Baby Formula is NOT Evil.

(From Confessions of a Model Mom)

I met another mom yesterday, a new mom with a 2 month old little girl. We were at the park and being the only two moms there we struck up a conversation. In that all too familiar way new moms can become an open book when they get to finally be around another adult, she let me know how upset and depressed she was because she has not been able to exclusively breastfeed, has been supplementing with formula, and is trying to decide if she should just feed her baby formula. This impromptu meeting inspired me to write this blog in defense of formula feeders, and to banish some of the fear and guilt being fed to them.
Ever since I had my son 18 months ago, I have been running into more and more moms who are battling with this unnecessary guilt about formula feeding. They have become subjects to the growing, overwhelmingly judgemental "Breast is Best" movement, or lactivism, as it is called in some circles. There is no doubt that breastmilk is the gold standard in infant nutrition, but what so many overly opinionated women and men need to realize is that breastfeeding is not an option for everyone, despite what the La Leche League likes to tout. Some women have medical/health issues that do not allow them to breastfeed, others are on medication that could pass through their milk and affect their baby adversely, and yes, believe it or not, there are women who actually cannot lactate or do so very minimally no matter how much pumping, fenugreek tea drinking, and lactation consultant visitng they do. Are these women to be made to feel as though they are inferior mothers because of their inability to nurse? What kind of a society do we live in where this type of judgement can be so freely passed?
Infant formula nowadays is made with all of the nutrients and vitamins that a growing baby needs. Products like Enfamil Lipil contain DHA/ARA which can be found in breastmilk and enhance a babies brain and eye development. And, studies have shown that in many cases that formula actually has more DHA/ARA and vitamins that a baby needs compared to the breastmilk of mothers who do not have adequate diets that include Omega 3's. For those who chose an organic lifestyle, Horizon makes organic formulas. If a baby is lactose intolerant there are a myriad of formulas to try such as soy based ones, lactose free, and pre-digested ones. There is no reason why a mother who choses or has to feed her baby formula should feel that she is giving her baby inadequate nutrition. Her baby will thrive!
As for the fear that is fed to new mothers regarding their babies immune system and IQ levels.....breastmilk does pass on the mother's antibodies, however, it is not the be all end all. And if you do chose to formula feed, your baby will not, and I repeat, will not be sicker than her breastfed counterparts. I have been around copious amounts of babies and toddlers since having my son, and beforehand as well. My mother and aunt have been in Early Childhood Education for over 20 years each. In my observations, particularly with my son and his peers, I have noticed that the breastfed tots get sick just as often if not more than the formula fed ones. My son was formula fed from 6 weeks of age until he was a year old. He drinks whole milk now, is 18 months old and has only had 3 minor colds. His two closest friends were both exclusively breastfed, and have had innumerable bouts with ear and sinus infections. One has even had to have tubes put in his ears. No, formula wont make your baby more prone to sickness. My son, and many others are living proof of that.
As for higher IQ's, my son has reached his physicall and developmental milestones before his breastfed buddies have. So has formula been detrimental to his IQ? I think not. Plus, it is not too hard to figure out that a child's IQ develops further while being exposed to the arts, music, a multilingual environment, mental and physical stimulation, etc. IQ is not determined by breast or bottle alone. In a more long term view, I was given whole milk, not formula and not breastmilk as a baby and not only do I rarely get sick, but I was tested as having an IQ of 160 when I was only 5 years old. Not being breastfed certainly didn't do me any harm! LOL!
When it comes to bonding, I have noticed that babies who are bottlefed and their mothers are just as bonded to each other as their breastfed counterparts. Plus, the fathers of the babies wo are bottlefed are allowed to share in the feeding bond as well. Of course if you pump and feed breastmilk from a bottle this works just as well, but I am speaking in response to the the breastmilk extremists who insist that a baby shouldn't even touch a bottle for fear that they will develop "nipple confusion".
And to those moms concerned with losing wight....how many times do we hear that breasfeeding is what makes a mother lose pregnancy weight faster? Hmmm, well, I was back in my pre-pregnancy jeans (size 2) 8 weeks after I gave birth, and I only breastfed exclusively for a week, then supplemented and at 6 weeks my son was exclusively on formula. Most of my breastfeeding friends are still not back in shape with the exception of two, one who is a marathon runner and the other a dancer. When you breastfeed your calorie count should be higher in order to produce adequate nutrients in your milk and also studies have shown that for many women rigorous excercise can deplete their milk supply.
I was one of those moms ridden with guilt and feelings of inadequacy as a mother and woman becusie my milk barely came in and then dried up. I was told that I was poisoning my child with formula, treated like a pariah, and chastised everywhere from mommy groups to the supermarket when I was buying formula. I had a lactation consultant tell me that I needed to stop feeding my 2 week old son at 6pm and not give him anything until she could come to see me the next morning at 9. Starve my newborn for 15 hours! Unsepakable, but true. I have read several reports (the book "Bottlefeeding Without Guilt" is an excellent resource) where infants have died or been brain damaged because they were jaundiced ir dehydrated due to the mothers low milk supply, but they were told not to touch formula, that their milk would eventually come in. Come on! This is not true for every woman! Needless to say I cancelled the appointment and fed my son formula until his belly was full. That is what made me a better mother. Answering my child's cries of hunger, getting over the guilt and just loving him unconditionally.
I apologize if anything I have written offends anyone. I feel strongly on this subject because too many people bash formula feeding without a thought on the harm they are causing the women who make that nutritional choice for their babies. I wanted to breastfeed, couldn't, was made to feel like a monster for it, I got my facts straight, got over it and now want others that are in the situation I was in to feel like there is someone on their side and that the choice they make is just fine. Women who defend formula are said to be bitter or jealous of breastfeeders, but this is not so. Formula has so many benefits that we have no reason to be bitter or jealous. Our babies are healthy and loving and beautiful. We just need to let the newbies know that they are awesome moms, they are not alone and that at the end of the day all that matters is that you love your child. And love does not come from a bottle or a breast. It comes from the heart and soul.