breastfed babies result in better behaved children?

[I_AM_LIVID]

This thread had such great potential for promoting great discussion of ideas and theories regardless of whether you FF or BF but its so annoying when people just jump on ready to take offence even when none is intended. It would be lovely to have an objective discush once in a while, even on highly emotive subjects.

It seems people enter these threads with their guards up ready to pounce on any comment they deem anti-FF/BF, even if no offense was intended. I actually think if we didn’t get so emotional over BF/FF related threads, we could actually have interesting debates

 

[krissy1984]

wow, just seen this I bf and am proud of it but to say that because i do makes me a better parent is bull. FF/BF I don't care as long as baby is happy and healthy. Your judgemental attitude is disgusting

ETA That was aimed at one post only xx

 

[Lightworker]

Back to the topic - I was wondering if another factor could be touch. With BFing you never hear enough about the importance of skin to skin in succesfully BFing and also as you hold your LO, she is constantly touching your chest/breasts etc and studies have shown that touch heightens positive feelings leading to positive behaviour. Im not sure if they considered this. I am about to read The Importance of Touch so will see if it correlates.

 

[Cloberella]

Back to the topic - I was wondering if another factor could be touch. With BFing you never hear enough about the importance of skin to skin in succesfully BFing and also as you hold your LO, she is constantly touching your chest/breasts etc and studies have shown that touch heightens positive feelings leading to positive behaviour. Im not sure if they considered this. I am about to read The Importance of Touch so will see if it correlates.

That is a good point

 

[aragornlover8]

Back to the topic - I was wondering if another factor could be touch. With BFing you never hear enough about the importance of skin to skin in succesfully BFing and also as you hold your LO, she is constantly touching your chest/breasts etc and studies have shown that touch heightens positive feelings leading to positive behaviour. Im not sure if they considered this. I am about to read The Importance of Touch so will see if it correlates.

I thought this might be the case too. While I imagine there are some nutritional elements of breastmilk, as some posters have pointed out previously, I imagine a large part of it is bonding through touch and skin-to-skin contact. As such, I'd like to see a similar study with regards to co-sleeping.

 

[browneyes121]

I dont understand why people are shocked by this research.

breast milk IS better for babies. Thats why its recomended by the WHO, doctors, midwifes and all other medical professionals over the world. That doesnt mean you love your kid any less if you give your baby formula. It just means youve decided to go against the advice- like I do every time I open my box of ciggerattes that have warnings over them saying smoking can cause death and light one of those bad boys up.

Because breast milk is better, some children who were breastfed are going to do better than those who are formula fed. There will of course be formula fed kids who do better than breast fed because as we all know there are other factors involved. But just like we all know that kids who drink water rather than fizzy drinks can concentrate better and for longer, when studies like this are conducted its clear that breastfed children are going to come off better.

These things always seem to turn into such a debate and its always the mums who formula fed who seem to get upset. You made a decision (or in some cases had no choice) on how to feed your baby and thats it. At the end of the day as long as baby is being fed thats all that matters. There will be hundreds of other decisions you will have to make for your child along the way. Stop getting wracked with guilt and trying to make those who did breastfeed feel bad.

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

to ALL the BF mums I am pleased that it worked for all of you and love the fact that you are all open to talk about it but some people (not aimed at anyone) do rub into people who FF without firstly even asking why we FF that is bes for baby, we all know this it is out out there plenty for us too see but again some of us just cant/couldnt do it xx

 

[Gen79]

It may well just be due to the fact that breastfeeding mothers are doing what is considered the right thing following the medical recommendations and so are also more likely to be better parents on average.

That is so incredibly rude! I was FF, so my parents obviously wernt the best parents, yet I have manners and would never say something so rude!

Comments like this are why BF mothers get such a bad name for belittling FF, there is no need, and it isn't true in the slightest

Not singling you out just picked the last poster to have a problem with rable's quote. But lets not get our knickers in a twist here!

Theres a saying that goes "A implies B does not imply that B implies A". In other words "Breastfeeders are great mothers does not imply that great mothers are always breastfeeders".

Lets say that attachment parenters raise better behaved kids (not saying they do, its just an example!) and Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to be practicing attachment parenting. That certainly doesn't mean that formula feeders don't practice it too. Just that breastfeeders are more likely to. It says NOTHING about formula feeders actually.

 

[xemmax]

Staying back on topic, just found something interesting (though please correct me if I'm wrong)...

The questionnaire used to define the children's behaviour was not created for this study - it is the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, which was already in existence and is currently used to define the behaviour of children/young adults. So I suppose it is safe to say it is impartial and not created with the intention of proving any certain things.

https://vinst.umdnj.edu/VAID/TestReport.asp?Code=SEDQT

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

I dont understand why people are shocked by this research.

breast milk IS better for babies. Thats why its recomended by the WHO, doctors, midwifes and all other medical professionals over the world. That doesnt mean you love your kid any less if you give your baby formula. It just means youve decided to go against the advice- like I do every time I open my box of ciggerattes that have warnings over them saying smoking can cause death and light one of those bad boys up.

Because breast milk is better, some children who were breastfed are going to do better than those who are formula fed. There will of course be formula fed kids who do better than breast fed because as we all know there are other factors involved. But just like we all know that kids who drink water rather than fizzy drinks can concentrate better and for longer, when studies like this are conducted its clear that breastfed children are going to come off better.

These things always seem to turn into such a debate and its always the mums who formula fed who seem to get upset. You made a decision (or in some cases had no choice) on how to feed your baby and thats it. At the end of the day as long as baby is being fed thats all that matters. There will be hundreds of other decisions you will have to make for your child along the way. Stop getting wracked with guilt and trying to make those who did breastfeed feel bad.

buts some of us didnt choose to go against the advice we just couldnt do it thats what upsets me when I am seen or heard saying I formula feed its just taken for granted I didnt want to do it xx

 

[louandivy]

Why can't topics like this be discussed without getting so emotionally charged? Just because a study claims this it does not mean that every FF baby on the planet is going to have behavioural problems, that is not how statistics work! I'm sure that there is a study out there to prove that children who eat only organic foods are less prone to depression or something however I do not take that personally to mean that my child is going to be miserable her whole life. This could be such an interesting debate if people weren't so quick to find some way to take offense.

 

[aragornlover8]

I dont understand why people are shocked by this research.

breast milk IS better for babies. Thats why its recomended by the WHO, doctors, midwifes and all other medical professionals over the world. That doesnt mean you love your kid any less if you give your baby formula. It just means youve decided to go against the advice- like I do every time I open my box of ciggerattes that have warnings over them saying smoking can cause death and light one of those bad boys up.

Because breast milk is better, some children who were breastfed are going to do better than those who are formula fed. There will of course be formula fed kids who do better than breast fed because as we all know there are other factors involved. But just like we all know that kids who drink water rather than fizzy drinks can concentrate better and for longer, when studies like this are conducted its clear that breastfed children are going to come off better.

These things always seem to turn into such a debate and its always the mums who formula fed who seem to get upset. You made a decision (or in some cases had no choice) on how to feed your baby and thats it. At the end of the day as long as baby is being fed thats all that matters. There will be hundreds of other decisions you will have to make for your child along the way. Stop getting wracked with guilt and trying to make those who did breastfeed feel bad.

I can see what you're saying, and I totally understand. But it's really easy to say "Don't get upset, that's really silly for you to feel that way." if you're viewing it from the outside. I feel extremely guilty about not being able to breastfeed. Partially because my whole birth experience turned out to be extremely different from everything I had planned. I can't help but feel bad when I see studies like this, even though I know that I'm doing everything I can to make sure that Alexandra grows up to be a healthy and happy child. I personally don't see anything wrong with trying to make sense of scientific studies like this, to try and determine what other factors might be involved, etc. Because, if say the aspect of "touch" is an important factor in why breastfed babies are better behaved, it's a way that formula feeding mothers can ensure that their babies have better chances at experiencing similar results with their own children.

 

[louandivy]

It may well just be due to the fact that breastfeeding mothers are doing what is considered the right thing following the medical recommendations and so are also more likely to be better parents on average.

That is so incredibly rude! I was FF, so my parents obviously wernt the best parents, yet I have manners and would never say something so rude!

Comments like this are why BF mothers get such a bad name for belittling FF, there is no need, and it isn't true in the slightest

Not singling you out just picked the last poster to have a problem with rable's quote. But lets not get our knickers in a twist here!

Theres a saying that goes "A implies B does not imply that B implies A". In other words "Breastfeeders are great mothers does not imply that great mothers are always breastfeeders".

Lets say that attachment parenters raise better behaved kids (not saying they do, its just an example!) and Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to be practicing attachment parenting. That certainly doesn't mean that formula feeders don't practice it too. Just that breastfeeders are more likely to. It says NOTHING about formula feeders actually.

Totally agree with all of this.

 

[I_AM_LIVID]

I dont understand why people are shocked by this research.

breast milk IS better for babies. Thats why its recomended by the WHO, doctors, midwifes and all other medical professionals over the world. That doesnt mean you love your kid any less if you give your baby formula. It just means youve decided to go against the advice- like I do every time I open my box of ciggerattes that have warnings over them saying smoking can cause death and light one of those bad boys up.

Because breast milk is better, some children who were breastfed are going to do better than those who are formula fed. There will of course be formula fed kids who do better than breast fed because as we all know there are other factors involved. But just like we all know that kids who drink water rather than fizzy drinks can concentrate better and for longer, when studies like this are conducted its clear that breastfed children are going to come off better.

These things always seem to turn into such a debate and its always the mums who formula fed who seem to get upset. You made a decision (or in some cases had no choice) on how to feed your baby and thats it. At the end of the day as long as baby is being fed thats all that matters. There will be hundreds of other decisions you will have to make for your child along the way. Stop getting wracked with guilt and trying to make those who did breastfeed feel bad.

You are a smoking breastfeeder? S.C.A.N.D.A.L.O.U.S!

Note: It may not seem like it, but I am actually kidding. Taking the piss out of everything in such threads helps me maintain my sanity. Forgive me.

 

[browneyes121]

I dont understand why people are shocked by this research.

breast milk IS better for babies. Thats why its recomended by the WHO, doctors, midwifes and all other medical professionals over the world. That doesnt mean you love your kid any less if you give your baby formula. It just means youve decided to go against the advice- like I do every time I open my box of ciggerattes that have warnings over them saying smoking can cause death and light one of those bad boys up.

Because breast milk is better, some children who were breastfed are going to do better than those who are formula fed. There will of course be formula fed kids who do better than breast fed because as we all know there are other factors involved. But just like we all know that kids who drink water rather than fizzy drinks can concentrate better and for longer, when studies like this are conducted its clear that breastfed children are going to come off better.

These things always seem to turn into such a debate and its always the mums who formula fed who seem to get upset. You made a decision (or in some cases had no choice) on how to feed your baby and thats it. At the end of the day as long as baby is being fed thats all that matters. There will be hundreds of other decisions you will have to make for your child along the way. Stop getting wracked with guilt and trying to make those who did breastfeed feel bad.

I can see what you're saying, and I totally understand. But it's really easy to say "Don't get upset, that's really silly for you to feel that way." if you're viewing it from the outside. I feel extremely guilty about not being able to breastfeed. Partially because my whole birth experience turned out to be extremely different from everything I had planned. I can't help but feel bad when I see studies like this, even though I know that I'm doing everything I can to make sure that Alexandra grows up to be a healthy and happy child. I personally don't see anything wrong with trying to make sense of scientific studies like this, to try and determine what other factors might be involved, etc. Because, if say the aspect of "touch" is an important factor in why breastfed babies are better behaved, it's a way that formula feeding mothers can ensure that their babies have better chances at experiencing similar results with their own children.

Yep I agree completely. And I understand where youre coming from. I just think that whenever there is a piece of research that comes out that promotes breast feeding, the majority of ff mums get all upset and try and either belittle it or explain themselves. You dont need to justify your reasons for not breastfeeding to anyone. As I said, as long as bubs is being fed-who really cares?

 

[rable]

[

I highly doubt that's the case. In order for that to be true, one must assume that parents who do not breastfeed are purposefully doing the opposite of what many resear...

If only around 1% of mothers cant breastfeed for medical reasons then the other 99% are choosing not to follow the guidelines.The 1% are not going to effect the results too much.

So because I ff that makes me a worse mother then someone who bf? Your logic just doesn't make sense in more then one way. I DO what is best...

The premise that someone who follows one rarely done recommendation(whatever that be) is also more likely to follow other recommendations which then results in a better outcome is hardly a bad one.

I'm not even commenting on the ability of individual formula feeders just on averages which would effect this research.

 

[venusrockstar]

I think the article is stupid. If anything I think it has to do with the parenting.

 

[shortie1990]

It may well just be due to the fact that breastfeeding mothers are doing what is considered the right thing following the medical recommendations and so are also more likely to be better parents on average.

That is so incredibly rude! I was FF, so my parents obviously wernt the best parents, yet I have manners and would never say something so rude!

Comments like this are why BF mothers get such a bad name for belittling FF, there is no need, and it isn't true in the slightest

Not singling you out just picked the last poster to have a problem with rable's quote. But lets not get our knickers in a twist here!

Theres a saying that goes "A implies B does not imply that B implies A". In other words "Breastfeeders are great mothers does not imply that great mothers are always breastfeeders".

Lets say that attachment parenters raise better behaved kids (not saying they do, its just an example!) and Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to be practicing attachment parenting. That certainly doesn't mean that formula feeders don't practice it too. Just that breastfeeders are more likely to. It says NOTHING about formula feeders actually.

And I see exactly where you're coming from, but I'm sorry but the comment was just totally unnecessary and rude, I didn't want to get into this debate, but that post was just rude and offensive to FF mothers, and coments like that what give the impression 'bf mothers think their better than ff mothers' which I totally disagree with and wish people would mind their own business, if you're happy and YOUR child is happy, who cares??

 

[kerrie24]

God,I was suprised when I opened this thread earlier and nobody was bitching to each other about how they fed their babies.
Couple of hours later,seems I have been proved right.Its a shame really.

 

[aragornlover8]

[

I highly doubt that's the case. In order for that to be true, one must assume that parents who do not breastfeed are purposefully doing the opposite of what many resear...

If only around 1% of mothers cant breastfeed for medical reasons then the other 99% are choosing not to follow the guidelines.The 1% are not going to effect the results too much.

So because I ff that makes me a worse mother then someone who bf? Your logic just doesn't make sense in more then one way. I DO what is best...

The premise that someone who follows one rarely done recommendation(whatever that be) is also more likely to follow other recommendations which then results in a better outcome is hardly a bad one.

I'm not even commenting on the ability of individual formula feeders just on averages which would effect this research.

I never just specifically said medical reasons. Some are professional, some of psychological. You're making a lot of assumptions here. Regardless, I doubt many women choose to formula feed because they *want* to go against medical advice. Which was my point in the first place.