Breastmilk – Real Food for Babies
Monday, March 23, 2009 13:58
Before I get started today, let me state this clearly: there are many reasons, both medical and social, why women might need to use formula to feed their babies. The rest of what I write here is not intended for families in these situations. That is, after all, why formula was invented in the first place.
During the 20th century, doctors began encouraging mothers NOT to breastfeed, and touted infant formula as the best form of infant nutrition. As a result, by the early 1970’s, 75% of all infants born in the United States were formula fed. Today, an increasing number of Americans are beginning to regain an appreciation for the benefits of eating natural, locally grown foods, increasing the use of whole foods, and reducing dependence on relatively unhealthy convenience foods. Still, I find more than a few of the organic food eating, healthy living people I know choosing to formula feed their babies.
It might just be me, but there seems to be a huge disconnect here. While I applaud the increasing availability of organic infant formula, for those that need to formula feed, some people are still missing the boat where infant nutrition is concerned. When it comes to feeding an infant, you can’t get more natural and locally produced than breastmilk. It is breastmilk, not commercially produced organic infant formula, that provides the best and most complete nutrition source for human infants.
Breastmilk and organic formula are not equivalent in terms of health and nutrition. Think of it this way. What’s healthier in the long run: a typical name brand frozen convenience food, an organic frozen convenience food, or some fresh fruit out of your own pesticide free garden? While the organic convenience food is probably a better choice than other frozen food alternatives, I think we can all agree that the answer is the fruit. Similarly, organic infant formula just can’t measure up to breastmilk in terms of the nutritional value, safety and benefits in most cases.
Similar Posts:
- Eat REAL Food Month!
- Is Organic Food Healthier, or is this Some Kind of Cult?
- Healthy Green Parenting on a Budget
- Diet in Pregnancy and Infancy May Shape Future Eating Habits
Teresa says:
March 24th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I think that society tells us to eat healthy and take care of our bodies but yet in the very same breath criticizes a woman breastfeeding. Especially in America, the breast is seen as a sexual thing even if the mother is feeding her child. People pointing and staring, telling her to go somewhere else, or just plain old telling her how inappropriate it is to do so in public – it’s a very disheartening thing to hear when you are trying to do what you feel best for your child.
Whether a mother chooses to breastfeed or formula feed is a very personal choice and one that is ultimately up to themselves to make. As a mother who tried both (medically was unable to sustain a healthy intake for my child) I have been on either side of the fence. Feeling ashamed at what should’ve been a natural and loving time of breastfeeding my child or the flip side of being told I was a bad mother for formula feeding and that I obviously didn’t care enough for my child.
As long as the child is loved, nurtured, and well taken care of – that is the most important thing. I do feel the breast is best but would never ostracize a mother for choosing formula. “To each their own”
Teresa
mandude says:
March 24th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
um.. Yah, cause you have basically said that everything that is natural is better…
Go eat dirt..
Kristie says:
March 25th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Teresa-
Thanks for leaving a thoughtful comment. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s possible to feed a baby in public in the US without offending someone, no matter how you do it. I know when I bottle fed my girls expressed breast milk, I wanted to wear a sign that said there was breast milk in their bottles, and that they couldn’t nurse because of medical issues… When I nurse my son in public, sometimes people stare, but oh well.
I also had to use formula for the girls once my pumped supply dropped off. I hated doing it, but I needed to. I tried everything and anything to boost my supply, but eventually there was no other choice, and I was glad there was formula available in that circumstance.
My beef is not with women who need to use formula, for whatever reason. It is with people who fail to see that all other issues aside, breastmilk is the natural feeding choice for babies. People who are horrified if your produce isn’t all organic or if you buy cookies instead of making them from scratch, and roll their eyes and sigh if you fail to recycle a single can, but think formula is great for their baby just don’t make sense to me . . . I don’t get it. Plain and simple!
-Kristie
Kristie says:
March 25th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Thanks for that uber insightful comment . . .
Mark Lauber says:
March 28th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
From a male perspective, it is even discomforting to me to see a woman breast feed. It’s certainly a cultural thing since it is very common and accepted in many countries. As much as I would like to feel ok with it, I don’t. There’s no doubt breast milk is best for babies and the woman that bottle fed her baby with breast milk did the right thing for her baby. Also if she felt uncomforatable about breast feeding in public, I’m sure that apprehension would be picked up by the baby as well. Mark Lauber
Wart Mole Removal says:
April 1st, 2009 at 9:52 am
Funny thing – from an outside perspective the US seems like a very liberal country, however when sexuality is concerned Europe is way more open. I don’t think breast feeding has got anything to do with sex, yet a lot of Americans seem to get offended when seeing a woman breast feeding her baby. Sexuality aside – I believe breast feeding is healthier, and the fact that the woman is physically connected to the baby does affect the bond between the mother and the child, at least in my opinion.
groomsmen gifts expert says:
April 1st, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Breast milk is the best for babies until 2 years old. Their are supplements that helps the growth of baby in their mother’s milk.
Cosmetics Australia says:
April 10th, 2009 at 8:45 am
No doubt Breast Milk is best for baby. We have two children, one bottle fed and one fed with Breast milk. I can say without a doubt that the one that was breast fed is a lot more alert, bright cheerful, is always happy. We asked her one day why she gets up so early in the morning. she said, Mummy i’m excited. She is excited to experience life, to learn things. The other child is also healthy and bright. but she still lives in the dreamworld, and she is the older one. however she has the singing voice of an angel. It’s difficult to compare them just based on whether they were breast fed or not. Although the one that was breastfed still smells like a baby and she is 5. – Good Health
groomsmen gifts expert says:
April 15th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Yes, that is really true breast milk is the best for babies. Their is a supplement/vitamins good for the babies that can only be found in mother’s milk.
Dena Gottlieb says:
April 16th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Hi Kristie. You started to follow me on Twitter and that’s how I found you. You sound like an awesome person. I am a mom of 5 (oldest 13, youngest – 3!). I used to be in hi tech for 25 years. Now I’m a stay at home and work on the net kind of girl.
The reason I’m commenting on this post about nursing is that one of the important ingredients in breast milk is Omega 3. I remember when I was expecting and was told that it was very recommended to take omega 3 while the baby was still in there so that I would have lots of it in my breast milk. The thing with fish oil is that we don’t know how high the levels of toxic metals are even if the companies claim they process it and “purify” it.
I recently learned about a new, groundbreaking, Israeli discovery – omega 3 from the sage plant which grows in Israel – Salvia Sclarea is the type of sage. They take the seeds from the plants and COLD PRESS them, resulting in an oil which is 50% ALA (vegetarian omega 3). I was totally thrilled with this discovery because my family has “had it” with fish oil (tastes gross, repeats on you, toxic metals, can’t be taken by people on blood thinners like my husband etc.). This capsule is tasteless and it’s doing wonders for everyone in my family. My little girl with low muscle tone looks much better when she takes her sage oil. My husband can avoid Plavix on some days when he takes it. He also feels much better (he has high AND low blood pressure).
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about this new discovery. Omega 3 from Sage oil seems like the PERFECT way for pregnant and nursing moms (and their kiddies) to get this crucial fatty acid.
All the best
Dena