Benefits of bf exadurated?

[bubbles123]

I think that bfing is certainly the best option but that there is very little evidence to suggest that formula is hugely inferior. Rather it appears bfing gives babies ever so slightly lower risk of certain things but usually only 1 or 2% lower than ff'ed babies. The guilt and misery people feel for using formula is insane based on this as really they are very small increases in risk. They are there, yes, but by no means are they enormous differences.

 

[BethHx]

Vintage67?

Thankyou for your first post! I spend many days feeling so guilty that i had to stop bf. I was forced to quit as my health was very quickly deteriorating without my medication that cannot be taken whilst bf and i forever feel bad for stopping.
Even though i wasn't enjoying it and got mastisis twice. You have made of realise that there is so much more to my baby like first steps, first tooth, first word and none of this would even happen if she wasn't being fed lol! Feeding is such a small part in what i have to come and i shouldn't spend everyday feeling guilty about this. Thank you for making me realise!
We now know too that Izzy is lactose dairy and soy intolerant so stopping was the best thing for up.
She actually started to thrive when i expressed as she could sense i was no longer getting stressed!x

 

[mommy0629]

My mom bf me and both my brothers, but me only until I was 6 months old then I was on formula. Both of my brothers bf until they were 18 months old. I'm the healthiest of the 3 of us. One of my brothers has allergies and asthma, the other has issues with his joints. We'll all equally intelligent, secure in ourselves etc. etc. etc.

I'm not going to deny the benefits of bfing and I tried hard to bf both of my children, it just didn't work out with either of them for different reasons. The slogan "breast is best" is for sure true, but that doesn't mean there's a risk involved in ffing, bm is just better, it does NOT mean there's anything wrong with formula. There's an entire generation of people alive today that were formula fed (those born in the 70's) because it was just the thing to do then and bfing rates dropped dramatically (this is in the US anyway) and are these people as a whole less healthy or less intelligent or less secure not than other generations? I highly doubt it.

There are some long term benefits to bm but I think most of the benefits are during the time that the child is bfin, like immune support for example. There is a brand of formula now in the US that has probiotics in it to boost immune support so even headway is being made there for those of us that either have to or choose to formula feed.

 

[overcomer79]

My son is a happy healthy very confident 3 year old with a vocabulary of a 5 year old! Breast for 3 weeks combo fed for 3 weeks and then ff exclusively.

The only thing I have wrong with me is being legally blind (don't think breast feeding me could have changed that ). I was exclusively formula fed and I have a masters degree in chemistry.

Breast feeding with my daughter became a nightmare and honestly felt like I was in prison! I'm sorry while I have heard and been made to feel guilty by the ringing of "beast is best"...It is only as good as the health (physical and MENTAL) of the mother. I did good honestly to do my daughter a month before exclusively formula feeding.

I make decisions based on what I feel is best for my family and no one is going to make me feel guilty for doing so. Thank God for formula.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Haven't read the whole thread

In answer to the OP no i don't think the benefits of BF are exaggerated at all. I breastfed for 3 weeks but due to PND have to switch to formula. I know that formula isn't the best option and breast milk is far superior. As a mother that is FFing you cannot deny how wonderful breast milk is. Is really is liquid gold Now that doesn't mean you have to do it or you should feel bad for not doing it but never think the benefits Bfing has are exaggerated x

 

[dizz]

There is some scientific merit in the research, but also often it's misinterpreted by various agencies reporting upon it (be that health promotion organisations, the media, various pressure groups etc). I always love the Fearless Formula Feeder's page for her picking the research apart and looking at it as to what it's ACTUALLY saying compared to what the newspaper headlines about it all screech so to speak.

I'd argue that a lack of nutrition from a lack of supply or latch or whatever other physiological reason preventing breastfeeding (that they'll all sit one forum up and deny happens), or a mentally unhealthy mother because of being backed into something she's uncomfortable with is by far more detrimental to long-term prospects personally!

I love the fearless formula feeder as I am both a ffer and a stats geek. Bad science pees me off. But someone said more eloquently than I ever could how marvellous it is that formula exists and that it can sustain. And personally I'm very greatful I can buy it in tesco rather than having to source a wet nurse.

I now have the most wonderful mental image of THAT particular aisle in the local Tesco!

 

[CeeDee]

There is some scientific merit in the research, but also often it's misinterpreted by various agencies reporting upon it (be that health promotion organisations, the media, various pressure groups etc). I always love the Fearless Formula Feeder's page for her picking the research apart and looking at it as to what it's ACTUALLY saying compared to what the newspaper headlines about it all screech so to speak.

I'd argue that a lack of nutrition from a lack of supply or latch or whatever other physiological reason preventing breastfeeding (that they'll all sit one forum up and deny happens), or a mentally unhealthy mother because of being backed into something she's uncomfortable with is by far more detrimental to long-term prospects personally!

I love the fearless formula feeder as I am both a ffer and a stats geek. Bad science pees me off. But someone said more eloquently than I ever could how marvellous it is that formula exists and that it can sustain. And personally I'm very greatful I can buy it in tesco rather than having to source a wet nurse.

I now have the most wonderful mental image of THAT particular aisle in the local Tesco!

No, you'd have to find them on craigslist or some other internet classified.

 

[Liesje]

I think a lot of it is exaggerated. I've done both and didn't really see a difference. I know breastfeeding is better but babies are a product of millions of years of evolution, formula now isn't going to have THAT much of a negative effect as some people would like people to think. I think the breastfeeding propaganda is a combination of insecurity (people who breastfeed need to justify why they're being "so weird") and superiority, once they've become comfortable with their "weirdness", they must also have 'one up' on those who formula feed.
...then there are the people who just feed their babies and don't give a rat's ass what others do.

 

[kittylady]

Breastfeeding is better and I think everyone should try it but there shouldn't be any pressure if you choose not to, my sisters kids were FF and no major problems apart from eczema and now they are in excellent health at 4.

However my husband has had awful psoriosis and eczema all his life and it still affects him now to an extent, he is also highly intelligent and he was born in the 70s when formula was king, our EBF daughter has had no eczema or any other problems, I was BF until I was 2months and then FF and I also had childhood eczema and not meaning to toot my own horn but I am also quite intelligent .

However as everyone has said its all about risk and I dont think formula is a bad thing. I also agree that its all about what you feed them afterwards, my sisters children have had homemade, healthy food since they were weaned and as I said before they are always in good health. I am probably going to wait until 6months and then do mostly BLW.

Good luck to everyone

 

[kittylady]

Forgot to mention, Ellie will take breast milk from the bottle no problems but she has tried formula milk and she spat it out and refused the bottle completely, even when we tried her later and so I tried it myself. I personally dont like the taste either so thats a big reason why we dont want to FF.

 

[dizz]

Breastfeeding is better and I think everyone should try it

So much for individual choice then? Or people taking medication meaning they can't... they still have to try to tick the box for your approval too?

It's no one else's business but the family involved.

 

[kittylady]

Did you read the rest of my post? Shall I quote the bit you chose not to:

Breastfeeding is better and I think everyone should try it but there shouldn't be any pressure if you choose not to

I know 6 other women well who have babies within a month of ellies birth. Only two others are still EBF, two are completely FF and two are combi feeding but I dont see them as any better or worse for it.

I said my sister FF and her kids were fine. but there is no evidence that FF is just as good as BF, but it isn't a bad thing. I also said people shouldn't feel bad about it if they choose not to, I know a lot of people with a lot of babies, some haven't because as you said they couldn't for medical reasons. Plenty of people I know FF its just not for me. I also agreed with other people with the idea that its what you feed them after that makes a bigger impact.

If you are going to quote someone at least accurately read their post first.

 

[Vickie]

Breastfeeding is better and I think everyone should try it

So much for individual choice then? Or people taking medication meaning they can't... they still have to try to tick the box for your approval too?

It's no one else's business but the family involved.

It seems as though you took what you wanted from that and left the rest to make it look like the worst Surely the poster is allowed to voice her opinion that she thinks that everyone should try to breastfeed. She wasn't putting down formula in any manner at all just stating her feelings on the subject. That is allowed as long as it's not done in a derogatory/put down manner.

 

[dizz]

Breastfeeding is better and I think everyone should try it

So much for individual choice then? Or people taking medication meaning they can't... they still have to try to tick the box for your approval too?

It's no one else's business but the family involved.

It seems as though you took what you wanted from that and left the rest to make it look like the worst Surely the poster is allowed to voice her opinion that she thinks that everyone should try to breastfeed. She wasn't putting down formula in any manner at all just stating her feelings on the subject. That is allowed as long as it's not done in a derogatory/put down manner.

So why are we never allowed to voice the OTHER opinion on here about the bullying and pressure? Hmmm.

And why are posters allowed to send abusive PMs unchecked on the issue as well incidentally. No way the reverse would be allowed but it's carte blanche to bully the formula feeders constantly - come onto the FF forum to have goes and digs and pressurise, no way the reverse would be allowed there either.

 

[OmarsMum]

Breastfeeding is better and I think everyone should try it

So much for individual choice then? Or people taking medication meaning they can't... they still have to try to tick the box for your approval too?

It's no one else's business but the family involved.

It seems as though you took what you wanted from that and left the rest to make it look like the worst Surely the poster is allowed to voice her opinion that she thinks that everyone should try to breastfeed. She wasn't putting down formula in any manner at all just stating her feelings on the subject. That is allowed as long as it's not done in a derogatory/put down manner.

So why are we never allowed to voice the OTHER opinion on here about the bullying and pressure? Hmmm.

And why are posters allowed to send abusive PMs unchecked on the issue as well incidentally. No way the reverse would be allowed but it's carte blanche to bully the formula feeders constantly - come onto the FF forum to have goes and digs and pressurise, no way the reverse would be allowed there either.

PMs are private, we don't check PMs or have access to them, if you receive an abusive PM report it, simple!

Sharing an opinion is totally different than bullying. It seems that you take every post you don't agree with personally & you consider it as "dig" (I'm not referring to this post only)

If you feel a post is offensive report it instead of taking every chance to turn a normal comment or opinion into an argument.

We don't take sides, we handle abusive comments equally regardless if the poster is a FFer or BFer.

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[Super G]

I think the breastfeeding propaganda is a combination of insecurity (people who breastfeed need to justify why they're being "so weird") and superiority, once they've become comfortable with their "weirdness", they must also have 'one up' on those who formula feed.

I feel horrible and cross reading these comments.
Did you really mean to say breastfeeders are weird etc?

 

[Kage76]

 

[Ktothema]

I think the breastfeeding propaganda is a combination of insecurity (people who breastfeed need to justify why they're being "so weird") and superiority, once they've become comfortable with their "weirdness", they must also have 'one up' on those who formula feed.

I feel horrible and cross reading these comments.
Did you really mean to say breastfeeders are weird etc?

I really hope I'm just falling for something here but the inverted commas are a massive giveaway as to Liesje's meaning...

 

[Lady_Bee]

My thoughts exactly...

 

[Liesje]

I think the breastfeeding propaganda is a combination of insecurity (people who breastfeed need to justify why they're being "so weird") and superiority, once they've become comfortable with their "weirdness", they must also have 'one up' on those who formula feed.

I feel horrible and cross reading these comments.
Did you really mean to say breastfeeders are weird etc?

No I don't think they're weird (that's why it was in quotes), I breastfeed.
I was just saying that I can tell in certain cases people are overcompensating and over exaggerating the benefits of breastfeeding so others don't think they're just being weird for the hell of it.
I've heard over and over how calming and wonderful and what a delightful bonding experience it is, that their baby's s#!t doesn't stink , etc. I haven't found any of that to be true. I know there is indisputable scientific evidence regarding the contents of breastmilk but the rest is just boasting in my opinion.