I saw a big ѕtοrу on my local news channel last night, about breastfeeding vs. formula feeding…іt was kind of scary. It ѕаіԁ that long-term health problems are being linked to formula feeding, that before the study wasn’t even tһουɡһt οf. Tһеу ѕаіԁ it was because a human’s first year of life determines a lot of health issues down the road in life. Tһеу аѕkеԁ random people on the street which they tһουɡһt was healthier, breast or bottle, and one person even ѕаіԁ they tһουɡһt formula was because the ‘חеw’ kinds they have out have nutrients that breastmilk doesn’t. Iѕ there something I don’t know? Tһеу ѕаіԁ of course the woman was wrοחɡ, but still, breastmilk DOES have all they need, and then some rіɡһt? I got confused pretty qυісk. Heheh! People kep stressing to me that breastmilk is the best ѕtаrt for your baby, and apparently 10 years down the road іt’ll pay οff, but these formula commercials (even though ѕау ‘breastmilk is best at the bottom) make it seem like іt’s just as ɡοοԁ…
I’m on the fence about іt, almost like if I gave my daughter formula I’d feel really guilty since I have реrfесtƖу good milk for һеr. If she only has a bottle a week of formula ԁοеѕ that count? Mу goal is for her never to have formula…bυt it would make it easier on me to give her one once in a wһіƖе…
Big News Story On Formula Vs. Breastmilk?
Posted by admin on May 31st, 2010
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I had only formula and I have less health problems than anyone I know
Well….the reason our kids are having problems has nothing to do with formula and breast milk. Our kids have health issues due to less exercise and Happy Meals 24/7. I think there are people out there trying to force moms to choose breastfeeding over formula because that is what they think is best for everyone!!!!
what happens if a mom can’t produce breastmilk? I think moms with the help of their pediatricians can choose what’s right for the baby.
Both of my kids were formula fed and both are doing great. My kids are very healthy!!! Why? I feed them healthy foods and make sure that they get to go outside and play!!!
Yes, study after study has shown the positives of breast feeding.
Good for you for wanting to give your child the very best start in life.
If you are hoping to give your child a bottle once a week you can always pump. Breast milk can be frozen and ready for use rather quickly too.
In addition to the benefits for baby it also will help mom lose weight quicker and reduces your risk of breast cancer.
The problem with news stories is that the reporter has no knowledge of the subject in the first place and causes further confusion. Yes, breast milk is best. Yes, studies have shown that there are lower rates of certain health problems later in life for those who were breast fed. This is all statistical information for a large population, so any one individual’s experience isn’t really going to tell you anything. I mean, think about it. Until this last century, virtually all children were breastfed. There was still illness, even in the richest of homes. So, you don’t eliminate it!
On the other hand, your doctor was raised on whole cows milk and Gerber baby cereal from birth. He clearly has a brain, right? So, the fact is, the differences are really over a whole population rather than individuals.
As the above poster mentioned, you can also pump to give yourself times when the baby can’t be near you for a feeding. At the same time, if you have to use formula, don’t beat yourself up.
i give my little guy both. mostly breast unless we are out, then its formula. and i personally believe that most chemically altered stuff will have some type of effect on us no matter what we do. but i was formula fed when i was little, and so far (21yrs.) I am fine. I still think breast is best, but its not going to kill us to have a wee bit of formula here and there. We would have to go all organic to keep away from all the bad things, which really isnt a bad idea. and even then how do you know they arent lieing about it? so all in all dont worry. If you need to give a bottle of formula occasionally, its ok. Many healthy adults today were formula fed. Its what you do after it that determine your future health. “Teach your child in the way he should go..”
I was on the fence about nursing my first baby until I started doing it. I was breastfed as an infant, and so was my sister. My sister has all kinds of health issues: scoliosis, constant battles with pnuemonia, asthma, brittle bones, etc. I truly believe that breastmilk is best if you are properly caring for yourself, nutritionally. If you live off Mt. Dew and Hagen Daas, I would suggest bottle feeding. Remember that what you eat, your baby does too. It sounds to me like you are asking, which one is best for your baby? Breastmilk. If you are asking are you a bad mom for feeding your child formula? No. It is all a matter as to which is best for your baby. Like I said, what you eat, baby eats. So if you are not a nutritionally concious person, you might be best off with formula. But you should ALWAYS ask your pediatrician before you start a formula when you have been nursing. The transition can be MURDER on an infants digestive system, because formula is so much more difficult to process. That is why those babies only need to eat ever 6-8 hours instead of the 3-5 a nursing baby does!
This is such a big debate, and be prepared for lots of heated answers. Every one has an opinion on this, and I think for the most part they’re all valid. I chose to formula feed, although I probably could have breastfed, and I do have some guilt about that – I wish I had stuck it out more, but what’s done is done. All I can tell you is my personal experience with formula feeding: My kids are in general very healthy. My oldest (now 3) has frequent colds, but she’s also in day care 3 days a week and I attribute her colds to that. I’m sure there’s something to be said about breastmilk boosting their immune system, and who knows if the colds would have been not as bad, but I’m sure she would have gotten just as many. Anyway – my infant (9 months) has had a few colds, but nothing serious – again, in daycare part time.
My sister and husband were both formula fed exclusively and are among the healthiest people I know. My husband especially – he gets a cold maybe once every few years.
I totally agree that breastmilk is best – that’s the way God designed it, after all – each mammal produces her own baby’s perfect food. But formula, in my opinion, is not harmful in any way. It’s a perfectly acceptable substitute.
Formula is not as good, formula is ok. The research is out there, not news that breastmilk is the best nutrition for babies. Of course, formula is not poison, but it doesn’t come close to the real thing.
And not because I think so, there’s enough scientific proof of it. Of course, everybody is entitled to ignore those facts and choose the “close, but NOT as good as” option. Free will!
Breast milk is best has so many benefits to you and baby. Don’t listen to commercials 100% keep in mind that they’re there to make money. These companies canot mimic breastmilk because one it has living nutrients and two the composition of breastmilk is not fully identified so if you can do it. Its painful and time consuming but you’ll thank yourself (and baby too) If you need more facts and yada yadas contact a lactating dept. usually at the hospital you delivered baby GL!
I wish I had seen this story!
No, the announcer probably had no prior knowledge- and it’s scary what the community believes.
Our baby is now 13 months old and still nursing- and I have to say- has only been sick once. We all are getting over a cold here- and it missed her completely. As well, her brother was breastfed nearly 11 years ago- and he had the cold 1 day where his dad and I had it a week. A WEEK!!! So, my husband is singing his praises about breastmilk- again.
Chemists cannot replicate what is in the breastmilk.
Our youngest never had formula- I refused. I produced enough while working full-time and she didn’t need it.
breastfeed- it’s easier, cheaper, and always ready- and our son as I said is nearly 11 and is still reaping the benefits of it!
yes breaat is best.. i have looked on can of formula and i have no idea what all that crap is .. dont worry your preety litel head nursing is the healthiest wa yto go
This is not new. Statistically, formula is not as good as breastmilk. It’s just not, it even says so on the can. Anecdotally, there are, of course, people who are healthy that were fed formula.
The question is, do you want to feel your child what’s best, or what’s adequate? Formula isn’t poison, it’s manufactured to the best of the corporation’s abilities, but it can’t ever come close to breast milk.
I’m glad that there is formula. Moms that can’t nurse, who adopt children, etc, need a safe way to feed their babies. I hate the underhanded tactics of the formula companies. They are out to make a buck on the health of mom and child.
Statistically, in every study of record, breast fed children are healthier, smarter, etc. Your child may not fit those statistics, but over all the science holds water.
It just makes logical sense: milk is species specific, of course humans make the best milk for human children.
If you can find a link to the story, maybe from the website of your local news channel, that would be great.
To the lady who said that if you don’t have a good diet you shouldn’t nurse: actually, pretty much no matter what a woman eats her breast milk is perfect. Her body will sacrifice itself to make the milk. It’s always good to eat healthy, but even if you don’t, breast milk is still better.
Breast milk is best for infants. Just because you choose not to use breast milk or not use it exclusively doesn’t make you an abusive parent. Children don’t suffer because they don’t have the best. If that were the case you could only have a child if you were rich and able to stay home and be surrounded by parenting experts to help you be the “perfect parent”. It’s also best for a parent to stay home with the child, but that’s not always possible or desirable to some parents. It doesn’t make it abusive to the child because there are other options that will also allow them to thrive. You shouldn’t feel guilty if you choose to supplement with formula and you shouldn’t let anyone else dictate how you choose to raise your child.
An interesting point that I read recently in an article discussed formula marketing strategies. Even formula companies will tell you that breast is best and has many benefits over formula; that leaves formula as the standard method of feeding. That is actually very misleading and contributes to the presenet day attitudes toward infant feeding. In reality, breastmilk is the norm, there is nothing phenomenal about it. That means formula is the inferior choice! Breastmilk is for human babies, cow’s milk is for cows.
Everyone has anecdotal evidence and can say they were formula fed and are just fine, they know womeone who was sickly who was breastfed, etc. Anecdotal evidence means nothing when compared to actual medical studies. Studies have shown time and time again that breastmilk is easy to digest, has all necessary vitamins (even if the mother lives on junk food, the baby will still get everything she needs, it is the mother who suffers from a poor diet), and aids post-partum recovery and bonding.
of course they do! they want to sell a product! now studies show that humans really just need to stick with square one. anything naural is best. your milk was made by your body for your baby. formula is a general comprimise for all babies. not all mothers are able to breastfeed and this is why it was invented. but if you are, breast is best!
i feel that way as well. i dont judge those who use it though.. my son is 5 months and has only had formula one time. i wwas very angry because i had a freezer full of milk. i pump and yes i work. i pump 3 time a day. it’s a pain but ill go through it for my son
would you rather eat canned veggies or fresh ones???
scenario, what if the mother cannot breast feed , like if she has breast cancer, or has a breast deformity of some kind? what if her milk never comes in? I know that breast milk is the ultimate form of nutrition a new mother could ever give her newborn but (and I am not saying it has happened to me) there are women out there who really would love to breast feed there newborn who quite honestly cannot do it for some reason or another and there truly only option is to formula feed. there are newly developed formulas out there on the market now that is very close to breast milk and it gives the same benefits in the long term. My Dh and I are ttc for 5 months now and if I ever had the opportunity to breast feed I will do that but if for some reason I am unable to , I will use the next best thing to keep my baby fed and healthy.