Breastfeeding in the news this morning

[Jackieharris]

From what I heard on the radio a Brazilian study has linked breastfeeding with intelligence & 'success' later in life.

I've not read the study or seen any details so not sure about validity/is it applicable to UK/how long the sample bf for etc.

But I did also hear that in Scotland the bf rate at 10 days is less than 50%. I'm quite shocked at that. I'd have guessed it would be more like 70-80%.

Can't see this study/news changing that though.

What are the chances of GO announcing spectacular new investment in bf support in today's budget?

You make some good points tapwater, and I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties. I struggled to get breast feeding established with DD, and remember how devastating I found that.

The study made me feel triumphant because I get sick to the back teeth of being asked "are you STILL breastfeeding that baby?", not to mention the horrified looks I get when I tell them yes, and his big sister too. I get sick of hearing that there's no benefit to it after the first few weeks, that they "need" formula, that it's disgusting...

This study has made me validated, and reassured.

Just from a different perspective, I'm currently going through ante-natal care in Scotland and have found midwives' approach to breastfeeding excellent. They have highlighted how it is the 'best approach' as that's the NHS stance (so they have to!) have also highlighted how tough it can be and all the reasons around that, and have also allowed discussion about FF at ante natal classes and given reasonable support for FF quesitons too. I'm booked into a 2.5hr breastfeeding support class just before due date (to go over the 'hows' of how to do it rather than the whys!) and I know there are follow up workshops/cafes and other ways of ongoing support.

We'll see how it works out in practice, but the set up off support and clear communication on it seems pretty fair to me so far.They certainly don't have me under any illusion of how hard it is going to be, if I am able.

With regards to those who try/aim to breastfeed but can't for whatever reason, I really do sympathise, it's one of my worries as I get nearer due date. To me it's similar to studies on exercise - everyone knows that exercise is good for you, yet we get endless studies telling us this and telling us of all the long term benefits - we know though, that there are many people that cannot exercise in the way the govt would love us to for various reasons, but they aren't using the research to beat them with a stick for not being able to.

Do people really think we should stop hearing about the benefits of breastfeeding because it upsets some people? Breastfeeding is is the best way to feed a baby, that's just the way it is. But anyone who talks about the benefits of breastfeeding is accused of being a lactivist, breastapo, judgey, smug, self righteous, beating mums down etc.

Meanwhile you get these insidious viral ads like the Similac formula ad, trying to make us feel that we're all equal and therefore feeding methods are all equal too.

It's true, we're all equal. A breastfeeding mum is not superior to a formula feeding mum. But breastfeeding is superior to formula feeding in terms of infant nutrition. These are not dirty, judgementral or offensive words, they're not a stick to beat mums down, they're simply true.

Unfortunately some people either can't breastfeed, have difficulty breastfeeding, or simply choose not to, and some find this fact upsetting. However, I don't think we should stop sharing and discussing studies like this, because in our society we need breastfeeding to be more understood, more respected and more normalised.

One thing that bothers me about breastfeeding studies is that they can be a bit all or nothing.

The percentage of babies breastfed till 6 months figure that I've seen quoted means only breastfeed, no mix feeding or early weaning. I wasn't allowed to leave hospital until I gave DS formula so he's not counted in those figures, but we went on to breastfeed after he had his tongue tie snipped and he's still feeding at 15 months.

Surely it would be nearly impossible to do an impartial study on this, because wouldn't you have to take into consideration those who've mix fed, weaned early, what they've been weaned with (which will depend on what food is affordable to the family)?

prevlurker I hope the help in hospital is there if you need it. I was dismissed with "Did you not go to the breastfeeding workshop then?"

whos needs are more important

the feeling of mums that wanted to BF but could not
the feeling of Mums that have an aversion to BF
or overall improvements to childrens and infant nutrition

It really fucks me off that (a) we all know BF is healthier and (b) yet you cant say it as it really upsets people "that could not BF". Thats a really fucked up way of thinking IMO

also, the UK have a really poor rate of BF compared to other EU countries. This is a problem

I hate to say this, but we seem to have a wide social strata that see it as "wierd" and "icky"

put another way, its mainly (but not solely) MC mothers that breastfeed and that needs to change

Fromparistoberlin73

I agree with you and that's the point I was also hoping to make.

Now my baby us 9 months I'm finding myself more self conscious feeding him public because you rarely see older babies breastfeeding. By 9 months the rate of mums still breastfeeding is tiny. I wasnt at all self conscious about it when he was a newborn but now I'm constantly asked if I'm "still breastfeeding?!" and "aren't you going stop now he's got teeth?!" as if it's already getting less normal. When I answer yes it feels like I'm confessing something embarrassing. I bet formula feeding mums dont get asked "will you stop giving him milk soon?"! He also sits or stand up while breastfeeding, which makes him look older as opposed to the cradle position tiny babies are often fed in.

So yes, a few people might be upset to hear that they didn't feed their babies in the best possible way, for whatever reason. But it's not much compared to some of the challenges and judgements you face as a breastfeeding mum. I'm happy to keep hearing articles like this which give us a huge boost.

The study has made a link between breast feeding and iq. It is not saying it's always the best way to feed a baby. It's not a stick to beat you with. It's just a piece of research and you can ignore it.

MoreSnowPlease I can see the point youre getting at but again I think the exercise example is good: for the majority of people, getting more exercise would be beneficial to their health, much better than remaining sedentary. A sizeable minority of people however would not benefit from more exercise, for example someone with a particular heart condition or someone who is recovering from an operation or illness. Should we all stop saying that getting exercise is great for our health, on the grounds that some people feel upset that they either can't or don't exercise?

Um so there should be no more research? I really don't get this argument at all.

It seems to me that the people who claim the studies are flawed are nearly always the people who either chose not to or failed to breastfeed. Fair enough, you clearly feel upset. But I dont think that its fair to dismiss respectable research so that you can feel better about the way you fed your baby.

The fact that you feel upset at not having breastfed indicates that on some level you must agree that breastfeeding is best, otherwise surely you wouldn't feel guilt or sadness, you just wouldnt give a crap.

Pretty sure we've all had how amazing breastfeeding is and how superior bf babies are, shoved down our throats enough.

Any chance of some actual support so that women like me actually have a shot at giving our babies some of this 'liquid gold'

I shit you not. I once read a scientific study that concluded fat people had a lower IQ than slim people.

I took that report with the same pinch of salt that I'll be taking this one.

There are far too many other factors to take into consideration when it comes to IQ.

Those silly Brazilian scientists should donate their wages to the Nhs.
It's one study that's all - what people do with it is up to them.

I have 4 kids- I did not breastfed for a long period my two eldest daughters because I worked hard and all kind of other stuff. I did breastfeed more the two little ones. Now guess what:
My daughters are VERY clever (IQ: the highest 1%- Lazy like Einstein and as clever as him and very popular in their FB founder's orbit).
The little ones are Ok- but their IQ is not that high.
Conclusion: The BF thing is bullshit. Mums will BF if it is what they want if it is not too painful or complicated for them and if it is the best for their babies. Again: please remember all the non-human mammals' babies BF. Do they have a higher IQ than humans? (IN most poor countries babies are BF until very late: are they the cleverest for that?)
I already wrote a post that give some historical evidence that this kind of claims is BS. It is too far of the simple fact that mum's milk is more nutritious. (Our bottle-fed babies will improve the formulas. That is all.)

"There are far too many other factors to take into consideration when it comes to IQ."

I'm not sure I understand.

Are you saying that we should ignore the possible impact of infant nutrition on IQ, because there are also many other factors which affect IQ?

I don't see the logic of that.

"Pretty sure we've all had how amazing breastfeeding is and how superior bf babies are, shoved down our throats enough."

Go to the supermarket and pick up a magazine aimed at pregnant women. Count the number of adverts and references related to breastfeeding. Then count the number of full-page ads for formula. Watch TV for a week. Including programmes like OBEM. Count the number of breastfeeding women you see. Count the number of adverts you see for breastfeeding. Count the number of ads you see for formula. When you're out see how many posters you notice advertising breastfeeding. See how many posters you see advertising formula. Count the number of breastfeeding mothers you see, and then compare that to the number of women you see bottle feeding. Go and look at the congratulations cards people send to new parents. See if you can find one showing a baby breastfeeding. Count the number which have a bottle on the front. Go to ToysRUs. Find a newborn baby doll that doesn't come complete with a bottle.

Can you not see that formula and bottle feeding is thrust down everyone's throats - that it's EVERYWHERE and highly visible, whereas outside of NHS promotion breastfeeding in the UK is largely invisible.

Talk about fish not being able to see the water.....

"Conclusion: The BF thing is bullshit."

The study suggests that breastfeeding may add 4 IQ points. So not enough to make a very dim child intelligent, and if a child is innately extremely bright, not being breastfed will only knock a few IQ points off, not enough to notice at an individual level.

Did you not realise that this is what the study is saying? It's quite clear to me.