I am not talking about those women who can't do it because of medication but the ones who do it because they just don't want to. There are so many risks involved with formula feeding. Formula feeding accounts for up to 26% of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in children. Otitis media (middle ear infection) is up to 3-4 times as prevalent in formula-fed infants. US Formula fed infants have a 10 fold risk of being hospitalized for any bacterial infection. One sudden infant death for every 1000 live birth occurs as a result of failure to breastfeed in western industrialized nations. For every 1000 babies born in the U.Ss each year, four die because they are not breastfed. Scores on the Bayley Mental Development Index were lower in formula-fed children at 1-2 years of age. Scores were directly correlated with the duration of breastfeeding. Formula fed preterm infants had lower IQ scores (8 points) at age 7-8 years than breastfed premies, even after adjustment for mother's education and social class. Composition and contamination of infant formula Due to an excessive phosphate load in formula, formula fed infants face a 30 fold risk of neonatal hypocalcemic tetany (convulsions, seizures, twitching) during the first 10 days of life. Formula fed infants are at a high risk of exposure to life-threatening bacterial contamination. Enterobacter sakazakii is a frequent contaminant in powdered formula and can cause sepsis and meningitis in newborns. http://www.breastfeedingtaskforla.org/ABMRisks.htm http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/1999/07/19/formula/ This site has even more risks involved. http://www.babyreference.com/InfantDeaths.htm http://lactation.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!5D92C9DB1232EC88!207.entry Because I am concerned that children who are formula fed will not be as healthy or as smart as breastfed babies. Some of the risks associated with formula feeding: For Infant and Mothers 1. Increased risk of asthma 2. Increased risk of allergy 3. Reduced cognitive development 4. Increased risk of acute respiratory disease 5. Increased altered occlusion 6. Increased risk for infection from contaminated formula 7. Increased risk of nutrient deficiencies 8. Increased risk of childhood cancers 9. Increased risk of chronic diseases 10. Increased risk of diabetes 11. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease 12. Increased risk of obesity 13. Increased risk of gastrointestinal infections 14. Increased risk of mortality 15. Increased risk of otitis media and ear infections 16. Increased risk of side effects of environmental contaminants For mothers 1. Increased risk of breast cancer 2. Increased risk of overweight 3. Increased risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer 4. Increased risk of osteoporosis 5. Reduced natural child spacing 6. Increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis 7. Increased risk of stress and anxiety 8. Increased risk of maternal diabetes http://www.duematernity.com/subr.html Again, I am not talking about those who physically can't. But those who just CHOOSE to even though they can. And what about milk banks? It took me about 2 minutes to find these facts and studies. And if I were to suddenly not be able to breastfeed, then I would use my stored milk I have in the freezer. Or I would go to a milk bank and buy some. I never said that breast fed babies are going to be healthier than formula fed ones. Babies can be sick either way. However the evidence shows that more formula fed babies are sicker than the breast fed ones.
Newborn & Baby - 14 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Its easier.
2 :
I didn't read your entire post, but all I have to say is... its not your choice, your life, your kids... so why are you so concerned about other people's choices?
3 :
I read the whole post, and I agree with Kimmeh. AND I breastfeed
4 :
Women should breastfeed their babies, and their men, too... It is best for babies and adults!
5 :
its easier-and some can't breast feed, and some feel weird about it
6 :
It is each woman's personal choice. EDIT: Also many women have trouble...as did I. My son is healthy and growing big and strong. That is all that matters to me right now. EDIT: again! I agree with Linedancer...I never thought about it that way, but you are so right. EDIT: just one more! An example for you(but not meant to offend anyone) my friend breastfeeds her son, has done since birth. The poor little guy has been in and out of the hospital with colds and infections. My son is formula fed, and he hasn't has so much as a sniffle. I'm not saying breastmilk isn't the best because I agree it is...but just because people breastfeed doesn't mean their child is going to have 100% health. You are digging yourself further and further. Give up now while you can. You got me mad enough I'm going to cook supper and feed my son his "poison".
7 :
Personally I dont think its any of your business to judge, regardless of how the Mother decides to feed her child. A lot of woman cant breastfeed. I breastfed for a month and due to a hormonal issue my milk dried up. So now I formula feed, and Im proud of it. My Son is very healthy and growing rapidly, so you should ask before assuming that woman just dont breastfeed because they dont want to. Some just cant.
8 :
This is a reasonably good summary: "Reasons why women fail to breastfeed or wean too early" http://www.007b.com/early_weaning.php
9 :
Some women may not have the choice due to: 1. Inability to produce milk 2. Difficult labour & difficult recovery prevented the mother from being able to pump or bf 3. Quick return to work 4. Convenience (although I would argue that breastfeeding is more convenient) My parents generation were told that formula feeding was better. I turned out ok as did my sisters. Overall, women need to make a choice that is realistic to their current situation. I breastfeed and give 1 bottle of formula a day.
10 :
If you want to list everything bad about formula then fine. If you want to bash mother's who chose to use formula, then that's your choice, I guess. But, don't put "I'm not talking about the ones who can't breastfeed" to make yourself feel better. So, if a woman who is having chemotherapy stumbles across this question, then she shouldn't be upset or feel guilty because you said " I'm not talking about those who physically can't." What, are they supposed to go "oh, okay then. All these *facts* you just wrote to make other's feel like shit don't apply to me since it wasn't my choice." Seriously people. If you want to go out of your way to hurt someone (how long did it take you to look up those sites and write this freaking question?) then don't single someone out so you don't look like the bad guy. Does all this stuff you just posted magically disappear if you are truly unable to breastfeed? No? Then shut your mouth.
11 :
How "kind" of you to pardon mommies that have challenges breastfeeding then mow them down and tell them that they're messing up their children. Also, why do these studies never talk about the demographic and whether or not formula created the issue or exacerbated the genetic predisposition to have the issues. Just because you breastfeeding you will not have a 100% healthy, baby genius. You can't change DNA.
12 :
Why are you asking such a loaded question? Really, all you are looking for is to start arguments. I formula feed because it was what was BEST for my son. Yes I was on a medication where I couldn't, but I couldn't have kept going anyways because he is allergic to cows milk protein and had severe reflux. The only thing (and YES I've tried everything else) to keep his formula down was thickening formula. No I couldn't thicken my breastmilk straight out of my breasts obviously and pumping just made my nipples bleed- and you can't feed a child bloody breastmilk. I pumped for a 1/2 hour and got not even an ounce. I LOVED breastfeeding but it just couldn't work. Some people do it for reasons I did (not my medication reasons because even if I was not on it I could not do it, he needs it thickened and needs hypoallergenic formula). But some women do it for the convience, some do it because of working schedules where they cannot continue to breastfeed and some just plain old do not want to because the thought of it bothers them. All in all though, you don't really have the right to ask a woman that question in the wording that you did. Maybe if you worded it differently (such as WHY do women choose not to breastfeed) and left it at that, it wouldn't have been as bad. Sorry if I took your question personally and I can tell from things you said that it wasn't your intention to attack people but its just a question that was better left unasked in my opinion. Oh and PS, formula fed babies are JUST as smart. My sister was formula fed and is in the process of getting her PhD. She is one of the most intelligent people that I know. Formula fed babies go to Harvard too, you know.
13 :
Here we go again. Why do BF moms have to concern themselves with how others feed their babies? Why don't you just concern yourself with your baby. Is your life so pathetically empty that you must butt into others business? I am so sick of BF moms right now. Most of the ones I have come across act like their better or something for BF. Well good for you. It is our God given right to feed our children how we want. We shouldn't have some idiot tell us we're wrong about the choices we make. I FF my son proudly. He's a happy, healthy little guy.
14 :
I breastfed both my children, but I have to say. Who the hell are you to judge someone else on how they raise THEIR children. Get off your high horse and stop judging others. Gawd you BF nazi's drive me insane and give all the mothers who BF a really bad name.
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