101 Reasons to Breastfeed
“It is increasingly apparent that infant formula can never duplicate human milk. Human milk contains living cells, hormones, active enzymes, immunoglobulins and compounds with unique structures that cannot be replicated in infant formula.” Endocrine Reg; march 1994
1. Bottlefeeding decreases bonding. Feeding at the breast releases oxytocin into mothers brain, promoting bonding. Acta Paediatrica, May 1196;85(5):525-30
2. Bottlefeeding leaves baby’s emotional needs unmet by decreasing cuddling and stroking. You can’t prop a breast next to the baby and walk away or let him carry a detatched breast around when older, as is the temptation to do with a bottle.
3. Formula and bottles provide inferior and incomplete nutrition & is not species specific
4. Human’s have NOT thrived on bottles and formula since the beginning of man. They have thrived on breastmilk.
5. Formula moms increase their risk of breast cancer by 25%. N Engl J Med 1994;330:81-87
6. Formula feeding increases baby’s risk of breast cancer by 25%. Epidemiology 5:324
7. Formula feeding decreases IQ. Pediatrics Jan 98;101, #1; Soc Sci Med 198:26;635-39; lancet 1992;39:261-62; J Hum Lactation 1996;12:27-30
8. Formula and bottles are never ready and require preparation, replacement, cleaning, and maintenance
9. Formula feeding slows down meconium passage.
10. Formula feeding compromises the baby’s the immune system. J Ped Gastro Nutr 1989
11. Formula lacks species specific enzymes therefore making digestion difficult. Complete Book of BF by Eiger
12. Formula babies have lower levels of Iron and Zinc, therefore making them more anemic than their breastfed counterparts. Above cite
13. Formula mothers’ uteri does not shrink to prepregnancy size as fast as their breastfeeding counterparts. Above cite; Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;101:804-5
14. Formula mothers’ are at higher risk of postpartum hemorrhage thereby increasing complications and pitocin use. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1994;101:804-5
15. Formula mothers’ retain pregnancy weight longer. Exclusively breastfeeding burns 500 calories/day. Am J Clin Nutr 1993;58:162-66; J Am Diet Assoc 1993;93:429
16. Formula is not designed for preterm infants. Preterm breastmilk is designed for preterm babies Hamosh, Margit, PhD, Georgetown Univ. Med Center
17. World Health Org. and UNICEF recommend against formula AND bottlefeeding in favor of the breast. WHO/UNICEF Intl’ Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes
18. Formula use increases the risk of acquiring Crohn’s Disease (intestinal disorder). Br Med J 1989;298:1617-18; Ann Epidemiol;1993;3387-392
19. Formula feeding increases th risk of acquiring type 1 diabetes by 26% Diabeto 4/94;37(4);381-7; Diab 1988;37:1625; Diab Care 1991;14:415; Lancet 1984 2:1083; J Hum Lac; Marsha Walker
20. Formula (diabetic) mother’s increase their insulin requirements. Br Med J 1989
21. Formula use fails to stabilize progress of maternal endometriosis, as breastfeeding stabilzes..
22. Formula feeding increases risk of ovarian cancer. Int J Epidemiol 1993;22:192-97; NE J Med 1987
23. Formula feeding increases risk of endometrial cancer. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Scand 1986;65:247-55
24. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing allergies. Br Med J 1990:300:837; Ann Allergy 1992;47:545; Lancet 1995;346:1065-69
25. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing asthma. Ped and Adol. Med July 1995
26. Formula and bottles increase infant ear infection rate by 50% & more. Pediatr Infec Dis J 1994;13:183; Pediatrics 1984:74:S615; Acta Paediatr Scand 1982;71:567
27. Formula and bottles increase the risk of SIDS. Int J Epidemiol 1993;22:885; J Paediatr Child Health 1992;28:S3; NZ Med J 1993;106:8-10
28. Formula use increases, 3-4 X, the risk of diarrheal infections, the #1 killer of infants Ped. 1984:74:S615; Ped. 1995;126:6996; Br Med J 1990;300:11; Pediatr 1990;86; j Pediatr 1995;
29. Formula use increases, 4 X, the risk of contracting bacterial meningitis. J Pediatr 1986;108:997; J Pediatr 1985;106:190, Texas Dept of health’s Bureau of Nutr Services
30. Formula has a 80% higher risk of developing infant respiratory infections. Pediatr 1982;70:239; Br Med J 1989;299:935; Chest 1989;95:1004; Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1995;149:758,
31. Risk of childhood lymphomas increases by 40% if formula fed or breastfed for less than 6 months. Arthritis Today May-Jone1994; J Hum Lac, Marsha Walker
32. Formula use increases risk of child contracting Hodgkin's Disease. Med & Ped Oncology, 1991;19(2):115-21
33. Formula and bottle use increases the risk of vision defects. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1993;30:33-8; Am J Epidemiol 1995;142(8):843-55
34. Formula mothers’ are at 4 X higher risk of maternal osteoporosis & increases baby’s risk. SAMJ 1994;84:328; Osteo Int 1993;22:684; Intl J Epidermal 1993;22:684
35. Cows Milk is an intestinal irritant.
36. Formula use increases risk of obesity for the child. “But he’s right where he’s supposed to be on the growth chart.” Guess who came up with those growth charts? The formula companies! Normal breastfeeding weight gain is in the lower percentile on those growth charts
37. Formula use increases risk of cardiopulmonary distress (apnea, hypopnea, central apnea, bradycardia, cyanosis) while feeding. J appl Physiol 69:1629;1623, 1990; J Pediatr 106:857, 1958
38. Formula use increases risk of childhood ulcerative colitis. Ann Epidemiol 1993;3387; J Hum Lctation; Marsha Walker
40. Formula use increases risk of hemophilus influenzae b. virus. J Pediatr 11986;108:997; J Pediatr 1980;115:695; J Pediatr 1985;106:190
41. Formula babies require longer pre and post surgical fasting. Ped Clinics N Amer 41(1);111 (1994)
42. Formula use increases sick days for parents.
43. Formula babies are at increased risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis. Lancet 1990;336:519; Pediatr Res 1995;37:305A, Abstract
44. Formula, bottle, or pacifier use induces fertility in women (makes them prematurely fertile). Lancet 1992;339:227; Lancet 1990;335:25; Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 1192;4:818
45. Formula and bottle feeding is ultimately harder than breastfeeding. Formula and bottles require shopping, mixing, heating, refrigerating, cleaning, night waking, and working extra to earn money to buy formula and supplies.
46. Formula is expensive. Cost is between $1160-$3915 per year. If you’re having multiples, calculate that! San Diego Co. Breastfeeding Coalition 1996
47. Formula costs the governments and taxpayers millions. $500 million a year to provide WIC formula. J Pediatr 117II:S101, 1990
48. Pumped milk and formula have disproportionate amounts of fats, carbs, and protein.
49. Formula and bottlefeeding moms are more stressed. They do not release prolactin and oxytocin like a mother who feeds at the breast.
50. Formula babies are more stressed because it does not contain a natural sedative, prolactin, like their breastfed counterparts.
51. Formula does not taste as well as breastmilk. Trust me on this one, or try taste testing yourself!
52. Formula Babies are more likely to die before their 3rd birthday. Fan Med 1991;23:510
53. Formula Babies require more doctor visits. Formula fed babies average $1400 more in healthcare costs than breastfed. Greatstar.com/lois/bfh.html
54. Formula Mothers spend more time and money on healthcare overall on themselves and the family.
55. Formula requires more waste packaging. “If every American baby were formula fed, almost 86,000 tons of tin would be needed to produce 550 millions can for one year….4000 tons of paper for labeling...plastic, glass, rubber, silicon for the bottles, nipples, and can lids leads to end products that are not recyclable, causing pollution in production and trash in their packaging, promotion, and disposal.” members.aol.com/diamichels/greenbm.htm
56. Formula and bottles require more luggage to tote
57. If you’re pumping, there’s still more bottles to tote.
58. Formula produces more cow induced global greenhouse gasses.
59. Formula and bottles lack human endorphins, a natural pain relief for baby.
60. Formula and bottles cannot act as medicine. Breastmilk is perfect food
for a sick baby as it changes composition and antibodies to aid in healing and recovery.
61. Formula and bottle use results in less sleep for parents, especially if they use a crib.
62. Formula and bottle use results in less sleep for baby.
63. Formula is consistently recalled. There’s at least 2 recalls per year on formula, 1 every other year is a Class I: Life threatening. FDA, CDC
64. Formula and bottles can be contaminated with bacteria. Breastmilk, in fact, it’s antibacterial.
65. Have to decide which formula brand is better.
66. Tap water adds contaminates to formula, such as lead, aluminum, mercury, parasites, fluoride, etc.
67. Formula production aids in cruelty to farm animals. Less use of cow’s milk = fewer cows = less opportunity to abuse
68. Formula and bottles compromise dental and jaw development . Am J Prevent Med 1987, Complete Book of Breastfeeding by Eiger
69. Formula and bottle babies have more cavities. Am J Clin Nutr 41;423, 1985
70. Formula and bottle moms spend more money spent on corrective orthodontia.
71. Formula and bottle babies have inferior speech development. Complete Book of Breastfeeding by Eiger
72. Formula babies have a 21%-70% increased risk of developing eczema. Lancet 1995;346:1065; BR Med J 1989
73. Formula babies have rougher skin.
74. Formula babies have more spit up because the reflux valve matures later. And it’s more offensive too. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr Jan 1992;14(1):41
75. Formula spit up is harder to clean up.
76. Alsoy, Similac Neocare, Isomil, Enfamil Prosobee are positive in GMO’s. “Boitech’s Bounty” NY Times 5/21/97
77. Formula contains synthetic growth hormones (RbST—recumbent bovine growth hormone).
78. Formula use increases risk of multiple sclerosis. Proc Roy Soc Med 1989;69:611
79. Formula use increases risk of inguinal hernia in the groin for babies. J Ped 1995:127, #1; 109
80. Formula use allows for inferior cognitive development. Arch Dis Child 1988
81. Formula use compromises social development because of delayed psychomotor development. Acta Paediatrica Hungarica 1984
82. Formula use increases risk of baby developing urinary tract infections.
83. Bottlefeeding compromises hand-eye coordination. Acta Paediatrica Hungarica 1984;25(4):409
84. Formula Mothers increase their risk of anemia, due to non -ammenorhic state.
85. Formula Mothers spend more money on menstrual supplies because many mom’s begin menstruating 6-12 weeks postpartum. Their exclusively breastfeeding counterparts take 12-28 months before menstruation resumes Member.aol.com/diamichels/greenbm.htm
86. Subsequently more energy spent on menstruating, which means less energy for your baby and family. Above cite
87. Formula babies produce more diaper changes. Formula is not easily absorbed so they excrete more waste. Above cite
88. Formula and bottle use have no positive effect on maternal Self confidence, as breastfeeding does.
89. Formula cannot be used to treat eye infections. Squirting breastmilk in your baby’s or anyone else’s eye clears infections much sooner.
90. Formula cannot be used as a natural antibiotic for wounds, as breastmilk can.
91. Formula is deficient in essential nutrients. J Human Lac, Sept 1993
92. Smelly formula produces smelly bowel movements and vice versa.
93. Formula babies do not smell nice. Breastfed babies smell fantastic! They each smell like their mothers milk. Talk about imprinting!
94. 4 of 1000 US babies die yearly as a direct cause of formula feeding. 1 to 2 million die worldwide yearly. News Acad of Brstfdi Med, 1(1):7, 1995; WHO, UNICEF
95. Every woman who exhibits bottlefeeding will prompt another to do the same. The reverse is true for breastfeeding
96. The less breastfeeding is done, the less it will become a valued aspect to our lifestyle.
97. Men do not respect formula and bottlefeeding mom’s breasts for their life giving power. They are limited to seeing the primary function of bottlefeeding women’s breasts as sexual .
98. Formula and bottle use Discourages physician ethics. Formula manufacturer’s spend $6000 to $8000 per doctor per year in contracts to promote formula. Many doctor’s & nurses who choose to formula feed their own infants receive a year’s free supply of formula. Hospital’s are also paid to give “free” samples of formula upon discharge from maternity, a practice that discourages breastfeeding & violates WHO & UNICEF’s policy. Formula industry contributes $1 million annually to AAP, & provided at least $3 million toward AAP’s headquarter building costs. They also host lavish functions for the AAP. ACOG, AMA, AWH, ONN, ADA receive cash grants and advertisements in their publications annually. Med students receive loans, grants, and “gifts” from the pharmaceutical owned formula companies. And Doctor’s are the one’s responsible for reporting violations of WHO’s and UNICEF’s code. From this type of “marriage”, do you think that really happens? Milk, Money,& Madness Baumslag
99. 77 of 1000 bottlefed infants are hospitalized each year. In contrast, only 5 of 1000 breastfed infants are hospitalized. San Fran:Public Adv, Inc,1981:45
100. Formula babies are at 5 times greater risk of developing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis (also brought on by the Hep B vax). J Hum Lac, Walker
101. Babies aren’t made to suck a cow or goat’s teat, or chew soybeans. Human breasts are meant for Human Babies!
Adapted by Amy Jones from 101 Reasons to Breastfeed your Child by Leslie Burby Promom.org, Infactcanada.ca, SD County breastfeeding Coalitioon breastfeeding.org
