Interesting Breastfeeding Article

megaroo64

Interesting study. When they compared siblings (one breast fed the other formula fed) there was no difference in long term health. Study opens up question as to whether the breast feeding studies appropriately adjusted for socio-economic and other demographic factors.  Thought it was a interesting read... 

https://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/breastfeeding-just-might-be-overrated--study-finds-184819287.html

TheTamedShrew

Okay.

sweetbabypea

I totally stole the feminist breeder's response to this article.


It's funny how we can have decades and mountains of evidence from across the globe showing the enormous health benefits of breastfeeding, but a sociologist publishes one potentially flawed study saying otherwise and immediately Whoopie on The View and the women at The Fearless Formula Feeder jump up to say, "SEE! Breastfeeding is pointless!!!" Talk about cherry-picking research. Meanwhile I will continue to utilize all available public health data to help women and families accomplish their own breastfeeding goals, and yes, encourage families to breastfeed when possible. Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease a mother's risk of heart disease and breast cancer. As a feminist, to me that it is SOOO not pointless.

numbersgirl08

What @micabush said. Correlation is not causation, folks, and it's practically impossible to get beyond correlation when studying bf vs ff.

WasNotWas

Can we also point to the fact that as adults, it is not obvious whether people got the bottle or the boob? While the long-term benefits of breastfeeding might be a bit of a stretch, there are benefits of breast feeding in the short term that can't be ignored.

I have no horse in the race of how you feed your kid, but to say that research has been flawed because it only focuses on the early years like that's a bad thing is ridiculous.

sweetbabypea

@steamboat1679 I wonder if it was just circumstantial? Like she had an supply issue nursing with one and not the other?

needanustart

I'm from a one and one house hold and I got breast milk. I like to think it was because my mother loved me more
No in seriousness I nursed like a champ and my mom had no issues. 4 years later my sister was born and she had lots of latch problems. it wasn't the type of environment some places have now where you could get a LC or support group to help, the ped was just like: stop nursing. So that's how we ended up split like that.
We do joke in the family that my sister's allergies and lower grades growing up are a direct result of formula feeding, but that's because we are evil children and like to get my mother riled up about it.

kelly422

I thought we were going to drop this FF vs BF crap?

needanustart

Meh, @kelly422 I don't think op was posting it to start a debate, just show a new study. Talking about it doesn't have to turn ugly or judgy.

kelly422

@calikat80 It doesn't matter what the OP's intent is.  Posts about FF vs BF will inevitably make people feel defensive, guilty, etc. No need for that, so why even bother bringing it up?

RissNRuss

Eh. I didn't start BFing because of studies saying it was best for this that or the other thing. I started because it made sense for our family. My theory? My boobs are making milk for my daughter, successfully, so I'll use that to feed her as long as it works for us. I'm the first in my family (6 siblings) to BF successfully, so I am well aware that it's not as practical/possible for all families. I wish there weren't so many studies out there trying to prove which is better and why and fueling the mommy wars. I'd rather there be more research into making it possible for women who want to BF but can't for low supply/no supply type issues.

megaroo64

Sorry- didn't intend to start a FF vs BF issue.  Frankly, I don't care how anyone feeds their kid.  None of my business, none of my concern.  However, there have been countless times I have seen on here moms feeling guilty about weaning or low supply or a BUNCH of issues related to feeding.  I just thought it was nice to see that in the long term, maybe it matters less and maybe that would be helpful for people to know. 

needanustart

I agree it won't change anyone's mind, but this is kind of the place where people come to share info about babies and feeding them. I only added my story as kind of a joke (I hope everyone knows how sarcastic I was being when I tell people I am the favorite!) and to show that I think it's pretty easy to find people that have fed one kid one way and another another way.

I think my sister is allergic to pollen though because my mom fed her Pepsi, not Dr. Pepper. 

numbersgirl08

micabush said:

I think the bigger question is: does it matter? Those who are dead set one way or the other... A study like this isn't going to change the outcome.

I think it does matter.  When I was going through plugged duct hell and decided to wean N at 4 months (even though we ended up not weaning at that time), I felt immense amounts of mommy-guilt.  And I think so many people feel that mommy guilt because it is drilled into our heads that breastfeeding is best in every aspect, no questions asked.  There's a huge psychological component here that I think makes this kind of research matter.

I think it's good for people/scientists/researchers to always be challenging current thinking - that's the only way we grow and learn and science advances.  

kelseypie

megaroo64 said:

Sorry- didn't intend to start a FF vs BF issue.  Frankly, I don't care how anyone feeds their kid.  None of my business, none of my concern.  However, there have been countless times I have seen on here moms feeling guilty about weaning or low supply or a BUNCH of issues related to feeding.  I just thought it was nice to see that in the long term, maybe it matters less and maybe that would be helpful for people to know. 

You didn't. Some people are just completely ridiculous. If somebody wants to get themselves worked up over a damn article being posted, that's on them, not you. Carry on.

ETA: grammar

TheTamedShrew

well, hell, why do our bodies even produce milk then? I guess giving up my body for an additional year is a pointless waste of time because it makes no difference in the long run. I guess I should've read this and weaned her earlier before she nearly tore off my nipple last week with her new teeth. As should all of the other moms who have faced the challenges of clogged ducts, pumping at work, being all night pacifiers/buffets, thrush, blisters, and mastitis. Seems a bit much to deal with if it's "over rated".

numbersgirl08

TheTamedShrew said:

well, hell, why do our bodies even produce milk then? I guess giving up my body for an additional year is a pointless waste of time because it makes no difference in the long run. I guess I should've read this and weaned her earlier before she nearly tore off my nipple last week with her new teeth. As should all of the other moms who have faced the challenges of clogged ducts, pumping at work, being all night pacifiers/buffets, thrush, blisters, and mastitis. Seems a bit much to deal with if it's "over rated".

I think it's good for there to be continual research and advancements in our knowledge of breastfeeding and its benefits vs. formula feeding. And I think that information does matter, as I noted above.

But I think you and I, and other breastfeeding moms, know that choosing to breastfeed goes way deeper than it's long term benefits or short term nutritional benefits for the child.  I think those of us who fight for it and put up with hell do it more because of the emotional side of it.  I'm weaning now for lots of reasons, but I'm not really mourning the loss of the nutritional value of breastfeeding.  I know she'll be fine on formula.  I'm mourning the loss of our relationship.  So no matter what any article or studies show about its nutritional benefits - you can know that it was worth it for so many other reasons that can't be measured.  

TheTamedShrew

numbersgirl08 said:

TheTamedShrew said:

well, hell, why do our bodies even produce milk then? I guess giving up my body for an additional year is a pointless waste of time because it makes no difference in the long run. I guess I should've read this and weaned her earlier before she nearly tore off my nipple last week with her new teeth. As should all of the other moms who have faced the challenges of clogged ducts, pumping at work, being all night pacifiers/buffets, thrush, blisters, and mastitis. Seems a bit much to deal with if it's "over rated".

I think it's good for there to be continual research and advancements in our knowledge of breastfeeding and its benefits vs. formula feeding. And I think that information does matter, as I noted above.

But I think you and I, and other breastfeeding moms, know that choosing to breastfeed goes way deeper than it's long term benefits or short term nutritional benefits for the child.  I think those of us who fight for it and put up with hell do it more because of the emotional side of it.  I'm weaning now for lots of reasons, but I'm not really mourning the loss of the nutritional value of breastfeeding.  I know she'll be fine on formula.  I'm mourning the loss of our relationship.  So no matter what any article or studies show about its nutritional benefits - you can know that it was worth it for so many other reasons that can't be measured.  

Benefits are benefits. emotional, physical, or nutritional. I do not think there will ever be a study that could justify calling BFing "overrated" or it's benefits "overstated". 

needanustart

BTW this goes to my theory that you can find a study to try and support honestly everything. When DH had a bad "man-cold" a few years ago he actually found a study that "proved" men get hit harder with sickness than women. I swear it was underwritten by some group called "grumpy overtired dads of american married to nagging wives" or some ridiculous interest group like that. I would bet my bottom dollar that the study had underwriting from Enfamil or something like that. There is a lot of money involved in studies!  

needanustart

smpeachey said:

BTW this goes to my theory that you can find a study to try and support honestly everything. When DH had a bad "man-cold" a few years ago he actually found a study that "proved" men get hit harder with sickness than women. I swear it was underwritten by some group called "grumpy overtired dads of american married to nagging wives" or some ridiculous interest group like that. I would bet my bottom dollar that the study had underwriting from Enfamil or something like that. There is a lot of money involved in studies!  

Follow the money....

So out of curiosity I did and it was super easy. The foundation that supported the study lists its supporters of each study. Not surprisingly, one of the supporters for a bunch of children's nutrition studies is PepsiCo! I was kinda joking but this one is a softball:

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/global_nutrition/programs/bond/pages/sponsoring-partners.aspx

TheTamedShrew

Steamboat1679 said:

I just read most of the article and abstract and I don't see how this is a earthshaking as some news sources are implying. The researcher seemed to want to remove the socioeconomic impact and studying within families is the easiest way to do that. Haven't previous studies shown that family involvement is key in school success etc? I would imagine siblings would receive similar levels of attention, focus, food, healthcare etc. so the outcomes would be similar. Maybe I'm wrong and I don't care how kids are fed as long as they are fed.

Stuck in quote box:

Why not study within the same SES and then compare, rather than studying only within families who happened to feed each child differently? That in itself is replacing the impact of SES with the impact of genetics, and is equally misleading.

numbersgirl08

TheTamedShrew said:

numbersgirl08 said:

TheTamedShrew said:

well, hell, why do our bodies even produce milk then? I guess giving up my body for an additional year is a pointless waste of time because it makes no difference in the long run. I guess I should've read this and weaned her earlier before she nearly tore off my nipple last week with her new teeth. As should all of the other moms who have faced the challenges of clogged ducts, pumping at work, being all night pacifiers/buffets, thrush, blisters, and mastitis. Seems a bit much to deal with if it's "over rated".

I think it's good for there to be continual research and advancements in our knowledge of breastfeeding and its benefits vs. formula feeding. And I think that information does matter, as I noted above.

But I think you and I, and other breastfeeding moms, know that choosing to breastfeed goes way deeper than it's long term benefits or short term nutritional benefits for the child.  I think those of us who fight for it and put up with hell do it more because of the emotional side of it.  I'm weaning now for lots of reasons, but I'm not really mourning the loss of the nutritional value of breastfeeding.  I know she'll be fine on formula.  I'm mourning the loss of our relationship.  So no matter what any article or studies show about its nutritional benefits - you can know that it was worth it for so many other reasons that can't be measured.  

Benefits are benefits. emotional, physical, or nutritional. I do not think there will ever be a study that could justify calling BFing "overrated" or it's benefits "overstated". 

I think the wording choice is interesting. The article linked states that the study finds that breastfeeding might be "overrated" and references another article about the study. THAT article states that the study finds that breastfeeding benefits might be "overstated".  In my opinion, there is a very clear difference between overrated and overstated.  But, despite that, I still don't know what the actual study itself says, just what articles are portraying it as.  I couldn't find the study itself.  News sources are great at sensationalizing or twisting things into what sells.  It's likely that the study itself never says breastfeeding is overrated or its benefits are overstated (maybe it does, who knows, I'm just skeptical).  You can probably thank the news sources for those wording choices.

And I think it's clear that the study is focusing on physical, nutritional benefits.  Clearly there can't be a study that measures the benefits of the emotional side.  Well, I guess they could try, but I've never seen anyone go within a ten foot pole of that.

TheTamedShrew

numbersgirl08 said:

TheTamedShrew said:

numbersgirl08 said:

TheTamedShrew said:

well, hell, why do our bodies even produce milk then? I guess giving up my body for an additional year is a pointless waste of time because it makes no difference in the long run. I guess I should've read this and weaned her earlier before she nearly tore off my nipple last week with her new teeth. As should all of the other moms who have faced the challenges of clogged ducts, pumping at work, being all night pacifiers/buffets, thrush, blisters, and mastitis. Seems a bit much to deal with if it's "over rated".

I think it's good for there to be continual research and advancements in our knowledge of breastfeeding and its benefits vs. formula feeding. And I think that information does matter, as I noted above.

But I think you and I, and other breastfeeding moms, know that choosing to breastfeed goes way deeper than it's long term benefits or short term nutritional benefits for the child.  I think those of us who fight for it and put up with hell do it more because of the emotional side of it.  I'm weaning now for lots of reasons, but I'm not really mourning the loss of the nutritional value of breastfeeding.  I know she'll be fine on formula.  I'm mourning the loss of our relationship.  So no matter what any article or studies show about its nutritional benefits - you can know that it was worth it for so many other reasons that can't be measured.  

Benefits are benefits. emotional, physical, or nutritional. I do not think there will ever be a study that could justify calling BFing "overrated" or it's benefits "overstated". 

I think the wording choice is interesting. The article linked states that the study finds that breastfeeding might be "overrated" and references another article about the study. THAT article states that the study finds that breastfeeding benefits might be "overstated".  In my opinion, there is a very clear difference between overrated and overstated.  But, despite that, I still don't know what the actual study itself says, just what articles are portraying it as.  I couldn't find the study itself.  News sources are great at sensationalizing or twisting things into what sells.  It's likely that the study itself never says breastfeeding is overrated or its benefits are overstated (maybe it does, who knows, I'm just skeptical).  You can probably thank the news sources for those wording choices.

And I think it's clear that the study is focusing on physical, nutritional benefits.  Clearly there can't be a study that measures the benefits of the emotional side.  Well, I guess they could try, but I've never seen anyone go within a ten foot pole of that.

I agree. The wording alone is what rubbed me the wrong way. More so because AF arrived this morning and my nipple hurts and has made me think of weaning as soon as this year is up. I don't need any additional discouragement right now.

numbersgirl08

@thetamedshrew (quote trees were getting too long) - benefits are a very personal thing too.  So don't let any study that says "maybe, on average, perhaps we don't really know exactly how beneficial breastfeeding is even though it's probably still best" discourage you.  You know how beneficial it is for the two of you!

No longer the best

I read all the words in the comments on that study the other day and I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate how grown up and mature everyone in this thread and on this board is compared to the FB comments on Yahoo Shine!!

I'm a huge breastfeeding advocate because my Mother grilled it into my head since I was born (she was a LLL leader).  You will never convince me FF is better than BF in terms of health benefits (though FF does have its own benefits for sure -teething and nipples and DH doing MOTN feed!!!!) but I do feel very sad for FF Moms that are made to feel guilty by others that is so not right! 

Maelara

You all are making me jealous! Lol! I wish breast feeding had worked for us but it physically could not. I use formula but still believe breast is best, no matter what any article says.

As others have said, you couldn't pick out breast feed adults over formula adults. I was breast feed and my DH was formula fed. His IQ is at the genius level, Mensa and everything.

As long as our babies are fed and loved, we are good mommies