Why Breastfeed?  Because it’s the Common Sense Choice

Imagine the following fictitious story as tomorrow’s headlines: "Scientists Discover Miraculous Infant Formula: Meets every need of the baby and decreases incidence of illness." That's exactly what experts are saying about breastfeeding. You may have heard it called liquid gold, and there are many reasons it has been.

- It allows for maximum absorption and usage

- Dramatically reduces the chances of infant illness by providing various forms of protection against viruses and bacteria

- Dramatic decrease in occurrence of ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illness

- Premature infants breastfed exclusively have less risk of developing complications common to prematurely and even have higher IQs and better behavioral and school performance than those preemies fed the leading formula

- Preemies leave intensive care sooner if they are exclusively breastfed.

The protective qualities of breastfeeding go beyond infancy. The longer the children were breastfed, the less the risk of developing allergic difficulties such as asthma, food or other allergies. There is less occurrence of certain childhood cancers and diabetes.

Even though there are so many benefits to breastfeeding, only around 60 percent of mothers in the US breastfeed. The rates are lowest in the South and the East. Outside the US, however, breastfeeding is more common.

Flipping through parenting-type magazine, there are dozens of formula ads boasting new discoveries. Some claim have similar properties of breastmilk. A sobering fact is that despite marketing claims, there is not a single infant formula on the market today that even comes close to having all the qualities of breastmilk. Scientists continue to discover more and more of the detailed components of breastmilk every year.  But if they are able to create components that mimic breastmilk, it is not always absorbed as efficiently.

So why don’t all women breastfeed or pump and give breastmilk? With all the health benefits, it might seem like good old the common sense. Besides, it's free. Studies show that most women simply don’t know what their babies are missing.  Also, some are misinformed about breastfeeding. They hear it is painful or difficult. Some share horror stories of babies not latching on properly, and maybe don't hear the successful stories.

With more working mothers and other mothers on the go, it's no wonder some choose formula feeding. There are many advantages to formula feedings such as convenience of feeding without needing covering up, husbands and older children can help feed with formula, and babies usually eat less often when they are fed formula.

Despite some conveniences, experts agree that breast is still best. In December 1997, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement for all Pediatricians. Part of the list of recommendations includes the following:
             

“Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth. Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula. Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.” 

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Caregivers have also noticed a difference in breast vs formula. A caregiver who worked at a well-respected daycare insisted on breastfeeding her first-born. She said she could always tell the difference between the breastfed and formula infants in her care. The breastfed babies were far healthier and suffered less from the common illnesses.  

With all the evidence pointing to the benefits of breastfeeding, though, even experts like myself don't think formula is always a bad idea. There are certainly situations in which formula use is medically indicated and I’m glad that it is available.  Just as there are times when I’m glad that I can pull out the bottle of acetaminophen or get a prescription for an antibiotic.  For example, when properly used, formula can buy us valuable time when mother’s milk is temporarily delayed in “coming in.”  We always make sure that every baby is adequately fed and every mother’s milk production ability is optimal for the baby’s growth.

I’ve heard parents say that they like the freedom that bottle feeding offers of having other people being able to feed their babies. They complain breastfeeding their baby “ties them down.” Some of these mothers don’t want to be the one that exclusively gets up at night to feed their babies. They are tired and just want to get a full night’s sleep and to be able to delegate those “middle of the night” feedings to others. 

But there is another way to look at this situation of time commitment to breastfeed.  Ask the mother who walks by the quiet and empty bedroom of her formerly breastfed daughter, after she has left for college, if that sacrifice of a few extra hours of togetherness with her daughter, years ago, was worth it?  Or ask the mother of a formerly breastfed son, as she watches him walking away and knowing that she will not see him again until his two year mission is completed, if she has any regrets about the time she spent getting up at night to feed and nourish him?  In addition to all the scientific advantages to breastfeeding, the probably best advantage is this special gift of love and selflessness that a mother offers to her baby.

Yes, situations occur where, in spite of a woman’s best efforts, she may not reach her goal of exclusive breastfeeding for her baby. She has not failed at all. A woman needs to honestly examine her own feelings and be able to say months or years down the road that she genuinely feels that her particular infant feeding choice was the best choice for both she and the baby. There may be times when a woman will have to forego the above listed breastfeeding benefits because life situations or health events beyond her control lead to a decision to formula feed.  She should feel that she is still every bit as “good” of a mother as the mother who chooses to breastfeed.

In the face of such overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of breastfeeding over formula feeding, every mother needs to have every opportunity to succeed at breastfeeding, should she decide to do so.  It just makes common sense that if a woman has the opportunity to offer her baby the very best, why not give it a try?

Lariane Clark is a registered Lactation Consultant and a member of the Westlinn Stake. She is the mother of three and grandmother of one.

Breast Feeding Facts

Mother’s breastmilk is “species specific”.  It is the most perfect food available for the human infant and growing baby.  Every nutrient needed by the infant is in breastmilk and it is in a form that the baby can best absorb and utilize.  For example, the iron added to formula might be in a greater concentration, but the infant will absorb more of the iron in the form contained in breastmilk, with none of the side effects that come with iron supplements.  In fact, the composition of breastmilk changes frequently, even from feeding to feeding, to meet the needs of the baby.  A mother need not fear that her milk will not be nourishing enough for her baby.  Only a severely malnourished mother may have that problem.

Breastfed babies have a better chance at avoiding and overcoming illness.  We are continually exposed to viruses and bacteria in our environment every day.  Considering what’s out there, it’s amazing that we don’t become ill more often.  It’s our immune systems that produce the antibodies that fight these “bugs” and keep us well.  These same antibodies pass through the mother’s breastmilk to help the baby also stay well.  Should mom or baby become ill, the breastfed baby has the advantage of getting antibodies from the mom to help in getting back to health more quickly.  The formula fed baby can only rely on his or her very immature immune system to fight off the illness.  

When a woman learns to correctly breastfeed her baby, she will produce enough milk for her baby.  There are only rare exceptions to this, and these rare situations are beyond a mother’s control.  Most women who quit due to inadequate milk supply may not have been able to correctly latch their baby onto the breast and may not have breastfed frequently enough to build up or sustain their milk supply.  This could have been caused by a lack of adequate support or health problems experienced by the mother or her infant.  Breastmilk production is a “supply and demand” operation.  What the baby demands and takes out of the breast, the mother’s breast will replace.  The more frequently the baby correctly breastfeeds, the more milk the mother will supply.  New mothers need experienced health care providers or other peer support people or family members who know what a correct latch onto the breast looks like and can teach this to the mother.

Breastfeeding lessons the chance of the baby developing allergies.  Especially when there is a family history of asthma or allergies, breastfeeding offers the baby the best protection against food and other allergies and asthma. 

Breastfeeding saves money and resources.  You can’t beat “free” as a price.  No need to get “sticker shock” at the price on the formula can.  Even the “free formula” programs have a point where they only provide a certain amount of formula and the mother must purchase the rest that is needed as her child’s needs increase.  In view of the increased health benefits to the baby, families and insurance companies save on medical expenses.  When the baby stays healthier, there are less visits to the doctor, less lost time from work or school (for the student or employed mother) and less sleepless nights and worries over a sick baby.  The savings in public resources and funding is huge when mothers choose to breastfeed their babies.