Is Breast Milk Actually Better Than Formula? Science Explains

The phrase “breast is best" has made its rounds through the parenting community for many years. But is it actually true? What's the real science behind breast milk and baby formula, and does one have significant benefits over the other? Join Hank Green for a new episode of SciShow and let's settle these feeding myths for good!
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[@SciShow]

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[@DemiImp]

Where does Hank get his shirts?

[@TheRubinator13]

Why is formula considered a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) item and not a food item then if its comparable to milk?

[@hakunamatata1352]

Scishow - Lactating PERSON, really!!!?! SMH

[@AbokB]

Warning, no honey please for infants 😥

[@davidcorelli556]

You did a great job at making baby formula look just as good as breast milk. Well done!!! I really like how you took all those studies and pointed out the facts in just a way to seem as if all the studies are flawed. Like how moms who fed baby formula smoked and had poorer health choices and that's why the babies grew up with worse health.

[@Miyori999]

My mom breastfed all three of us 6+ months, but she got: One kid with Autism, one kid with ADHD (and undiagnozed autism, probs), one kid with hypothyroidism, three kids who became overweight post-puberty, three adult kids with severe mental illness, and three adult kids in poverty. The breastfeeding had no effect on us long-term, but our health outcomes are far more related to our ACEs, and within that our overall income level. I think poverty is the ultimate indicator of health and wellness outcomes for adults. Still, there is the fact that correlation=/=causation is at odds with the few who did manage to dig out of poverty but with ACEs are still known to have relatively poor health, and living without ACEs and in good financial standing does not 100% prevent poor health.

[@DynAmisch69]

A girlfriend of mine breastfeed her son for 3 years and he is one of the dumbest and most annoying children I’ve ever met. On top of that he has severe eczema and is constantly sick 😆

[@bluefrostryy]

i mean it IS better🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️, but if u cant do it, u should get options

[@hannahbaxter8825]

Hes wrong, if you suppliment with formula because you dont have enough milk you will have less and less milk until its likely you end up on just formula . If you dont have enough milk early on, drink lots of water and feed often. Babies often cluster feed to build up your supply at various points early on. It will seem a lot but i think its worth the effort. Breastfeeding is a 2 way thing and your body will tailor make the milk to match what your baby needs.

[@katiemelvin4961]

He's not wrong, my body never caught up. I worked with my local infant feeding team, pumped 5 times a day on top of giving 8x 40 minutes feeds. All while my baby dropped down to the 2nd percentile. If I didn't have formula to give her top ups, I hate to think what would happen. My baby is currently 5 months old and still gets her main feeds from me as well as 2x bottle tops up. Tried dropping the top up twice and each time, she lost weight because my body couldn't catch up.

[@WaraiTube]

Not if you pump to give your body the signal to make more.

[@Queenxmarquise]

Clearly y’all don’t do any research. If your body can provide enough milk it just can’t. Not all women can and it’s okay.

[@Diannako1]

people don't breastfeed babies, women breastfeed babies.

[@Shuang_Shuang]

When I couldn't produce enough breast milk to feed my son, it was really hard on me. I kept pumping and breastfeeding the whole time - I pumped for 11 months because I wanted to give as much breast milk as I could. I never got my supply up very high, so I also gave him formula. He mostly got formula. But as hard as it was, I kept telling myself that a well-fed baby is a healthy baby, and him getting enough was all that mattered. And now he's a very healthy toddler!

[@amandawilliams6764]

If you CAN breastfeed it’s obviously best but if not obviously fed is best instead of starvation. Who cares about what others think. Someone somewhere will always have something to say about anything you might due. Screw them. Just like shaming women for csections instead of vaginal birth when your life or the babies is in danger. Screw what others think.

[@YasuTaniina]

I agree that fed is best, and I don't shame women for getting C-sections, I do however shame our medical practices that make C-section rates so much higher then most other developed countries.

[@ProfVRandall]

Actually, the problem with formula marketing in poor countries is that companies would give just enough formula free that the mother's breast milk would dry up by the time they ran out of the formula. Poor mothers would buy formula but would water down the formula. I was a nurse practitioner in the 1970s when the United Nations attempted to pass a resolution forbidding formula companies from giving formula to mothers in poor countries. The united states were one of few countries that refused to sign on to the resolution.

[@keithdurant4570]

Yes I remember being absolutely disgusted when I found out they give baby packages to new mothers...with about 2 weeks of formula.

[@BothHands1]

Omg that's horrible... I mean, if they had advised the mother to use it interchangably between normal breastfeedings, it probably wouldn't have been a problem, but of course they wouldn't make as much profit that way. Money corrupts everything...

[@KnightRaymund]

"The united states were one of few countries that refused to sign on to the resolution." Why am I not surprised? -_- $$$$ > health

[@lagarttemido]

@@KnightRaymund Actually, it can be interpreted the other way around. The US were one of the few that refused to sign on to the resolution because they knew it was bad and would lead to the problems it eventually did.

[@nawor3565]

lagarttemido The USA didn't agree to the resolution that would PREVENT the formula companies from doing this. Had they agreed, maybe it wouldn't have been such a huge problem.

[@TheWinnipegredhead]

Breastfeeding was key in winning the fight for extended (one year) maternity leave in Canada. Having done it now, I understand why. It's hard work.

[@TheWinnipegredhead]

@Gabby Mouse once established sure at times but getting it established was two months of mastsis and blocked ducts for me (and I think a lot of other women).

[@journeytowellness16]

As a first time mom with an exclusively breastfed 9 month old, the first 2 months were extremely difficult and painful and I may have been spared some pain and my mental health may have been better if I allowed myself to supplement. But breastfeeding was something i was really passionate about so I pushed through but it wasn't easy.

[@Lolee56]

Interesting… I was breastfed and didn’t even go to collage and rely on my engineer husband who was formula fed to provide for me. He’s also a lot healthier than me in general

[@Cobbido]

Okay

[@Dozerson2]

What about the psychological benefits of breastfeeding: bonding, facial recognition, etc? Do studies show that it's the same as bottle-feeding?

[@Bigfoot_With_Internet_Access]

The truth is that it's not actually made from infants

[@josiahklein70]

Really? What a shame. False advertising!

[@tmanook]

Boo! Made me laugh.

[@Chrisallengallery]

Baby food on the other hand . . .

[@gavinminion8515]

You spoil everything! I'm off to plant some bird seed. I want to grow a parrot.

[@TheReZisTLust]

Well yours isn't anyways.

[@one-eyedsam2186]

Breast really IS best. Thanks SciShow for confirming what everybody already knew.

[@priestessliletheudora432]

Im of that 15%. They pushed that only breastfeeding the first several days. It almost starved my baby....all because they thought id produce enough eventually. I tried everything, every supplement...it destroyed me. Made me feel like a failure and the "natural" mom claiming i mustve done something wrong didnt help. Some of us unfortunately dont produce enough. Its not our fault, so dont treat those women like that. Be understanding and less judgemental

[@WouterCloetens]

Stress is a common cause of low milk production. If anything, not feeling ashamed about having to supplement might just help with that.

[@priestessliletheudora432]

It wasnt stress, i was totally elated and ready for the new baby. That had already been suggested. It was because i have a breast deformity. Most people dont take things like that into consideration and just, like you just did, kept suggesting things. Not everyone can produce enough milk, im sorry thats hard to grasp. It happens.

[@bounceintofitness2456]

As long as your baby is fed, whether it’s breastmilk or formula, then that’s all that matters. Of course you try your best for your baby so never forget that 💕

[@priestessliletheudora432]

@@bounceintofitness2456 thank you ❤

[@havuckofp]

I remember as a postpartum nurse that I was viewed negatively for giving formula to newborns if their mothers were not producing enough (if the mother asked for it of course). I agree with you 100% that new mothers should not be shamed for supplementing with formula or using it instead.

[@Danielle-zq7kb]

It is best and in addition to the nutrients and immunity and bonding with mom, it helps correctly shape the mouth and jaw of the baby. For mom it helps return the uterus and vagina back into shape after childbirth with a return to pre-pregnancy weight. But for adopted children or when the mom can’t breastfeed, formula is next.

[@ProfessorPolitics]

The kid at 6:52 is straight-up baby Casey Niestat.

[@andrecurtis2335]

Just remember, the food industry funds the "research". There is no company out here PAYING to go out of business.

[@bridgetmcgann7502]

Longtime Nerdfighter and huge SciShow/CrashCourse/AART/all the things fan here. I also happen to be a lactation scientist-currently a graduate student in biological anthropology and also a volunteer research assistant in a lactation-focused lab. I have some serious concerns with the accuracy of this video. In general, it doesn’t reflect the scientific consensus on this **very complex** issue. I feel like I should say up front that no one disagrees that formula is sometimes necessary, or that it is safe. The BFHI and the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners have guidelines that address that; starving a baby in the name of maintaining breastfeeding goes against medical ethical guidelines. Period, the end. That having been said, a few points… 1. There is no debate in the scientific community about whether or not breastfeeding is the optimal method of feeding for human infants. It is just not a thing. The impression that this video leaves the viewer with is that there is a debate happening, but that debate mostly exists in the media and between parents. The WHO, UNICEF, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, and the corresponding pediatric and OB organizations in the UK and Canada all hold breastfeeding as the optimal form of nutrition for human infants. Recently, some of them have released statements reaffirming this, as well as their support for the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative. 2. The “Sibling Study” (Colen and Ramey 2014) contradicts a mountain of established science and overlooks some important outcomes, without which, the conclusions it draws are unwarranted. This study failed to account for the fact that the effects of breastfeeding generally have a dose-response effect, and failed to take some crucial measurements, such as whether the breastfed babies were exclusively breastfed or mixed-fed. It also ignores some pretty important outcomes that are well-established to be associated with breastfeeding, such as viral infection, GI infections, and ear infections (which can cause speech delays). The conclusions this study draws are just not consistent with what we know about breastfeeding across our species. Alison Stuebe, vice president of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and one of the most prolific researchers I know of in this area, writes much more succinctly on this study and the PROBIT study, which I will discuss next: bfmed.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/reports-on-breastfeeding-sibling-study-are-vastly-overstated/ 3. The PROBIT study (Kramer et al.) is commonly misrepresented in media coverage. It in fact found a significantly higher IQ at school age, which for some reason the media always ignores? But what is most notable about this study is that it was not as “randomized” as it is made out to be. Most of the babies in the study, including many of the babies in the non-intervention group, were in fact breastfed, it’s really more of a study of “some breastfeeding” vs. “more breastfeeding.” A causative relationship is not directly addressed, here. Also, the authors don’t note how many babies weren’t breastfed at all. Really, PROBIT is a study of breastfeeding promotion, not actual breastfeeding. Reproductive anthropologist Bob Martin (who some of you will remember from the Brain Scoop) discusses this study, the papers that have precipitated from that dataset, as well as the evolutionary context for this issue in this article: www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-we-do-it/201801/breastfeeding-no-option-women-needremedies-not-bullying It goes without saying, the relationship between infant feeding and IQ is complex and still unclear. A systematic meta-analysis of over 12,000 infants that dropped this year did find a modest difference with breastfeeding for at least 6 months. (Studies of longer breastfeeding durations would be informative as the recommendation is 2 years, but such goals are too rarely met in the West to do a large enough study.) www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/bfm.2020.0364 But of course this says nothing of the problematic nature of using IQ as a measure of intelligence, owing to its very culturally, economically, and racially-biased history. In my opinion, any information about breastfeeding and IQ should be taken with a grain of salt, but also sort of misses the forest for the trees. 4. The real number of people who “just can’t make milk” is actually more like 5%, not 15%. I am really not sure where that 15% number came from, tbh. But more importantly-the biggest barriers to breastfeeding are social, not biological, in origin. This means the parent’s supply issues are caused by treatable variables such as latch issues or muscle/coordination issues, or ill-informed cultural beliefs that impact supply, or lack of access to well-trained professionals or community support. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK52688/ 5. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative has a well-established, documented positive impact. As with any public health initiative that has been around for 25+ years adjustments have been made as new evidence emerges. Overall it is well-regarded, as are the organizations (WHO and UNICEF) that designed and implemented it. Also, notably, the writer of this SciShow episode has a history of issuing poorly-informed criticisms of BFHI, and continues to do so after receiving feedback from experts: ysph.yale.edu/news-article/ysph-team-responds-to-opinion-piece-critical-of-breastfeeding/ …But more important than any of these points is this: The problem with most breastfeeding research is that biomedical researchers tend to test it like a drug. But it isn’t a drug. It isn’t even a food. It’s a system. One cannot run statistical tests on it as if it were a drug and expect to see the whole picture. The whole of the body of research suggests that breastfeeding constitutes the core component of the infant’s ecological niche. As any good ecologist will tell you, when you take an organism out of its ecological niche, pathology arises. Studies where the hypothesis and methodology both start with this assumption are lacking, and therefore it is arrogant for us to assume that there is absolutely no harm done in abandoning this long-evolved system on a population level, even in West where the outcomes we measure are always better. It’s the outcomes we *haven’t* thought to measure because we don’t yet know they exist, or because we do not yet have the tools. Moreover, breastfeeding is hardly a “choice” for many parents, due to forces that mostly boil down to culture, privilege, and infrastructure. Like most other health issues. If we address those issues, there won’t be a need for any sort of “debate”--let alone guilt and shame. I hope that y'all have more of a sense of how complex this issue is--and also how cool it is. Thanks for letting me share!

[@Neptunia98]

+

[@asliuf]

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise 🙏 +++

[@barlin07]

I appreciate your knowledge and education on this topic. Thank you for taking the time to create this thoughtful response and promoting evidence based science and informed decision making.

[@bridgetmcgann5552]

I'm glad y'all found this helpful!

[@n7_102]

Thanks for beautifully summarizing the scientific research and especially your honest review of how to critically look at the data. I feel that whenever scientific research is discussed this is a point that is often ignored👍

[@AidanRatnage]

Breastmilk may not be free but it is cheaper! I wonder why formula seems to be more popular with lower income parents. At 6:55 yes, siblings often do have the same parents.

[@Dekunutcase]

Formula is more popular for lower income parents because of WIC and because it is extremely uncomfortable and very inconvenient to pump at work. If you could stay home with your baby all day long, that would be great, but the pressure to not take pumping breaks at work is real. Also, pumping is horrible.

[@akasuzq1970]

Because they have to work; not everyone gets paid maternity leave. Even if the mom is pumping her milk everyday, there may not be enough milk to last all day.

[@jaclyn4098]

I would say because they have to work more, therefore cant breasstfeed as much, may not be able to afford breast pumps, and may not be able to pump at work. It may also be because lower income people tend to be less educated, and are therefore more easily influence by formula marketing.

[@noonespecial9233]

Right? It sounds counterintuitive but it makes sense for a couple reasons. No or limited maternity leave, lack of ability to pump at work, or not even being able to afford that equipment, being too broke to buy extra food to make more milk...

[@Aartie1010]

Formula is heavily marketed in lower socioeconomic countries as well

[@Just.a.person59]

Think about it, woman who breast feed “more likely to” are more likely to take the time to read to, talk to, play with, and play games with their kids which has shown to put their kids leagues above kids who are left with tv as a babysitter. My mom made it a habit of reading the encyclopedia, dictionary, children’s books, the bible, or any thing else she thought would make a difference in my life present or future. It made a hell of a difference…

[@ainnothin9854]

I'm surprised you didn't bring up antibodies at all.

[@bronwynstirkul3549]

Adam Hanohano and the fact that many people in “developed countries” don’t make up formula correctly, often making it extremely unsafe, such as adding cold preboiled water to the wrong quantity of powder, recipe for disaster including possible kidney damage and food poisoning, since formula is not sterile, nor has the protective good bacteria that eats bad bacteria....

[@brianmiller179]

The hospital pretty much shamed my wife because she couldn't produce enough milk. I was getting pretty angry, but then she decided to go with formula and told the lactation consultant she wouldn't be needed anymore. I'm so happy she did, the delivery and recovery was stressful enough as it was.

[@TangerineBliss]

Man that's awful. 😢 It's not worth adding yet another layer of guilt to us moms!

[@SisterSanMiguel]

It takes longer than a few days for milk to come in for some. It took me 6 days but it came in.

[@WVgrl59]

​@@SisterSanMiguel true

[@WVgrl59]

I would call and notify the administrator of the hospital because they need to replace that employee or volunteer.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

So great she told the consultant what to do with themself. Kudos!

[@lexer_]

Basically, breastfeed if you can but don't be afraid of supplements if they become advisable or even necessary.

[@WhereAml]

tl;dr Yes. Preferably avoid the formulas for the first 6 months. If the mother cannot breastfeed due to physiological reasons or beggining ablactation then yes, consult with a physician to see which of all the formulas are suitible for your (or the) infant, since they all vary in molecular weight and could cause an array of GI discomfort and symptoms for the toddler.

[@spicat16]

yep. im apart of that 15 percentile. i had to supplement.

[@melyssalayrensia]

with my first child, i can breastfeed just fine. but with my second child, i got fungi infection on my breasts, everytime i breastfeed, the pain is unbearable and sometimes the milk mixed with blood, not to mention my 2nd daughter got fungal infection too on her mouth and bum. So with heavy heart i must use formulas, she was just 2 months old. it came out okay, but it was heart breaking, knowing that i can produce milk but can not give it to her

[@Tomasu82]

Our hospital provided formula while my wife was recovering from her CS. They did push breast milk for various reasons but also said it was more important that the infant get enough food, and formula was fine when needed.

[@SpinningSage]

alexander kerbers supplementing got us in a lot of trouble. Big issues with baby not relatching. Lowering supply drastically. Bottles feed babies so quickly that it can make them sick and not want to latch to something with slower let down. So some experience Lots of problems.

[@T_Greer]

"Formula companies have definitely acted unethically at certain points in the past" cough, cough ... Nestlé ... cough, cough

[@hopefulskeptic42]

IN SHORT; history has repeatedly proven that corporations cannot be trusted with the health of our children.

[@cptq91]

I could not get my baby to latch, when he did the pain was excruciating and always drew blood. I've tried for a month, went to several health care professionals. Many can say I've haven't tried long enough, but I was alone to take care of my baby and house because my husband had post partum depression and wasn't to be trusted around our baby. I pumped for 3 months and after that I had no supply. So he has been fed with the best formula money can buy and I'm thankful it exists

[@CheliCheli89]

Breastfeeding is free if the parent’s time is worth nothing? What does that mean? The mom has to nourish herself in order to nourish her baby with breastmilk. Last time I checked, food wasn’t exactly “free”.

[@febberz]

But she'd be eating anyway?? Calorie intake needs are a little higher, sure, but not the price of formula higher.

[@inlesinlet]

Thank you for this! According to my family, I would've been dead without formula, as my mom simply... didn't produce milk, no matter how hard she tried. The entire "is formula good or bad?" debate presupposes that everyone actually have the option between breast milk and formula. When we add "formula or starvation", then that drastically alters the debate. I'd rather be alive with allergies than dead, and my family agrees.

[@littlebluedolphin]

So true! I might not be dead but I might get complications if I'm breastfed instead of formula-fed. My mom was on an array of medication even before I was conceived and had to continue her medications after I was born, so she was not advised to breastfeed at all. If not for formula, I might have been breastfed by my mom, and IDK what sort of complications will I get from that.

[@streetninja510]

No, the “is formula good or bad” debate Does Not presuppose that everyone have the option between breast milk and formula & you should definitely stop talking to anyone who argues that feeding a baby nothing is preferable to feeding formula. The debate presupposes that those who Do have the option to choose ought to look into & weigh the pros and cons of each.

[@MichaelRyce_WhyAgain]

Obviously if there is no breath option, the debate is over because it is not the same conversation... ❤️

[@MrCool144]

Your mom did something wrong.

[@sacredweeds]

I understand extenuating circumstance. Malt is a great breast milk booster yes beer and malted milk. Easy on the beer though. Baby does get some too. I was overflowing after 1/2 a beer and quite tipsy after 9 months of not drinking.

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Thanks SciShow for keeping us abreast of the latest research on this topic.

[@peterm.eggers520]

Ha ha.

[@bbyrneish]

Sebastian Elytron 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bbyrneish]

Sebastian Elytron 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davidbass6780]

It was a real nipple twitcher alright.

[@joshuagoodsell9330]

This is the breast comment in the thread.

[@h.a.l.e.y..]

My bff is a toxicologist who works with the linings of food cans, basically making sure nothing harmful leaches into foods. Her company attempted to create a formula line but they determined even with the latest advances in lining technology they were not able to prevent harmful chemicals from leeching into the formula because of the high fat content of the formula. They compared their findings to existing formula lines and found the same toxins in the formula. They ended up scrapping the project. I maintain the belief that fed is best but if you have the ability to breastfed you should make every effort to do so.

[@roy4173]

Was only a little bit disappointed that there wasn't a breastfeeding-related segue into Skillshare.

[@fionafiona1146]

Hiding breasts from Americans 101?

[@EnvAdam]

'Speaking of breast feeding thanks to our sponsor you could milk endless amounts of information skillshare'

[@diegodoumecq5144]

Breastfeeding is a skill that can be shared. A shared skill or skillshare, if you will.

[@anunayasingh3621]

You can see breastfeeding videos on our sponsor page skill share.

[@JoaoPessoa86]

@@fionafiona1146 leaving the breastfeeding mother alone 101

[@crackedemerald4930]

I like how the thumbnail lowkey promotes the right of ducks to adopt human children

[@Wylie.Burp420]

I laughed too hard at this

[@alyssam8550]

Okay, okay, please explain. I'm trying to figure it out but I think I'm dumb

[@TheAtheist92]

@@alyssam8550: The Pictogram in the baby's thought bubble looks like a duck holding a baby next to a baby-bottle

[@thegameres816]

@@alyssam8550 also the baby is "under" something white. And there's white ducks.

[@jennifer8535]

Lmao I can’t unsee it now!

[@Nemockzans]

What i don't understand is the ppl who say formula is better

[@mallorikerr4092]

Today it's kind of a toss up. Though breast is preferred, one it's right there at the right temp; two, baby learns food flavors through breast milk, but other than the immune and digestive benefits formula still had come a very long way

[@melissapyle7879]

PSA. Ppl, just remember.. if a mother is feeding her baby from her breast and is in an area where u can see her.. u really don't have to stop and watch. It's perfectly OK if u just walk on by and jeep ur opinions to ur self..😁

[@LizzyMarieTina]

I have heard that moms who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer later in life.

[@Kimmaline]

FED is best. (I say this as a mom who breastfed for over 3yrs). I am a huge proponent of natural term breastfeeding. But shaming people has rarely ended up with long term societal change....and I'm exhausted of the way we look for ways to put one another down. I loved nursing my daughter, it was a wonderful thing for us and I am so blessed I got the experience I wanted out of it. But best for me is not best for everyone - I was in a situation where it worked for me. I am not at all representative of every family situation.

[@pheart2381]

I think its very sad that post-pregnancy care,time,nurturing and just bonding is being pushed out as women are forced to return to work before they have time to enjoy their baby!

[@yoursisterfromanothermiste6696]

Right? Like let’s stop moms from actually feeding their kids. Such a dumb hill to die on.

[@BaldingClamydia]

I couldn't get my kids to latch on properly so I got a pump and pumped for a few months (after each kid). Whatever your preference, you can get creative and you're still a good mom

[@sweetheartokay69]

Kimmaline so lucky to read a comment like yours ! I can’t stand mothers that stand in only one direction. As you said FED IS BEST ! And I basically don’t understand why others hate so much like it is our business how we feed them and it’s not important how others feed their babies as long as their healthy.

[@wolfiesara]

@@kathrynseton1 I totally agree with what this woman says in this article. At the hospital where my daughter was born, they didn't want new moms to carry their infants at ALL, because an exhausted mom had gotten dizzy and dropped her baby on the hard tile hospital floor and the baby died. Also, my daughter got violently ill from my milk and all her problems went away when we switched to formula. Even then, the lactation coach we were assigned (who had a TERRIBLE personality) tried to convince us that she was better off being sick with breastmilk than to be healthy and gaining weight with formula. Some of these people have no common sense at all.

[@blueridding]

I had my second child in a "baby friendly" hospital and my complaint issue was that they refused to take a healthy baby to the nursery. I loved roominh in with my baby, but the first night after her birth I was all by myself with no friends or family at the hospital and my daughter had a terribly rough night. We couldn't figure out nursing, even though I was an experienced nurser. After being exhausted from pushing a baby put of my body, all I wantes was an hour of sleep. At about 4 am I finally gave up and just asked that the nurse take the baby for one hour so I could get sleep. They could not becuase of this certification. I felt that they put their certification as "baby friendly" above my own health. I am pretty pro breastfeeding (I nursed my first for over 2 years) but I wish the hospital had some leeway to use their judgement for the care of their patients. I can guarantee that our success as a nursing pair would not have been affected by letting me sleep for one hour. By the time my husband and son were able to come visit me the next morning, I had been awake for almost 40 hrs, all for some rule set by a committee on the other side of the country.

[@michaelchambers7770]

What nursery? In many hospitals there is no longer any such thing as a nursery. There is the PICU/NICU, but they certainly aren’t going to send an otherwise healthy baby there so you can sleep.

[@bronwynstirkul3549]

Depends on the hospital and the staffing. Sometimes there is no room, and nurses totally pumped. One nurse pushed my son in his port a cot for a few hours whilst doing her rounds to give me a rest since the nursery was full.

[@SpinningSage]

Shanna Mae Slight in my case i would have switched birth stories with you in a minute. They took my child away for a long time..fed her formula rather than my colostrum or breastmilk like i had requested.. It was awful to know that my baby was without me for hours screaming while i was just was fkr the hospital to allow me to see my own child. Both circumstances suck! But knowing that my babt screamed for me for hours is rattling.

[@crystall9522]

I've heard that there are higher rates of sleep related accidents at baby friendly hospitals for this reason. For example, women falling asleep holding their baby and dropping them off the bed. I was lucky in that my nurse offered to take my son between feeds a few times so I could get some rest.

[@megsimp0212]

Michael Chambers Of course this is written by a man

[@AliceinJapanaland]

One of the problems with many formulas is they use oils - and often those oils themselves are not all that healthy. And when you're feeding your baby nothing but formula with loads of oils in it for several months all day long, it's certainly appropriate to be concerned about it. That said, I couldn't manage to breastfeed my 1st baby no matter what I did. So I am really grateful to hear that formula and breastmilk babies have largely comparable outcomes within the same families. My 2nd baby who is now 3 months old, I had to fight to breastfeed successfully and now she is only breastfed. But breastfeeding is seriously difficult for the first several weeks and if I weren't a stay home mom, I probably would've thrown in the towel already.

[@nrperignon5641]

Seed oils are the worst

[@Gurra1980]

​@@nrperignon5641Nope, it's old debunked myths.

[@NyssaOwens]

Also, not just the seed oils, but the hydrolyzed corn syrup solids. Yeesh. So bad.

[@ziljin]

Natural milk is the breast.

[@KnighteyKnight]

Where was this video 6 years ago when we were feeling awful about not breastfeeding exclusively?

[@AlanisOcasio123]

I would have loved to participated in that study, I breastfed my second and formula Fed my first.

[@sudarshan3965]

Do you see any health or immunity differences in both

[@ataurusqueenofzion916]

@@sudarshan3965 I breastfeed my daughter 3 years.Son 6 months and included formula. My son has allergies and asthma. He is prone to colds and was in and out of hospital numerous times.My daughter hardly ever gets sick.

[@ShopTalks]

Our pediatrician put it this way. The differences are in single digit percentages. If breast feeding turns your life into a living nightmare, those single digit percentages simply arent worth it. Its better to have a house full of happy people.

[@emmamemma4162]

This was a nice and well-rounded video, BUT I don't get the part about the value of the parents time. You are supposed to hold your baby while bottle feeding it, so there's not a lot of time to save by switching to formula. Also night-feeding is easier if you breastfeed. Where I live doctors and nurses promote having the baby in your bed so you can feed without getting up, this makes it a lot easier to go back to sleep. (If someone sleeping in the bed is very overweight or is under the influence, do NOT let the baby sleep in your bed).

[@mamaducksc]

This is exactly what I was about to say. Breastmilk alternatives do *not* save time. You have to prepare them and still hold the baby while they take the bottle. For me, as an 18yo mom, breastfeeding was the fastest, easiest way to feed my son. It's remained true through all my subsequent children.

[@MeredithVolkman]

I think the implication was that bottle feeding can be done by someone other than the parent. Breastfeeding is free if the parent can put everything else in their life on hold to breastfeed their baby for 6 months, but not everyone can or wants to do so. Allowing formula feeding means the child can easily be taken care of by a family member, nanny, daycare, etc while the parent is elsewhere

[@emmamemma4162]

@@MeredithVolkman ...and this is why the US needs to catch up with the rest of the developed world and legislate for maternal and parental leave.

[@sweetheartokay69]

Emma Blomqvist _If my baby would sleep with me in the same bed it would have died I really agressiv while sleeping I can’t control it that’s why I always sleep alone and I once did kick my brother without intention and he woke up on the floor bloody nose and a blue eye so there is no chance that my baby is going to sleep with me in the same bed it would likely die_

[@emmamemma4162]

@@sweetheartokay69 That's a good point! Usually parents naturally adapt to sleeping with an infant, but if you suspect that your sleeping patterns are somewhat abnormal co-sleeping might not be for you. Also, if you move about a lot when you sleep this could be connected to sleepwalking etc, so you might want to mention it to your doctor.

[@ank10858]

In India most of the commercially available baby formula contains add sugar including the one from nestle. It unfortunate most of the families don’t have enough awareness about it 😞

[@BrittPearceWatches]

I recently gave birth. I really wanted to give breastfeeding a go! But my milk didn’t come in for about 10 days, by that point I had horrible baby blues, I only just got used to formula and I truly, mentally couldn’t have tried breastfeeding. I was just so mentally unwell at the time. Formula has been the right decision for us, as a family! And we’ve got a lovely, happy, healthy 3 month old! Honestly - how you feed your baby isn’t anyone’s business. It’s for you to decide as a family and what’s right for you! Fed is best! Ps. I find the people who keep a lot of this stigma alive DO NOT HAVE KIDS 🤣

[@ashy969]

Would be good to know how formula feeding effects emotional aspects. Like bonding with the baby or chances of depression... I'm not saying people who use formula love their babies any less. Just that brest feeding inevitably forces more skin to skin contact...

[@chrisdwyer1477]

My wife and I had our twins three months early. They weighed just over one and a half pounds at birth. Because of this and some other factors, my wife is unable to produce enough milk to feed them both. As their demand for milk goes up due to them growing, they are getting less and less breast milk. So she pumps as much as she can and we supplement it with formula. They are now 12lbs and fed mostly formula, however they are thriving and have no health issues at all!

[@anastasiafish]

THANK YOU. I can’t allcaps that enough. I had to stop trying to breastfeed my baby because of reasons, and by the way some people responded (in the healthcare field, no less) you would have thought I had decided to start feeding him diet doctor pepper. Science these days is great. The chemists and nutritionists at the formula companies are smart. There are regulations. And it turns out, he’s fine. To anyone who is putting themselves through hell trying to breastfeed their baby: You are still a good parent if you decide to use formula; your baby will be fine, you’re doing great. The end.

[@wolftamerwolfcorp7465]

anastasiafish my mother only tried breastfeeding her first child who didn’t take to it at all, she didn’t really receive criticism until she had her youngest, over a decade after her second, where they chastised her for not breastfeeding even after it was too late to start trying

[@cgaccount3669]

Ya. It almost seems alarming to some people if you dare using formula. Like they should call child services on you for abusing your baby. But we live in an age where celebrities and con artists have convinced some people vaccines are bad and we never went to the moon

[@ChozoSR388]

Yeah, my mom _couldn't_ breastfeed me when I was a baby because she was undergoing the medically necessary destruction of her thyroid at the time, which entailed the usage of radioactive iodine*. It's not always an option. I turned out okay on formula lol * Edited for accuracy.

[@yasminvillanueva3141]

Exactly

[@beth8775]

Amen. I had to stop breastfeeding after about a month because I was having such a hard time with it to where I was only getting an hour of sleep at a time. Obviously, that's going to affect your mental state. I was so disappointed, and disappointed in myself, that I couldn't do it. There is so much guilt out there around the subject. I love that he said, "but Formula is Fine."

[@gyufuli]

Thank you! I was going mad by breastfeeding consuktants telling me that there is no such think as not enough milk, until we ended up in the hospital because my child had jaundice that did not go away, and was not gaining weight. And I was breastfeeding him 24/7. I had to supplement and then he became a healthy happy baby.

[@silverscapes9628]

I wish I had seen this 3 years ago when my eldest was born. I was devastated when I couldn’t breastfeed him, I thought I was giving him a worse start at life. But it was that, or let him starve to death. He just wasn’t getting enough. I had severe postpartum depression because of it. He’s a very healthy, happy 3 year old now, all thanks to formula.

[@tesseraph]

I literally could not respect SciShow more than I already do. The in-depth yet comprehensible way you communicate topics like this and others by providing *all* relevant results on a topic, even when they contradict each other, even when the conclusion isn't paradigm-shattering, earns my respect every time. I use and refer to information learned from SciShow with as much confidence as a person can scientifically have. I thank everyone working for SciShow for making and maintaining it as the radiant jewel of the Internet it is.

[@laramaria2908]

I agree

[@EbonyPope]

I'm really disappointed that the benificial microbiota weren't mentioned. He also didn't mention that breastfeeding isn't only about feeding but also about bonding. Concerning the guidelines I agree, it is stupid to risk dehydration just because you don't want to supplement. But other than that I found the video quite lacking.

[@madd5]

@@EbonyPope he mentioned about beneficial bacteria which formula doesn't have but breast milk has.

[@superdau]

@@EbonyPope What beneficial microbiota? It was made pretty clear in the video that studies don't show a difference between breastfed and formula fed babies. So what data do you have that others don't?

[@TangerineBliss]

Definitely! They really look at all sides and show the nuanced information that people often breeze over.

[@blitzkriegbanana]

Feeding my preemie breast milk while watching this. Because she’s so small they suggested to supplement with formula for the extra calories to help her gain weight.

[@charopcute8372]

Other important childhood outcomes in which breastfeeding has previously been found to be beneficial were not measured, including allergies, immune status and diabetes. Importantly, breastfeeding also brings benefits to the mother, such as reducing the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. From the same study

[@vtbhoward]

At minute mark 8.51 onward, it was expressed that people shouldn't be told that "they have to breadfeed". I have three breastfed children, and no one ever told me or reported that they were told, you "have to breastfeed" for any reason. I am a "breast is best" mama, as long as the mechanisms of breastfeeding for mama and baby are well functional. In addition, if for some reason my sanity and life is in observable jeopardy, then I do not have a justification to not provide nature's best food for the youngest members of mankind. If needed though, I would turn to substitute milks that are from nature, but not from a manufacturer, if avoidable!

[@luciesimpson6437]

Yeah, the fact that infant formula has been (and still is) advertised by dodgy companies (Fonterra, Nestlee) in LEDCs as 'healthier', despite the fact that the formula sold there is low quality, frequently contaminated or prepared by people with inadiquate access to clean water resulting in infant hospitalizations and deaths for which those companies have never been held accountable doesn't help the reputation of formula.

[@DisIzDaName]

So basically, breast IS best, but formula is better than starvation, and it's not the only factor contributing to health and success in life.

[@8cordas381]

Brazilian medical doctor here, I love your videos, watch them all. The difference between breast milk and formulas is pretty much down to one thing only nowadays: antibodies from the mother that helps protecting the child. One must be careful with studies nowadays, as the opioid crisis is an example, because the industry is willing to do anything to sell their product. In this case, there are implications on society workers as well(maternity leave), so, LOTS of lobbying and statistical manipulation on such studies. I think you should have been more clear or to emphasize that breast milk is the way to go, but if it is necessary, the child will not be harmed if that child needs to use formula milk for whatever reason.

[@aarontooth]

There's a problem with what you're saying here. From a medical standpoint, you can't say both "bf is the way to go" and "nothing bad will happen if you don't breastfeed." Seriously, if we're talking about medicine, those can't both be true. The reason people seem to think they can both be true is they're injecting non-medical or non-scientific considerations. But you have to understand that the public isn't going to you for an opinion because they think you're really smart or something, so you can just spout off whatever nonsense. You have an ethical duty to restrict your advice to the medical situation, and leave the rest to other qualified practicioners. And no, you can't just take a non-medical or unscientific opinion and add "the industry" conspiracy theories to it to bolster your otherwise questionable theory.

[@SexyyetSweet94]

@8cordas381 as I do agree with you. Mother's mostly end up staying home the first few months (at least 3 months) to care for their children with extremely limited contact with other's until at least they've gotten their shots. I do agree that lobbyists do use this to push mother's back to work but it shouldn't just be due to babies relying on us like food. Women being at home should be highly reliant not just as food source but nurturing as well, babies should get to learn and be loved by their mother's in their earliest life of infancy.

[@flokeme1976]

Well said doc! And I would like to add one more thing! Those who say they just didn’t produce milk… we are mammals! If you don’t have important health issues… you DO produce milk! Maybe it is difficult at first and the baby doesn’t latch properly but with a bit of education we can all achieve good breastfeeding, it’s just nature! That being said, it is not cool to shame mothers who choose differently! No mother should ever have to explain this choice to others! Mental health first!

[@barbarabreunis7788]

There are living cells in mothers milk, breastfeeding helps prevent breast cancer. It's not just the antibodies.

[@Uhlbelk]

As a doctor, my practice has been to encourage breast feeding, but teaching mothers to supplement feeding with formula if the baby is still showing signs of hunger after breastfeeding, and when to stop feeding so the child is not overfed, and most importantly its ok if they can't or don't want to breastfeed.

[@lanaaa6213]

Amazing video, love that you included the sources in the description, too!!

[@person3464]

Yes. It is.

[@inkuissuper]

does no one know about the 2008 Chinese milk scandal? Where 6 babies died and 54,000 were hospitalized.

[@sarahlamarche5866]

This is so important for parents like myself who not only have had to grieve when not able to breastfeed, but have been consistently shamed and guilted for it too. Thank you.

[@blugaledoh2669]

You can't breastfeed? Formulas can be good.

[@TangerineBliss]

I'm sorry sorry you have had to deal that. 😢

[@shilpatmshilpa615]

Don't feel shameful u can try out aptamil formula milk it's good and contains prebiotics and close to mothers breastmilk

[@57IAM]

I couldn't breastfeed. I was completely drained at 41. I don't feel guilty at all. Don't fret, you're ok.

[@nerissacrawford8017]

My mum lost the ability to lactate very early. I was then fed baby formula. I turned out just fine. You keep doing you! 😊

[@teambeining]

As a nurse, I was an absolute breastfeeding snob until I tried it. Breastfeeding is HARD. Women need good support and a lot of patience, especially in the first few weeks. There is definitely a gap there as well.

[@teambeining]

Shamara M I’m glad you had an easy time of it, but it’s not like that for everyone.

[@thomaslittleton8430]

Yes my gf had a very hard time with breast feeding and had to use formula and our 2 kids are fine so......

[@marcello1821]

In my opinion women these days are just weak in this area. That's why God/ mother nature have women breast. To feed babies

[@saturnnixsu]

@@marcello1821 ew

[@lizard3755]

@@marcello1821 God also gave us the ability to create things to help improve our lives. I'm very happy we have formula available so that people who are unable to nurse, whether for medical reasons, the inability to pump frequently enough to produce enough milk, or families that foster or adopt infants who are still breastfeeding can give their children the nourishment they need to grow. Also based on your name and photo I'm assuming you're a man, which I personally feel gives you less credibility since you have never and will never experience the shame and stigma that mothers who have to or choose to use formula do. Please find a topic to weigh in on that you can have something relevant to say, because this is not one.

[@morecraftsplease7089]

We should always strive for what is best. I am pro breastfeeding let me put that out there. However, there are exceptions to the rule of breastfeeding. There are situations that will prevent a child from being breastfed and that is understandable. But it shouldn't be a case where as a mother you don't like it or for some silly reasons you decide to deprive your child. Formula have it's place and it should not take precedence when safe breastfeeding is possible. For persons who have low milk production there are many things you do naturally to increase breast milk production. Drink plenty fluid, especially water (and drink just before breastfeeding), eat oats, massage your breast with a warm compress. Remember sucking stimulates the release of hormones that are key in breast milk production. Just how new mom is learning the baby is also learning so yes breastfeeding requires patience. I have 3 children and they were all breastfed.

[@guidoylosfreaks]

My sister, who was breastfed, is indeed a more successful adult than me that was given formula. I also have asthma and weight issues.

[@melissabrock4114]

So? Is that how science works?

[@alarcon99]

9:42 Absolutely true. I thought I was doing everything perfectly but when the nurse came for the first week visit she diagnosed my baby girl with jaundice. I started supplementing feedings with formula and went on to breastfeed (and supplement with formula as needed) for 2 1/2 years. This was also the case for my youngest daughter. Adding formula as supplementation doesn’t mean you have to give up on breast milk.

[@shugadaddy4841]

Thank you so much for this! The 'breast is best' was pushed so much when I was pregnant that I felt so much shame and guilt that I couldn't produce after birth. I already felt like a bad mom because I already couldn't provide the best for my child. Thank you so much

[@berenfuite4268]

Why doesn’t he just say women instead of “lactating person”?

[@BaldingClamydia]

It's the language of the times.

[@rizahawkeyepierce1380]

Well, male lactation is a thing. If you let a baby try to nurse on a guy often enough, he may start producing milk.

[@mengyan131]

Breastfeeding exclusively currently. On one hand, It is convenient to me without having to deal with bottle prep and cleaning. But on the other hand, I’m constantly feeling stressful as the main source of nutrition for my baby.

[@andrearoballo1254]

As a new mom who doesn’t produce enough milk 🥛 this video is super encouraging! Thanks 💚 the bias in the communication of benefits of breast milk is CRAZY! And generates so much pressure and stress!

[@jeshirekitenkatt1212]

LOL my mother's breastmilk almost killed me as an infant. Formula was our only option!

[@herbiecodbake3594]

Jeshire Katt Me too! I had to have soy-based formula.

[@melissaamos2227]

My mother was hospitalized suddenly when I was a couple months old. I’d been breastfed up to then and rejected formula and non-human milk. I lost weight and nearly died, but my dad was military and we were stationed overseas and some of the locals heard and started donating their breast milk to save me. Not saying anything against formula, but I can definitely verify that outside factors can have a major impact on the breast milk vs formula debate.

[@jessicaharris1608]

My mother was one of the 15% who wasn't able to lactate enough. As I'm the first born (born in the mid 1980s), my parents had no idea that insufficient milk supply was even possible. After a pediatrician checkup showed I had lost weight, the doctor asked my mother how committed she was to nursing. She was under tremendous stress with me as a newborn being hungry so much and being unaware that I was not getting enough nutrition. The doctor finally convinced my mother to supplement me with formula. With my younger brother it was vastly easier since she knew ahead of time that she would need to supplement him too.

[@dianateabag]

As a neonatologist who had a kid with a tongue tie that didn’t latch at all and that surgery didn’t help I can’t blame at all if someone use formula! I remember a profesor told me that it’s better to have a healthy mother that gives formula rather than a stressed mother who exclusively breastfeeds. The only thing I’d really try to stay away is giving formula on the first week because it seems to increase the risk of food allergies. ( and knowing that I did give formula to my baby on the first week because it’s hard!!😅)

[@albinosaschoopasquatch4455]

The most stressful part of labor and delivery was being convinced to try to extract colostrum via nurses hands and then with both of mine for about over hour. Only to get a pea-sized amount. Then your milk doesn't come in for a couple days and you stress hardcore thinking it wont come in. Then it comes in and it HURTS because its so much. And to feed a baby everytime it cries after you give birth is one of the hardest things to go through.

[@sgtmoose1942]

I’m surprised the emotional benefits weren’t even mentioned.

[@Karsonbarnes11]

What about potential benefits for the mother?

[@thaishcsato]

Breastfeeding plays a big part in recovering from delivery, the uterus goes back to its normal size quicker, it lowers the risk of post-partum hemorrhaging, helps with weight loss and even acts as a contraceptive. Also, no sterilizing bottles and you can do it lying down.

[@TheBlacksheepbabe]

Thaís Sato I lost weight faster formula feeding. I don’t think that goes for everyone

[@beth8775]

@@thaishcsato That contraceptive bit is not always true.

[@blugaledoh2669]

@@beth8775 I think she meant your period stop for a while. Depend but usually 7 month.

[@blugaledoh2669]

@@TheBlacksheepbabe They many other factor such as your diet.

[@oiseau_libre]

Not true! The more you breastfeed the more milk you have!!! It's a simple Demand-Supply relationship. If you feed your baby formula additionally, they'll drink less of your milk, so your body will produce less milk. So if you want to breastfeed, don't give formula (or only minimum very rarely) But if you choose formula for whatever reason, no judgement here, do what's best in your opinion:)) I'm just giving a tip to those who want to breastfeed (like I did, and I was given this valuable tip when I was a young mommy).

[@lizbethb.5103]

Yes! I almost made the mistake of giving too much formula in the first week. And I saw a huge lack of milk, my lactation consultant made me feel like my anatomy was set to fail but I tried my best and went from making .5 oz combined to now 6 oz. (7wks pp)🙂 in my case it worked.

[@macrolosses]

FED is best: mommy drinks monster, eat TV dinners, ambien, and sleeps around town.

[@hannahbaxter8825]

I'm very pro breastfeeding (having breastfed both my children) so if you have any questions im happy to help you if you want to breastfeed but are having problems.

[@firefoxwaffles5357]

After I was born my mom couldn't breastfeed me. She tried but she had nothing so I was raised on formula. She got bullied for it a lot by other moms :(

[@HerrMisterTheo]

Firefoxwaffles When I was a baby I was a very aggressive eater. I bit into my mother's nipples so hard that she started bleeding, so she couldn't really breastfeed me and had to raise me on formula. My immune system low-key sucks, but I don't know if it's because of that or bad genetics.

[@amberhawksong]

@@HerrMisterTheo My younger brother was like that too but his immune system is fine; probably from playing in the dirt a lot as a kid XD.

[@TangerineBliss]

😢

[@genobreaker1054]

Breastmilk does confer some of the mother's antibodies to the child to help protect against disease and allergy, I kind of thought you guys would mention that a little more.

[@SpinningSage]

Geno Breaker they hardly endorsed the greatness of the breast and milk

[@Lars_Maassen]

Some of the positive effects of breastmilk they mention (like less ear infections and respiratory infections) are most likely due to the antibodies in breastmilk, so in a way they did mention it, i guess

[@mabr6444]

On the other hand, there are proof that babies might benefit from developing their own antibodies early on instead of relying on the mothers.

[@SpinningSage]

MaBr what study is that?

[@SpinningSage]

MaBr what study is that?

[@rollinwithunclepete824]

"...parents can't make enough milk." Well, ~50% all parents don't make any breast milk at all!

[@midnightsangel1445]

Biological men that consider themselves men can lactate from their breast with enough suckling from an infant. It's not anywhere near the quantities that biological females can make, but it's milk none the less. Almost every body can make some milk with their breast tissue.

[@amberhawksong]

I wonder what dictates how much breast milk a woman can produce. My guess is genes, health and diet.

[@midnightsangel1445]

@@amberhawksong yes, it is a variety of factors. Everything from the number of milk ducts to nutrition to how often the baby (or pump) nurses can affect how much milk someone makes.

[@midnightsangel1445]

@Queen S many many reasons. Lack of support and information, severe blood loss during child birth, genetic disorders including insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), modesty, cultural attitudes... just to name a few.

[@psammiad]

It's a grim irony that poor mothers feed their babies formula, which is expensive, rather than breastfeeding, which is free.

[@erlinavicente7411]

It’s so crazy how we accept everything a Doctor or researchers say as the “GODLY TRUTH .“ i stoped production of milk after my first month, I was unable to produce. I thought formula was my only outlet. Then I thought besides a wet nurse how did they feed babies if mama couldn’t. I’m proud to say my 3 month old has been better eating half n half, soft boiled eggs, and bone broth. No fussiness, no vomiting, sleeping well at night, amazing growth, advanced in all her milestones. People need to think more about what there doing and not just let social pressures dictate how the “have to do” something.

[@rizahawkeyepierce1380]

Two of my closest friends were never told that not being able to produce enough milk was a possibility (basically their breastfeeding classes implied that if you just kept doing it, your supply would be enough), so they both went through a great deal of misery for the first couple months - one of them was basically trying to breastfeed the entire time the baby was awake (and giving an ounce of formula every few hours to make sure he was getting enough calories), and the other wasn't told by her doctor that she wasn't producing enough until the baby was two months old - turns out, when your baby isn't hungry all the time, she also doesn't cry all the time either.

[@itisdevonly]

My baby had multiple food protein intolerances and couldn't tolerate breast milk. I went dairy, soy and gluten free for 5 weeks to fully clear them out of my system, and he still couldn't tolerate my milk. I didn't have the capacity at the time to go on a super-restrictive diet to try and suss out what sort of intolerance or allergy he had beyond the most common ones, so he ended up going on an elemental formula, which he has been on ever since and tolerated quite well. It was really hard on me when I realized I couldn't feed him my milk. Everyone said "breast is best!" but my milk was hurting him so badly. He had breast milk for almost 3 months before the doctors finally acknowledged what was wrong and that he couldn't tolerate my milk, even with me having eliminated dairy from my diet. He spent 5 weeks in the hospital because of his tummy troubles, was in constant pain, and didn't heal fully from the damage (or at least didn't stop having symptoms) until he was 6 months old. Sometimes, breast is not best. Fed is best. And I'm so glad there are elemental formulas out there for babies like mine, because he would not have been able to cope with breast milk. I just wish the doctors would have taken his digestive troubles more seriously from the beginning, not brushing the issue aside when I first brought it up, waiting until there was blood in his stool to even consider a cow's milk protein intolerance, and not insisting that I try 4 weeks dairy free before accepting that this wouldn't solve the problem when he showed no sign of improvement.

[@TangerineBliss]

Thank goodness you finally figured out a good solution. Great job listening to your instincts!

[@vonchybon7133]

Thank you for summarizing all the research done and throughout the years. This really saved me time and makes me feel like I have a better knowledge to make a conscious decision as what I think regarding formula/breast milk👏🏻👏🏻🥹

[@stellarsearcher8997]

Fed is best. I was able to breast feed my first child till she was nearly a year old. With my son, I wasn't able to make it till 6 months due my lack of production. My body just wasn't making enough. My daughter has ADHD. My son does not. Thank you for helping shoot down these myths that make mother's feel bad when they have to supplement with formula.

[@jessicaharris1608]

I'm the firstborn. I have ADHD. My mother was very committed to nursing but was among the 15% that didn't produce enough so she eventually had to formula supplement me. My mother nursed as much as she could with my younger brother but he also needed formula supplementation. My brother does NOT have ADHD. He was very successful in school and college and has had great workplace success. ADHD is usually genetic. My brother got lucky and didn't get it. We're full siblings, so we had the same chances of getting the genes for ADHD.

[@AllThingsIzzyTTV]

This is why I will never understand why full able people give their babies formula instead of actual breast milk

[@HyperionaSilverleaf]

There are a lot of potential factors. Education, access to do so, socioeconomic issues, work, lack of milk, etc ...

[@AllThingsIzzyTTV]

HoshiSanada thats why I’ve stated fully able, as in people who do not have an excuse. They just want to give their child formula

[@wolftamerwolfcorp7465]

F1zzy my mother never tried with me because her eldest had some complication or another that dissuaded her from it

[@rainydaylady6596]

It's a tough thing for women who, for whatever reason, can't breastfeed. No one should be shamed or feel ashamed if breastfeeding isn't possible.

[@marenjones6665]

I thought the biggest benefit of breastfeeding was the sharing of antibodies? Anyone know about that?

[@SpinningSage]

Maren Jones baby saliva gives indicator to moms super breasts and antibodies are made to fight disease in babe

[@mabr6444]

There are proof that babies might benefit from developing their own antibodies early on instead of relying on the mothers so there's two sides of that coin.

[@brookeorosz8243]

Human babies get most of their maternal antibodies before birth. That's why the CDC now recommends prenatal vaccination for whooping cough. Some animals like horses and cows can't give their babies antibodies before birth, so they get their antibodies in colostrum.

[@SpinningSage]

MaBr immunity is definitely boosted greatly through breastmilk and exposure to the mother's skin.

[@mabr6444]

@@SpinningSage Any parents skill will do, that's why they recommend that you have the baby close to the body with skin to skin. Might as well be the dad for that and not at all connected to breast feeding. As to the antibodies in the milk, you are correct, but the benefit with not breastfeeding is that the baby starts developing its own antibodies much earlier.

[@AlpheusGibbs]

Formula is expensive in the U.S.A and there is no good reason for this.

[@Michael-lc8yl]

Gotta make Satan happy because if he’s defeated then the President will turn into a pile of sand.

[@beth8775]

It's true there is no good reason for it. Generic brand formula is just as good though. The law mandates the nutritional requirements for all formula. My son did great on it.

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

The reason is market forces. That's it.

[@beth8775]

@@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh There is no good reason not to regulate it.

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

@@beth8775 What do you mean? Do you mean to regulate the cost?

[@naomilovenpeace]

Breast is great, formula is fine, and FED is best!

[@caitlinbiello7272]

This exact type of comment made me so upset when I first gave birth. I had no supply (3-6oz per day) and didn’t get a choice about whether or not I would use formula. Saying it’s “fine” is not what you want to hear as a mother in my situation. Formula is wonderful and my baby is thriving. I hope moms in my situation know that their baby is still PERFECTLY healthy, not just “fine.”

[@hannahm.9881]

​@caitlinbiello7272 The world doesn't revolve around your feelings. I formula fed my 2nd child for probably 100 reasons. But Breastmilk is still best. My daughter is now 14, lovely, smart, creative and we've always been close. The formula I gave her was fine and she's wonderful.

[@mademsoisellerhapsody]

Interesting how the guidelines to exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months to 1 year came out when most US women were in the workplace and maternity leave was 12 weeks at most.

[@Livelaugh44]

Idk I was breastfed and I just had a lung collapse at 30 years old, it’s genetics, it’s environmental, it’s your class in society, it’s everything else that comes afterwards…

[@mr_ekshun]

I'm so happy to see this! My wife wasn't able to breastfeed our daughter as often as we were pushed to and we had to supplement formula after our baby was 1-2 m/o. By 3 or 4 months, we had to feed her formula exclusively. My wife felt really bad about this for a while - understandably, considering the societal, familial, and medical pressure to breastfeed. But our daughter is now almost 13 m/o and remarkably healthy. She's 95th percentile in length (didn't get that from her mom, that's for sure, haha) and 60th in weight. She's never had any health issues or concerns, is always remarked upon by, well, everybody as being really intelligent, focused, interactive, and happy. I'm admittedly a little biased ;) but I can't deny all the evidence that, in our daughter's case, she's suffered no adverse effects from drinking formula exclusively since 3-4 m/o. Our pediatrician told us that you can get at least most of the benefits exclusive to breastfeeding (those beneficial bacteria, etc mentioned at the end of the video) without having to breastfeed exclusively. He said even just once a day or less is fine. And so my wife breastfed when she could but we didn't lose sleep over it. (Just please don't take what I'm saying at face value. Like Hank said, ask your doctor *not strangers on the internet* haha. Obviously research online is super important as well, just check your sources! But I hope our experience (and that's all it is) can be encouraging to other overwhelmed, overworked parents who just want the best for their kid.)

[@RobMedellin]

I have a theory that love (attention, time, etc) is what makes the difference. Those that breast feed are doing more quality time than those that just put a bottle to take the baby's hunger away. But you seem like a loving father and I'm sure you two give the baby much love (attention, quality time, etc) to keep the baby motivated and estimulated. No wonder she is above average. I wish my theory sounded more but love is not easy to measure. Close to 100% of parents will say the gave love to their baby but we all know there are many differences.

[@bamboolaceway]

When my child was born in the late 1990's, I was unable to breastfeed and felt very badly about it. Firstly, it would have been free. As it happened our child required a special formula that was terribly expensive. Second, I knew that my breastmilk would have conferred immunity to diseases to our child for, well, basically everything I was immune to. However, I was glad for one thing about giving our child formula, and that was that my husband could also be a participant in feeding and bonding with our child. This video now makes me feel better overall about having to use formula, and yes, our child grew up smart, creative and kind.

[@arpitamondal8856]

Wow

[@Parents_of_Twins]

Since we had twins and my wife had to have a C-section she wasn't able to produce enough for them both. That coupled with one of our children not attaching properly lead to several sleepless nights in the hospital and a significant amount of shaming by some of the nurses. It's been nearly three years and our twins are growing and progressing quite well however my wife still feels like she failed this part of motherhood all because of some damn nurses. My advice is do what you can and enjoy the time you have with them. I believe and I think the data shows that nurture is more important than nature in regards to where they get their liquid based diets.

[@gingernutpreacher]

I'm in the UK but my wife had a very simlar experience

[@dannyto]

Baby formula is sugar water with synthetic vitamins added