I agree and disagree. BM is by far the best and formula could never come near to it, in terms of health benefits, obviously. As you say, it is designed for that baby - not only that but as the babies needs change, so does the BM. It is absolutely the best thing for babies - you'll get no argument from me there.
But i do not agree with the suggestion that formula damages the immune system. By damage, one would assume that actual damage is done - damage to the actual mechanics of the immune system, damage to the cells involved in immune response, damage to antibodies. I think we can sleep safely in our beds in the knowledge that this doesn't happen.
BM helps a babies immunity by providing antibodies from the mother and therefore a degree of immunity to some conditions that she might have. Clearly formula will never ever be able to do this, but the lack of these antibodies doesn't cause any damage to the immune system. Eventually the baby will develop its own, in fact, every time its exposed to a pathogen it will produce antibodies against it. That is the basis of immunisation. Breast feeding provides the baby with a head start and this was the principal reason i wanted to breastfeed. Like you, Edam, i had to mix feed and i too did not feel that it was ideal. But how much of that feeling came from the pressure to BF. I did feel that i was damaging my child by feeding formula but i feel the media, HV and midwives have a lot to answer for by promoting this point of view. So, by BFing our children, we are providing them with the boost in immunity they need, but giving formula on top of this is not going to undo the good that has been done.
Maybe i am being niave, but i really don't think that the formula manufacturers are the evil mad scientists that they are portrayed as. Yes, in the boardroom on Nestle etc i have no doubt there are some pretty money hungry individuals who couldnt give a shit about child health other than the profit it brings them. But the actual nutritionists developing formulas, i am fairly confident, i hope, are VERY interested in infant health and do their best to produce the most healthy formula that we can.
Yes BF is best, but without formula we would go back to the days of babies starving or being undernourised due to drinking cows milk alone. Yes, there were wetnurses but i am sure plenty of people are here today who may well not be if we lived in a world without formula.
I know there is an issue with regards to allergies and my knowledge of this is limited so i haven't formed an opinion on it. For example, does a child with allergies or food intolerance develop this due to the LACK of breast milk, or does something in the formula sensitise them? For devilments sake, is it nothing whatsoever to do with how we feed the babies? I think there is enough research out there that suggests it is.
Anyways, thats enough of all that - my BF days are over which makes me and at the same time. because i miss the clossness, and because i had quite a tough time with it and i was knackered!