Everytime I watch this show it becomes more and more evident that they are just interested in product placement-namely formula! I have not seen one show where the mom started breastfeeding and continued with it successfully. The latest one I just saw the dad says oh lets start the breastpump and add sugar water formula!!?? What?? Why would you do that, it makes no sense!

It's no wonder these poor moms are never successful with breastfeeding, their milk never comes in because they aren't actually breastfeeding. Pumping doesn't always bring in your milk, breastfeeding will if you do it at every opportunity. Yes, the first couple days you may be feeding nearly around the clock, but it only lasts a few days and then it gets so much easier.

Breastfeeding should not be so difficult, there is so much misinformation out there. Go to classes, read books from Le Leche.

I stopped watching this show because of this, it's ridiculous!

I have to correct you on this one, because I'm in the know. There were no formula sponsors for this show. The only product placement was for diapers, wipes, or gift baskets. The producers cannot take any stance when it comes to how a family chooses to feed or care for a baby, because that would open them up to possible lawsuits down the line. Just like when you see parents struggling with car seats. The crew can't assist, even though they shot 180 shows, because they would be liable. In season 3, experts were introduced (including lactation consultants) and were available to couples that wanted to meet with them.
It's up to the parents to decide whether or not to get more information about breastfeeding, and it's ultimately up to the mother.
As a side note, my sister-in-law could not produce enough breast milk due to a botched breast reduction many years ago. She would've liked to have breast fed, but was unable to. She went to a local breastfeeding support group thinking it would make her feel better. Instead, the women in that group made her feel like an awful mother because she used formula instead of breast milk. Well, I have 3 healthy nieces that were raised on formula. I have another niece and nephew raised on breast milk, and one has a dangerous allergy to nuts, and the other has constant sinus infections. I'm not saying they have these things because of breast milk, they just got dealt some cruddy cards. But what works for one person, doesn't work for another. Everyone is not made the same way, nor has the same responses to every situation. We're all backseat drivers, we just have to remember it's not always our car.

I don't see how it could be TLC's fault that they choose to forgo the breastfeeding and go to formula. The show is just there to tape and show what happened. I don't think it is their place (or ours) to judge what the families do or to put a slant on any of it.

Also, if the formula companies were sponsors, you can bet there would be Similac canisters right there, front and center, just like we have the Pampers shots or the Clorox wipes shots.

I was a mom that was not able to breastfeed due to lack of supply. It was the hardest thing to finally tell people that i wasn't able to do it. There is too much pressure put on mom's to do it and if they can't there is too much criticism.

My 5 siblings & I(born '78), were not breastfed. My mom(born '55) & her 15 siblings were not breastfed. Nothing against breastfeeding, I may try it, but we R living proof that bottle-feeding is fine.
What REALLY makes me angry is the PACIFIER dependency. Babies cry when they R N need, ie. hungry, tired, wet, need touch or the lack of, etc. As long as U know they've been fed, cleaned, burped, shown attention, etc., let them cry("its good 4 their lungs") We do not believe N spoiling babies. Spoiling makes difficult toddlers, out of control teens, unstable adults, & everything N between. All babies will get spoiled 2 some degree, simply waiting 4 the cord 2 fall off(during this time, we use a spare nipple with a cotton ball stuffed N & practically contstantly hold them). Once the cord is off, parenting truely begins, because now U R teaching them crying has a purpose - gets food, gets your bum dry, U attention, playtime, etc. NOT because they want 2 be held/stand up/walk around all day/night, so forth & so on. PACIFIERS MAKE ME ANGRY!

I agree!! I watch everyday! Each show they are attempting to breastfeed and when you get the forward 3months, they have given up!! "I wasn't producing enough, they baby was wanting more than I could give!""" AHHHHHHHHHH!! This is sooooo frustrating!! ANd then to hear that it was just "easier" OMG!! Don't give up!! Your body will produce enough. When its the first couple of days after birth, no your milk hasn't come in, but you are producing the best stuff, colestrum!! Please show MORE SUCCESSFUL breastfeeding shows!!! IT IS POSSIBLE!!!!

The producers of this show need to realize that as ill-advised as it may be, people watch shows such as this and A Baby Story to obtain factual information. It is irresponsible of the producers to imply that one outcome or choice is "normal" simply by failing to create episodes that portray other choices. While women who choose to bottle feed should be represented, many women are successful at breastfeeding and should be shown just as often.

This is not exactly fair. I am the proud mother of a 5 week old little girl. (Cecilia Irene...CeCi for short. But anyways!) My plan was to breastfeed and for the first few days of her life that was all I did. And then she went to the doctor to re-check her bilirubin. (She was born pretty jaundice...I believe her number was 11) Anyways, as you may know, jaundice causes rapid weight loss. That compared with the fact that my breast milk didn't come into until my daughter was almost a week old caused her to drop from 7 lb. 10 oz. to almost 5 lb. The fact that my baby was next to starving completely startled me and I just remember crying and feeling completely inadequate. (those Baby Blues...you hear about them, but you never really know til you have them, huh?) So, the doctor had us supplement. And after a couple of weeks of supplementing we went back to breastfeeding exclusively. Unfortunately, my daughter & I haven't quite been in-synch with it. It's been extremely difficult and tiring. So I've gone to pumping and feeding her the expressed milk. I guess I don't want to be prideful about the whole breastfeeding situation. As long as she gets the nutrition from it, then does it matter if it comes from nursing or not? I guess I'm just saying...I know what it's like to be jolted by the fact that your baby isn't getting enough to eat. And if feeding formula or pumping your milk satisfies your baby and keeps them growing strong and healthy, then you shouldn't be making new moms feel guilty because of it. I will be going back to work soon and yes, my child might get formula occasionally. If the USA were filled with moms that could take a year off, then maybe there would be more success at breastfeeding, but some mommies also have to help pay the bills. And well, we all just try to do what we can to cope, hm?

I think what people are asking for is more shows that show successful breastfeeding parents. I have only remembered one. I know plenty of first time preggies watch this show during the day ( I was one) and it looks like nursing is impossible when really, it is not. I think if TLC showed an equivalent amount of breastfeeding parents to formula feeding ones it would be fair. I have to agree it annoys me too and no I am not judging, I honestly think not enough is offered to parents to educate and help them through the first two weeks of the baby's life. The hospital provides lactation nurses that can see you for short periods of time then sends you off with all of that free easy formula. Breastfeeding is tough but I have three kids and I can tell you it's a hell of alot easier than formula feeding once you get into it. How could any mother know that seeing people having to give up so easily? More success stories please!

My sister worked for Le Leche League. She always told mothers that the more you nurse the more you will make.And most of these experts will also you tell you that it is EXTREMELY rare for a mother to not be able to make enough. If you are not making enough it's probably because you are not 1. nursing enough. I see shows like today where the mother says "The DOCTOR told me that the colustrum is not enough so i Must suppliment!" That is why people are upset with this show. It may not be the producers pushing the formula but these 'Doctors" are and that is wrong.
2.You have to be eating and drinking enough yourself. You can't produce Breast Milk if you starve yourself!

jeffiejdfp I think what she was trying to point out is people going straight to formula without trying to breastfeed. I had multiple problems, my baby had a tongue tie, I had inverted nipples and no milk came in for about 5 days - and when it did, one breast never produced enough milk 20cc max....I perservered and was lucky as my baby took both formula and BM (i pumped and BF and supplemented until six months). When I got her onto solids at six months I weaned her as pumping, feeding and making bottles was making it impossible to get out anywhere!

I watched the show throughout my pregnancy and I have to say I wished there was more natural births to watch, seemed like they were all scheduled c-sections and I noticed only one woman putting the baby on the breast right away....