Benefits of bfing over ffing?

[you]

Okay I'm writing this on the back of reading the bfing thread in aibu but putting it here as I'd really like it to not turn into a gunfight if at all possible please :)

With regards to the risks of formula feeding an otherwise healthy term infant in this country, and presuming all other environmental and social factors are the same, what are the risks, really? I've rad the leaflets and been on a UNICEF course and am totally pro breastfeedibg, however I can't help but think a lot of the benefits are emotional rather than physical especially as the child gets older.

I've read a lot of research but a lot if it does show extra factors to be involved such as making up bottles indifferent.

So, IF a mother makes up the bottles correctly thus vastly reducing her chances of gastroenteritis, feeds baby in arms rather than with a bottle propped up against a cot side which seemed contribute to most babies ending up with ear infections, feeds on demand as would a bf mother etc what is a baby in this country really likely to end up with, risks wise? I believe the allergy link is pretty poor evidence wise so all were really left with is 3 points worth of iq and of course the not insignificant lack of antibodies, so more coughs/ colds pressumably but anything long term?

I really am interested so please let's not turn this into a debate as they all go the same way are boring :)

And sorry for any silly typos am on my iPod and the spell check is dire.

US research stating that if 90% of babies were EBF for at least 6 months they would save 911 deaths (mostly of infants) and $13 billion of healthcare costs.

I know you said this country, thats just the first study I remembered

Thanks :)

But from a lt of the evidence I've seen the factors I mentioned above are in play, making up feeds incorrectly etc. Which is why I'm interested in the real risks if everything is done otherwise correctly.

Great report - can just read abstract / executive summary for details. Meta analyses of studies looking at BF v FF in developed countries only

here

It's a valid question, OP.

As you say, the antibodies part is significant. Personally, I have felt very reassured that when there were some nasty bugs around (for instance we were exposed to, but thank goodness didn't catch, mumps) that I would be able to support DS.

I have just written a post in AIBU about the gastro part because the bit that was missing is that an exclusively BF baby has a lining of BM in their gut which helps to stop infections from getting into their system. Also (and I forgot to mention this), a recent study showed that BM actively binds with bacteria and viruses and sweeps them out of the baby's system. Therefore it's not just about how hygenic the bottles are, or what temperature the formula's made up at (vital as these things are).

This is just a starting point... don't have time now but I'm sure more people will come along!

But Queen this doesnt take into account bottles made properly etc.

You there are studies re asthma and eczema etc and these are widely accepted by the scientific community although the margins are fairly small.

However breastfeeding has to be more natural and have less additives/chemicals and unnatural products than formula so thats why I think breast is best.

I think the long term links to health in adulthood are very tenuous.

I should add that I breastfed for 3 months and then went on to formula.

But isn't the point that things are rarely done correctly every single feed time (a babu will have over 1000 formula feeds over the first year I imagine, so it's an amazing parent who gets that right every single time) in the real world. So you really have to look at the risks of ff vs bf including the things that people do in real life for it to be a meaningful comparison?

Part of it is incorrect making up of formula /sterilisation yes. And indeed they think that the biggest risk to FF babies is through gastro bugs - in part due to incorrect making up of feeds.

Other reasons include the fact that we do not know what is in breast milk exactly so lots of ingredients are missing or cannot be recreated in formula (antibodies for example). Or that essentially cows milk is used for formula which may increase risk of allergies.

There is also a difference in the physical act of breastfeeding to formula feeding - the way the baby latches can help reduce ear infections they think.

Also the baby is more in control when you BF as you cannot see how much they have - meaning they are less likely to over feed just to finish the bottle etc (but again that would be in your control).

Breastmilk also changes - according to time of day, time of year, individual baby so is tailor made

Yes - I am not really convinced by the long term benefits - other than that early health and behaviour sets into force longer term habits as such.

Something I noticed with a friend's new baby was that he seemed to be having trouble digesting his feeds (he was ff) and looked to be in some discomfort after feeds. IMHO BM would've made him more comfortable, because easier to digest, and the 'good bacteria' would've come from his mum.

I disagree meg I don't think it's very hard to make up a bottle correctly and I don't know anyone who bottle props :) and I thinks it's important to look at how safe ffing is if done perfectly from baseline perspective, yes.

I totally see where you're coming from regarding the natural part.... And that is simply why I don't think formula can or will ever be as good as breastmilk, bfing is special, no doubting that :) but hAving read through the aibu thras with a lot of crap being spouted on both sides of the argument I just wondered how much better, and as you suggested perhaps there actuly isn't that much difference in an individual level at 20 years old particularly if everything is done correctly. In which case I shan't bother next time ;) (only kidding!)

I disagree meg I don't think it's very hard to make up a bottle correctly and I don't know anyone who bottle props :) and I thinks it's important to look at how safe ffing is if done perfectly from baseline perspective, yes.

I totally see where you're coming from regarding the natural part.... And that is simply why I don't think formula can or will ever be as good as breastmilk, bfing is special, no doubting that :) but hAving read through the aibu thras with a lot of crap being spouted on both sides of the argument I just wondered how much better, and as you suggested perhaps there actuly isn't that much difference in an individual level at 20 years old particularly if everything is done correctly. In which case I shan't bother next time ;) (only kidding!)

Organic, I also see what your saying about stomach bugs but still a lot of the evidence of gastroenteritis in ff babies comes from those who prepare bottles incorrectly. Of course if were talking a viral stomach bug of course the ff baby has no protection... But thankfully is unlikely to die from it in this country so no real long term effect iyswim

I don't really get the bit about feeding on demand being more beneficial. I fed to a routine when I was bfing and ffing as both babies fell into a natural pattern of wanting to be fed around every 4 hours. It also meant that they were sleeping through the night from around 12 weeks. I know it isn't the thing to say on MN but we all beneifted from having babies who liked their sleep.

I think this is so, so interesting and it is really nice it hasn't turned into a "breast vs formula" debate. I bf DS1 till he was 14 months, and DS2 is still bf at 23 months (am trying to stop it now!) so you can probably tell I am really pro bf - however I agree that lots of the stats are misleading.

Is like the whole IQ thing - surely that is completely to do with the fact mothers who bf TEND to be better educated and will TEND to support their children at school more and will TEND to be wealthier?

It still seems to make more sense to me that we would want to feed our babies what our bodies were designed to produce, but agree a lot of the stats are misused.

Sorry I don't k ow why that posted twice!

Peppa that's really interesting regarding the ear infection latch thing, so it's perhaps a benefit of actual bfing rather than the milk? I wonder if that could be re created in a bottle then eventually?

Miranda, I am in no doubt that formula can contribute to a babies fussiness or colic, as you say breast milk is so much more easily digested, but long term it's not really a risk is it, at least not one that will cause any long term lasting damage.

Forget the babies, if it makes them sleep better, hydrates them better in summer meaning they are better humoured, and is available for free on tap, that is probably enough of a reason for any mother to prefer bf once she's worked out how to do it.

Free
No washing up
no refrigeration or boiling
no waste
Nothing to carry when you go out
no decisions to make

Oh - you mean for the baby? [who cares about the baby? face]

GIliair it's because it's very easy to overfeed a bottle fed baby whether ebm or formula so the theory is that you can override the feeling full signs leading that child to overeat later in life. Where you can't obviously force a full breastfed child to feed if they arent hungry.

ha ha Boffin, x-posted

Bottom and vessie, I agree.

But you've missed the point of the thread somewhat ;)

What Vezzie said.

Also, you lose weight quicker.

Lots of the things generally expressed as benefits of BF can also be expressed as risks of FF IYSWIM. Things like breast cancer risk for the mother and odds of baby developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

I have been reading a book about TTC and toxins in the environment. It's worth bearing in mind that the average human being in the West has literally tens of thousands of chemicals in their bodies which wouldn't have been there in a "clean" world and which aren't "natural". There aren't going to be these in formula.

Of course, the flip side is that formula will have additives and so on which wouldn't be found in BM, which is why it's worth weighing up the pros and cons.

The human bodies has chemicals in it! Call the police!!!

"It's worth bearing in mind that the average human being in the West has literally tens of thousands of chemicals in their bodies which wouldn't have been there in a "clean" world and which aren't "natural". There aren't going to be these in formula." Aries

Do you work for Aptimil by any chance? I can just see them using that in their next campaign.