nipple's, unsettled newborn (he was reacting to my diet), getting mastisis four times very badly, one sided feeding, not enough support and more.
But I was lucky because I had the internet to double check information and over come problems, on places like Australian breastfeeding association, kellymom, veronika robinson etc.
Also having been breastfed, I was determined to give my son the same experience I had as a child. The bonding experience we get while breastfeeding is unique to breastfeeding and can't be replicated.
The love is the same no matter how we are feeding but as a breastfed child, I have to honestly say, there's nothing like it in the world.
Currently,I am breastfeeding my 27 month son, he will decide himself when to wean. He has five breast feed's per 24 hours, including three at night time. (we bed share)
He has had no other milk, and breastfeeding him is like him having a belly full of breast milk, which is much better then any other food.And it actually 'scans' in lack of better words (sorry, I am tired) the environment for harmful things and creates antibodies for our children.
At some stage some of us might have read about the nutrients in formula though formula advertising. But rarely do we actually read about what is in our own breast milk. So I thought I would write down what breast milk contains.
Breast milk contains:
Carbohydrates
Molybdenum
Proteins
Selenium
Fats
Zinc
Chloride
Vitamin A
Macronutrients
Vitamin B6
Calcium
Vitamin B12
Minerals
Vitamin C
Magnesium
Vitamin D
Phosporus
Vitamin K
Chromium
Biotin
Copper
Folate
Fluoride
Niacin
Iodine
Pantothenic acid
Iron
Riboflavin
Manganese
Thiamin
Catalase
Memory T CEs
Histaminase
EGF
Arysulfatase
NGF
Antioxidants
Insulin
a-Tocopherol
IGF-1
Cysteine
IGF- 11
Ascorbic acid
Relaxin
Antoproteases a-l-antitrypsin
PRL
Prostaglandins
Corticosterone
PG- E2; PG-F2
TGF-b
Secretroy IqA
GnRH
Full antibody repertoire
GRH
Lysozyne
PTHrP
Lactoferrin
PTHrP
Interleukin-6
Peptides
PAF-acetylhdrolase
Erythropoietin.
-(And more stuff yet to be discovered.)-
Further more, these ingredients are made to a unique recipe for each baby, by its mother; and breast milk is different at each feed depending on the infants age and stage-specific needs.
A baby at birth has different milk needs than one at a few weeks old, for example, or a seven month old baby. Your body knows the age of your baby and what stage she/he is at, and exactly what is needed in her/his breast milk every time she/he feeds.
It can not be duplicated in any way, shape or form. Not even by the same mother at a different time of the day!
Breast milk continues to nourish a young human while they are breast feeding, no matter their age. At no stage in a young humans life can any other milk be better for human young then human milk.
for more information on breastfeeding, here are some good thought provoking links.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3kAT83Wt0c
http://allthatsazz.blogspot.com/2009/02/exposing-my-feminist-agenda-breast.html
http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1501574/Breastfeeding_is_Offensive
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/dettoddler.html
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html
http://drmomma.blogspot.com/2009/07/breastfeeding-in-land-of-genghis-khan.html?spref=fb
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVFebMar98p3.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/why-i-still-breastfeed-my-fouryearold-400171.html
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