Article on Breast-Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding
There was a very rational, science-influenced article on the debate between breast-feeding and bottle feeding recently in The Atlantic.
The Case Against Breast-Feeding
A passage from the article:
After a couple of hours, the basic pattern became obvious: the medical literature looks nothing like the popular literature. It shows that breast-feeding is probably, maybe, a little better; but it is far from the stampede of evidence that Sears describes. More like tiny, unsure baby steps: two forward, two back, with much meandering and bumping into walls. A couple of studies will show fewer allergies, and then the next one will turn up no difference. Same with mother-infant bonding, IQ, leukemia, cholesterol, diabetes. Even where consensus is mounting, the meta studies–reviews of existing studies–consistently complain about biases, missing evidence, and other major flaws in study design. “The studies do not demonstrate a universal phenomenon, in which one method is superior to another in all instances,” concluded one of the first, and still one of the broadest, meta studies, in a 1984 issue of Pediatrics, “and they do not support making a mother feel that she is doing psychological harm to her child if she is unable or unwilling to breastfeed.” Twenty-five years later, the picture hasn’t changed all that much. So how is it that every mother I know has become a breast-feeding fascist?
Not only are there great personal anecdotes, but the writer almost gives a history of breast-feeding. From the creation of La Leche, to Our Bodies, Ourselves, to the results of recent studies, there is a lot of good information here.
I’m in the homestretch of breast-feeding my second daugher. She is 10 1/2 months old, and I plan on nursing her for the full year. But, I haven’t enjoyed it and my daughter bites. Only guilt has kept me going. I wish that this conversation happened more and that boobers and bottlers could all just get along. Moms need less to feel guilty about.
Stacy Said,
March 17, 2009 @ 12:55 pm
I did it because it was cheaper and easier than having to buy formula and carry around/clean bottles. That’s only true because my son wasn’t a biter (though the first month home from the hospital – he was severely premie – was a tough transition as he’d trained to bottles).
The flip side is having to pump when gone or ALWAYS have the kid with you, not fitting into previous clothing due to the new boob size, etc.
It really should come down to “what will make mom least crazy, and thus best able to cope?”
Jodi Said,
March 17, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
You are so right, Stacy. There have been some recent in-depth discussions here about the pros and cons of breast-feeding, so I kept my post relatively brief. However, for some new readers, check out Julie’s post:
http://www.rationalmoms.com/2008/11/11/in-defense-of-formula/
The comments are also really great on this post.
Julie Said,
March 18, 2009 @ 8:48 am
Thanks for the link, Jodi. The article is great.
And oh yeah, sorry this new theme doesn’t have the author’s names up below the post titles yet. But still, isn’t it cool? New theme!
I ditto Stacy’s remarks.
And I want to add something to the discussion that I’ve avoided, because it’s very personal. I’ve been breast feeding for nine months, and neither my period nor my libido have come back. I don’t miss the first, but I do sort of miss the second. I suppose this is all part of the big biological plan to delay my second child. It’s working. There’s just no way I could conceive a second child–seriously, ain’t gonna happen.
While my husband and I are okay with the situation, I have to imagine that this side effect of nursing would negatively impact many a marriage. Finding out that the origin of LLL is actually a Christian group sort of makes sense to me. I don’t think I’ve ever been as chaste in my life as I have since the birth of my son.
Where is the warning about this possible side effect in the handouts you get from the hospital? I haven’t really read much about this particular issue, but in talking to my breast feeding friends, I do learn that I am not at all alone. Either loss of libido is common, or I just happen to be friends with a lot of women it affects.
I still love breast feeding. I have a feeling I will do it for longer than a year. It’s easy and economical. I enjoy the bond with my son. He loves it. I’m hoping as he eats more solid food, the effect it has on me personally will lighten and my old mojo will return.
However, I do think this is a major impact on women that gets overlooked! I would have liked a warning, that’s all. It took a few months before I finally came clean about my issue to a friend, and then she said, “Oh yeah, we don’t have SEX.” Hey, there are workarounds for things like this, but come on, let a girl know beforehand.
Marf Said,
March 18, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Thanks for posting. I just sent it to my friend who is pregnant and will be unable to breast feed because of medications that she’ll have to resume taking. Hopefully nobody will be making her feel guilty, but if so, this article provides a great ammo against such judgmental people.
NewMama Said,
March 19, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
Thank you for your post Julie. I can totally relate, and it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who has experienced that.
Eve Said,
March 23, 2009 @ 9:43 pm
I agree. Moms shouldn’t ever have to feel guilty for the way they feed their babies. I wish our culture was more supportive of mothers, and that there was less competitiveness surrounding parenting. Families aren’t a sport, they are a way of life!
But feeding baby can be a very nice experience. Maybe not every single feeding, but hopefully the memories we make together will be overall positive to look back on.
The difference in moms I have known is, that the mothers who keep company with other mothers who feel positively about feeding their babies tend to feel more positive about feeding their own babies. It’s all about feeling the support, rather than the competitiveness. Every mother deserves to feel supported and like she is doing something right. And how one feels about feeding one’s baby is often at the core of how one feels *about* being a mother and about one’s baby. It sets the stage for a relationship for life. It’s about communication and feeling empowered to respond to each other’s needs adequately. So, feeding is important, whether it’s breast or bottle.
Feeding can be a time for relaxing and bonding and letting go of the “next” item on the to-o list. Babies are so young for only so long; it’s okay to give ourselves permission to enjoy that time with them, whatever the way they are fed, breast, bottle or both. And if something is not working, or keeping us from enjoying the process, then getting some attention from another knowledgeable mom can be such a help.
rachele Said,
March 24, 2009 @ 9:35 pm
You know, I can only speak from my own experience as an atheist, rational mama- but breastfeeding has always seemed like the most rational way to nurture and feed my newborn.
My gut reaction to formula companies is not to harm the women who feed formula to their babies- but to reject the corporate formula maker’s intent to convince women that breastfeeding is “too hard” the same way that the whole gynecological health care industry in the US is set up to convince a woman that she can’t birth on her own- that she needs the interventions they’re selling.
As a result, the US is 39th in infant mortality in the world, despite having the most expensive, most “advanced” health care.
So women who think that LLL and breastfeeding mothers judge them because of their reluctance to breastfeed I think are often missing the point.
Breastfeeding my son has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Easy? No. Simple? Not always. But he has been so healthy, strong, and happy because of the nurturing our nursing relationship has given him.
Many health care providers, family members, and corporations tell mothers they cannot sucessfully nurse their babies. That is why I feel so turned off by mothers who say “I can’t nurse my baby.” I feel so badly for her, like she’s been duped by a world gone mad when it comes to being truly rational about birthing and mothering. I want to help her, but I dont’ want to make her feel bad.
The breastfeeding article in the Atlantic I thought completely left out the role of corporations putting profits before mamas and babies, manipulating moms to buy their crap when it is NOT in the best interest of either mama or babe. That’s the real issue, in my opinion.
Lorry Said,
March 28, 2009 @ 2:28 am
Well, I don’t personally know anyone who didn’t breastfeed because they were duped. Formula companies are not allowed to advertise here, and we don’t get free samples in the mail or at the hospital. Every midwife appointment included a, “you’re still planning to breastfeed,right?” After giving birth, lactation consulants popped in my room every couple hours to inspect my baby’s latch and assure me about how awesome I was doing. All my friends were cheering me on and repeatedly telling me that it would get better. Just those first couple weeks are hard, but then it’s magical and beautiful.
Oh, it’s still not magical and beautiful? You’re always in pain? Well, you must be doing something wrong. Hmm, your latch is still good. Guess you just need to tough it out a couple more weeks….
After five months of absolutely hating every minute of nursing, of crying between feedings just knowing I’d have to do another one again, and beating myself up because I’m SUPPOSED to love it, I finally broke down and bought formula.
I still nurse a couple times a day, and I actually enjoy it now. I’ve figured out the limit after which my nipples are in constant pain and I start hating life, and I avoid reaching it. But formula is the best thing that ever happened to me and my baby, and I feel duped by all the lactivists, not by formula companies. Formula companies aren’t the ones that made me feel like crap for five months. I’m still angry at the time I wasted trying to like breastfeeding but resenting my daughter instead. I should have been enjoying her, but I couldn’t.
Sorry if I don’t think I’m missing the point when I feel judged by other people who haven’t been in my shoes.
rachele Said,
March 29, 2009 @ 3:37 pm
Lorry- You must be an incredibly strong and loving mother to have stayed with exclusive nursing for so long, given how much it pained you to do so. I can’t imagine what you must have gone through. You obviously sought help and tried your very best, and after supplementing with formula you have found a way to enjoy your nursing relationship with your baby.
Mama Mia Said,
March 29, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
Lorry- Have you tried pumping your milk? That worked for me when my nipples were too sore to nurse.
Hating life and resenting your daughter? That can’t be good.
How fortunate you are to live in such a progressive country, but I am sorry to hear of your troubles.
Lorry Said,
April 1, 2009 @ 4:18 am
I did try pumping but since I still had to feed her later it took twice as long as just nursing or formula feeding. That means either giving up time playing with her or giving up on time for housework or that ever-precious and rare “me” time. I’m really in awe of exclusive pumpers. I don’t know how they do it. It also didn’t help that the pump I got was particularly frustrating, but one can only invest so much time, energy, and money into such a venture before the cost-benefits analysis is pointing to “don’t bother.”
Noni Said,
April 1, 2009 @ 7:18 pm
And really, a mother who doesn’t want to nurse her baby, will always find a reason not to do it. A mother who wants to nurse her baby- will always find a way. Some mums don’t think it’s worth it, others do.
mama rachele Said,
April 1, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
The United States Breastfeeding Committee has a great rebuttal to Ms. Rosin’s article in the Atlantic and can be found here:
http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/News-and-Events/2009-03-26-Joint-Atlantic-Letter-Editor.pdf
It is very well cited, unlike Ms. Rosin’s article.
“The online review of the medical literature described in the article misrepresents the evidence on a critical issue for both
women’s and children’s health. Ms. Rosin claims that many studies did not show significant benefits of breastfeeding, but
her online research appears to have missed more recent information. In 2007 the DHHS Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality published an Evidence Report conducted by independent experts who reviewed only high quality studies. The
report found that a lack of breastfeeding was associated with a statistically significant increased incidence of several acute
and chronic diseases affecting both mother and child.”
Noni Said,
April 1, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
I find that pumping only takes about 5-10 minutes, and I can do it right after baby nurses down to sleep, and hardly notice the missed time. If I do that just two or three times per day, I have enough milk saved up for my baby to exclusively nurse while my nipples healed.
After they healed, I was able to go back to exclusive nursing with very little time spent. The pumping triggers a big let down initially for me, and takes very little time.
And exclusive nursing is so much less time consuming than cleaning bottles and preparing formula. But I had to pump when my nipples were too sore to nurse, but a good pump allowed me to heal and give my baby all of the exclusive benefits of breastfeeding which agreed with my “cost-benefit” analysis. At night, after baby went to bed, I’d pump a little longer while reading or watching a movie, enjoying my down time while pumping through 1-3 let downs of milk in each breast, again without feeling constrained by time. I was going to be sitting down and relaxing, anyway.
TBailey Said,
April 2, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
I am pregnant with my first child and the very idea of breastfeeding makes me want to vomit. It is not for everybody and I wish people would allow moms to make the decision without any pressure. I will definitely be bottle feeding my child.
Tanya24 Said,
April 9, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
I think it’s mostly people who are concerned with the health and well being of infants who promote breastfeeding. It is superior to bottle feeding- the health benefits are immense.
To say otherwise would not be truthful. Why does the very idea of breastfeeding make you want to vomit? Is this an issue that you could raise with someone who can help and support you? (like a counselor?)
If formula were comparable to breast milk, you would not be pressured to breastfeed. No one would care. But it’s just not the case. Breastfeeding mothers are under tremendous pressure as well by all sorts of people (by the way.)
Have you spent time with other new moms who breastfeed their babies? What is your experience with breastfeeding? If our culture were breastfeeding friendly- we would all be familiar with the sight of nursing babies all around us. But many new mothers have no direct experience with breastfeeding, and this only serves to make them even more uncomfortable with the idea of nursing their babies.
Nursing is the most natural thing in the world. It offers emotional bonding unparalleled by bottle feeding. I urge you to get help to find the source of your discomfort around nursing. Your body will make your milk specifically for your baby, based on all sorts of biological and environmental cues that have developed over millions of years of evolution. When you have been exposed to an illness, for example, your body makes potent antibodies and other things to help your baby ward off that specific infection. It is proven that babies who breastfeed have fewer illnesses and the illnesses they do get are less severe than formula fed babies. It is also proven that formula fed babies are more likely die from SIDS and to develop food allergies.
Our culture teaches us that breasts are sex objects and this makes many women uncomfortable nursing. Becoming a mother allows us the opportunity to transform our issues around sex and our bodies to become what our babies need from us. You can do it and you have my support.
I’m sorry I can’t make you feel instantly better by lying to you about the importance of breastfeeding, but I can tell you that as a mother- I care about you and your baby.
While you are pregnant, please try to make it to a LLL meeting in your area. Many pregnant women attend these. When you are there, please listen to the new mothers in the group describe their experiences around breastfeeding and listen to their issues and concerns. If there is one woman in the group that you relate to, approach her and ask her if you can contact her to talk about your breastfeeding concerns.
Nursing mothers are not here to judge you and make you feel bad. Many of them have overcome incredible obstacles of their own to establish healthy nursing relationships with their own babies- and these women, many of them, are here for you. They will lend you their support and assistance if they can. So if you can get over your squeamishness enough to really expose yourself to what nursing is all about, and to give yourself access to other mothers who nurse their babies- you might find your way to a healthy nursing relationship with your baby. But it’s up to you, totally, to reach out at this point and to confront your issues around nursing. If you do reach out, you’ll find many wonderful women who have been where you are, and who are there to support you without judgement.
Before you decide not to nurse your baby, I urge you to attend 1 local LLL meeting and to read the book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. At least this way, you can find become supported and informed before making a final decision. There is a lending library at most LLL meetings, so you can most likely borrow a copy at no cost. They also carry it at most libraries.
You and your precious baby are in my heart.