Which is best?

[1978andallthat]

Am feeling a little defensive about our mix feeding in the light of all the press about it at moment. Purely theoretical, because what we do works for us, but what do you think is best for the child - exclusive breast feeding for six months or mix feeding half breast half formula for 18 months?

Well... Exclusive breastfeeding for as long as possible is ideal, but then every breastfeed counts, and the longer a child has access to breast milk, the bigger the advantages for both them and the mother... So IMO I would say mix feeding for 18 months.

And don't feel defensive. The issue right now is with the formula companies, the mindset and damage they have created, not the individuals using their products. :)

1978, as SirBoob says, none of the current discussion is about whether or not you or people in your position use formula or not. It's about the inappropriate marketing of formula to women in poor environments who are unable to prepare or use it safely, or even buy it without making a massive dent in their family budget.

Exclusive breastfeeding appears to have the best health outcomes for babies, but this is only because the research compares it with non-exclusive bf or bf for less than 6 mths. No one has compared the two things you ask about to assess which would be better for the baby. For mothers, the reduction in the incidence of breast and ovarian cancer come with the length of time breastfeeding, so for mothers, the best outcome would be seen in bf for 18 months.

Babies don't live in vacuums, I think the best is what's best for the family. Many of us grew up on feedings routines that were far from perfect, and we're doing ok.

I go on the basis that breast milk is the gold standard in nutrition for infants, but there is so much more to being a parent than good nutrition, other children, parents sanity etc is also important. Any breast milk is better than no breast milk, and parents need to balance baby's nutritional needs against all the other factors which are impacted by breast feeding