Will Formula Feeding Harm My Baby?

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Dr. Wolf lists the “costs” of breastfeeding:

•    The labor value of women’s nursing: As early as 1919 and continuing into this millennium, the International Labor Organization has recommended that breastfeeding mothers be given time during working hours to nurse their babies—and furthermore, recommend that this time be paid work. These recommendations have been taken to heart in other countries. Wouldn’t political energy be better spent by advocating for such a policy in this country?

•    The potentially negative impact of breastfeeding on family dynamics: Dr. Wolf fails to state any family dynamic upon which breastfeeding might have a negative impact.  Formula feeding requires much more work (purchase, preparation, storage, bottle sterilization) which must be performed and negotiated among family members than does breastfeeding.  The introduction of new child into a family requires much change and brings with it pressures and challenges, both positive and negative.  Given that infant feeding is a factor only made more labor intensive by using formula, it is difficult to see how it would have an impact on family dynamics that is negative as compared to formula feeding.

How a family is affected by the mother who breastfeeds her infant has much to do with the attitudes of that mother, her family, and the society in which they live. We often hear that fathers will be “left out” if the mother is the only one feeding the infant. This says essentially that being a father is only about feeding (or diapering) an infant, and denies the unique role that fathers play. La Leche League states that “Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique relationship with his baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy.”

•    Women’s career trajectories: It is a sad statement about our society that we so little value mothers and their unique roles in the care of their children that we must pit professional advancement against the care and nurturing of our children. This attitude is not specific to the breastfeeding women. If career trajectories are adversely affected, it is due to prejudice and sexism, not anything inherent in the act of breastfeeding. Studies show that breastfeeding women in the work force are more productive and miss fewer days caring for sick children. 

People are staying healthier longer, working longer (i.e. until they are older). Sequencing is a reasonable way of looking at the world.  Both men and women have challenges while raising kids (who leaves work to pick up the sick child from school?)—sometimes it will be easier for mother to respond, other times it will be father.  This doesn't just apply to challenges of raising children, but also to caring for aging parents, sick partners, one's grandchildren, one's own health, etc.  If we apply the "time lost" argument only to women raising children, we're missing a broader view of the world that encompasses both men and women who make our society function—by meeting the needs of those who need them when they have the resources to do so.

•    Women’s emotional and physical health: Well-done research studies show that breastfeeding lowers a woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, postpartum bleeding, postpartum depression, osteoporosis, etc.

Breastfeeding in a Contaminated World?

While it is true that some environmental contaminants can be found in mother’s milk, it is also true that these same contaminants—perhaps in greater concentrations—can be found in the cow’s milk and the soybeans that go into the manufacture of infant formula. Human milk is a convenient source to sample population exposure to these chemicals. It is not a reason to switch to formula—not only are the contaminants still there, but the exposure to these contaminants will not be coupled with the protective components of breast milk. And given the environmental impact of formula manufacture, transportation, and disposal, continued population reliance on its use may add to the environmental contaminant load.