If people say formula is exactly the same as breastfeeding, what is the point of breastfeeding?

Question

I've been seeing questions on here about people asking if their children's IQ would be higher since they breastfeed and if they formula feed it would be lower. If it is exactly the same, what is the point of breastfeeding? Same thing with the whole "bonding" issue. If a bottle feeding mother states she bonds just as well as a breastfeeding mother, again, what is the point in breastfeeding? I'm not asking to cause problems or have people be rude....I'm not downing either choice. A mother's choice, is exactly that...her own choice and I don't think there is anything wrong with either decision. I'm asking from a personal view point as I personally chose to breastfeed and haven't had any problems so I continue. My son is almost 5 months old and I enjoy it a lot, but I'm having a hard time seeing what the big difference is based on what I've been seeing on here. Could someone bring this subject to light for me?

God knows we couldn't get away with this question without seeing pyscho, loser on here (the fake Do Your Own Thinking is at it again) And AGAIN feeling insecure about the way her own child looks making fun of others. And NO, breastfeeding mothers are NOT superior over formula feeding mothers. That was NOT the point to this question thank you. And go tend to your child you LOSER!

And what does it matter to you what my son looks like? It sounds like jealousy to me. I've never met ONE person who would say something like that about my son or anyone's in fact. Is the reason there is no picture of your child as your avatar because you don't like the way your child looks? Are you insecure sweetie? Maybe a counselor would help...or a mental ward. I'm sick of you, your dumb answers, and insults (which mean absolutely NOTHING in my world ) It's just ashame assholes like you exist in this world. I feel sorry for you. I honestly do. What kind of person do you think you are and what kind of person do you think you're raising your child to be with thoughts like that? So, WOW you breastfeed...that means nothing in the scheme of things they way you are. Being a mother is more than just milking breasts.

WOW, 1 thumbs up compared to *8* thumbs down...could it be, YOU yourself put the thumbs up from another name, like you always do?...and the fake "Do Your Own Thinking" is now "Klover" people, don't be fooled.

Answer 1

I agree it is a personal choice. Either way the baby is getting nutrition. From studies I have gathered that breast feeding gives your baby a jump start to being healthy since it provides antibodies and also helps lead to a lower rate of obesity later in life. Studies also show that bf children have a higher iq but that may be a biased study. Now formula has dha and ara so this could be why these new studies are coming out showing it is closer to bf? I haven't seen that yet but I will look it up. Either way baby is going to survive whether it breast or bottle. Heck my baby ended up having both because of my low supply! Who knows? I do know that bf is natural and to me was my choice but like you said you can't knock someone for doing what feels right to them. By the way Jackson looks adorable!!!

Answer 2

I think most of why people say "Formula Feeding Is Just The Same As Breastfeeding" is to reassure the mother that it is OK. At least that is how I felt. Breastfeeding is NOT the tool for everyone. For some people its the best thing in the world & for others it is the worst. It all depends on the mother & her baby. Breastfeeding is reccomended, but the child is not going to suffer because he/she doesnt have it. Actually, the first 3-6 weeks are the most importatn..so some mothers even stop the breastfeeding after the 3-6weeks because that is when the most important nutrients will be passed along to the baby.

Your right, it is just a choice. A mother choice. And shes a mother, she will do what she think is best for herself & her baby. I know that my son was breastfed @ the beginning, it was very very tough, especially since I was onl 20years old and he wasnt really intrested. So he was put on formula. He just turned now and has been told hes the smatrest 2 year old his DR has ever met. He was crawling at 5 months, walking at 8, and already says sentences at a time. So him not being breastfed for the 1st 2 years of his life, obviously had NO effect on him because if anything, he is above average!!

Answer 3

Breast milk of course has antibodies and other things in it formula does not. When breast feeding there is also the colostrum that the baby suckles in the begining until the milk comes in. Formula can't do that. The mothers uterous naturally contracts back small when breast feeing, and her weight can be lost faster. She also MOST times skips her menstral while breast feeding.....however I was one of the unusal cases that didn't miss mine!! Its cheaper by far, and you always have a bottle perfect tempature where ever you go. You don't have to worry about broken bottles, old nipples, or washing them! And breast milk is sweet, formula is bitter and breast milk is alot easier to digest.

As far as bonding a formula fed baby can be held close just as a breast fed baby can have it pumped into a bottle. I think its more of a bonding when the baby nurses off the mother in itself more so than just being held or breast milk itself. You are the babies nurtician and I would have to think in some instincts way the baby knows this. Which is a seperate bonding of its own.

Now I have 4 children. I breast fed the first two, I tried to the third but he was a premie and he couldnt take my milk so he started out on fat then formula. My forth I formula fed. I can only say from my personal experience, my older two who were breast fed rarely get sick. My younger two get sick more often by far. However one of them is the premie and the other was born with cancer. Are these things factors?? They very well may be, but just the same the two older children I breast fed STILL do not get sick very often........ The cancer and premature birth does not explain that end. Its your call I can only share the experience.

Ps my son that was the premi and not breast fed has a very very high intelligence. As in higher than most in his class if not all in his class.

Answer 4

I am with you... I work with mother's and their babies everyday and although I would prefer a mother to BF due to all the benefits that come with it, it is free will. A lot of mother's just find it convienent in this now busy world to pour powder in a bottle and mix with water. The convienences of BF other than the proven IQs in studies are 1)that it is always ready and there, you never have to keep the baby waiting AND it is at perfect temperature 2) you dont have to pay the outrages prices for the formula (here 30 bucks a can) 3) of course the bonding experience 4) the immunities the baby gets from the milk... because babies do not start building their own immune systems until they are 2 months! so they can use the mommy breastmilk to help protect them 5) and I think this is by far the most important... as the child grows the mother's milk changes to fit the child's needs.. example is that the first milk colostrum... most important because it has a done of antibodies, immunities in it that you can not get from formula. And as an infant the baby will get more calories and cholestrol per serving of Breast milk than they would formula and the milk will continue to decrease/increase with the babies needs... it is amazing the way the body of one can accomodate to another. Of course there is plenty of more reasons just named a few :)

p.s. Have you ever noticed how many billions of dollars formula companies spend to try and get the exact same 'formula' as breast milk??

Answer 5

I think as a mother breast feeding gives you and that child a connection that know other could ever experience just holding your baby in your arms up close to you and feeding from your body that should be enough right there milk from a bottle could never touch that, that is something i think to bond with your child, i also think that your baby could be healthier by breast feeding, my child stayed sick alot from the milk from the bottle we had to change milk a great deal before the right milk was chosen so i wish that i had the gut's to try feeding my child from my breast i think you have made a good choice. I hope that i've shead a little light for you.

Answer 6

Whilst formula is a good alternative if you can breastfeed, breast is always best, it's full of antibodies and it changes at the child grows older to suit it's needs. You should look elsewhere, for info as people here obviously don't know the facts. There has also been recent studies that show that babies IQ's are higher when they're breastfed.

Answer 7

Breast is best. There are so many health benefits to breastfeeding that formula will not be able to duplicate. It's easier for babies to digest, mothers immunities are passed onto the child, it helps lower the chance of certain types of cancer in mommy, helps the uterus shrink back to its normal size sooner, and lots more! Some people claim it helps prevent obesity, but that isn't entirely true (I read an article about it on a science website last week. The study they did showed that breastmilk helped prevent most of the BABIES from becoming overweight, but that basically being breastfed didn't have much relevance to weight gain or loss later on in life. I would post the link to the article, but when i went to the website it said the article had been deleted.). Some people also claim it raises IQ level- but even if that's true, formula babies can still be smart. I was formula fed and I can tell you, I am very smart. For goodness sake, I was on a highschool reading level when I was in second grade!

But on the same note, formula is also an adequate way to feed a baby. Plenty of babies have thrived on formula. It has vitamins in it, and it is nutritious. It HAS to be, under the law. But its harder for a baby to digest and formula babies generally tend to be gassier. I think its ridiculous when people say "formula is so bad for a baby and it's made so terribly and it's crap in a can". Sure, there are times when formula has been recalled for one reason or another, but you have to keep in mind that ANYTHING made in a factory, particularly food since it is perishable, has the chance of becoming contaminated somehow (just take a look at all of the toys that have been recalled lately for lead contaminations). But I can understand why some of them are wary of feeding their baby something from a factory-- you know what has been in your body, but you can't be 100% sure where things from factories have been.

I think it is good that women have the option of formula feeding now if they choose not to breastfeed or are unable to breastfeed. Ultimately, breastmilk will always be best for baby-- but that doesn't mean it will be the best choice for the mother.

Answer 8

Wow, Klover is such an ***, I can't believe they would have the nerve to say something like that! I believe this is the same person "Illyana's Mommy" at it again. I've been seeing this over the past few weeks and she must be severely depressed after giving birth to her child. And to say your son looks ugly! Yeah right, he's gorgeous.
As far as breastfeeding, it is better, but it doesn't make the woman better for doing it. Some women can't and that's their personal choice and life. I understand your question though and it's great you are breastfeeding. Keep up with it and good luck!

Answer 9

since my wife has been a labor assistant, she has read some wonderful things in her books at school. we learned that when a mom breast feeds her baby, there are certain antitoxins and antibodies that pass from mom to baby. Formula hasn't figured out how to duplicate that. also, a mom will add extra protective fats that will help the baby stay full between feedings. formula has nothing like this.
all though the arguments for breastfeeding and formula are good. the bottom line is that nothing can take the place of mommy. If it's a medical condition or your nipples just will not do the job and baby is starving, then by all means, bottle feed.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are NOT the same. Breast milk is more easily digested, provides immunities in the early days, and protects against obesity etc. as others have stated.

That said, science has provided incredible baby formulas for mothers who can't or choose not to breast feed, and for babies who for some reason cannot breast feed. Most adoptive mothers, for example, cannot breast feed; some babies who are ill cannot breast feed, or even take breast milk out of a bottle or via a feeding tube due to unusual allergies. Those moms do not need to have the "inferiority" of formula drilled into their heads.

Frankly, I breast fed because it turned out to be pretty easy and cheap, and once my son got on the the breast path he wouldn't take a bottle anyway. And, as a NICU nurse, I definitely recommend it, but am put off by the zealots who try to make bottle feeding moms feel guilty.