List of increased risk to bottle fed babies and moms
While we still do not know all of the problems associated with formula feeding, what we do know is scary as hex. I compiled this list from the WHO, Le Leche League, Mothering Magizine, and the CDC.
Keep in mind that nobody is saying that if you breastfeed, your child and yourself will be immune to these disorders and illnesses but it is apparent that you are drastically reducing the chances of the following:
For Baby
- Mortality
- Asthma and allergy
- Acute respiratory disease
- Childhood cancers
- Nutrient deficiencies: e.g., fatty acids, essential for brain development, and amino acids, essential for central nervous system development, as well as calcium and iron, are not in the correct proportions and/or as easily absorbed from formula as breastmilk.
- Infection from contaminated formula
- Diabetes
- Chronic diseases
- Cardiovascular disease
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Otitis media – inflammation of the middle ear
- Urinary infections
- Sudden infant death syndrome
- Necrotising enterocolotis – an infection or inflammation that causes destruction of the bowel or part of the bowel.
- Reduced cognitive development
For Moms
- Breast cancer – the risk of breast cancer is decreased by 4 % for each year of breastfeeding, according to D Hollander in Breast cancer Risk is Reduced By 4 % for Each Year of Breastfeeding [International Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 28, 2002].
- Being overweight
- Ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Reduced natural child spacing, putting more pressure on the woman’s body and causing general stress, particularly in developing countries where resources are scarce
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Stress and anxiety
- Diabetes
Tags: Breastfeeding, Dangers, bottle, feeding
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Megan Herrod on -
I know firsthand that breastfeeding is really one of the best things you can do for baby if you had gestational diabetes. The propensity for diabetes is genetic- but you can lower your child's chances of getting it by breatfeeding a significant amount! If you had gestational diabetes or type 2 PLEASE give breastfeeding a serious try- so that your baby will have the best chance possible of NOT "inheriting" this problem! I did!
-
Permalink Reply by Sutra on
-
I should have stated this yesterday but you guys know it's been really tough for me lately, especially after my wife had the accident (don't know if you've heard)...anyway I compiled this yesterday after reading a study sponsered by a few formula companies that were claiming breastfeeding is dangerous and can kill your baby. Needless to say, I was pissed. In the past few years there have actually been a few cases of this, ALL of them were cases of women with no support or education who were in fact, not doing it incorrectly. In these few cases the babies did die of starvation. Let me make this clear, less than one percent of women who have given birth can not breastfeed. Formula was intended for those few cases to save the child's lives. It is not a close approximation of breastmilk by a longshot, it is the best alternative there is to prevent death for those few cases.
Luckily, times are a changing ladies. There are lists of gentle birth pediatricians all over the net that are making a point of helping mom's through the rough spots. There are support groups such as Le Leche League, www.llli.org and private councilors such as myself, resource and education books, dvd's and sites such as breastfeeding.com and www.cdc.com/breastfeeding. The CDC, WHO, ADA and American Acadamy of Pediatrics have all joined the battle for species specific feeding. There are groups like this one, with mom's who have been there. It's cheap, it's transportable, its a bonding experience you will never forget, and it is the only food on earth specifically designed (or evolved) for your baby. It is the wholest of whole foods. There is not enough room here to list all the benifits that are so much more than the basic nutrition needed to survive. Here's a comprehensive list to check out http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
I know I sound preachy about this one. It's a subject close to my heart.
Gotta say it one more time Megan, THAT CHILD IS GORGEOUS.
-
Permalink Reply by Tonya Herald on -
I believe breastfeeding is very important. With both my daughters I overproduced for the first 6weeks of their lives which gave me enough to feed them for close to their first 3 months but then I just dried up and had no choice but to formula feed. I haven't found anyway to keep the breast milk coming. Any hints or tips for this time around? As I have said I'm 33 weeks with my 3rd child (first boy) and I want him to not have to be formula fed at all unless necessary like my girls I didn't have a choice and it sucked.
-
Permalink Reply by Sutra on
-
First thing I'll say is that any amount of breastfeeding is better than none, and at 3 months you were able to manage something many mothers can't. Give yourself a pat on the back for that. I just got back from visiting my wife in the hospital, and the kids are coming home soon but as soon as I can drug them with their nighttime bath herbal I'll come back with some great hints that will have you feeling like a cow in no time.
Blessings.
Tonya Herald said:
I believe breastfeeding is very important. With both my daughters I overproduced for the first 6weeks of their lives which gave me enough to feed them for close to their first 3 months but then I just dried up and had no choice but to formula feed. I haven't found anyway to keep the breast milk coming. Any hints or tips for this time around? As I have said I'm 33 weeks with my 3rd child (first boy) and I want him to not have to be formula fed at all unless necessary like my girls I didn't have a choice and it sucked.
-
Permalink Reply by Megan Herrod on
-
As Sutra said- any breastfeeding- no matter how long... beats none at all. I breastfed my daughter till she was 22 months (yeah almost 2)- although she was only getting bedtime feedings after 18 months. So- if anyone can keep up breastfeeding long term- i can. hehehe! That said, I am a stay at home mom - so although I pumped some- I had plenty of "regular" feedings to help keep production up. I did work part time during the summer when my daughter was about 6 months old for 3 months. The trick if you are going back to work is to make sure when you are at home you are doing regular feedings rather than using bottles you pumped.
This might be review for a 2 time mom, so bear with me... But- when you breastfeed your baby sends chemical "signals" to your body that tells it to produce "more milk" if they aren't getting "enough" - if you pump AND regular feed enough your body should still be able to head those signals and keep up enough for baby to sustain 100% breastfeeding. But, as soon as you start introducing formula or any other nutrition, your baby wont send as many of those signals, and your breasts will slow down production. It wont "stop" until the regular feedings cease (at least one regular feeding per day) OR if your body becomes over stressed (by eating too few calories to support production). However if you are relying on pumping, your body ISN'T getting those chemical signals from baby and production will probably gradually stop. So with this baby make sure ANYTIME you are with baby try to have regular (baby to breast) feedings every time it is time for them to eat. (even if you are out to dinner at a restaurant) One last factor (almost forgot) after about 12 weeks (3 months?) your breasts might start to feel "empty" or soft when it is time to feed or pump- that doesn't mean that you aren't producing anymore! However if you quit pumping or feeding because of this, then naturally you will slow down production. This is because around that time your body has gotten into the "pattern" of how much your baby is eating so it doesn't get as engorged near feedings. Around that time you may also notice those pesky leaks ending (yay!)- just make sure you keep up pumping or feeding about every 3-4 hours every day. Try to pump out as much at you can during pumping- since babies are much more efficient at emptying your breasts than any pump. At night- follow what your baby wants, however- don't fall into the trap of sending baby to bed with a formula bottle since night time or evening and morning feedings will be crucial to keeping up production. If your babies are early teethers drop me a message and I can talk to you about how to help with that- uncomfortable time- too! Of course pregnancy can slow production too (hehehehe- oops).
Of course every baby is different. Just stay optimistic and smile often! We believe in you!
-Megan
Tonya Herald said:I believe breastfeeding is very important. With both my daughters I overproduced for the first 6weeks of their lives which gave me enough to feed them for close to their first 3 months but then I just dried up and had no choice but to formula feed. I haven't found anyway to keep the breast milk coming. Any hints or tips for this time around? As I have said I'm 33 weeks with my 3rd child (first boy) and I want him to not have to be formula fed at all unless necessary like my girls I didn't have a choice and it sucked.
-
Permalink Reply by Tonya Herald on
-
What you said almost 100% explains why I dried up then. Neither of my girls would "latch". I had 6 different breastfeeding consultants try to get them to latch and they just wouldn't do it. My second daughter, Alyssa, was when I ended up with an electric double pump. She was so stubborn with not latching she didn't eat until she was almost 13 hours old. Myself and the consultants and nurses all tried and tried to get her to latch and she just would NOT do it. Finally they brought me a pump and allowed me to pump and give her a bottle. She took right to it. I always thought breastfeeding was more natural for the baby and they took right to it?? But, anyway, I never really knew why I dried up but if the baby gives off something that makes u produce and all I was doing is umping then that makes since now. So how do I avoid that though if this baby won't latch. Is there anything you can do to get them to latch when they just won't??
Megan Herrod said:As Sutra said- any breastfeeding- no matter how long... beats none at all. I breastfed my daughter till she was 22 months (yeah almost 2)- although she was only getting bedtime feedings after 18 months. So- if anyone can keep up breastfeeding long term- i can. hehehe! That said, I am a stay at home mom - so although I pumped some- I had plenty of "regular" feedings to help keep production up. I did work part time during the summer when my daughter was about 6 months old for 3 months. The trick if you are going back to work is to make sure when you are at home you are doing regular feedings rather than using bottles you pumped.
This might be review for a 2 time mom, so bear with me... But- when you breastfeed your baby sends chemical "signals" to your body that tells it to produce "more milk" if they aren't getting "enough" - if you pump AND regular feed enough your body should still be able to head those signals and keep up enough for baby to sustain 100% breastfeeding. But, as soon as you start introducing formula or any other nutrition, your baby wont send as many of those signals, and your breasts will slow down production. It wont "stop" until the regular feedings cease (at least one regular feeding per day) OR if your body becomes over stressed (by eating too few calories to support production). However if you are relying on pumping, your body ISN'T getting those chemical signals from baby and production will probably gradually stop. So with this baby make sure ANYTIME you are with baby try to have regular (baby to breast) feedings every time it is time for them to eat. (even if you are out to dinner at a restaurant) One last factor (almost forgot) after about 12 weeks (3 months?) your breasts might start to feel "empty" or soft when it is time to feed or pump- that doesn't mean that you aren't producing anymore! However if you quit pumping or feeding because of this, then naturally you will slow down production. This is because around that time your body has gotten into the "pattern" of how much your baby is eating so it doesn't get as engorged near feedings. Around that time you may also notice those pesky leaks ending (yay!)- just make sure you keep up pumping or feeding about every 3-4 hours every day. Try to pump out as much at you can during pumping- since babies are much more efficient at emptying your breasts than any pump. At night- follow what your baby wants, however- don't fall into the trap of sending baby to bed with a formula bottle since night time or evening and morning feedings will be crucial to keeping up production. If your babies are early teethers drop me a message and I can talk to you about how to help with that- uncomfortable time- too! Of course pregnancy can slow production too (hehehehe- oops).
Of course every baby is different. Just stay optimistic and smile often! We believe in you!
-Megan
Tonya Herald said:I believe breastfeeding is very important. With both my daughters I overproduced for the first 6weeks of their lives which gave me enough to feed them for close to their first 3 months but then I just dried up and had no choice but to formula feed. I haven't found anyway to keep the breast milk coming. Any hints or tips for this time around? As I have said I'm 33 weeks with my 3rd child (first boy) and I want him to not have to be formula fed at all unless necessary like my girls I didn't have a choice and it sucked.
-
Permalink Reply by Sutra on
-
Babies born via c section or on drugs often have that problem. Their apgar at 1 and 5 minutes are lower. When babies are born drug free they tend to feed better and more quickly. A little tickle on the cheek, or lips usually gets the slow to latch ones going. Some babies just don't care for the flexibility of the nipple (which is different for every breast) and may prefer a nipple guard.
-
Permalink Reply by Tonya Herald on
-
I figured the drugs is why my first didn't want to latch and she slept like a rock I had to wake her to feed her all 3 days I was in the hospital. She didn't even wake when she was hungry and would fall back asleep while eating. Made me so nervous being my first I thought something was wrong with her. On day 3 she was awake for maybe a total of 3 hours the entire day. But by day 4 she was waking up when hungry and staying awake to eat and things like that. Which the doctor said was normal. He said finally that it takes like 2-5 days for the drugs to get out of the babies system?? That's just awful. I drugged my baby without drugging my baby if that makes since? I didn't have a choice in the c-section so.
What is a nipple guard? I've never heard of that. My best friend is on her 5th baby right now he's due in a week and she has always breastfed and she hasn't heard of a nipple guard either.
Sutra said:Babies born via c section or on drugs often have that problem. Their apgar at 1 and 5 minutes are lower. When babies are born drug free they tend to feed better and more quickly. A little tickle on the cheek, or lips usually gets the slow to latch ones going. Some babies just don't care for the flexibility of the nipple (which is different for every breast) and may prefer a nipple guard.
-
Permalink Reply by Sutra on
-
The name is regional. You may have heard it referred to as a nipple shield as well. It's a circular disk with a hole in the center for the nipple to go through. Some babies find the firmness more comforting. Meldela makes quite a good model. It was invented for persistent latch on difficulties or if moms nipples are flat, inverted or the skin stretched to tightly for your babies tastes.
-
Permalink Reply by Megan Herrod on
-
C-sections usually require and epidural or even heavier sedation because of the TYPE of procedure... and those drugs get to the baby. It is hard when baby wont latch right away. Rhiannon didn't breastfeed for several hours after birth, even though I didn't have any pain meds. Birth is just plain exhausting and some babies want to just GO TO SLEEP.(maybe they hope when the wake up they'll be back in that warm cozy womb?) - Some moms feel exactly the same way. Anyways... the more stressed or worried about feeding you are, the harder it will be to relax and help the baby latch. I can't speak for your hospital, but for me the first few times trying to latch were LESS than successful. The nurses tried to help... but on christmas day (the day after my daughter was born) everyone's minds were elsewhere. I found out later too that all the nurses in the maternity ward that day were childless... and so they had only "theoretic" experience themselves with breastfeeding.
Before this new baby comes check out Kelly Mom: Getting Started Breastfeeding When my daughter started latching better, it was after I starting using the "torpedo" method (literally grasping your breast so it is "shaped" like a torpedo and gently sticking it in the babies mouth) - DON'T try to breastfeed with a bad latch! Instead, if baby is not latched right, keep "unlatching" and helping baby relatch until the are successful. When baby gets a good latch and a nice full tummy from your milk, their motor memory will start to remember what a good latch "feels like". Another tip is not to be afraid to get a LOT of your nippple deep in there. A little baby's tiny mouth deceives us into thinking that they don't have enough "room" in there- but a nice deep latch is usually a good one and will help with having good feedings.
When engorgement happens - your baby may have new troubles breastfeeding. When the are "hard" because they are over full, baby has a hard time latching because the breast isn't as flexible and malleable. In that case Pump just a little bit on the side you are about to feed with. The point is not to empty your breast, but to get it to the point where it has some "give" and baby can get a nice deep latch on the nipple.
If it takes a full two weeks to get they hang of breastfeeding- don't worry. Unless your baby was very premature or underweight at birth THEY WONT STARVE as long as you are making frequent attempts at feeding. That is one reason why they have those fat stores. And a hungry tummy, belongs to a baby that is prime and ready to learn how to breastfeed FAST. Don't give up after some bad latches and grab the bottle. In fact, if you can- Hide all the bottles and nipples until you have mastered breastfeeding (and baby has too). Sometimes we have to torture ourselves a little bit to work through the frustration. Of course if 3-4 days go by after birth and you are REALLY not progressing- call a lactation consultant or a public health nurse to either go see, or come to your home and help you. Also, veteran breastfeeding moms are great (free) resources too! Hey, call that WEIRD mom that you saw breastfeeding her four year old at the park... hehehe. She must have figured it out! Most people who have the time will be willing to give you a hand- we've all been there.
And in those first few- painful, tired, less than stellar days after baby is born and you are trying to do a million things at once... keep in mind that there is a very likely chance if you can stick it out for 2 weeks at least- you will both come out as champs at the art of breastfeeding!
-Megan
Tonya Herald said:I figured the drugs is why my first didn't want to latch and she slept like a rock I had to wake her to feed her all 3 days I was in the hospital. She didn't even wake when she was hungry and would fall back asleep while eating. Made me so nervous being my first I thought something was wrong with her. On day 3 she was awake for maybe a total of 3 hours the entire day. But by day 4 she was waking up when hungry and staying awake to eat and things like that. Which the doctor said was normal. He said finally that it takes like 2-5 days for the drugs to get out of the babies system?? That's just awful. I drugged my baby without drugging my baby if that makes since? I didn't have a choice in the c-section so.
What is a nipple guard? I've never heard of that. My best friend is on her 5th baby right now he's due in a week and she has always breastfed and she hasn't heard of a nipple guard either.
-
Permalink Reply by Megan Herrod on
-
She got the definition spot on! Here is some more "in-depth" info about nipple sheilds:
La Leche League "Nipple Shields . . . Friend or Foe?"
Ask Dr. Sears: NIPPLE SHIELDS
Sutra said:The name is regional. You may have heard it referred to as a nipple shield as well. It's a circular disk with a hole in the center for the nipple to go through. Some babies find the firmness more comforting. Meldela makes quite a good model. It was invented for persistent latch on difficulties or if moms nipples are flat, inverted or the skin stretched to tightly for your babies tastes.
© 2011 Created by Sangraal
