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.

You are right -- I don't know...only that you keep bringing up the same book over and over.

But from what I have read of your posts...your opinions are passionate but not evidence-based.

This is getting surreal. But I think we all have to agree that Leonie has won the argument as she said "end of2=" first.

Sorry "end of".

I just wanted to add one thing.

If the OP has to couch her question with caveats: IF the formula is prepared properly...

Then the argument is lost in that very sentence.

Formula can never be as good as breast milk. Breast milk does not need any precautions regarding its preparation.

Leonie is potty but she is right about commercial interests, breastfeeding and the PofB being a very good, well researched book.

Sadly there is a dearth of good, well researched books on breastfeeding. A few, not many. Would you criticise someone in a discussion about existentialism for constantly referring to Being and Nothingness? A geometrical argument for frequent references to Euclid?

However, when you have filled your library shelves with scholarly tomes on formula feeding, do let me know.

ta.

The argument was not about which is better, but the risks of FF as the OP stated. I don't think it was really meant as an argument, more a question. BF suporters have rushed in to say BF is better without reading the question.

I only went out for the day and missed a good part of the argument

rollit - it does say about respiratory disease in that paper. I read it. I have the qualifications to understand it.

I kind of like your statement but think that there is more weight to the observational studies than you credit (due to most mathematically controlling for confounders). Although I do recognise that these are not definitive.

Also a breastfed baby does not necessarily have any protection by breastfeeding. Breastfed babies as a group have less illness than formula fed babies as a group. Averages do not apply to individuals - however they suggest overall risks and likelihoods just as that paper I linked to gave percentage risks.

Mmm ok but (always a but ) - I would be slightly more positive about the fact there are thousands of observational studies which are still significant when confounders are considered and although the evidence from the rct and the sibling analyses (actually I have not come across any more either) is poor they are a tiny selection of the overall literature.

This thread was never going to be amicable was it? :o FWIW here is my opinion: If you compare breastmilk to formula ml by ml then BM has to be superior because of the 'living' elements to it well documented by other posters. However there is a lot more to caring for a baby than simply feeding it. Lets face it, although BF can be a lovely experience it can also be painful, make you ill (if you get mastitis etc), be incredibly time consuming, very depressing at times etc etc. So if a mother is unable or even does not want to BF then surely a happy sane mother choosing to FF her baby is better than a stressed depressed mother battling on BF. I think we should think ourselves lucky that we a) live in a country where we can choose how we want to bring up our children and b) have access to clean drinking water should we choose to FF.

runnermum - sod off, you are being far too sensible and putting it far too well

I essentially agree but was enjoying the argument

However, in this country, far far too many women suffer or have difficulties breastfeeding meaning they need to stop before they want to. The need for knowledge, support, good advice and essentially breastfeeding to be made normal and common place again is hugely overdue.

There was a sibling trial in our family so it happened. I was just talking about this with DH last night. DS mostly formula fed with some breastmilk. DD almost exclusively breastfed.

DS in his first six months had croup (twice), ear infection and gastro enteritis (and I prepared the formula scrupulously every time).

DD is 8 months. She is on her third cold.

Totally unscientific and anecdotal, but if I was to have a third I would not be formula feeding if I could possibly help it.

Sibling trials have their limitations as well though. Different babies, different times, different numbers of siblings, different environments, skill and experience of mother.

And it is relatively rare for a mum to breastfeed one exclusively and to formula feed another - usually for some medical reason or reason to do with the baby.

What we ideally need is a load of identical twins and force mums to BF one and FF the other - sure that will get past ethics

I think you should try .

In DS's case it was an undiagnosed tongue tie that did for our breastfeeding . I was super determined with DD and it was very touch and go for a while there. I think decided to give up at least 3 times.

I was being flippant before Leonie, but you're right it's a serious thing. I've seen that picture before - hadn't read the back story - and it breaks my heart. THAT is precisely why we should all care about the relative risks of breast and formula feeding. Yes we are in the developed world, where formula does not cost more than somebody's wage. But every carton of the stuff that is sold is bankrolling the companies who created the situation in that picture.