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When a mother has her new child, she faces a tough decision: breastfeed or formula feed? Perhaps a combination of both? Many mothers have reservations about breastfeeding because of the time commitment and concerns over producing enough milk, but also fear that formula feeding could impact their baby's health. Are these fears warranted, or is formula feeding a safe and effective alternative to the natural method?
Yes, we do circumvent nature in a myriad of ways. However, this does not mean that circumventing nature is automatically better or worse. When faced with a choice between nature and something different we should go with nature unless the alternative is demonstratively better.
Breast milk is widely accepted as being better than artificial formula. Therefore it is better to go for breast milk unless there are compelling reasons not to.
- Michael Glass
January 5, 2009 5:14AM
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Formula Circumvents Nature's Plan
- From La Leche League International
By La Leche League International - Happy Mothers/Breastfed Babies
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We choose not to do lots of natural things
Just because something is natural doesn't mean that it's the right choice for everyone.
- Scardanelli September 17, 2008 8:21AM
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re: We choose not to do lots of natural things
Yeah, and we all can see where that has led us...you are the only one who will have to look your child in the eye and tell them that you knew there was evidence out there showing breast milk was better, but you made the CHOICE to feed them formula. Good luck with that.
- Iknowbetter
September 18, 2008 9:27PM
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Arrogance is not an argument
I don't need your luck. Both of my bottle-fed children are happy, healthy and gorgeous!
By the way, how many choices do you make that are not the "best" for your kids? How will you face them when you give them a piece of candy or a slice of pizza KNOWING that they'd be better off with an apple? How will you face them when you drive 50 mph in a 40 zone KNOWING they'd be safer if you drove slower (or stayed home)? How will you face them when you put them in a Prius KNOWING they'd safer in a Humvee? How will you face your kids when they find out that you ate food with dozens of toxins in it while you were breast-feeding them KNOWING that those toxins would get into your milk? How will you face your daughter when she chooses not to breast-feed her child? Will you revile her as harshly as you revile they rest of us?
Sid
- SidAirfoil
September 24, 2008 8:49AM
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Breastfeeding is NOT best
Many people, even those who choose not to breastfeed, think that breastfeeding is best.
It isn't.
Breastfeeding is normal.
It is what mammals do, and we humans are mammals. Whether we like it or not, when a woman has a baby, her body produce the milk needed to feed it.
Each woman's milk is uniquely suited to the needs of her particular baby. Her milk changes according to her baby's age, the time of day (or night) and it's composition even varies according to whether it is the beginning or ending of a feed. Moreover, each mother produced antibodies to every germ and virus she encounters and transfers them to her baby in her milk.
Breastfeeding is important to mothers too. Mothers who do not use their breasts to feed their babies are at a much higher risk of breast and uterine cancer.
No formula can ever match those standards.
It follows that babies who are not breastfed are at a higher risk for many diseases and conditions, including diabetes and Crohn's, and because they do not receive the nutrition that nature intended, they are less likely to reach their full potential, either physically or intellectually.
Formula was invented as a way to feed those babies whose mothers had died, and in extremely rare medical conditions. Like crutches, it was never meant to be used in normal circumstances.
Of course mothers can choose not to breastfeed. However, they should not be deluded into thinking that is a lifestyle choice.
Breastfeeding is a health issue.
References:
1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk: Policy Statement. Pediatrics, volume 115, number 2, February 2005, pages 496-506.
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Your Pregnancy and Birth, 4th Edition. ACOG, Washington, DC, 2005.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Breastfeeding Trends and Updated National Health Objectives for Exclusive Breastfeeding – United States, Birth Years 2000-2004. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, volume 56, number 30, August 3, 2007, pages 760-763.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Breastfeeding. Accessed 3/31/08.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Neurologic Impairment in Children Associated with Maternal Dietary Deficiency of Cobalamin – Georgia, 2001. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, volume 52, number 4, January 31, 2003, pages 61-64.
6. Vohr, B.R., et al. Persistent Beneficial Effects of Breast milk Ingested in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on Outcomes of Extremely Low Birthweight Infants at 30 Months of Age. Pediatrics, volume 120, number 4, October 2007, pages e953-e959.
7. McDowell, M.M., et al. Breastfeeding in the United States: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1999-2006. National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief, number 5, April 2008.
- ibclc
September 24, 2008 8:50PM
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re: Arrogance is not an argument
Ouch! Obviously, I hit a nerve. The questions that you ask are very low impact on a child when compared to the risks of NOT breastfeeding your child. That CHOICE affects a person's health for the REST of their lives. I'm sure if babies had a choice, they would choose breastmilk hands down. BTW, most breastfeeding women are very cautious about what they eat. They also tend to feed their children organic food and drive safely, but that is beside the point.
- Iknowbetter
September 29, 2008 2:28AM
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You did hit a nerve, but...
...it's not the nerve you think.
I agree that breast feeding is preferred ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL. But all other things are NEVER equal. Every couples abilities, situation, needs, desires, values, priorities are different and require a case-by-case evaluation that each particular couple has to make for itself. The best piece of advice our doctor gave us when deciding this and related issues was "The best thing you can do for your baby is keep yourselves sane. Unhappy, unhealthy parents do a child less than no good". This often applies to the rigors of breast feeding, which frequently takes a huge toll on the parents (especially mom). Is this the case with most non-breast feeding parents? I don't know. But your smug one-size-fits-all condemnation of everyone who doesn't breast-feed leaves no room for personal circumstances, is not helpful, offers no room for discussion, and is just plain insulting and wrong.
I have no problem with our choice not to breast feed, or with anyone else's choice to breast feed. The nerve you hit has nothing to do with breast feeding. It's the "I know better than you what is best for you" nerve that you stepped on.
Sid
- SidAirfoil
September 29, 2008 7:36AM
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Human Babies deserve better
Of course, not breast feeding is a choice, a bad one, but never the less a choice.
In the very few instances where a woman cannot breast feed, should formula even be considered. If this were me, I would look for a breast milk donor because it's that serious of a CHOICE for the health of another human being.
As far as your doctor's advice to keep yourselves sane, what really does that have to do with breast feeding? It is a misnomer to think that breast feeding is harder and a burden. With proper support, many women find breast feeding much easier, i.e. no bottles to clean, less spitting up, not getting up in the middle of the night (most bf women sleep with their babies and just roll over to feed). Having children is a huge CHOICE and is not easy. Oftentimes, when a woman works it's especially hard. Babies should not have to miss out on health benefits (breast feeding), due to the parents' inability to adjust. There is lots of help out there for breast feeding mothers.
Your doctor's advice is part of the problem and the reason why most people don't understand the significance of breast feeding. Most doctors are in bed with the formula companies, anyway. This advice is about money, not about what is truly in the best interest of babies.
What this comes down to for me is that human babies have no CHOICE in how they are fed. If people don't advocate for their children's best interest, then who will? I honestly don't get why people would not give their children the BEST that they could give, i.e. free human milk that is far superior to formula. This idea of CHOICE to me compares to leaving a young child outside for a long period of time unattended in front of a busy intersection. Why take chances and who the heck would do that?
- Iknowbetter
September 29, 2008 11:51AM
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Nice response
I don't necessarily agree with your initial response, but I love this answer. Good arguments!
- lakong October 7, 2008 12:59PM
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Wow!
Many of my bottle-fed clients are happy, healthy, and absolutely gorgeous! But why did you choose to not breastfeed your child? Did you give it a try (kudos)? Did you scoff at the research and go with the percieved convenience? Sure they may be happy and healthy, and we are GLAD thats the case, but please don't go around telling others that what happened for you will be great for them.....I had a client who is on her 3rd pregnancy (no children-all miscarried), and at 20 weeks she has gained 2 pounds, and she smokes a pack a day. Her arguement was that her friends smoked through their pregnancy and their babies are huge. I was just honest with her and told her that with her history of miscarriages, and the possibility of a low birthweight baby this time around if she makes it full-term...that she is one of the one's who taking a risk makes it absolutely harmful....even though her terrible weight gain, and history was not obvious to her. She was too busy looking at someone else doing what she wanted to do, and that was to smoke! Many of my clients are just as flippant about formula use!
Having healthy kids is a blessing in our world today, but please, giving formula to your kids is nothing to brag about....I am just being honest here. But you go ahead and do what you have to do.....It is what it is! You are definitely NOT reviled, cause for whatever reasons, your children must be fed. But just like I tell my clients that is not really cool to give their 8-month old a lollipop or let them sleep in the bed with juice in their bottle, I am going to tell you that---once again, its nothing to brag about....It is what it is, its risky....Your kids are fortunate.
- WIC Nutritionist
March 18, 2009 12:56AM
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Nature's Plan..
Does it make sense to follow "nature's plan" when that means your child will die?
- PamalaLauren
September 17, 2008 3:20PM
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Natural doesn't always mean easy
Just because something is natural and good doesn't make it automatically easy. A few simple tricks can make the job of breastfeeding much easier.
* Putting the baby to the breast immediately after the birth boosts the chances of successful breastfeeding.
* Supportive partners can make all the difference in breastfeeding success.
* Babies sometimes go off their food. This tends to reduce the milk production just in time for the baby's appetite to come roaring back. The mother might think she doesn't have enough milk, but the extra stimulation will bring back the milk, too. Understanding this feature of the feedback loop can relax the mother so that most of the problem will disappear.
- Michael Glass
September 22, 2008 7:12AM
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Formula feed or breast feed
My wife formula fed our oldest who is soon to be seven. She tried to breastfeed but our son would not latch on and she was in a lot of pain from her c-section. Our second son she supplemented with breastmilk because she did not produce enough milk to feed him. A friend of ours breastfed for a year her son and the kid was always sick. He had ear infections 2-3 times a month always had a cold. The kid was sick the whole first year of life. Our oldest was 5 before he had his first ear infection and our other son has had one when he had broncitics but he was 3. Just because you breastfeed does not mean you are going to have a happy healthy baby. I asked my wife's opinion on this and she is still trying to decided if she will breastfeed or formula feed our third due in 3 weeks.
- UltraConservative October 23, 2008 8:59AM
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Babies get sick That's not the only reason to breastfeed
A decision on breastfeeding shouldn't be made simply on 'the baby doesn't get as many ear infections blah blah blah' obviously breastfeeding will not MAKE the baby sick unless maybe Mommy is not getting proper nutrition. Breastfeeding involves bonding, and at 3 weeks when it hurts and you have just carried that baby for 9 months...well you hate it. But at 9 months when you work all day it is a great way to say 'Mommy's home!' When your nursing you can say goodbye to a simple night out, because unless you want to pump halfway through it just becomes a painful 'I hope my kid is hungry night' out, which might sound bad initially but actually does make it a great thing to get back to baby because you need him/her too and that is great for bonding. Its an accomplishment, not everybody CAN do it and when you do, it makes you feel good about yourself and feel like you did something great for your baby and with all the other bad choices we are going to make as moms its nice to say 'I made this good choice for my baby and I stuck it out' on those 'I feel like a lousy Mommy and what made me think I could do this' days. Finally, women who just need to stick it out or supplement a little while they are working or get some help and support or actually pick up glass after glass of water and force themselves to drink it, oh yeah say goodbye to that extra weight loss your body will not produce if its not getting enough food , are trying to use the 'I couldn't produce enough' nobody is blaming a woman who actually cannot breastfeed. Basically, make a choice and if nature takes that choice away that's not your fault. I know you've already made a decision I just wanted to point these things out because it is extremely necessary for women to have the support of their significant other and the choice to breastfeed isn't only about physical health .
- LifeFrames
May 21, 2009 12:56PM
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That's wonderful...
.....but it doesn't give a single iota of evidence that formula feeding is harmful. As for skin-to-skin contact, this can occur between father and child - and I've yet to see a male breastfeed.
- SocialistBetty
December 24, 2008 11:49AM
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Males can breastfeed!
This has been documented. So let that one go.
Listen, I have seen the harm formula does-especially when moms DECIDE for some reason to stop breastfeeding. One mom says the baby takes too long on the breast, gave us our 800.00 pump back and demanded formula. One month later here she was with a Rx note wanting to switch formulas because of spit-up, GERD, blah blah blah, and again a month or so after that with a new note for a different formula....As this is the case for MANY moms. Many of them were smart enough to put in the work to re-lactate, only to see the symptoms of GERD, so called lactose intolerance (as breastmilk is full of lactose) and milk protein allergy (milk-protein lactoferrin in human milk is better digested) related rashes go away once the baby was back on breastmilk. It shocked the heck out of me then, and it enboldened me to stand my ground when it comes to promoting putting in the work to breastfeed. Its even better to breastfeed a little, than totally NOT breastfeed.
If I can get my busy mom/students to do that, then I am doing alright...However it is dangerous to tell a mom-especially in that situation is okay. I have hundreds who had babies in similar situations-even those who had to be sent to the hospital cause the mom didn't know WHAT the baby was reacting to-then to be told to switch to an expensive formula they can't afford, or even find in the store!....They will tell you how harmful formula is. After I saw that I was completely convinced, and my trust in infant formula fell 100% flat.
- WIC Nutritionist
March 5, 2009 10:07AM
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I know a guy who knows a guy....
all you do is give anecdotal evidence. wow.
- SocialistBetty
March 11, 2009 1:34PM
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Not anecdotal...I actually WORK and do this EVERYDAY...
I don't know a guy who knows a guy. I am the woman, the licensed and registered nutritionist dealing with this. I am the one CHARTING the problems I see daily with formula....I was responding to an earlier comment. However, once again, I actually SAW and CHARTED as part of my job-MANY women who had to discontinue formula IF they were smart enought not to completely stop breastfeeding, but decided after the 3rd or 4th different formula reaction, just to become devoted to breastfeeding. So for them it was out of necessity.
Don't get me wrong, formula has its place. In my office, (and the hospital hours after a baby is born) I sit and personally help moms get their babies latched on the breast and I am very successful-even if the baby is doped up on the medicine from a c-section and is too sleepy to nurse like my last client who's baby is nursing well finally after 2 weeks.
But I am ALSO the nutritionist who personally dragged 412 2-oz Similac Special Care formula bottles to the car of a mom (21-year old-smoker-probably why the full term baby was only 3 pounds) who decided to discontinue pumping milk for her preemie (gave me the 800 buck pump back), who cannot be out in public per doctor's orders, but has weight gaining problems and was doing great on moms 20-32 calorie breastmilk (breastmilk is dynamic and even preemies can thrive on it) to gain weight, but is now stuck to thrive on the 24 calorie/oz formula that WIC provides (the ready to feed formula (more $$)-no powder (though its LESS $$-doc's orders)...that she CANNOT afford or find in a store).....UGH.....so at a mere cost of $100 bucks a case (over 9 cases/month)....on YOUR DIME and MINE....we can provide her with formula which I am glad to do...I even give my personal office line and extension AGAINST my supervisor's recommendation, and an invitation for the mom or the doc to call....But this baby was eating for free (the pump has already paid for itself)!!!!......Sure the baby MAY be okay...time will tell, but to me, she had a GOOD thing going....but it is what it is......I am not totally opposed to formula when it is needed when mom CANNOT or WILL NOT breastfeed. No problem there. Most breastfeeding advocates are concerned with people who DECIDE on their own that they would rather NOT breastfeed....when they can.....Is formula harmful? For many people, the proof is there......but not for EVERYONE, I am no fool....But please, when you are trained to not only be a counselor, but in research, as I have published work before, you never, ever depend or report ANECDOTAL evidence....I have YET to publish my findings....And when I decide to, I will provide you with the link to the paper.....Give me a break! I am not new to this....
But it is dangerous to flippantly say there is no risk and that it won't harm the baby...My clients are full proof of that.....When I was new to this, and had a naive view of formula as an equivalent to breastmilk, I too was surprised to see the numerous complications.....As were my clients.....
- WIC Nutritionist
March 12, 2009 6:46PM
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Ha.. that's rich.
Not anecdotal at all... no. LoL.
- SocialistBetty
March 16, 2009 3:09AM
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Uh huh....
LOL? This is so not funny Sooooo what is your deal? The research isn't conclusive enough for you? Not for me either....what people don't realize is that research is just what it is-research. I won't argue that. However for most passionate breastfeeding advocates, its not about deciding not to breastfeed for whatever reasons, some very valid, but I have a problem when people just flippantly say that human milk and infant formula is equivalent, and that is dangerous.
Where the research is actually in the most agreement is that babies on human milk have less hospital visits due to formula intolerance and gastrointestinal problems, ear infections, and the like-and that the human milk does protect infant's gut by providing a protective layer of antibodies in the intestines as the baby's organs grow and mature. Formula cannot do this....
I'd love to see research on the cost savings on medical bills and formula for the first 6 months alone......... If more people just did what comes natural, it wouldn't cost America billions (yes billions) to pay the medical bills or higher insurance premiums for infants who are ALWAYS in the hospital or doctor's office due to formula issues. Everyday in my office I have at least 1-2 requests for some 30.00/can formula on YOUR dime! And we give 10/month. If its not that is "GERD" or supposed lactose intolerance (in an infant that's a laugh), or intact protein intolerance-when in 6-12 months these same babies are gulping down whole milk. Is it the artificial baby milk?
I don't even understand why this is even an arguement because its obvious that formula CAN be harmful in more cases that human milk can ever be (outside of the HIV positive mom or the mom with tuberculosis, or galactosemia, etc).....The "proof" that formula is not harmful is what is completely anectodal.....Like I said, my clients may be the one actually going through this but like me they live in the real world, and the "proof" that formula is not harmful is laughable when their babies are sick on it. It is what it is, and human milk and its 4000 plus components will always be superior to infant formula. Hell Kool-aid isn't "harmful" but tell that to the 2 year old's mom who has been giving it to her daily and she can't chew food because her teeth are rotted out. Oh-let me not go there because that information would be anecdotal. Much research can be considered anecdotal, we call those case studies, and in a clinical setting we can "control" them. Most of it of course is unpublished however. This is very boring now. No one on this board is presenting real information that formula is just not harmful other than anecdotes...(I'm sure you would argue the same)....But how much research needs to be done when epidemiological, and clinical studies show that formula is risky (if not dangerous)? So many people argue, the research is weak, its weak, its inconclusive, but so what? Why other than for reasons beyond that mom's control, would a person give their baby a subpar food? If you can give your baby the best why not give it a try, and if it doesn't work-after a good effort go to the artificial baby milk and let it go?
It seems asinine to argue facts over and over again! Once again this is absolutely BORING! Worthless conversation. The proof appears in the long-term! Just give me something other than "my formula-fed tyke is healthier than my friend/sister/whoever's breast-fed baby"....That one boring!
- WIC Nutritionist
March 18, 2009 12:31AM
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spot on
I think you're spot on with your comments
- Beanie February 7, 2010 10:23PM
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Hot dogs, baseball, apple pie, chevrolet....and
breast feeding . Now what can be more American than that!
- truehappiness
October 1, 2009 7:03PM
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Yes formula will do harm, no you should not feed formula
**The questions at the beginning and end of this debate make it confusing to follow.
So yes it will harm a baby in the short and long run and no you should not feed babies formula.**
Yes, the foods your baby consumes in infancy will effect his/her health throughout life.
I challenge you to read the ingredients on a can of formula and google each ingredient.
See what it really is and how it is made.
You will be surprised to find, the following toxic chemicals are present in all formulas.
MSG
Free aspartic acid
BPA
Fluorosis
DHA/ARA
Hexane
Mercury
Melamine
Cyanuric acid
Formaldehyde
Antinutrients/soy
Bacteria
Which is in most foods we consume now. Autism, ADHD, Fibromyalgia and MS are all related to chemical poisoning and guess what, it starts with the foods we consume.
There is also the biology of breastfeeding to consider.
Hormones, genetics, living nutrients and closeness all are in place to teach a human baby human traits and to build humans living, healthy cells.
You simply must not turn your back on that.
To "choose" is to do a huge disservice to not only you and your baby but to humanity.
There really should be no choice, to "choose" is to do a huge disservice not only to you and your baby but to humanity, breastfeeding should simply just be the way.
So please reconsider your stance.
Please note that I am not judging/condemning any mother who has fed her babies formula, I am merely sharing what I know.
I feel that formula companies have duped mothers for generations and that we as the mothers of this world have a responsibility to look further and to stop blindly following the masses.
- Beanie February 7, 2010 10:14PM
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