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?
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Formula Does Not Make Babies Sick
- From Joan B Wolf PhD
By Joan B. Wolf, PhD - Texas A&M University
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Formula saved my baby.
Formula made my baby healthy. I guess I can't complain.
- PamalaLauren
September 17, 2008 3:20PM
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Joan Wolf's own argument supports breast feeding
Joan Wolf said:
"Multiple studies indicate that breastfeeding reduces the risk of gastrointestinal infection (such as diarrhea or vomiting); PROBIT, a large study lauded for its design and reliability, found that one in twenty-five bottle-fed babies was at greater risk to have one or more episodes of such infection in a year"
She also said:
"Significant data indicate that breastfeeding might actually increase the risk of allergy and asthma for particular children."
She said that there was no difference in other measures.
As gastroenteritis can be life threatening this is a definite advantage of breastfeeding over artificial feeding. When it comes to allergies and asthma, the use of the words "might" and "particular children" suggests that there is some doubt about this data. Therefore based on Wolf's own summary of the data, the advantage lies with breastfeeding.
- Michael Glass
September 19, 2008 5:35PM
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Formula is safe? I don't think so!
In the past 9 months at least 53,000 babies have become sick from formula in China, 12,892 hospitalized, 104 in serious condition, with at 4 infants who have died. Feel safe because you're not in China? It can happen anywhere babies are bottle fed. Breastmilk is the perfect food, and science has not been able to improve upon it. With all of the food scares lately, why take a chance with your babies life?
- Santa Cruz Mom
September 24, 2008 1:28PM
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Formula is definitely not safe
Yup, in processing cow's milk into formula powder, many things were added to fortify the nutrients, to mimic breastmilk content. In the process, contaminations can happen. In China's case, the cow's milk certainly has low protein content (measured in nitrogen). Therefore, they added melamine (a type of plastic byproduct), to mimic it.
So, (a) the milk has low protein, affecting children's growth (issues just reported last year), (b) to meet the 'standard' (i.e. copying mother's milk), they added POISONS.
If we breastfeed our children, the only way to poison their milk is to poison us. So, who dare say formula is safe?
Sata Cruz Mom, you are right - if it happens in China, it can happen in any parts of the world. Let's not to be complacent in this.
- Suzette
October 16, 2008 12:25AM
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Sorry I don't know which answer should I vote
Just realized that there is a conflict in between the question for voting and the 'side'. I actually take LLL's side, that is the 'Yes'. But the question for voting is, "Should you Formula Feed?" So my answer is 'No'. After voted the last time for 'no' to formula, then it appeared as I sided 'No'? I am confused...
- Suzette
October 22, 2008 11:30PM
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Informed Choice
Formula fed babies who live in the most affluent families in developed countries where healthcare is the right of all citizens (and not just the priviledge of those who can pay) are five times more likely to be hospitalised with either pnuemonia or gastro-enteritis (1, 2).
In the UK, the Millenium Cohort Study (2) (huge study; rigourous execution and analysis - controlled for confounders) found that 53% of diarrhoea hospitalisations could have been prevented each month if all infants were exclusively breastfed. Similarly, 27% of pnuemonia hospitalisations could have been prevented each month if all those babies were exclusively breastfed. This means 3 out of every four babies in hospital for gastro or pnuemonia are there because formula made them sick. The more formula they got, the more likely they were to get sick. That's a causal relationship.
Mothers absolutely have a right to choose how they will feed their babies. They also have the right to be given all the information they need to make an informed choice.
1. Paricio Talayero, J. M., M. Lizan-Garcia, et al. (2006). "Full Breastfeeding and Hospitalization as a Result of Infections in the First Year of Life." Pediatrics 118(1): e92-99.
2. Quigley MA et al. Breastfeeding and Hospitalization for Diarrheal and Respiratory Infection in the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study Pediatrics 2007; 119:(4): e837-42
- Iris
September 24, 2008 9:43PM
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re tainted formula
Are you not aware of the numerous recalls on Infant formula---
- ginajohnson
September 25, 2008 10:34AM
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This statement is not just UNTRUE, it's DANGEROUS.
The _Summary of the Hazards of Infant Formula_ published in three parts by the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) documents TWENTY SEVEN areas of health risk to infants from lack of breastfeeding. My children's pediatrician says he can pick out the formula-fed babies on his records shelf by the thickness of their files. Dr. Wolf puts the health of babies at risk by lending her academic credentials to these untruths.
- Motherbaby
September 28, 2008 1:02PM
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My 31 weeker is very healthy...because of formula
I had gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension, which very quickly went from pre-eclampsia to toxeima. My son was delivered via emergency c-section at 31 weeks. I was so sick, this pregnancy was killing me (liver and kidneys were starting to shut down). My son was in the NICU for six and one half weeks. He was on oxygen therapy for most of that time, even being intubated for about 2 days.
I had to pump (most babies don't develop the suck ability until 34 weeks). For 5 weeks, I pumped every 2 hours, day and night. I'd go visit him in the hospital and use the pumping room there to see if that helped me get more milk out. I went on medication and herbs via my doctors advice to help increase my supply. At 5 weeks, I was getting less than an ounce out, total, each session. I meet with a lactation consultant a few times, nothing helped. Her and I decided that the stress of trying to produce milk was hampering all my efforts.
During this time, the lactation consultant, my doctor and I had a meeting. Did you know that having gestational diabetes can hamper milk production? As can high blood pressure and most especially an early delivery. So can the polycystic ovarian syndrome with insulin resistance I deal with when not pregnant.
So basically, my options were breastfeed and starve my son who was born at less than 3 lbs or such him to formula. No suprise I chose to make sure my son was eating. He's 2 now, wanna know how sick being on formula made him? He has asthma, most likely from being a preemie born with underdeveloped lungs and being on oxygen therapy for almost 6 weeks. He has eczma, but so do his dad and I. Let's see...he's actually ahead of most full-term kids his age in the development curve and has been since he was 18 months old.
I have a daughter who was born 3 weeks early, once again, I wasn't making any milk (had GD and PIH again). Tried all the meds/herbs again...nothing.
Both my formula fed babies are happy and healthy. No everyone can produce breast milk. There is nothing wrong with formula. I don't buy my formula from China, so that's really not an issue to me.
The breastfeeding mafia needs to get off their high horse and realize that most of us who formula feed know that breast milk is best, but it's not always the best choice for our families and sometimes it's not a choice at all (medication, illness, just don't make milk).
- candlemomma124
October 1, 2008 6:12AM
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Formula by RX only...
I have read numerous times that less than 6% of women ACTUALLY are unable to produce enough milk for their baby.....
It seems like you fell into that percentage, and that stinks.....it really does.....
It's your situation, that formula should be available by RX only......
The World Health Organization ranks infant feeding choices as such:
1.Breastmilk from the breast, 2. Pumped breastmilk from the baby's own mother, 3. Donated breastmilk, and 4. Infant formula.
While formula has it's place - when mother truly cannot breastfeed due to a compelling medical condition, adopted babes, etc. - it is often overused. It is not 2nd best, but rather 4th in line of infant feeding choices.
- piggyfairy
October 1, 2008 10:48AM
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it has to be higher than 6%
One of my sisters couldn't produce milk either, and she had an uncomplicated full-term delivery, and has no medical problems when not pregnant.
Donated breast milk is great, in theory. It costs money to get it (for some reason the amount of $4/oz sticks in my head) and I'm actually uncomfortable giving my children milk from another woman. Will it be treated the same as cow's milk? Screened like they do other milks? I was given that option while my son was in the NICU, I felt better giving him formula. And actually it is second best, the first 3 options are still breast milk.
It's my choice, they are my kids. If someone wants to say what I can and cannot do with my kids they can start paying me some child support.
- candlemomma124
October 1, 2008 11:01AM
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6% equals A LOT of women
Of the hundreds of thousands of women having babies every year, 6% is still a large number of women.
A milk bank does in fact screen the milk that is donated...just like they do at a blood bank. What I don't like about milk banks, is they pasteurize the breast milk; which kills nutrients and antibodies.
That's why I donate via private donation....I am a member of milkshare.com, there are always parents on there looking for breast milk for their babies. Most of them request medical records from the donors doctor, typically the tests the mother had when she was pregnant....the recipient pays for the shipping, and will reimburse the donor for the bags.....I did not accept reimbursement for the bags because I had to buy them anyways, the recipient shipped me a cooler and I shipped it back to her with my milk.
If you or your baby needed blood, would you give your baby artificial blood? Donated milk isn't that different....as in, the real thing is always best.
I'm not telling you what you can or cannot do; I'm simply telling you that there are better options. Not everyone is willing to go that extra mile.
- piggyfairy
October 1, 2008 2:03PM
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TAINTED FORMULA
ARE YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS USED TO MANUFACTURE INFANT FORMULA HERE IN THE US COMES FROM CHINA??
- ginajohnson
October 1, 2008 12:24PM
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ARE YOU AWARE..
THAT USING ALL CAPS IS THE SAME AS YELLING? Show me a reliable source that proves this information and then show me where any formula in the US has been recalled. And my formula is stamped Made in the USA, so I trust the ingredients.
- candlemomma124
October 1, 2008 12:52PM
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There have been lots of recalls of formula in the US
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/17456051/detail.html?rss=bos&psp=news
This one is the one concerning chinese formula products in the US.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov /~DMS/inf-warn.html
This one has a whole bunch of recalls that have been in the US recently.
- Iknowbetter
October 1, 2008 1:37PM
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try reading before posting
The first link says: The fear is that some of the tainted formula could wind up in the U.S., particularly in cities that have large Chinese-American populations.
It's against the law to sell the formula in America, but sometimes the merchandise does get through illegally and is sold in ethnic grocery stores, so health officials are issuing warnings to cities such as Boston, New York and San Francisco that the formula may have been tainted with melamine.
There is no mention of the American made baby formula I choose to feed my kids. Please read thoroughly and understand what the article says before using it to support what you say.
The second link, only part is hyperlinked and and when I copied and pasted it told me no link exsisted.
- candlemomma124
October 1, 2008 1:55PM
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Wow! Defensive much?
I did read the articles. The point being that all formulas have the possibility of contamination. It does not matter what country that it is made in or where the ingredients are from. You are naive in thinking that because the formula is made in the USA that it is infallible and totally safe.
You can try again with this link. For some reason opposing views didn't highlight the whole thing.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov /~DMS/inf-warn.html
If the highlight doesn't work just type it in. And yes this has a lot of info on American brand formulas that have been recalled. If this isn't enough for you, I can add more links with different brands.
- Iknowbetter
October 1, 2008 2:15PM
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I will not waste my time
looking for info to support YOUR point of view. I did try typing it in, I do know how to test a link. I am done "debating" with you. Apparently you feel you are an expert on this and weather my working out side the house will "damage" my children. I am not trying to change your mind on anything, just defending my views and trying to get to to at least respect that what works for you does not work for everyone.
- candlemomma124
October 1, 2008 2:33PM
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Sorry to hear about all of your complications
You are the reason why the use of donated breast milk needs to become a norm rather than formula, so that you don't have to choose between the health of your children and formula. Donated breast milk needs to become the alternative for women who cannot breast feed NOT artificial food of "formula".
- Iknowbetter
October 1, 2008 1:32PM
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I have no problem giving my kids formula
None what so ever. So I repeat: The breastfeeding mafia needs to get off their high horse and realize that most of us who formula feed know that breast milk is best, but it's not always the best choice for our families and sometimes it's not a choice at all (medication, illness, just don't make milk).
- candlemomma124
October 1, 2008 1:48PM
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
I also have this. I was VERY fortunate that it did not effect my milk production. I know it can in many women. I think your case is right. If you can't make milk of course formula is your only choice. I am glad you were able to feed your baby the milk you could. That said I think that if formula was by prescription only you would be prescribed it.
As far as China goes... I hope that never happens in the US, but it is possible. We have had other outbreaks of other food sold here.
I agree that there are families who need formula. Some people adopt and can't lactate, and like you said some have illnesses that prevent them. For all of those reasons I am glad formula is around, but to pick formula when you CAN breastfeed.....That is the decision I don't understand.
- Gavinsmama
October 2, 2008 10:24AM
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We can understand your situation....
Hats off to you for trying to breastfeed your infants. I don't think the Breastfeeding Mafia is saying that formula-feeding is evil (though some are very zealous)....However MANY moms CHOOSE NOT to breastfeed for selfish reasons, or feel in their heart that formula is an equivalent to breastmilk.
Also, its not impossible to have all those things going on ans STILL breastfeed. One of my clients right now went through PIH, GD, and took a chance and put her NOW 5-pound preemie to the breast-after being in the hospital 8 weeks, and that little one with practice and use a of a nipple shield-actually nursed at the breast! We gave her the shield because she was used to a bottle, but mom got brave for some reason, and she nursed without the shield too! One of my clients has a baby still on oxygen with physical abnormalities and some delays with a nasal cannula in her nose, she still nurses at the breast and is TUBE fed a little milk-based formula into her tummy!
Jack Newman put a 25 weeker to the breast and that baby nursed with a great latch. Not saying that the baby didn't get a little formula to help with weight gain, but a 25-weeker NURSED at the BREAST. Is the result of your situation YOUR fault? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
But we live in a doctor-run society so to speak, and I bet that with doctors who would have helped you stay calm, trust your body, and de-stress-you too would have been able to nurse your babies, even with the assistance of a little formula when needed. I gave a mom an electronic breast pump yesterday, and a couple cans of Neosure a month, because she is dedicated to breastfeeding her preemie who just was released from the hospital after being born at 31 weeks. And he is JUST out of the hospital 2 days ago after 4 weeks in NICU...So it is POSSIBLE to still nurse a baby with preemie complications. My line of work has allowed me to see this.
It has encouraged me to still encourage moms to stay calm, expect complications, but we teach them ways to troubleshoot. Formula does have its place. No doubt it has helped decrease infant mortality, but we Breastfeeding Mafia have to stay on our "high horse" so we can share to others like yourself that EVEN with problems, babies have been able to STILL breastfeed, maybe not exclusively at first, but maybe later on down the line as so many of my clients have done!
- WIC Nutritionist
March 5, 2009 9:37AM
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No one wants you to starve your son.
Formula has its place. You had to do what you had to do simple as that. You actually tried to breastfeed cause you believe it is better. I don't think the "mafia" is talking about your case. But kudos to you for trying your best. Thats definately better than many women. But remember a little breast milk is better than no breastmilk.
Many of my clients who have gestational diabetes go on to exclusively breastfeed with some delay, but with dedication and just dligence they succeed. I had a mom with a baby with a developmental delay and malformations pump until her baby was discharged from the hospital at 2 months with a nasal cannula and oxygen, put her baby to the breast and she nurses to this day and she is now one! WITH the nasal cannula still She still is tube fed Pediasure but many people overcome obstacles. Maybe you can spead the word to others in your situation too!
- WIC Nutritionist
March 18, 2009 1:05AM
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Consider the SOURCE of your information
You can look at 'studies' all day long but if you aren't looking at scientific studies, published studies, those that are worth anything then the information you are trying to get across is lost. Formula feeding your baby is much more dangerous then we let on. AND think about when the commercials say "Formula is now closer than ever to breastmilk" that's not a lie it IS closer than ever but it's still miles away.
- lbeare
December 11, 2008 7:37PM
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Formula is risky, and thats the plain facts
Hindsight is 20/20.
When you risk formula feeding and your baby is OKAY and HEALTHY, then of course you're gonna blab....Oh may baby was formula-fed and she is beautiful, and happy and healthy. And no one can argue that.
But tell my clients who started out breastfeeding, and after that couldn't keep it up, switched their babies to formula-artificial baby milk (ABM), and all HELL just broke loose! Tell them that its NOT the formula all of a sudden causing their baby to have loose stool or hard stools, its NOT the formula causing their baby to break out in hives/eczema/whatever flakes up on their skin. Try to tell THOSE moms that though their baby was not spitting up the little breastmilk they were getting, but all of a sudden their pediatricians diagnosed theie baby with lactose intolerance and they need an expensive lactose-free formula...Imagine how pissed they are when I say well the breastmilk is full of lactose! One they switch to soy, that doesn't work so they move to an even more expensive hypoallerginic formula....Imagine how pissed they are at the cost of 27.99/can at about 10-15 cans of powder a month! Imagine how they feel when they finally get to me-a person who wholly supports breastfeeding tells them the few things they could have done to keep breastfeeding going before a lazy lactation consultant (yes IBCLC) told them to give up? But they are confused because their breasts are still leaking milk!
This is my world everyday. Formula is risky, expensive, and aggravating. Too many moms are gambling their children's long-term health because someone gave them bad advice. I understand for many formula posed little risk, but that is dangerous for someone who is not familiar with their own health to gamble their children's. Case and point. My husband was and still is allergic to ALL cow's milk proteins......His mom DECIDED not to breastfeed. He begged me to breastfeed our kids knowing his family history because his sister just so happened to remind him of the expense of finding the right formula...which didn't exist 30 years ago! Don't risk it. Its too much of a gamble. Breastfeeding is worth taking time to work on.
- WIC Nutritionist
March 5, 2009 9:06AM
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