> In places where formula feeding (F/F) is still considered the norm, is
> infant illness (such as chronic diarrhea or constipation, or serious
> problems resulting from viral or bacterial infection) also considered the
> norm?
> Apparently his digestive tract suffered quite a bit of trauma from the
> formula feeding and "may never return to normal stools."  She seemed to
> just accept that as "the way it is."
> 
> Does F/F as the norm = sick baby as the norm?

I remember this summer, sitting in my sister-in-law's (SIL) house with
my other in-laws (IL's).  My SIL was talking about her son and how he
always was sick with one cold or another.  My mother-in-law (MIL) said
how it was "normal"...they're all like that, supposedly.  She mentioned
the son of a friend, J-F, who is always sick too, and is on antibiotics
constantly.  J-F is the same age as my daughter who has had 2 colds in
her life, and one gastro-type episode (a week ago...thank heavens for
breastfeeding!).  I was sitting at the table thinking of these kids, and
thinking "I wish they'd GET IT".  I could have brought it up, but last
time I did, my SIL just said that her son was no more sick than "the
rest of the kids out there", which of course meant she was comparing him
with a population where the vast majority are not nursed more than a few
weeks at the most (we have about a 60% initiation rate, which drops
quickly, not sure exactly to what level, but I think most babies are
weaned from the breast around 3 months if not before then).

Fio
ressource person with Allaitement Québec

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