Breastfeed or else

Published

Specializes in NICU.

Moms expressed milk is second best. (I exclusivly pump milk for my daughter, my little one could not breastfeed unfortunatly) Getting donor milk from a bank (pasturized) is 3rd best. Then formula is 4th best. (Then I think its goats milk, homemade formulas and then cows milk)

Edited to add: I do not want to offend anyone. I am just going by what the Lactation Consultant I see told me.

Okay, you know this is REALLY starting to tick me off. I've already made it plenty clear that I AGREE that brestmilk is better than formula. But to have multiple people supporting that formula is 4th after that? COME ON!!!! That is going a bit too far. The first three options are all breastmilk. You cannot separate them out like that just to make formula look like it's 4th best. Breast milk = #1. Formula = #2. PERIOD. Don't start throwing out info on milk banks and stuff like that. It's ALL breastmilk. By using breastmilk (in various forms) as choices #1, 2, and 3, it's a very sneaky way to make formula look even worse.

Am I the only one who is getting very upset about this little tactic?

It's like it's not enough for the pro-breastfeeding group for us to say that breastmilk is superior to formula.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

(nothing like seeing that baby propped in the bed or stroller with a bottle ready to choke!),

This statement right here is what everybody is talking about. You are insinuating that all parents who bottle feed are this irresponsible... please stop villifying.

Give me a BREAK. As health professionals we are supposed to explain that laying baby in its crib/stroller with a bottle proped in its mouth DOES increase the risk for choking (especially with your infants who can't control the amount of flow), who are you kidding here? It's no different than saying to not put a lot of pillows and covers in the crib...it increases the chance of suffocation!

What your talking about here has nothing to do with anyone being "bad parents". Babies have choked to death becase of bottle propping, just like they have suffocated with lots of pillows in their crib. It is my job to explain why that is a bad idea, I would rather they parents feel bad for a few mins about it, than their child die.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
I would like to see formula be by prescription only. If a mother chose to formula feed, she would have to meet with a pediatrician and a lactation consultant to ensure she was making an informed consent (in my time as a breastfeeding educator, I can't tell you how many times I heard reasons for bottlefeeding that were complete myths). This, of course, should occur before the baby is even born. For example, the PPD--there are meds that can be taken while breastfeeding. Maybe not the med that works for that particular mother--fine. But lets make sure she has the complete info before she has her baby.

Then, if mom is still going to formula feed, give her a script for it. It makes me sick that there are decent formulas out there -- easy to digest, with little or no pesticides or additives -- but unless your baby has a medical condition, you only get to choose from the bottom of the barrel. HELLO!! Why can't all formula fed babies benefit from high quality formulas? I would also like to see insurance pay for it. This is an artifical means of sustinance--similar to TPN and lipids. The creation of it should be strenuously regulated, there should be contant research to improve it, and the product itself should be paid for by insurance.

It's a free country. What's next? Every mother is going to have to get a script to buy her kid Fruit Loops instead of Shredded Wheat? She'll have to sign a consent saying she understands that Fruit Loops aren't as nutritious as Shredded Wheat?

Now, I work in the NICU so I very often encounter the "high quality" formulas. These are very expensive and are often made for babies that have trouble digesting certain nutrients like protein or whey. These are for babies with special medical problems like short gut syndrome or malabsorption. The other issue is that the formula companies do not add all the "good" stuff like DHA and ARA to these specialized formulas. Maybe in the future that might change, but for now, the cows milk based formulas are the ones that have these ingredients in them, so that is what we currently recommend for all formula-fed infants unless there is a digestive problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
first couple of weeks of milk in, as that was the best time for antibodies. After that it there didn't seem to be as big a difference. !

More research has been done since the 80's. There is antibody increase after the first year as well. There is a HUGE difference between breastmilk and formula. I don't think anyone is debating that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
It's a free country. What's next? Every mother is going to have to get a script to buy her kid Fruit Loops instead of Shredded Wheat? She'll have to sign a consent saying she understands that Fruit Loops aren't as nutritious as Shredded Wheat?

Now, I work in the NICU so I very often encounter the "high quality" formulas. These are very expensive and are often made for babies that have trouble digesting certain nutrients like protein or whey. These are for babies with special medical problems like short gut syndrome or malabsorption. The other issue is that the formula companies do not add all the "good" stuff like DHA and ARA to these specialized formulas. Maybe in the future that might change, but for now, the cows milk based formulas are the ones that have these ingredients in them, so that is what we currently recommend for all formula-fed infants unless there is a digestive problem.

I agree, I am not in favor of formula being by prescripton. I do think the warning labels are fine because there are documented risks with formula compared to breastmilk (I dont think anyone can debate that), but it is still a mothers choice in the matter. I formula fed my first child, it wasn't the best choice, but it was still my choice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
Okay, you know this is REALLY starting to tick me off. I've already made it plenty clear that I AGREE that brestmilk is better than formula. But to have multiple people supporting that formula is 4th after that? COME ON!!!! That is going a bit too far. The first three options are all breastmilk. You cannot separate them out like that just to make formula look like it's 4th best. Breast milk = #1. Formula = #2. PERIOD. Don't start throwing out info on milk banks and stuff like that. It's ALL breastmilk. By using breastmilk (in various forms) as choices #1, 2, and 3, it's a very sneaky way to make formula look even worse.

.

Ya I agree. First of all most women can NOT pump enough to exclusivly feed breastmilk, a breastpump is not as effective as the baby itself. I have seen this again and again. Some women are able to exclusivly provide breastmilk with a pump but not everyone can, some women have supply issues and get nothing out of a pump. We do encourage women to try this, but it doesn't always work. Second most women can not afford breastmilk from a breastbank, I certainly couldn't, no way.

Breastmilk should be #1 and if that doesn't work for some reason then formula is an adequate alternative.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

I will defend it by saying they are all different. Breastfeeding at the breast is best. But if that isn't possible, pumping and bottlefeeding is better, because although some of the immunological properties aren't as strong, the jaw, vision and other things aren't present, it's still providing perfect nutrition for the baby. Banked milk, because of pasteurization, looses most of the immunological properties and has become homogenized (sp) and therefore is no longer tailored to the specific baby. It's become a static substance, but the contents are perfect for a human baby. Formula on the other hand has none of the immunological benefits, none of the protective benefits, is static and is digestible with adequate nutrients to feed an infant.

It is important to tell people that even if they can't feed at the breast, the next best thing is to pump and bottle feed if they can. And I'm all for making more readily available donated milk, which would be difficult because of the amount of work necessary for the moms involved. But that doesn't change the fact that it is preferred prior to formula. It might not be practical, but it is preferred.

I would argue that the formulas that are specialized aren't "high quality", but highly specialized. They're just trying to find something to feed a baby with a medical condition that won't kill them. They aren't necessarily any higher quality than your usual formulas and carry the same risks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

Oh, and we use some concentrated formulas, but for most of our short gut kids, we try and use either mom's milk or donated milk. We have a lot of kids on donor milk at my hospital.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho/Neurosurgical.
That was what I was implying. That is my professional opinion and will remain so until proved otherwise. But, with all actions, it has to be taken in context.

The proper answer is to do whatever is in your power. If it is not a possibility, then don't worry about it. The problem is many people claim that a certain course of action is not a possibility just because it is an inconvience.

Same answer as above.

Why? Most sensitive topics are sensitive for a reason, but that doesn't mean they should be ignored. My perception is that the logic behind not breast-feeding [minus the previously mentioned restrictions] is the same as not exercising, feeding your kids fast food on a regular basis, smoking, drinking alcohol [in excess, mind you]. The problem might be a lack of information, but if that is not the case, then at some point doing the proper course of action is breaking down. This happens, we are all human, and we all have time restrictions.

But because of those time restrictions, we often have to prioritize. Saddly, it is often the activities that are most beneficial that get replaced by things like sitting on the couch watching TV all night instead of going to the gym, or stopping at KFC to buy food instead of taking 15 minutes to prepare a wholesome meal.

From my [limited] perspective, these disconnects are all due to the same cause - justification of another course of action, which normally starts with "...I know I should do this but..." If you have a legitmate reason, then you can answer your own conscience. If you don't, at least be honest about the reason.

But there is a rebuttal to my point that uses the issue of priority: if we accept that breastfeeding is better, how important is it compared with all the other factors that go into being a parent? Is it better to breastfeed if your going to be upset the entire time you are nursing - which will negatively impact the child more? If you have to breastfeed for hours (happened to my ex-wife), is it better to do that as opposed to working on everything else that you need to get done?

Maybe this should have been posted in a "women's forum" for discussion since the men have a forum of their own. Clearly Josh has not sat down for 2 hours with a newborn and whipped it out and cried as it did not successfully work out only then to have some lactation specialist come into your room and throw your boob around and tell you that you will absolutely be able to do it, again when you can't.....making you feel terrible. I just think this is crap to be honest with you and I know how I felt as a diabetic mother whose child was given formula right out of the shoot and wouldn't take anything other than a rubber nipple after that. I think Josh needs to take a step out of the female zone until science allows men to have babies and breastfeed. Might I add, I don't smoke, don't drink and take my daughter to the gym as often as possible to see "mommy active" and how things are supposed to be. Pick your battles my friend.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
Okay, you know this is REALLY starting to tick me off. I've already made it plenty clear that I AGREE that brestmilk is better than formula. But to have multiple people supporting that formula is 4th after that? COME ON!!!! That is going a bit too far. The first three options are all breastmilk. You cannot separate them out like that just to make formula look like it's 4th best. Breast milk = #1. Formula = #2. PERIOD. Don't start throwing out info on milk banks and stuff like that. It's ALL breastmilk. By using breastmilk (in various forms) as choices #1, 2, and 3, it's a very sneaky way to make formula look even worse.

Am I the only one who is getting very upset about this little tactic?

It's like it's not enough for the pro-breastfeeding group for us to say that breastmilk is superior to formula.

I am very sorry if I offended you. I did not mean it. I guess what I was trying to say, no matter what our choices/needs, someone judges us as mothers.

Like I said, I exclusivly pump for my dd. I have been doing this for 7.5 months. It is very exhausting to pump around the clock in addition to getting up with her at night. But I am doing MY BEST I can, since we are not able to directly BF. However, that doesn't stop judgemental people from telling me that direct BFing is better. I am aware that fat is lost during transfering milk into bottles, and that antibodies are destroyed during refridgeration. I know this. I am very fortunate to have more than enough milk for my dd. But if I didn't,and had to give some formula (I know I could never afford banked milk myself, and would only use it if medically necessary anyway), Im sure some would remind me that breastmilk is best. But some find it necessary to remind me that direct BFing is best. But I KNOW I am doing the Best I CAN.

If we are doing the BEST WE can (for whatever reason, medical, psychological, whatever) and use formula for feeding or supplementing, then what else can anyone ask for? You cant do better than your best! The primary goal is to feed the baby! Is the baby being fed? Yes? Great!

Once again, Im sorry if anyone was offended by my prior post, esp. Gompers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

I would like to see formula be by prescription only. If a mother chose to formula feed, she would have to meet with a pediatrician and a lactation consultant to ensure she was making an informed consent (in my time as a breastfeeding educator, I can't tell you how many times I heard reasons for bottlefeeding that were complete myths).

Then, if mom is still going to formula feed, give her a script for it. It makes me sick that there are decent formulas out there -- easy to digest, with little or no pesticides or additives -- but unless your baby has a medical condition, you only get to choose from the bottom of the barrel. HELLO!! Why can't all formula fed babies benefit from high quality formulas? I would also like to see insurance pay for it. This is an artifical means of sustinance--similar to TPN and lipids. The creation of it should be strenuously regulated, there should be contant research to improve it, and the product itself should be paid for by insurance.

So, anyway, to sum up: better prenatal education and screening. Continual improvement of breastfeeding information and education programs. Better quality formula available. By prescription only. Insurance coverage of formula. Healthier babies.

I do agree with what you say, about all babies should have access to the better formulas. But I don't like the idea that all formula's should be by prescription only.

It may cause moms to try to concoct their own formula's. While this can be safe if done correctly, what if it isn't? I would hate to see a baby get sick/die b/c a doctor wouldn't write a script b/c he wanted mom to continue BFing. Or if mom did not have money or insurance to see the doctor for a script. Women may do this b/c they do not have insurance, or crappy insurance. My co-pay is $40. Would a can of formula cost me $40 then? It would also cause insurance premiums to go up, and I think they are high enough!

Also... What happens at 0300 on Christmas Eve and the pharmacy is closed, and you run out of formula? Or the can accidentally spills all over the floor? Does baby have to wait until the pharmacy opens to get more formula? There is always a wal-mart or convienent store open somewhere if that were the case and it is not by prescription.

I like the idea that women get to make their own choices for their babies, provided they are feeding and taking care of their babies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.
It may cause moms to try to concoct their own formula's. While this can be safe if done correctly, what if it isn't? I would hate to see a baby get sick/die b/c a doctor wouldn't write a script b/c he wanted mom to continue BFing. Or if mom did not have money or insurance to see the doctor for a script. Women may do this b/c they do not have insurance, or crappy insurance. My co-pay is $40. Would a can of formula cost me $40 then? It would also cause insurance premiums to go up, and I think they are high enough!

Also... What happens at 0300 on Christmas Eve and the pharmacy is closed, and you run out of formula? Or the can accidentally spills all over the floor? Does baby have to wait until the pharmacy opens to get more formula? There is always a wal-mart or convienent store open somewhere if that were the case and it is not by prescription.

Very good points!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion