to think that the formula companies are succeeding with their campaign to promote formula to be as good as breast milk...

[MissyKLo]

...when it isn't?

this article rang true in so many ways

www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2010/10/how-breast-is-best-came-to-be.html

Breast milk is of course, full of amazing antibodies and nourishment etc that formula can never replicate - but the formula companies are winning in their campaign to make people believe that formula is as good as breast milk aren't they? A lot of people don't see bf as a big deal and that babies are 'perfectly fine' on formula. But what about all the benefits of breast milk and the fact that so many babies don't ever get these?

Breast milk cannot be beaten on so many levels so why are the formula companies allowed to get away with this?!!!!!!

www.babymilkaction.org/pdfs/update43.pdf

interesting - although takes ages to load!

Breast is best.

MsK...ignore the formula apologists. Formula companies do indeed have a product to sell and they'll package it in whatever way makes it sell.

ah yes MummyBerryJuice, that'll do it

LindenAvery I see your point, but in terms of choice, I'd choose the one with them in there rather than the one that doesn't have them.

[http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v57/n1s/full/1601810a.html This is interesting]]

"However, the supplementation of formulae with these fatty acids in amounts close to that of human milk leads to tissue LC-PUFA patterns similar to those of breast-fed infants"

Lets try that again, shall we ...

Here's another interesting abstract

Its pretty clear that LCP supplemented formulas are delivering in terms of absorption (its present in their plasma) and whilst not as high levels as breast fed infants, in terms of choosing a formula, some is better than none.

So I stand by the answer to the hypothetical question I answered on what formula I believed most closely resembled breastmilk and why.

rollittherecollette are you sure? MILs, unsupportive partners, GPs, HVs.

Its less black and white than you are making out.

Ta Tatty - shame can't read the last one in full.

Does having a really boring mother put you at risk of anything? 'Cos if so, in several cases on here, it might balance out.

why are we fighting about this?
as long as we feed them ffs
just seems like another lording/fretting over escapade

Why do people think it acceptable t reel out the "BF nazi" tag? Its pathetic and it's insulting.

Don't like the discussion? Just reel out a insult and act the victim. Job done.

oi Sue
you made me larf which was a blessing on this turgid thread

Sorry Ruby you're still twisting diction and stats.

The fact is we're talking about a miniscule number of bf babies having less of these ailments.So miniscule in fact organisations who advice on bp,obesity etc don't even bother mentioning bf. It does not mean formula causes said ailments thus giving risk.

Also the fact that a healthy life,stimulating childhood and genes trumps everything and has far,far,far more of an effect makes the whole discussion totally pointless.If I was to formula feed my baby,feed and raise him healthily(genes aside) he will be healthy so what exactly is the point in trying to lay the blame at the feet of formula a supposed epidemic of ailments.Ie if my kids don't smoke ,eat healthily and exercise they have practically zero chance of getting high bp,obesity etc.

Who has no evidence that formula causes any risk to any of these things just that a miniscule number of bf babies have less of them

Formula companies are "winning" as you say because if prepared correctly formula is safe and compared to bf other parenting choices have far more of an impact on a child's health. There isn't anything you or anybody else can do about it so isn't it about time you just concentrated on your own kids instead of other peoples.

Actually MilaMae - the APA (or someone as big, I cant quite remember now) actually list infant feeding as one of the key factors in preventing childhood obesity. Is on a poster on my office wall.

Perhaps preventing is the wrong word - reducing risk.

Sorry I fail to see how.If you eat crap and don't exercise you'll be overweight period, bf won't save you from size 18 clothes,sorry.

Actually the WHO information on preparing formula feed state that formula is not sterile - and that it should be prepared safely to reduce the risk of illness.

I eat crap and don't exercise and am not size 18

my insomnia gets the blame for me. Best thing I ever did for weight loss was to work nights, and have to stay up the next day - so usually up for 36hrs with a 9hr shift in the middle - did that a couple of times a week for a 1 1/2yrs and the weight fell off.......the weight has stayed off.........however, I still don' sleep

So you have a thyroid problems,buggar all to do with being formula fed or are we going to lay the blame of dodgy thyroids at formula now .

Baroque give it time,if you put in more than you burn off it'll catch up eventually,if it doesn't your amazing genes will be your saving grace not a few months of bm.

Can you point to an instance of a formula company promoting their product as "as good as breast milk"?