Is Breast-Feeding Always Best for Babies?

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A boost in IQ of almost six points? Are you kidding me? They are infants how on earth can you gauge something as intangible or unmeasurable!? This article disgusts me... Breast is best is fine, not all women can breast feed then what!? Lay off it already we know the pros and cons

Brenda of CO 2:08PM December 06, 2012

The popular science of today supports breast feeding. The popular science of 1955 supported bottle feeding. To the best of my ability to understand, life continued on. The idea that breast milk is some kind of magical elixir just doesn't sit right with me. Its food, food is important, I get that. But I've also read all sorts of testimonials to breast feeding in which babies lose 15% of their body weight, but mom wants to keep trying to breast feed. Moms who take percoset for the pain so that they can continue to breastfeed. And on and on. At a certain point its like, come on already. The incremental benefits to the baby may be important in countries like Chad, were children are regularly lost to minor infectious diseases that a baby aspirin cures in the US, but in the developed world I find it difficult to believe that these incremental benefits make breastfeeding a clear best. I am a mother of two, and have both breast and bottle fed. The people that say breast feeding is cheaper are certainly right, but beyond that, I am completely unconvinced. And the claims about intelligence... PLEASE! Babies whose mothers love and care for them enough to not be separated for the first 6 months or diligently pump while at work end up smarter than babies whose mothers can't or won't. Mystery solved.

Natalie of GA 12:54AM August 02, 2012

This really helps with my decision to decide to breastfeed. :)

Kathy of OH 5:39PM April 24, 2012

All of the evidence, including all of the studies reviewed in this article, conclude that breastmilk is better than formula. So what's up with the "research is unclear" conclusion?

PhD and Mom of FL 10:00AM May 05, 2011

Three good reasons to breast feed:
1. It is cheaper than formula.
2. It comes pre-warmed.
3. It comes in an attractive container.

J. Doe of DC 2:03PM March 29, 2011

could you do bolth formula and breast milk to give a change to what the baby is drinking or is it best to stay with just one is it good to mix or bad

john of NY 12:53PM February 08, 2011

Does anyone really think that there is anything better than breast milk to a baby? We must make it easier for moms to breast feed. It is a joke to think that formula can substitute breast milk. Formula should be sold as prescription only to attend to cases of medical necessity.

Bruce of TX 1:38PM January 28, 2011

... every factual statement in this article backs the idea that breastfeeding is more beneficial to babies than formula feeding. yet the author concludes that we just can't say for sure which is better. i know you're not trying to upset anyone, but it comes off a bit ridiculous.

queens mom of KS 11:40PM January 23, 2011

So, she supports breast feeding the ones who escape the murder she also supports?

DrJKH of OK 1:05PM January 23, 2011

Have you ever heard of a place called "123 Get Samples" on the web, they give out a free samples of major brands to promote their products. I just got mine.

esternelson22 of TX 2:13AM January 22, 2011