Was your child formula fed? Breastfed? Heathy?

[kerrie24]

My first son was ff and he hasnt had any major health problems,just colds etc.Hes 11.

My daughter I bf for 23 months and alongside the usual she suffered repeated ear infections from 9 months to 4 years.She is 7 next week.

My youngest son still bf at night,he is 3 in may and never had anything more than a cold,he has caught a sickness bug once when we all got it but when the rest of the family suffer from throat infections/bugs etc he often doesnt catch it.

None of them have picked up chickenpox despite being exposed repeatedly at school.

I dont think there is any particular link as.at least in my case,all 3 have been different despite how they were fed.

Dont worry about it x

 

[huskergrl]

DS1 was bf for a couple of days, DS2 was bf for a week, and DS3 was combi for a couple of months. They each get a cold or 2 a year and thats it. DS1 & DS2 each had 1 ear infection when they were younger. I think they all are very healthy and intelligent.

 

[evewidow]

my 7 year old was only bf for 3 days then ff - he is top of his class for all subjects and very advanced , he gets no more sick than any other child
my 4 year old was bf for 8 months - he also doesnt get any more sick than anyone else
my 2 year old was bf for 16 months and no difference to her either

 

[Dragonfly]

My oldest is 4 tomorrow and only ever had breastmilk, still gets it. was ill once with a cold in 4 years no other health problems and same for my youngest who is two. I was formula fed and my partner to and we have multiple health problems which explains our decision to stick with breastfeeding.

 

[robinator]

I was BF, my older brother FF. When he was in his early 30's he developed major food allergies (gluten, sugar, eggs), which he still has. Lack of breastmilk may have had something to do with it or it may not have, but we will never know.

As far as run of the mill illnesses, we're pretty even.

 

[Geecko]

Honestly, I really don't think BF or FF has any impact on a baby's health.
Allergy at adult age, maybe.. but general health, I don't think so...
I think that what they eat when they are toddlers and up matters the most!

I breastfed my 3 kids for many many months.
They are all healthy the same!
They get 2 or 3 cold per year, that's about it!
No food allergy.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I dont think it makes any difference.

 

[Dragonfly]

I personally do and the longer its done the better for child. The longer is where you get the benefits where people think a few weeks or months will do it all. I never had breastmilk and have a mountain of allergies and problems to.

 

[Andypanda6570]

I don't believe one bit in the Allergy thing. My husband was breast-feed till he was 3yrs old and he is now 42 and all he has is allergies..

 

[rubysoho120]

Thanks for your input. I hope my lo will be allergy free and healthy.

 

[Dragonfly]

I don't believe one bit in the Allergy thing. My husband was breast-feed till he was 3yrs old and he is now 42 and all he has is allergies..

Its hit and miss then, depending on your body. Family history etc to. But defo say breastfeeding is not a bad thing its just normal and has lots of anti bodies and stuff formula dosnt have. The rest is how you look after yourself after and even how your parents treat you. Apparently hugging your child can strengthen their immune system. Mental illness can also make you ill to so if your parents arnt nice basically you may find yourself sick more. But I wasnt well from birth but then my mum drank castor oil anyway so I didnt get a great start.

Do your best thats whats important (mental and physical health). All that comes after whatever way you choose to feed to.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I do think genes must play a part. My friend exclusively bf her dd till she was 5 Nd still feeds 3yr old. Both kids have asthma and skin problems among other allergies. Bf is best but its not the be all and end all.

 

[AP]

My second was breastfed and probably sicker in her first year than my first was in her first year - who was combi then FF and born at 27 weeks
Sods law!

 

[Toms Mummy]

my son was bffrom birth up until 20 months old and he his healthy as anything.

On the otherhand, i was ff and I rarely get ill, my OH was bf and he's ill all the f**ing time!

 

[RachA]

My eldest I BFed exclusively until about 12 weeks and then from 12weeks until 8 months I combi fed. At 8 months he went on to formula full time until 12 months when we changed to cows milk.
DD was BFed exclusively until 18 months when she went onto cows milk.

Both are pretty healthy. They have both have chicken pox and they've both had an ear infection each. Other than that they've only had the usual coughs and colds that all children get.

 

[USAF_WIFE]

BF CAN help with anti bodies but that does not mean it WILL for sure. Like someone else said... it depends on family and genes and a whoooole lotta things. So yes BF'ing could help but there is no for sure depending on the child and circumstances! I strictly BF my son for 20 months and hes still been sick here and there.

 

[lindseymw]

Joshua was BF for a few weeks, then combi then FF.

Jacob was pretty much EBF until 10months plus.

Out of those two, Joshua has had less illnesses. Neither have been really ill, but Jacob seems to get more colds and coughs.

 

[MrsT&Ben]

I honestly don't think breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from allergies illnesses etc IF you have history of them in your family. My mum, aunt and myself all suffer form eczema and guess what my son does too (he was a FF baby). You can't change what you are born with. Breast maybe best but I think you have to do what is best for YOU!

 

[cat lover]

I bf my first for 14 months (combifed but mainly bf) and she catches everything, is always ill and currently being referred to a specialist for a cough that she has had for 5 months. Its quite depressing really, but maybe the benefits are more apparent as you get older, eg maybe shewont haveany allergies etc

 

[socitycourty]

My sister and I were FF from birth, both of us are exceptionally healthy, one cold a year maybe and my sister has caught 1-2 tummy bugs from working at the preschool (in 5 years) so that's not too bad.

I do have OCD so wash my hands and avoid germs a bit more than the normal person but anyway both of my parents were FF as well and are really hearty.

My LO was EBF for 2 months, she had 3 colds in that time. It was ridiculous. She's been FF for 6 months now and had a one day sniffles last month and that has been it up till now.

I do think breast is best but I think it's unfair to say that FF makes children sickly and what have you. My LO's pediatrician was FF and she's extremely smart and in great health, LOL