The choice between formula and breast is best left to the individual parents, mums told the Stratford Press following recent discussion in the media on women feeling pressurised to breastfeed and on opting not to, feel discriminated against.
On our Facebook page, Sharon Mark commented: "I don't think we can make blanket statements in this day and age about breast being best."
Angela Hancock says her opinion is that either is fine. "I prefer to breast feed so I can feed wherever and whenever I need and not have to fuss with bottles. I fed anywhere, just put a baby blanket over. I did not care what other people thought but that was nearly six years ago now and things have changed. People can be cruel and nasty. You just have to ignore it."
Melissa Marcroft agrees: "As long as your baby is healthy and happy that's the main thing. Second time round I ended up unwell after the birth but I fed bubba as that's how I felt the best to bond with him. Both my kids I breastfed everywhere and anywhere. I never made the effort to hide away to feed them, just done it right there and then! Never had any nasty comments. I say be proud to breastfeed anywhere it's a natural and beautiful thing."
Ninety-three per cent of mothers discharged from Elizabeth R Maternity in Stratford last year left the hospital exclusively breastfeeding their new babies according to statistics supplied to the Stratford Press by Debbie Wright, a lactation consultant for the Taranaki District Health Board.