The article " Is Breast Best ?" by Ms Begley is very interesting. But this idea seem like the babies whom take a bottle of formula could be better than the other one.This reminds me of the days that many grandmas remember, when breastfeeding was regarded as a practice left to the poor, disadvantaged, and ignorant, while formula feeding was superior.  Formula has improved greatly since those days, but breast milk has yet to be duplicated for its food value as well as other benefits.I am the proud mother of a 2 year old girl who is breastfed, and i think that a good way foster a baby.

Eloquently stated Mcmama (cool name by the way).

As a mom of teens who breastfed her own children while working as a child care provider, I have advice about those "milk stained blouses and clogging pumps".  Breast shields.  Lots of them.  And frequent pumping or hand expression.  Also, would it kill you to set aside the silk blouses for now?

The attitude implicit in the comment about stains and pumps is that busy, competent, successful women don't breastfeed unless they are motivated by some kind of upper middle class pressured snobbery.  This reminds me of the days that many grandmas remember, when breastfeeding was regarded as a practice left to the poor, disadvantaged, and ignorant, while formula feeding was superior.  Formula has improved greatly since those days, but breast milk has yet to be duplicated for its food value as well as other benefits.  

I found with supporting the nursing moms in my child care group that the decision of an employed mom to breastfeed means that communication and partnership with the caregiver is absolutely necessary - so the caregiver is more selectively chosen.  It necessitates making life choices about work family balance so that the mom is not so stressed as to impede supply.  These choices may not appeal to the upper crust of the professional "dry clean only"  executive mothers who are inconvenienced at the thought of temporarily setting aside their white silk blouses, but the fact is that successful breastfeeding is a team effort - the family and culture that support and accomodate it, as well as mother and baby.

Anecdotally, I can say that the payoff in terms of less time off from work with sick children is huge. The breastfed children I cared for over a 12 year career had far less trouble with ear infections, sore throats, viruses, etc than the formula fed children.  

The fact that both my sons have IQs over 140 probably has less to do with breastfeeding than with the other stimulation they received, including age appropriagte activites instead of "turn your child into Einstein" gimmicks - but breastfeeding assured that they were healthy enough to make the most of their learning opportunities.

To pattiL:

Breastfeeding can cause a mother to retain a proportion of fat, however that does not have to do with the weight loss that occurs.  What I mean is that your proportion of fat to muscle may remain higher while lactating, but I would challenge you to find me any other activity that burns 500 calories per day while sitting on your behind...

As for the "neither is better or worse for your baby", I am sorry but you are flat wrong.  The research is staggering in favor of breastfeeding with regards to asthma, allergies, gastrointestinal problems, obesity, cancer, and more.  Visit the World Health Organization website on breastfeeding or the American Academy of Pediatrics just for a start.  Even NICU units in the hospital would like you to get breastmilk from a total stranger (safe hospital milk bank of course) over formula, so what does that tell you about formula and its benefits for preemies?

So slanted it is tipping over... Tragic that many won't read past the first few paragraphs where comments like "milk-stained blouses and balky breast-pumps" outweigh any positive breastfeeding stereotypes. I think the author might like to educate herself about the 400+ ingredients in breastmilk that cannot be reproduced or man-made, or the lipase in breastmilk that begins to break it down immediately for easier digestion, or the abundance of white blood cells that make breastmilk a living protection for baby. I thought it was quite cool to know that I might be boosting my babies' IQ's by breastfeeding, but I think Ms. Begley is way off base if she believes that is why most of us choose to nurse.  If after all, the only reason you breastfeed your baby is to score IQ points, and you are willing to forgo those "milk stained blouses and balky breast-pumps" if you can't achieve them for Junior, then perhaps you are as misinformed as our slanted author. I would love for her to educate herself about all the benefits of breastfeeding, take a neutral poll on why parents choose breastmilk for their babies, and then come back and give us a new entry.

So slanted it is tipping over... Tragic that many won't read past the first few paragraphs where comments like "milk-stained blouses and balky breast-pumps" outweigh any positive breastfeeding stereotypes. I think the author might like to educate herself about the 400+ ingredients in breastmilk that cannot be reproduced or man-made, or the lipase in breastmilk that begins to break it down immediately for easier digestion, or the abundance of white blood cells that make breastmilk a living protection for baby. I thought it was quite cool to know that I might be boosting my babies' IQ's by breastfeeding, but I think Ms. Begley is way off base if she believes that is why most of us choose to nurse.  If after all, the only reason you breastfeed your baby is to score IQ points, and you are willing to forgo those "milk stained blouses and balky breast-pumps" if you can't achieve them for Junior, then perhaps you are as misinformed as our slanted author. I would love for her to educate herself about all the benefits of breastfeeding, take a neutral poll on why parents choose breastmilk for their babies, and then come back and give us a new entry.

and pattil says:

"Research has shown the breastmilk of mothers with asthma (whether active or inactive) is lacking in long chain fatty acids. "

the simple solution to this problem is for the mother to take supplements. they do indeed pass through breast milk... if there is an alergy to fish, an algae derived source is equally as sufficient.

Also, the asthmatic mother study only looked at infants who received cow milk protein based formula at some point...and cow milk protein may be allergenic for the most sensitive of individuals; it can modulate the immune system in ways that are not desireable, especially for babies who are susceptible to developing asthma because of genetics.

Quoting Pattil again: "when would formula be better?  If the mother has asthma."

Stop making sweeping statements and perhaps read what the scientist conducting the research said about the results of her study:

Dr. Guilbert cautions that the clinical implications of these findings are not known. "Human milk is uniquely suited to the feeding of infants, having been subject to selective pressures for millennia," she wrote. "It is premature to suggest any change in breastfeeding recommendations based on one study, particularly given the multiple well-documented benefits of breastfeeding."

my grandfather (jrmlang) sent me this article and i had to register to make a comment.

take this into considderation my neice born ten days before my son is bottlefed she has had many problems with formula and weight gain she is not as atentive as my son, she screams all the time my son does not. my niece has only gained about 3-4 pounds since birth my son has gained 7-8 pound since birth. the special formula my niece is on cost $54 a can all my son needs is for me to eat a healthy well ballanced diet . my niece doesnt sleep throught the night my son does and my niece wants to suckle all the time so she has to have a pacifier my son refuses to take one. my niece is very pale my son has good pink color about him.

not to mention i am smaller now than before i got pregnant and my sister-in-law is twice the size she was before pregnancy.i have had no depression (and im prone to getting drepressed) my sister-in-law is on meds cause she cant controll the dreppression.

my best friend has become pregnant and has decided to breastfeed just from seeing the difference between my neice and my son.

yes i have had a negative comment about  breastfeeding but i have had more possitive influences than negative. and like said above the way nature intended. out in the wild animals dont have the choice of formula breast is the only thing that animals know and when a human does what nature intended you get negative influences like the idiot that rote this article.

I'm the proud Mom of a 2 yr old son, born 7 weeks prematurely, who spent 3 wks in NICU.  Unlike ZachsMom, I wish the nurses had so strongly encouraged the Moms of preemies to breastfeed or to pump for a bottle or feeding tube.  I successfully transitioned my son from bottle to breast, but I felt bad for the moms who didn't know that they could do this.  More than any baby, preemies benefit from breastmilk, which is custom-made by their moms' bodies for their special needs.  

This article is disappointing and misleading but take comfort in the facts: more and more women in the US are breastfeeding and that won't change, despite articles like this one.

reply to Pattil:

I found the article you referenced ( http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/565215 ) and read throught it, and saw the limitations, of which one stood out to me:

Limitations of the study include analysis of formula introduction as a categorical variable instead of a continuous one, formula introduction not identical to duration of breast-feeding, and generalizability only to children fed cow's milk-based formula.

'generalizability only to children fed cow's milk-based formula...'  All the children in this study were fed cow's milk based formula at some point - they were not exclusively breast fed for 6 months and then given breast milk plus solids for the next six months.  

cow's milk based formula...we know that some allergic children to not react normally to protein found in cow's milk.  This same abnormal reaction to cow's milk can very well be behind developing allergies and asthma later in life.

Perhaps one conclusion to draw from this article is that babies of breast fed mothers should not get formula, or at least formula derived from cow milk, as their little immune systems react poorly to the milk protein, setting the pathway for asthma later in life.

'Infants with true cow milk allergy can develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, skin rash, and wheezing when given milk- based formulas. These symptoms will disappear as soon milk- based formula is removed from the diet. (Allergy to cow milk protein is different from lactose intolerance). ' from http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=10818

To further say that breastfeeding provides a nebulous benefit is also inaccurate, as there have been many studies that have been reproduced that prove a connection to better infant and mother health.

in response to pattil's comment:

"Breastfeeding can also cause mothers to retain and even gain weight.  Based on the mothers genes, the body can view breastfeeding as a famine situation and retain fat to protect the infant."

the mother's genes only determines what the mother's diet should be. if the body is taking in enough calories to sustain itself as well as breastfeeding, the body will have no need to view lactating as a famine situation and the body will lose weight... how fast one loses weight can vary due to genes, but the overall average of healthy weightloss rate (without extra weightloss precautions) is about one year from birth.

in response to pattil's comment:

"I will concede that it can be cheaper, if the mother is able to stay home and does not need to pump or make work accomodations..which is not always possible."

we will cancel out bottles for this since pumping milk and formula both require them... but other than that, a quality electric pump can be purchased for $125 (or less)... storage for freezing (as well as nursing pads) varies on the choice to use disposable or not, but still in no way compares to the continuos cost of formula... it is completely possible for women to pump while working without extra accomadations.

in response to pattil's comment:

"Breastfeeding can be just as inconveiniant...milk stains, special bras and clothing, father unable to help with feeding times, (emergencies where you need to be someplace but also have to breastfeed an infant, etc)..."

i've never had milk stains on my clothes and from experience from my child's clothes and friends' children's clothes, formula creates stains that are almost impossible to remove without special cleaners. not breastmilk. though items such as nursing bras (i got mine for $9 a piece, by the way... cheaper than my regular bras) or nursing clothing IS convenient (rather than inconvenient) it is not necessary. button up shirts work well, and even regular shirts as the baby covers your stomach. i personally never found the father's inability to help with feeding as inconvenient (if i had pumped, he could have) because of the numerous other things he can do. as for emergenciy situations or plans... again, pumping and storing (freezing) makes extremely convenient for such situations.

another poster's comment:

"Because my son would not swallow normally at first, he was given a wonderful Similac formula specially designed for premature babies - lots of nourishment and calories."

a mother's breastmilk is also especially designed for her premature baby... and it could have been fed to the baby just as the formula was, bottle or feeding tube.

as for the article... it comments on environment having to do with the babies' health, which is true to an extent... but how do you explain the increased death rates of formula-fed babies in third world countries? i'm sure it's not coincidental that these babies all happen to have the same specific genetic make up...

the reason why breastfeeding is "one-size-fits-all health advice" as the author commented is because of the NUMEROUS health benefits to both mother and child... these benefits work in combination with each other as well as individually... if a child benefits from only one or two aspects of breastfeeding (like the reduced risk of SIDS, for example), then breastfeeding was obviously best. VERY FEW situations prove formula to be best...

when would formula be better?  If the mother has asthma.  Research has shown the breastmilk of mothers with asthma (whether active or inactive) is lacking in long chain fatty acids.  Research has also shown that babies breastfed by mothers with asthma re 9x's more likely to have severe asthma at age 6 then those who were formula fed.  (based on research using maternal asthma as a primary factor, the studies by Wendy Oddy showing different results did not use maternal asthma as either a primary, secondary or tertiary factor).  If you have ever watched your child gasp for breath you would realize any other nebulous benifit (that you can gain by other methods of good parenting) is not worth the detriment to the childs respiratory health.

Absolutely ridiculous fodder.  To imply that breastfeeding in only beneficial if you've got the right 'DNA' is insane (which is precisely what the title implies).

Do breast-fed babies develop allergies?  Of course some will.  Our children are raised in a sterile environment that also leads to a hyper-vigilant immune system that reacts at the slightest stinuli, good or bad.  There is not one factor that determines if a child deveops allergies.  Does breastfeeding help prevent many cases?  Sure.  Does it present all breast-fed children from developing allergies?  No.  

I find articles that discuss the role of nutrition once solids are introdued and their role in the development of allergies more fascinating than this article.  We do know that a diet that lacks fruit and vegetables (which many diets do in the industrialized world) will increase ones chance of developing allergies, as the diet is deficient in key nutrients.  

So it's not only breastfeeding that helps prevent allergies and to even allude that a baby's immune status would be the same regardless of breastfeeding is a ridiculous assumption to make.

Does the author have any sort of health background?  

Methinks Sharon Begley did not breastfeed and is now looking for a good reason to justify her decision.  

Her taunting last word "surely it's time to stop giving one-size-fits-all health advice" says it all.  

Bitterness is no reason for unprofessionalism. Surely it IS time to report the facts, sans the bias.

Newsweek should be ashamed to publish such ignorant dribble.  Not a single agency that is about promoting children's health recommends formula feeding--NOT ONE.  As someone else mentioned. . .formula feeding is a good alternative where there isn't another option, but it does NOT EVEN COME CLOSE to breastmilk.  By painting breastfeeding the way you have, you have truly done a disservice to babies and mothers everywhere.  I'd be embarassed if I were you to presume the motives of mothers who breastfeed and then say that they're irrelevant because of this new study.  

PATTIL: "The breast cancer/breastfeeding myth has been definitively disproved. There is no link."

I just had to register on this site to counter the false, unproven nonsense you posted. Can I back this up? Yes.

A huge cancer report by scientists from around the world of more than 7,000 studies was recently completed. One of the findings: that breast-feeding can lower a mother's risk for developing breast cancer.

Report information:

http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dc_home_guides

See especially recommendation number NINE.

Some interesting quotes:

"According to the Expert Report, the evidence that breastfeeding protects mothers against breast cancer is convincing."

"Breastfeeding lowers the levels of some cancer-related hormones in the mother’s body, reducing the risk of breast cancer."

"At the end of breastfeeding, the body gets rid of any cells in the breast that may have DNA damage. This reduces the risk of breast cancer developing in the future."

I am the proud mother of an almost 2-year old who spent more than 2 weeks in the NICU after being born 6 weeks premature.  Directly after delivery, a lactation specialist cam into my hospital room and demanded I learn how to breast feed - I mean, this woman basically whipped my boob out from my gown for me.  I tried to explain to her nicely how I didn't plan on breastfeeding - my decision alone after 9 months of thought on the subject.  She basically called me a bad mom and walked out.  Because my son would not swallow normally at first, he was given a wonderful Similac formula specially designed for premature babies - lots of nourishment and calories.  My son is now and happy and very healthy toddler and I would not have done anything differently.  I am expecting my second child in March and plan on formula feeding this time as well.

My point is this - listen and read all of the research (or supposed research as this article suggests) - and make up your own mind.  Don't feel pressured by anyone to do what they want you to do.  There are millions of people in the world today who were not breast fed, myself included, who are just as high functioning, just as happy, just as healthy as any of the studies for breast feeding would suggest we wouldn't be.  Be of your own minds and think for yourself.

"Breast or Formula is just one decision and as more and more research is done it is being *proven* as many women already know, both are good and legitimate decisions and neither is better or worse for all babies." - pattil

Pattil, the most essential fact that is so often overlooked during arguments regarding breastmilk vs. formula is that breastmilk IS, hands down, the absolute best thing you can feed your baby.  Formula makes a decent backup in cases where women can't breastfeed for whatever reason, but in no way is it equal to what nature (or God, if you will) has created for humans to feed their babies since the birth of mankind.  I cannot imagine any circumstance in which formula would be considered a better option for a baby than breastmilk, nutritionally speaking.

I am kinda thinking this woman doesant even have any children? my grand daughter just had a baby and is breastfeeding, and already has gotten fallout about exposing her breast, the reason a lot of woman quit breast feeding is because of the social culture.as i remember one woman was arrested in the 70s for exposing her breast in public. there still are people that seem to be disgusted at this practice? but the practice of exposing ones breast at public events is encouraged now a days. figure that ? feeding a baby is a natural thing people seem to forget thats what breasts are for?

this article is a bunch of crap.

To address mexicomom's points:

1.  The result on immune system is also based on genetics and on the mothers genes.  For instance the only studies to use maternal asthma as a primary factor have found that breastfeeding raises the childs risk of asthma by 9x's by age 6, both of having asthma and having more severe asthma.  Also the immune system boost overall seems to be tied more to heredity and lifestyle etc then from breast or formula feeding.  (Look up Dr. Anne Wright strudies on breastfeeding and asthma)

2.  The breast cancer/breastfeeding myth has been definitively disproved. There is no link.

3.  Breastfeeding can also cause mothers to retain and even gain weight.  Based on the mothers genes, the body can view breastfeeding as a famine situation and retain fat to protect the infant.

4.  Bottle feeding can be just as lovely of a way to bond with your baby (I have both exclusively breast and exclusively formula fed).  Neither way of feeding has a benefit over the other in this matter.

5. I will concede that it can be cheaper, if the mother is able to stay home and does not need to pump or make work accomodations..which is not always possible.

6.  Breastfeeding can be just as inconveiniant...milk stains, special bras and clothing, father unable to help with feeding times, (emergencies where you need to be someplace but also have to breastfeed an infant, etc)...

Breast or Formula is just one decision and as more and more research is done it is being *proven* as many women already know, both are good and legitimate decisions and neither is better or worse for all babies.

I, personally, have never met anyone who regretted breastfeeding.  But, by stating that "some parents may well wonder why all the months of milk-stained blouses and balky breast pumps didn’t seem to boost Junior's cognitive development." Ms. Begley would have people think that breastfeeding is just a discomfort or inconvenience we endure in hopes that our babies will be smarter.  There are plenty of other reasons to breastfeed, and hopefully no one will see the title or beginning of this article and assume they are justified in choosing not to breastfeed when it's a viable option.

What a misleading title.  At the end of the day breast is still best.  90% of babies have the gene which allows the to receive IQ benefits, and there are no IQ disadvantages. There are no studies showing that formula is better than breastmilk.

The hospital where I gave birth gave me a list of 101 reasons why I should breastfeed. http://www.promom.org/101/.  This is why I choose to breastfeed not because of any "middle class neuroses".

This has nothing to do with personalized medicine.  Promoting breastfeeding is good medical and common sense advice, regardless of gene FADS2.

Wow - this is an exceptionally ignorant article by Ms. Begley.  She should have read more about the dozens of benefits that breastfeeding has to mother, baby, and society.  Her negative spin as to why breastfeeding has risen to 74% is really disappointing and insulting.  Not to mention her weak arguments against the few benefits to breastfeeding she does comment on.  

If you are going to write an article as if you were an expert or even mildly knowledgeable about a topic, you should actually be an expert or mildly knowledgeable about the topic.  

The title of this article is misleading.  By stating 'Is Breast Best? Depends on Baby's DNA', you make it sound as though there are some babies for whom a bottle of formula would be better, GENETICALLY.  That makes absolutely no sense and isn't supported by the content of the article.  Perhaps a change is in order.  It concerns me that some people may just see the title, on a reputable news site like MSNBC.com, and assume without reading that some research has come out that actually supports the use of bottles and formula for some babies.  Sorry but gotta say, shame on you for that.

Interesting piece, but I believe the reasons for the increase in breastfeeding are more than just to improve Jr's IQ.  There are many other benefits of breastfeeding, which doctors and public health educators are comunicating to new mothers:  1) As the author mentioned, it helps boost babies' immune systems.  2) Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer for mothers 3) Breastfeeding can help mothers shed pregancy weight.  4) Breastfeeding can be a lovely way to bond with your baby.  5) Breastfeeding is cheaper than formula.  6) Breastfeeding can be more convenient than bottle feeding- no bottles to steralize, no formula to mix and heat up.

Certainly breastfeeding is not for everyone- for any number of logistical or medical or physical reasons.  But where it is an option, there are many benefits to consider- regardless of how it might improve Jr's IQ.