Benefits of bf exadurated?

[overcomer79]

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I think a lot of it stems from the response we get from bf'ing moms when we tell them we had to switch to formula...we get lectures about how much better it is and yes we know that but we don't need it thrown in our faces because either we didn't want to do it or because it didn't work out for us.

In my situation, I think formula is better then risking some chemical getting in my bm while I'm pumping at work. Sure I clean up but there is always a risk factor and I work with some pretty nasty stuff...

 

[Kage76]

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I don't think anyone has disagreed that breastmilk is superior. I think all the formula mums that have contributed to this thread have said basically the same thing. Breastmilk is better but formula ok for my baby.

the thing is you can have all the studies in the world but the reality is that everyone judges formula by their own experience. Their baby is doing fine- no issue with formula.

Its just hard because every time those risks are brought up it hits home. No one really wants to doom their child to illness obesity and low IQ, but that how the risks are presented in society - not as risks but as forgone conclusions. Personally as i have said previously- of course breast milk is better- its what we are supposed to raise our young on. But formula is not poison and im certain there are more risks of harm with an infant who is getting insufficient nutrition so the choice for me was simple. Feed my child.

 

[pinklightbulb]

I've never said anything bad about formula and I'm a BF mum I don't start on FF mums I know IRL about the benefits of BM vs formula. I've never made a rude/snide remark nor do I feel superior for BFing.

Yet by a lot of FF mums I am already the enemy because I BF when they, for whatever reason, could not or did not. It upsets me that I've been pidgeon-holed as "mammary mafia" when in reality all I did was use my breasts to feed my baby and never said a bad word to any FF mummies.

In real life, I have had the book thrown at me for BFing and maybe I'm no better expecting to get slated online either I don't want justifications why someone FF as soon as they see I BF. I don't want defensiveness or reasons why breastmilk isn't even that much better/is worse than formula milk. I didn't ask for any of that, but 9/10 IRL every time I'm seen BF by a FF mother, I get some sort of rude remark.

I just want us all to accept one another and co-exist nicely like I said. I believe formula is a wonderful invention, as I said. But it doesn't give some FF mothers the right to run me into the ground for not using it, or go off on one at me when I say FF isn't for me because I believe in BFing and all its benefits.

 

[midori1999]

i don't bash BF but i do complain about the way i was treated due to the very hardcore bf promotion here. i think it puts undue pressure on new moms

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I think a lot of it stems from the response we get from bf'ing moms when we tell them we had to switch to formula...we get lectures about how much better it is and yes we know that but we don't need it thrown in our faces because either we didn't want to do it or because it didn't work out for us.

In my situation, I think formula is better then risking some chemical getting in my bm while I'm pumping at work. Sure I clean up but there is always a risk factor and I work with some pretty nasty stuff...

I am never sure where all these 'breastfeeding mums', who supposedly jump at every chance to berate a FF Mother, come from tbh. We are a nation of FF's and I barely know any Mums that breastfeed for very long.

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I don't think anyone has disagreed that breastmilk is superior. I think all the formula mums that have contributed to this thread have said basically the same thing. Breastmilk is better but formula ok for my baby.

the thing is you can have all the studies in the world but the reality is that everyone judges formula by their own experience. Their baby is doing fine- no issue with formula.

Its just hard because every time those risks are brought up it hits home. No one really wants to doom their child to illness obesity and low IQ, but that how the risks are presented in society - not as risks but as forgone conclusions. Personally as i have said previously- of course breast milk is better- its what we are supposed to raise our young on. But formula is not poison and im certain there are more risks of harm with an infant who is getting insufficient nutrition so the choice for me was simple. Feed my child.

I don't think any sane person would say that in the developed world formula wasn't ok for a baby. Of course it is!

I also strongly disagree that the risks of formula feeding are presented as a foregone conslusion. In fact, as a society we don't even often refer to the risks of FF, but instead the benefits of breastfeeding, as you can see by the title of this thread for a start.

It makes me feel quite sad that somewhere along the way in all the breastfeeding promotion Mums have been made to feel so bad about feeding their baby with formula, because as someone who (not through choice really) had to FF my first three children from a very young age, I never felt bad about it. I feel that a lot of justifying goes on from women who FF and that some women (I am not saying all or that there aren't some valid points on this thread) feel that if the benefits of breastfeeding are exaggerated or made up that they are somehow more justified in using formula milk. Yet the fact is that formula is a perfectly adequate substitute for breastmilk and we are lucky enough to live in the developed world where the risks of using it, particularly in terms of immediate infant health, are small and there is no need for any Mum to justify her choice or why she uses formula at all.

 

[socitycourty]

What also upsets me personally is that when the risks of FF are brought up, it's always low IQ, obesity, etc.

My mom FF me from birth and I am: not obese, not sickly, stupid or any of those things. I read at a college level in 6th grade. I have earned 2 degrees. Have had a number of different jobs that I excelled at. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm far from obese, stupid, whatever.

It can be offensive to FF moms re: their own babies and also themselves, I have not seen any problems from my mom FF me and I'm already 30. That is what gets to me soemtimes.

I am not FF by choice. I enjoyed BF but my LO could not tolerate it. When I have to tell someone I'm no longer BF they always come up with something else I "could have" done. It is hurtful at times and this is happening IRL. Not on a forum. I tell them it wasn't my issue, it was my LO.

 

[overcomer79]

i don't bash BF but i do complain about the way i was treated due to the very hardcore bf promotion here. i think it puts undue pressure on new moms

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I think a lot of it stems from the response we get from bf'ing moms when we tell them we had to switch to formula...we get lectures about how much better it is and yes we know that but we don't need it thrown in our faces because either we didn't want to do it or because it didn't work out for us.

In my situation, I think formula is better then risking some chemical getting in my bm while I'm pumping at work. Sure I clean up but there is always a risk factor and I work with some pretty nasty stuff...

I am never sure where all these 'breastfeeding mums', who supposedly jump at every chance to berate a FF Mother, come from tbh. We are a nation of FF's and I barely know any Mums that breastfeed for very long.

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I don't think anyone has disagreed that breastmilk is superior. I think all the formula mums that have contributed to this thread have said basically the same thing. Breastmilk is better but formula ok for my baby.

the thing is you can have all the studies in the world but the reality is that everyone judges formula by their own experience. Their baby is doing fine- no issue with formula.

Its just hard because every time those risks are brought up it hits home. No one really wants to doom their child to illness obesity and low IQ, but that how the risks are presented in society - not as risks but as forgone conclusions. Personally as i have said previously- of course breast milk is better- its what we are supposed to raise our young on. But formula is not poison and im certain there are more risks of harm with an infant who is getting insufficient nutrition so the choice for me was simple. Feed my child.

I don't think any sane person would say that in the developed world formula wasn't ok for a baby. Of course it is!

I also strongly disagree that the risks of formula feeding are presented as a foregone conslusion. In fact, as a society we don't even often refer to the risks of FF, but instead the benefits of breastfeeding, as you can see by the title of this thread for a start.

It makes me feel quite sad that somewhere along the way in all the breastfeeding promotion Mums have been made to feel so bad about feeding their baby with formula, because as someone who (not through choice really) had to FF my first three children from a very young age, I never felt bad about it. I feel that a lot of justifying goes on from women who FF and that some women (I am not saying all or that there aren't some valid points on this thread) feel that if the benefits of breastfeeding are exaggerated or made up that they are somehow more justified in using formula milk. Yet the fact is that formula is a perfectly adequate substitute for breastmilk and we are lucky enough to live in the developed world where the risks of using it, particularly in terms of immediate infant health, are small and there is no need for any Mum to justify her choice or why she uses formula at all.

Glad you never had had that experience. Trust me, I've been told I'm killing my baby...

 

[pinklightbulb]

I've been told I'm starving my baby... by a HV.

It's just as bad for us over here in the minority

 

[midori1999]

i don't bash BF but i do complain about the way i was treated due to the very hardcore bf promotion here. i think it puts undue pressure on new moms

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I think a lot of it stems from the response we get from bf'ing moms when we tell them we had to switch to formula...we get lectures about how much better it is and yes we know that but we don't need it thrown in our faces because either we didn't want to do it or because it didn't work out for us.

In my situation, I think formula is better then risking some chemical getting in my bm while I'm pumping at work. Sure I clean up but there is always a risk factor and I work with some pretty nasty stuff...

I am never sure where all these 'breastfeeding mums', who supposedly jump at every chance to berate a FF Mother, come from tbh. We are a nation of FF's and I barely know any Mums that breastfeed for very long.

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I don't think anyone has disagreed that breastmilk is superior. I think all the formula mums that have contributed to this thread have said basically the same thing. Breastmilk is better but formula ok for my baby.

the thing is you can have all the studies in the world but the reality is that everyone judges formula by their own experience. Their baby is doing fine- no issue with formula.

Its just hard because every time those risks are brought up it hits home. No one really wants to doom their child to illness obesity and low IQ, but that how the risks are presented in society - not as risks but as forgone conclusions. Personally as i have said previously- of course breast milk is better- its what we are supposed to raise our young on. But formula is not poison and im certain there are more risks of harm with an infant who is getting insufficient nutrition so the choice for me was simple. Feed my child.

I don't think any sane person would say that in the developed world formula wasn't ok for a baby. Of course it is!

I also strongly disagree that the risks of formula feeding are presented as a foregone conslusion. In fact, as a society we don't even often refer to the risks of FF, but instead the benefits of breastfeeding, as you can see by the title of this thread for a start.

It makes me feel quite sad that somewhere along the way in all the breastfeeding promotion Mums have been made to feel so bad about feeding their baby with formula, because as someone who (not through choice really) had to FF my first three children from a very young age, I never felt bad about it. I feel that a lot of justifying goes on from women who FF and that some women (I am not saying all or that there aren't some valid points on this thread) feel that if the benefits of breastfeeding are exaggerated or made up that they are somehow more justified in using formula milk. Yet the fact is that formula is a perfectly adequate substitute for breastmilk and we are lucky enough to live in the developed world where the risks of using it, particularly in terms of immediate infant health, are small and there is no need for any Mum to justify her choice or why she uses formula at all.

Glad you never had had that experience. Trust me, I've been told I'm killing my baby...

So laugh and ignore. If you know youve made the right decision for you and your child, it doesn't matter what someone else says or thinks, does it? Especially when they're clearly not quite all there!

 

[Saphira]

I agree, it's the lower IQ, obesity, increased cancer risk and increase illness in general risk that got me most down about formula feeding and I truly wonder how much truth there is behind it all. I read up about breastfeeding so much before my daughter was born and was so set on doing it that once she was here and wasn't able to breastfeed I honestly felt I'd failed her even though I know that's not true. She needed food and wasn't getting it from me directly so alternative route we went. Those feelings of failure, guilt and sadness were very real and increased in intensity because of pressure I felt from the outside.
Commercials for formula here (Germany) are very pro-breastfeeding, always stating in voice, not tiny unreadable text, "Breastfeeding is best for your child" - why do I need to hear that, that wasn't an option. It hurt hearing that because clearly I wasn't giving my child best.
There are those on both sides that look down on formula feeding and breastfeeding, no doubt, and just because an individual hasn't experienced pressure or negativity from one side certainly doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

 

[HellBunny]

It goes both ways, when i was BFing i was told it wasn't "normal" not right and why do i have to be different, yet formula/bottle feeding i see vile stuff online saying that we "wouldn't feed it to our babies if we knew what was in it" theres hurtful things to both.

 

[overcomer79]

i don't bash BF but i do complain about the way i was treated due to the very hardcore bf promotion here. i think it puts undue pressure on new moms

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I think a lot of it stems from the response we get from bf'ing moms when we tell them we had to switch to formula...we get lectures about how much better it is and yes we know that but we don't need it thrown in our faces because either we didn't want to do it or because it didn't work out for us.

In my situation, I think formula is better then risking some chemical getting in my bm while I'm pumping at work. Sure I clean up but there is always a risk factor and I work with some pretty nasty stuff...

I am never sure where all these 'breastfeeding mums', who supposedly jump at every chance to berate a FF Mother, come from tbh. We are a nation of FF's and I barely know any Mums that breastfeed for very long.

At risk of sounding like a FF basher, and sorry if I do, I'll only say that breastmilk is the natural foodstuff for a baby and so how can the benefits be in any way exaggerated over something manmade? I don't need a study to tell me that my milk is meant for my baby or that it's better for him It's a good thing formula exists, and it's saved the lives of many babies, but that doesn't make it what it's trying to imitate all the same.

I don't know. I get that FF mums don't want to feel bad for their choices, or lack of. I can understand that. I just don't get how facts can be twisted to suit these choices.

I know I'm probably going to get into trouble for this post. But I still don't understand how you can exaggerate something natural. Nobody villianized formula. It's a wonderful invention. But that doesn't make the benefits of BF any less.

I don't think anyone has disagreed that breastmilk is superior. I think all the formula mums that have contributed to this thread have said basically the same thing. Breastmilk is better but formula ok for my baby.

the thing is you can have all the studies in the world but the reality is that everyone judges formula by their own experience. Their baby is doing fine- no issue with formula.

Its just hard because every time those risks are brought up it hits home. No one really wants to doom their child to illness obesity and low IQ, but that how the risks are presented in society - not as risks but as forgone conclusions. Personally as i have said previously- of course breast milk is better- its what we are supposed to raise our young on. But formula is not poison and im certain there are more risks of harm with an infant who is getting insufficient nutrition so the choice for me was simple. Feed my child.

I don't think any sane person would say that in the developed world formula wasn't ok for a baby. Of course it is!

I also strongly disagree that the risks of formula feeding are presented as a foregone conslusion. In fact, as a society we don't even often refer to the risks of FF, but instead the benefits of breastfeeding, as you can see by the title of this thread for a start.

It makes me feel quite sad that somewhere along the way in all the breastfeeding promotion Mums have been made to feel so bad about feeding their baby with formula, because as someone who (not through choice really) had to FF my first three children from a very young age, I never felt bad about it. I feel that a lot of justifying goes on from women who FF and that some women (I am not saying all or that there aren't some valid points on this thread) feel that if the benefits of breastfeeding are exaggerated or made up that they are somehow more justified in using formula milk. Yet the fact is that formula is a perfectly adequate substitute for breastmilk and we are lucky enough to live in the developed world where the risks of using it, particularly in terms of immediate infant health, are small and there is no need for any Mum to justify her choice or why she uses formula at all.

Glad you never had had that experience. Trust me, I've been told I'm killing my baby...

So laugh and ignore. If you know youve made the right decision for you and your child, it doesn't matter what someone else says or thinks, does it? Especially when they're clearly not quite all there!

If that were true then there would be no controversial topic in the world!! Unfortunately when you are told your baby will be dumb, fat and sickly because you formula feed, there is no choice but to take it personal! It's hard when someone implies that you are a lousy parent b/c you make a decision that helps your family. I don't even know why we are getting into this debate? I've done both and to me whatever feeds a child! But I will NOT have someone say that I'm killing my baby. But I'm sure you would just laugh in someone's face if they said that to you????

 

[sandilion]

I can't believe people have the cheek to say that to someone. How dare they! My god if someone says that to me ill be giving them a piece of my mind.

 

[midori1999]

Please excuse me for not quoting all that again...

Overcomer, I'm sorry that you feel the way you do, no one should have said anything like that to you and they were completely out of order. I cannot make that clear enough.

However, guilt comes from within and no one can make you feel bad, only you can allow yourself to feel bad. Whether I've been formula feeding or breastfeeding I've never had one negative comment. Presumably as those who know me know it's pointless saying anything, I'm comfortable in what I do and I've got an answer for everything! I've got two dead children, yet if someone told me using formula was killing my child, making them obese etc then yes, I'd laugh, because they would just be showing me what ill informed opinions they had and how ignorant they were. How can someone like that put me down?

However, Hellbunny is right. Negative comments are given to breastfeeders too. 'bitty', it's abuse, it's wrong, it should be kept in private etc.

 

[midori1999]

Just to add. Even if formula guaranteed your child would have a lower IQ, would be obese etc, if you've exhausted all options with breastfeeding and weren't able to continue or felt you weren't able to continue, then you'd still have no reason to feel bad because what other realistic choice is there other than to FF if you're not breastfeeding? I'd choose an obese or less intelligent child over a dead one any day thanks!

 

[Kage76]

I've never said anything bad about formula and I'm a BF mum I don't start on FF mums I know IRL about the benefits of BM vs formula. I've never made a rude/snide remark nor do I feel superior for BFing.

Yet by a lot of FF mums I am already the enemy because I BF when they, for whatever reason, could not or did not. It upsets me that I've been pidgeon-holed as "mammary mafia" when in reality all I did was use my breasts to feed my baby and never said a bad word to any FF mummies.

In real life, I have had the book thrown at me for BFing and maybe I'm no better expecting to get slated online either I don't want justifications why someone FF as soon as they see I BF. I don't want defensiveness or reasons why breastmilk isn't even that much better/is worse than formula milk. I didn't ask for any of that, but 9/10 IRL every time I'm seen BF by a FF mother, I get some sort of rude remark.

I just want us all to accept one another and co-exist nicely like I said. I believe formula is a wonderful invention, as I said. But it doesn't give some FF mothers the right to run me into the ground for not using it, or go off on one at me when I say FF isn't for me because I believe in BFing and all its benefits.

I can honestly say that i have never said anything bad about breastfeeding either. In fact I have on a couple of times gone up to a mother who is NIP and thanked her for doing it- the more people get out there the more normal it is.

I personally have never run ANYONE into the ground- but by god i have found myself justifying myself to others not because im trying to tell them off - im trying to stop them from telling me off. Its defensive and i HATE myself for it. the words are out of my mouth before i can even think to stop them.

I cannot tell you how many of my helpful breastfeeding friends have given me tips- and the have you tried oats/teas/nipple shields/ drugs different holds and just as you find the defensiveness of some FF hurtful the helpfulness of some BF can have the same effect. I know they are trying to help. I get that i really do. I love them for it. But after that conversation i feel that i have to qualify to be allowed to FF. The conversation always ends the same. Oh well at least you tried your best- formula is ok for those cases.... "so if i didn't use a nipple shield does that make it not ok?" is my unspoken thought.

The only place i talk about how i feed is on here. And please don't think that i am attacking you. I'm not. I know that you have had hells own trouble feeding your little one. And you are a dead set legend for getting to where you are. I wouldn't dare minimise or dismiss your achievement.

Being a mother is hard. But never in a million years would I have thought that the way I fed my baby would be one of the major hurdles physically and emotionally in parenthood. It caught me so unprepared that when it failed i didn't have a back up plan. And never in a million years would i have thought that other women, other mothers would spew the vitriol that i have seen online. (not here btw on other sites) and how that would make me feel.

 

[pinklightbulb]

We all do our best no matter the feeding method babe, that much is for sure! Motherhood is some hard yards!

 

[Saphira]

Just to add. Even if formula guaranteed your child would have a lower IQ, would be obese etc, if you've exhausted all options with breastfeeding and weren't able to continue or felt you weren't able to continue, then you'd still have no reason to feel bad because what other realistic choice is there other than to FF if you're not breastfeeding? I'd choose an obese or less intelligent child over a dead one any day thanks!

I see what you mean but at the same time I also wonder how over-exaggerated such studies are. I mean, wouldn't environmental, genetic factors and future lifestyle choices play the leading roles in a child's intelligence, build and overall health? That's what I believe anywho and I think it's pointless to read over and over how IQ points will be automatically taken away and your child's at risk for this, this and that when formula fed. In reality I highly doubt any of it (just my opinion when looking at the bigger picture). It's easy as a formula feeding mama to get caught up in it all and feel like you've resorted to merely the 'runner up' of food when it's so unnecessary. But, the older my baby gets the less I feel that way because she's doing great and that's what matters most and that's what I wanted the OP of this thread to know as it is what she asked.

 

[vintagecat]

I have mothers tell me why they had to formula feed all the time. It's weird to me because I don't tell them why I'm breastfeeding. I'm just feeding my baby. I don't make excuses and I don't think other people should have to either.

I know very few women who breastfeed and far more women who choose formula. Whenever I'm asked questions, I gladly answer them and give advice, but I never offer advice if it isn't asked for in the first place. A majority of the time, I don't just assume the person I'm talking to is naive about breastfeeding. I think there's a lot of information out there and it's the mother's responsibility to make her decisions.

 

[midori1999]

Just to add. Even if formula guaranteed your child would have a lower IQ, would be obese etc, if you've exhausted all options with breastfeeding and weren't able to continue or felt you weren't able to continue, then you'd still have no reason to feel bad because what other realistic choice is there other than to FF if you're not breastfeeding? I'd choose an obese or less intelligent child over a dead one any day thanks!

I see what you mean but at the same time I also wonder how over-exaggerated such studies are. I mean, wouldn't environmental, genetic factors and future lifestyle choices play the leading roles in a child's intelligence, build and overall health? That's what I believe anywho and I think it's pointless to read over and over how IQ points will be automatically taken away and your child's at risk for this, this and that when formula fed. In reality I highly doubt any of it (just my opinion when looking at the bigger picture). It's easy as a formula feeding mama to get caught up in it all and feel like you've resorted to merely the 'runner up' of food when it's so unnecessary. But, the older my baby gets the less I feel that way because she's doing great and that's what matters most and that's what I wanted the OP of this thread to know as it is what she asked.

That's not really the point I was making.

However, studies already control for environmental and others factors.

I'm a bit reluctant to get too much into this, because this is the FF section and I'm aware of how some of the ladies who post here feel and I don't want to say anything to make them feel worse. (although they shouldn't feel bad or worse regardless)

However, breastfeeding is the 'default' position if you like. It is what is meant to happen, it's what nature intended, both for our babies' bodies and ours. Just like nature intended us to walk everywhere and get a lot of exercise, eat a certain type of diet, any deviation from that isn't the best thing for our health and the same applies to breastfeeding.

The IQ is not very clear cut. Many of the benefits of breastfeeding don't apply so much in the developed world as they do in the third world or developing countries. Babies are extremely unlikely to die because they weren't breastfed in the developed world, but not being breastfed does kill 400 babies a day worldwide. Things that do apply and that are most obvious are things such as less gastroenteritis, less ear infections and things such as reduction in maternal cancers, particularly in cancer such as breast cancer where there is a familial link and we know women where there is a family history of breast cancer get even greater protection from breast cancer if they breastfeed.

No one is likely to notice these benefits on an individual level, but when we look at the bigger picture, that's when it becomes clearer.

 

[Saphira]

That's not really the point I was making.

However, studies already control for environmental and others factors.

I'm a bit reluctant to get too much into this, because this is the FF section and I'm aware of how some of the ladies who post here feel and I don't want to say anything to make them feel worse. (although they shouldn't feel bad or worse regardless)

However, breastfeeding is the 'default' position if you like. It is what is meant to happen, it's what nature intended, both for our babies' bodies and ours. Just like nature intended us to walk everywhere and get a lot of exercise, eat a certain type of diet, any deviation from that isn't the best thing for our health and the same applies to breastfeeding.

The IQ is not very clear cut. Many of the benefits of breastfeeding don't apply so much in the developed world as they do in the third world or developing countries. Babies are extremely unlikely to die because they weren't breastfed in the developed world, but not being breastfed does kill 400 babies a day worldwide. Things that do apply and that are most obvious are things such as less gastroenteritis, less ear infections and things such as reduction in maternal cancers, particularly in cancer such as breast cancer where there is a familial link and we know women where there is a family history of breast cancer get even greater protection from breast cancer if they breastfeed.

No one is likely to notice these benefits on an individual level, but when we look at the bigger picture, that's when it becomes clearer.

I understood what you meant in your previous post, I was just going into more detail about the IQ and obese comment, which I wanted to say I believe has everything to do with environmental/genetic factors and lifestyle choices, not whether or not baby was formula or breastfed.
Just wanted to throw out there too, that of course nature intended for babies to be breastfed and for their main nutrition in the first months especially to be human breastmilk, that's undeniable. But, we, humans, think deeper than nature perhaps intended. When breastfeeding doesn't work in natural environments and extreme situations (war) there are two options - if mom's lucky a family member, friend, whatever who is producing milk could feed the child without problem. Let's say in many cases that wasn't an option. They would look to cows, goats and other natural possibilities. So, natural in the sense of humans is going beyond baby dying without a food source and thinking deeper to solve the problem. That's why I see what I'm doing for my daughter as natural.
And I agree that breastfeeding certainly is the safer option in third world countries. In such cases formula feeding could be very much a risk because of the water quality. But why are the same risks thrown out to those in developed countries? And, for those increased risks that could affect us in developed countries (breast cancer for moms, ear infections for babies, for example), what kind of percent increase are we looking at? Is it one worth noting? I ask that out of pure curiosity because I've seen so many studies online, most without any numbers or actual data behind them, and I do get suspicious.