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In a strange court battle a judge has ordered a mum to introduce formula to her baby’s diet

The Washington Post reports Amber Brown, 27, had planned on exclusively breast-feeding her 6-month-old son.

But when Ms Brown and the baby’s father, Cory Donta Lewis, split up, she said the baby couldn’t spend time with his dad because she exclusively breast fed.

She couldn’t pump enough milk to keep the baby fed during an overnight visit with his dad.

So they went to court.

The two family magistrates who heard the case in Charles County — Monise A. Brown and Mistey L. Metzgar — sided with the dad, who wants the right to feed the baby with formula when he has visitation. The mum has filed for an exception, arguing that the baby’s pediatrician says he can’t tolerate formula.

The Washington Post claims that six months later the baby is happy and well fed by both parents.

Do you agree with the judges decision?

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  • I think the Judge had the baby’s and both parents best interests at heart.

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  • I think it’s a sad story but at the end of it it’s important that the baby be adequately fed and also have a chance to form a strong relationship with both parents regardless of their seperation and for a judge to make such ruling I’m sure medical aspect of formula and it’s effect on the Bub would have been considered.

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  • Fed is best.

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  • When I was breastfeeding I certainly didn’t want to combine feed. It’s sad that in the case of divorce parents sometimes take anything and everything to argue and disagree about and might undermine each others choices. Personally I think overnight visits by dad could have been delayed until mum didn’t breastfeed anymore.

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  • If the judge came up with that decision I’m sure he took into consideration the best interest for the child.

    As for every story we don’t have all the facts and maybe the mom just used that as an excuse to keep her baby away from his father.

    The baby is reportedly fine, so if formula wasn’t ok for him he wouldn’t. She could have gotten a letter from the paediatrician. But nowadays with all the special formula (some on prescription some in supermarket) is there really any baby who can’t have any formula at all ?!

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  • this is just a sad story. :(

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  • I imagine it would have been quite complicated and complex with lots of emotional issues too. Sad that it made it all the way to court and a judge. Must have been quite stressful for all parties. Without knowing more about the story – unable to give an opinion on the decision.

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  • Fairly challenging… I think at six months it’s not an unreasonable decision to add formula.

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  • The Mother could have got a letter from the Paediatrician if it was true.
    There is a wide variety of formulas available, including lactose free made from various substitutes too. How many feeds does a 6 month old baby have overnight? I wonder how often the Dad has visitation? If the Mother can’t produce enough extra milk in a day or two for baby’s one feed overnight maybe she won’t be long before she has to wean the baby or him self-wean. I realise each single collection has to be packaged separately.

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  • Yes l do as both parents have the right to see the baby.

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  • wow the fact that this had to go to court is very upsetting and stressful for everyone involved. It’s a shame that it came to that. Glad to read though that the little one is happy and healthy and loved by both parents


    • I agree – pity there was no resolution before going to court.

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  • Yes and no. Its so important that the baby knows her dad, but surely there are other ways to settle it without forcing formula on them.

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  • My ex could spend time with our baby but she was breast fed for the first 4 months so she didn’t sleep over but he still got the extra time through dinners during the week and outings, she got teeth earlier than all of my other kids so didn’t breast feed as long hahah As for not tolerating formula, what a crock, there are so many different types now there would be one to suit

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  • wow! well the judge would have had all the relevant information to be able to come up with this judgement. Honestly i’m sure that she could have provided enough milk for her child if she had been willing to do so but i can see how she might have wanted to make it harder for the father to be apart of the child’s life. At the end of the day, she should be grateful that she has a father for her child because not a lot of men would bother these days, especially if she was trying to make it hard.

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  • What a wise Solomon in this case.

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