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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Is breast really best?

281 replies

sneakypanda90 · 14/07/2023 06:22

Hello all,

About to become a first time mum. For many reasons I've pretty much decided I'll be formula feeding however baby isn't here till the end of September and I still have a pretty open mind to how she's fed changing.

However, in doing some more research just now I've discovered that breastfed babies need vitamin D drops??
Soooo, if 'breast is best' and give the baby everything they need, surely you wouldn't need to supplement?
Do you see my point? I find the information on breast feeding wildly exaggerated and how a little contradictory which just adds to my thoughts of 'whatever' when someone's going on at me about breastfeeding.

OP posts:
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6
thatsaysfriedricenotnoregrets · 14/07/2023 10:22

BeardyButton · 14/07/2023 10:12

Some of the most interesting breast milk research at the moment is looking at the gut Microbiome and the role breast milk has in establishing healthy gut bacteria. There is no question in my mind that, all things being equal, breast milk is ‘better’. Even formula adverts state this now. But the fact is - all things are not equal all the time. Breastfeeding is not easy and sometimes doesn’t work at all. In these situations fed is undoubtedly best.

I think this is false in a way too. What would be best would be much more support and education on how to do it and why you do it. Also being a working mother is not conducive to feeding to full term or even at all at the beginning in some circumstances.

A national bank of milk for low or no supply (vanishingly rare), and actually prioritising it as a health service and a society.

That would be best, better than formula, but formula is more profitable than the above.

Not saying formula is wrong, I used it, but it's not best in the way that comment portrays, it's just better than a baby starving to death, but that's not a benchmark to use really is it.

DataNotLore · 14/07/2023 11:03

sneakypanda90 · 14/07/2023 06:22

Hello all,

About to become a first time mum. For many reasons I've pretty much decided I'll be formula feeding however baby isn't here till the end of September and I still have a pretty open mind to how she's fed changing.

However, in doing some more research just now I've discovered that breastfed babies need vitamin D drops??
Soooo, if 'breast is best' and give the baby everything they need, surely you wouldn't need to supplement?
Do you see my point? I find the information on breast feeding wildly exaggerated and how a little contradictory which just adds to my thoughts of 'whatever' when someone's going on at me about breastfeeding.

It's perfectly possible to own your choice (FF) without denigrating others which is what you're doing.

The data confirms that breast is optimal at a population level.

That does not take away from your individual decision to FF.

Hope all goes well for you.

Irequireausername · 14/07/2023 11:35

Ostryga · 14/07/2023 09:48

That’s not even slightly true.

At the end of the day formula is an ultra processed food product. Breastmilk (whatever the mum eats!) should always be the first line of choice in feeding infants.

Show quote history

It is true sadly, maybe look into it. I'm a breast is best advocate by the way, i'm not recommending formula.

If you want to just say "that's not true" that's up to you. 🤷‍♀️

Ostryga · 14/07/2023 11:48

Irequireausername · 14/07/2023 11:35

It is true sadly, maybe look into it. I'm a breast is best advocate by the way, i'm not recommending formula.

If you want to just say "that's not true" that's up to you. 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

In every single peer reviewed study I can find there the mother’s diet has no affect on breastmilk. Or even lack thereof - mother’s who are starving can still produce adequate milk for their infant of normal nutrition.

If you’d like to send me some peer reviewed info I’d love to see it.

ReeseWitherfork · 14/07/2023 11:57

Ostryga · 14/07/2023 11:48

In every single peer reviewed study I can find there the mother’s diet has no affect on breastmilk. Or even lack thereof - mother’s who are starving can still produce adequate milk for their infant of normal nutrition.

If you’d like to send me some peer reviewed info I’d love to see it.

Show quote history

I remember reading one study once about how coffee had more of an affect than alcohol. This was a long time ago so no idea how I’d find it, which is a shame because it was interesting. Not me disagreeing with you by the way, just thought it was a relevant little tidbit!

ReeseWitherfork · 14/07/2023 11:57

EFFECT EFFECT EFFECT

sorry!!!

Liveafr · 14/07/2023 12:00

PineappleRumble · 14/07/2023 07:20

Breast milk is perfectly designed for your baby and it contains antibodies which cannot be replicated in formula milk. I recall breastfeeding my youngest when the whole family had the flu - I've rarely felt so ill in my life - and my baby was the only one out of the five of us who did not become ill. The doctor (who recommended I still feed her through the illness) told me she'd be getting the antibodies I was making through my milk. Incredible stuff!

Breast is absolutely best for baby, but obviously you can choose to formula feed if you want to.

I've had the same. DP and I got sick twice since the baby's birth and baby was perfecty fine. I can't imagine caring for a sick baby when sick myself!
Health-wise, breastfeeding is best. Breastfed babies have a larger and more functional thymus than FF babies, that's the gland producing antibodies, and scientists still don't know what component in breastmilk is responsible for that, so it's not close to being replicated by formula. So it's not just passive immunity by antibodies from the mum.
Also breastmilk contains more probiotics, and we are just beginning to understand the role of probiotics in overall health (not just intestinal). Of course if you formula feed, it's possible (and advised) to supplement with probiotics, but manufacturers have only made one or two strains of probiotics for babies, while breastmilk contains 10 different strains, and that's for the ones we have identified.
Breastmilk also changes composition with time. When the baby turns 4 months or so, and starts putting everything in their mouth, the milk gets richer in lactoferrin, an antibacterial nutrient.
That being said, if breastfeeding is making a mum miserable, I don't think BF is best, I do believe a healthy and sane mum is more beneficial for baby than breastmilk. Some women have a horrible time breastfeeding because they don't get enough support, but some will always hate breastfeeding no matter how much support they get.

BeardyButton · 14/07/2023 12:46

thatsaysfriedricenotnoregrets · 14/07/2023 10:22

I think this is false in a way too. What would be best would be much more support and education on how to do it and why you do it. Also being a working mother is not conducive to feeding to full term or even at all at the beginning in some circumstances.

A national bank of milk for low or no supply (vanishingly rare), and actually prioritising it as a health service and a society.

That would be best, better than formula, but formula is more profitable than the above.

Not saying formula is wrong, I used it, but it's not best in the way that comment portrays, it's just better than a baby starving to death, but that's not a benchmark to use really is it.

Show quote history

Agreed! But! Women have had issues with breastfeeding throughout history. There is evidence of bottle feeding from antiquity. Often the babies ‘failed to thrive’ or died. The ideal is more investment. Realistically… that’s not going to happen. What you don’t want is women feeling like failures because breast feeding isn’t working. I am a firm advocate for breast. I did it for two yrs and it’s one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I also firmly believe that extended bf is something we should promote as ‘the best’. YET! I was lucky. Sometimes it doesn’t work. I have seen some hideously exhausted women trying and trying and trying. In a lot of cases it’s ok to say - bf would have been great, but it’s time to realise that ‘fed is best’ in this instance.

AlltheFs · 14/07/2023 12:52

Ultra processed cows milk or human milk that adapts to what your baby needs? Yes breastmilk is best. And the act of breastfeeding also brings huge benefits. When you can comfort a toddler that has toppled over or soothe a fever with your boobs-absolutely magic.

I can’t understand why anyone would ever actively choose formula, it’s fine that it exists where there is no breastmilk to be had. But it should never be a preference.

LaCerbiatta · 14/07/2023 12:52

Such a bizarrre obsession with the vit D supplement as an argument for breast not being best..... Formula is basically a cocktail of artificial supplements....

ReeseWitherfork · 14/07/2023 13:08

BeardyButton · 14/07/2023 12:46

Agreed! But! Women have had issues with breastfeeding throughout history. There is evidence of bottle feeding from antiquity. Often the babies ‘failed to thrive’ or died. The ideal is more investment. Realistically… that’s not going to happen. What you don’t want is women feeling like failures because breast feeding isn’t working. I am a firm advocate for breast. I did it for two yrs and it’s one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I also firmly believe that extended bf is something we should promote as ‘the best’. YET! I was lucky. Sometimes it doesn’t work. I have seen some hideously exhausted women trying and trying and trying. In a lot of cases it’s ok to say - bf would have been great, but it’s time to realise that ‘fed is best’ in this instance.

Show quote history

Agree with what you’re saying. I just think this is where “breast is best” is such a shit slogan. It’s “best” in one category. Maybe multiple categories. But not all of them. I’ve breastfed all three of mine, all bottle refusers, so I’ve not been able to leave them for substantial periods of time, if at all really. Which just isn’t ideal for lots of women, especially those susceptible to PND. Formula feeding, and therefore taking a break, might be the one thing stopping a woman’s mental health from going down the toilet even if breastfeeding itself has come easily. Fed isn’t best, it’s the minimum, but for lots of women in lots of scenarios, formula feeding is the better option.

LiloP · 14/07/2023 13:52

LaCerbiatta · 14/07/2023 12:52

Such a bizarrre obsession with the vit D supplement as an argument for breast not being best..... Formula is basically a cocktail of artificial supplements....

Spot on

Ladybug14 · 14/07/2023 16:50

LaCerbiatta · 14/07/2023 12:52

Such a bizarrre obsession with the vit D supplement as an argument for breast not being best..... Formula is basically a cocktail of artificial supplements....

Yup

👍

Carsarelife · 14/07/2023 18:19

@AlltheFs agree 100%

Parker231 · 14/07/2023 18:23

DC’s had formula from day one. I never tried bf. DC’s are perfectly healthy - formula is an amazing product. Healthy babies = happy parents
Decide which works best for you - no one else will care or be able to tell how they were fed.

Parker231 · 14/07/2023 18:25

AlltheFs · 14/07/2023 12:52

Ultra processed cows milk or human milk that adapts to what your baby needs? Yes breastmilk is best. And the act of breastfeeding also brings huge benefits. When you can comfort a toddler that has toppled over or soothe a fever with your boobs-absolutely magic.

I can’t understand why anyone would ever actively choose formula, it’s fine that it exists where there is no breastmilk to be had. But it should never be a preference.

Why shouldn’t formula be a preference if that’s what the parents decide? We decided on formula from day one. Breast feeding doesn’t make you a better parent.

Perfect28 · 14/07/2023 18:33

Yes breast is best.

Carsarelife · 14/07/2023 18:35

Breast is def best. Not sure why some mums wouldn't even try to breastfeed and decide to just use formula instead. Seems weird to me. If you can't however that's a different matter.

Parker231 · 14/07/2023 18:38

Carsarelife · 14/07/2023 18:35

Breast is def best. Not sure why some mums wouldn't even try to breastfeed and decide to just use formula instead. Seems weird to me. If you can't however that's a different matter.

As I posted earlier - parents have a choice - we chose to use formula. Breast feeding doesn’t make you a better parent.

Tinybrother · 14/07/2023 18:39

I don’t understand why some people don’t understand that some women want to formula feed from birth and that’s fine. I breastfed all of mine and I am still breastfeeding my 3yo, it’s been very valuable to me, but I still get that for some women they just don’t want to, and so what?

Carsarelife · 14/07/2023 18:41

@Parker231 maybe not a better parent, but I'd rather breastfeed if I'm able to rather than feed my baby artificial shite.

Parker231 · 14/07/2023 18:43

Carsarelife · 14/07/2023 18:41

@Parker231 maybe not a better parent, but I'd rather breastfeed if I'm able to rather than feed my baby artificial shite.

That is your choice. Mine was to use formula.

SharonEllis · 14/07/2023 18:48

Yes, the weight of evidence is huge. For whatever reason it might not be best for you so only you can choose. Something that I think is not emphasised enough is that its free and no faff with bottles, you don't have to carry anything when you're out. Its liberating

thatsn0tmyname · 14/07/2023 18:54

Breast milk contains mother's antibodies to boost the baby's immune system now that the placenta is no longer passing them across. Formula doesn't have antibodies.

DataNotLore · 14/07/2023 19:01

SharonEllis · 14/07/2023 18:48

Yes, the weight of evidence is huge. For whatever reason it might not be best for you so only you can choose. Something that I think is not emphasised enough is that its free and no faff with bottles, you don't have to carry anything when you're out. Its liberating

Oh god yes! I really felt for mums formula feeding newborns- you need to carry a blumin chemistry set