CHAT breast feeding vs formula feeding (and also wet nursing) discussion

hunybee

hunybee

Veteran Member
i am starting this thread so everyone can discuss (and i really hope discuss and not argue with and insult each other) the pros and cons/ reasons why/problems with/etc between breastfeeding vs formula. the topic of wet nursing will be part of this as well. this comes from the other thread i started talking about the formula shortages that are NOT being talked about in the media, despite how big and serious it really is. that thread is here:


Desperate parents can't find baby formula amid national shortage & stores ration cans after infection killed baby and caused huge recall


help and options at all points are welcome as well! that would means from the point of pregnancy and onward. i think that this topic may be especially important considering the times we are in and that all things related to food and preparing should be thought out and planned for.

i am pretty chill and i allow a fairly wide open discussion in my threads.

just don't get insulting, either side of this topic. i know it is a touchy and personal subject sometimes, but do not make things personal and do not take things personally. some think it is gross to breastfeed, and formula is the only option. others think it is terrible to formula feed, and breastfeeding is the only way. people have their reasons for doing what they are doing, whether it is formula feeding, breastfeeding, or wet nursing.

that is ok. it is ok to have our opinions and thoughts on the matter. we each have ours, and so do others have theirs. and it is fine to state our opinions and thoughts about this, and even have a heated discussion about it. just do not make it personal.

now, with that said, i am opening this up for discussion.

breastfeeding
formula feeding
wet nursing

GO!
 
Last edited:
Giblin

Giblin

Veteran Member
I'm not sure what info you are looking for hunny, but I nursed my 7 kids over 40 years ago. My biggest mistake was I weaned my oldest at 2 months as I had to return to work, and no one said I could do both breast and bottle. When I had my 2nd, I made sure to have him take a bottle as a friend's baby nearly died when she had a medical issue and the baby refused a plastic nipple. So I nursed the 6 and used a bottle for my milk and formula so they weren't totally dependent on me. That said, Moms need to remember that everything they put into their bodies go into the babies. So it involves very healthy eating, sleeping, no booze or drugs even over the counter. I nursed them until they were about 1 yo, when I got pregnant again. LOL Lately, a friend was telling me about a mom nursing a 3 and a half year old son. The child has not had real food or drink and is not potty trained. That is totally over the line.
 
F

fish hook

Deceased
My wife tried to nurse our two children. She was unable to produce enough milk for either one. At that time, the only option was formula. If anyone was doing wet nursing we didn't know about it. Don't think i would have liked that option anyway.
 
ShyGirl

ShyGirl

Veteran Member
I tried to nurse my first child but failed because of the pain. She was on formula until 2mos of age but her face kept breaking out in a rash. My MIL suggested I try plain cow's milk as she had done and it worked. Also at about 3 mos I started adding cereal, then other baby foods. She did well with it all and no more rash. Daughter was a happy kid (until she turned 15 then the teen crazies took over). With my next child I was able to breast feed until he was about 2 months old and I had to go back to work. I just could not keep up with the pumping and all of my other duties (working 40+, cooking, cleaning, caring for kids, and living with an alcoholic who did nothing!) Plus my son was always hungry and not sleeping through the night so I started him on cow's milk and a bit of cereal. Then started slowly giving other baby foods. Finally he was able to get enough to eat and could sleep for longer periods. My doctor at the time wanted me to breastfeed for one year with no added solid foods. Doctors had really changed their minds on infant care in the 9 years between my 2 children. He accused me of trying to hurt my kid and had to test for anemia. Son was fine, happy and I was happy he was sleeping.
 
J

Just Plain Mom

Alien Lizard Person
The saying "breast is best" is true enough, but some women simply can't do that. Wet nursing? It's a thing, but I don't think I've ever seen anyone do it.

I think the most important things are that the baby gets nourishment and closeness with a parent. Both are built into breastfeeding. Both of those things can be accomplished with a bottle as well. The baby may not get the immunity benefit with a bottle, but I think "breast is best" is mostly to encourage parents not to prop with a bottle--and many people do that. Bottle feeding is a good option, and should never be a source of guilt. Unfortunately, it is made to be that for some. Again, closeness between parent and child is first and foremost.

For the record, #1 was breast fed for 8 weeks (and then I had major surgery and he had to be emergency-weaned); #2 and #3 were breast fed for 13 months, supplemented with solid (homemade) foods from 6 months on, and went straight to a cup at that point.
 
Countrybumpkin

Countrybumpkin

Veteran Member
Our daughter would not take a bottle at all...wife breastfed her. Since my wife had a low paying job at the time, we chose for her to be home with our daughter, and we lived lean until daughter got old enough to go to school. Old wives tale is that breastfed babies are smarter...not certain it's true, but daughter was a 4.0 GPA in undergrad, and 4.0 in grad school. Or, maybe she just takes after her dad...;)
 
Ordinary Girl

Ordinary Girl

Veteran Member
I feel so sad for the moms that are unable to nurse for whatever reason. I loved nursing my babies. I fed them all until they we past 2. They got sippy cups and cereal at a very young age but the nursing came first. They never got sick and absolutely thrived. And the bond we have is amazing.
 
adgal

adgal

Veteran Member
I nursed my seven children and I loved the experience. My three daughters nursed their children too. One of the things I have found disturbing was the lack of information "lactation experts" have. My second daughter had a tough time nursing her first child. I was with her when her second baby was born. It was her second day in the hospital and the "expert" told her that nursing shouldn't hurt. I stopped her and said "I nursed seven children and there was a point in the process that it was so painful to nurse - I would have to bite my lip and do Lamaze while the baby latched on. But, that pain only lasted for a day or so, until your body toughens up (callouses?) and then you're fine." She actually agreed with me, but told me there were told to tell new mothers that it doesn't hurt. I'm sure it's this kind of information that causes new moms to give it up. If I didn't know - from experience - that the pain was only temporary, I wouldn't have continued.
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Sometimes the nibblings get teeth before they're ready for solid foods. Those little chompers hurt! They're also sharp enough to cut skin. BTDT. A breast pump is a wonderful thing.

The other Oh-By-the-Way they didn't tell new mothers when I was in the hospital the first time is the sucking motion on a pacifier and bottle is different from taking nutrition from a tit. My infants had trouble transitioning between, apparently having to relearn how to suckle. The nurses in the hospital also ignored my request to not give mine a pacifier.
 
NoDandy

NoDandy

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, for this thread to be complete, and cover all opinions, should have contacted " Mayor Pete " to get his authoritative opinion . His feelings will be hurt that he was not consulted.

:hmm: :D:xpnd::laughup: :groucho:
 
ainitfunny

ainitfunny

Saved, to glorify God.
I was just wondering what if KARO Syrup becomes unavailable in the grocery stores?
Those who are forced into home made baby formula have WHAT for an alternative?
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Historically, like back before baby formula was a thing goats milk was used instead because it was more digestible. I've read that in China sheep milk is also used. Goats have a longer lactation period than sheep. Goats can stay in milk for a year, sheep a few months.

Some used a homemade formula of Karo Syrup and cows milk but not all infants can tolerate it. It can be dangerous if not deadly for some infants.
 
W

willowlady

Veteran Member
Does anyone on this board have an actual issue with this formula shortage at this time? Friends, relates, etc? My thought on this whole issue is that there were/are ways to get around needing formula even if breast feeding or other milk is not an option. Will those methods produce the best nourished child? Probably not. Will it produce a child that lives to be old enough to take adult nourishment? In most cases, yes. Even though not pediatrician approved, you CAN get adult nourishment into an infant if nothing else is available. Old methods; old knowledge.
 
ainitfunny

ainitfunny

Saved, to glorify God.
ShyGirl said:
I never used the Karo Syrup in the cows milk. Just plain whole milk.
Click to expand...
ALL the recipes for infant formula called for Karo syrup in the past. What made you decide your forebears didnt know what they were doing? They also used evaporated milk which, i believe was sterile milk. Did you sterilize the bottles?
.
 
ShyGirl

ShyGirl

Veteran Member
I did sterilize the bottles but I used plain whole milk. I didn't know anything. I was following advise from my mother-in-law and since she raised 4 children on a farm I figured she knew more than I did. I also think the doctors didn't know anything about raising children except what they were taught in med school and that changed like the fashion of the day. A whole year with just breastmilk didn't make a lot of sense to me especially when the child could not sleep because he was hungry all the time. I think each child is different and they don't come with owner's manuals. Each mom has to do the best she can with what they have to work with. If something works do it, if something doesn't work don't do it.
 
PghPanther

PghPanther

Has No Life - Lives on TB
all this talk about breast feed reminds me of a joke that I told before but some of you might not have seen it.......

How are breasts and toy trains similar?

Answer below..........

Both are intended for small children but men always end up playing with them.....
 
L

LibertyInNH

Senior Member
ainitfunny said:
I was just wondering what if KARO Syrup becomes unavailable in the grocery stores?
Those who are forced into home made baby formula have WHAT for an alternative?
Click to expand...

I get why people revere Karo syrup, and that it has helped. But in the grand scheme of health and the created order, there are far better ways to get calories into a baby that do not need industrial processing.

If someone is worried about Karo availability, I would start stocking goat milk or any other canned milk product.
 
L

LibertyInNH

Senior Member
ainitfunny said:
ALL the recipes for infant formula called for Karo syrup in the past. What made you decide your forebears didnt know what they were doing? They also used evaporated milk which, i believe was sterile milk. Did you sterilize the bottles?
.
Click to expand...

Forebears? Karo was not invented intil 1902.... What on earth did our parents do before that?
 
W

willowlady

Veteran Member
LibertyInNH said:
Forebears? Karo was not invented intil 1902.... What on earth did our parents do before that?
Click to expand...
Karo is corn syrup. You can make sugar syrup easily. But you better have sugar on hand.....
You ask a very good question: What on earth did our parents do before that? Hee, hee, hee. There are ways older than industrialization to get a baby alive through infancy. Although in those times the infant mortality rate was hideously high, enough made it to keep the species going. You might want to check out: Surviving Infancy in the Middle Ages
 
L

LibertyInNH

Senior Member
willowlady said:
Karo is corn syrup. You can make sugar syrup easily. But you better have sugar on hand.....
You ask a very good question: What on earth did our parents do before that? Hee, hee, hee. There are ways older than industrialization to get a baby alive through infancy. Although in those times the infant mortality rate was hideously high, enough made it to keep the species going. You might want to check out: Surviving Infancy in the Middle Ages
Click to expand...

Oh, I know what Karo is.

My point was that since Eve, people have found a way to feed babies without industrial sugar.
 
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