Breasts were created for two reasons: to breastfeed milk, nourish, protect and provide comfort to a child for so long as the mother and child are willing to breastfeed (typically 1-5 years) and for appearance reasons, or to attract the member of the opposite sex, a man.
In my opinion, the only reason a mother should "choose" not to breastfeed is if the child is adopted and she is unable to do so and if for some reason the mother is unable to produce breastmilk. The health of the mother 6 months to a year prior to conception, the dietary choices and lifestyle choices during pregnancy and after birth all assist in the production of a healthy milk supply in the mother.
Dairy needs to be eliminated from every diet, as it promotes a tremendous amount of health issues: diabetes, allergies, weakened immune strength, cancer, crohn's disease, celiac disease, etc... There are numerous credible books and articles written on dairy and the fact that we as humans were not designed to consume it.
It is my opinion that formula should be available by prescription only and it should not be a dairy based formula, but plant based. I remember attending MY FIRST pregnancy visit when I was pregnant with my daughter. During that visit I received a free Similac bag with a formula sample. I also received additional information and coupons on a variety of other formulas. After the birth of my daughter I again received a bag with formula samples and information. Wow- so misleading and confusing to an expecting mother who does not know the benefits of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. I was so very thankful that I knew the benefits of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding and there was no way in the world that I was going to feed my baby cow's milk!
Below I have attached a paper that I wrote while obtaining my degree in the field of natural health. I was going to cut things out here and there and I decided just to post the entire article....
Despite the culture, country or religion of a woman, mother-nature intended for
women to breastfeed their babies. Aristotle stated it best, “There is a reason behind
everything in nature.” (pg 15) The obvious reason to breastfeed is based upon the abundant scientific evidence that clearly shows how mother’s milk is best. We also cannot dismiss the numerous benefits provided to the baby during childhood and adulthood. For many years there has been controversy over breast feeding vs. formula feeding. Working mothers decide whether or not they will breast feed or bottle feed their children. The decision should be simple if they base their decisions on the facts and value the health of their child and the health of their own bodies.
Years ago, women did not have an option as to whether or not they would
breastfeed. It was a natural and un-thought of process. The turn of the 20th
century provided the ability to refrigerate, pasteurize and modify cow’s milk for infant
consumption. The world welcomed the birth of formula and mothers lost out on the
emotional, intellectual and physical enjoyment with their baby. The lactation process causes the uterus to contract, shrinking it back to its normal size at a faster rate. It also allows the mother to burn a hefty amount of calories so she can return to a normal weight. “Human milk for human babies,” says it all.
The milk of each kind of mammal is unique in order to specifically support its
young. Human milk contains around 100 ingredients that are not found in cow’s
milk and it is the only milk that contains enzymes to aid in digestion. In fact, human milk contains so many different properties that it is still not full understood by scientists today. The protein found in human milk is 100% absorbable by the baby, whereas only 50% or less of the protein in cow’s milk is absorbable. Furthermore, cow’s milk is not easily passed through the baby’s digestive tract. A calf doubles its weight in 50 days and is consuming milk with a base of 3.4% protein. A human baby, however, doubles its weight in 150 days and is consuming breast milk with a base of 1% protein. Humans produce a less concentrated milk, therefore babies feed more often. Human milk also contains more carbohydrates than any other milk and is therefore the baby’s main source of energy. To date, there is no evidence stating that a baby has ever had an allergic reaction to breast milk. Research does prove that there are unlimited health benefits to breast feeding.
When a mother chooses to consume a healthy diet during pregnancy and breastfeed her baby, the baby tends to enjoy healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables. They initially develop a familiarity of taste and scent via the amniotic fluid, and this is later enhanced through the mother’s breast milk. Formula-fed babies miss out on this huge advantage. Breastfed babies have fewer visits to the doctor’s office for common ailments such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, rashes, respiratory infections and illness. When they do happen to become ill it is less severe, and they recover faster. The American Academy of Pediatrics shows that breastfed babies may have increased bone density, enhanced vision and neurological advantages, less risk for various diseases in adulthood, and a lower risk for bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma during childhood. The milk contains immunoglobulin, which is an antibody against pathogens. These antibodies line the baby's respiratory and intestinal surfaces to form a protective barrier against bacteria and viruses. This is yet another benefit of which formula-fed babies lose out.
Some mothers have a difficult time breastfeeding and resort to bottle feeding.
Formula-fed babies grow differently than breastfed babies—they grow longer and fatter and develop bigger and heavier bones in the 1st year due to a larger supply of calcium in cow’s milk. As a result, they grow faster than mother-nature intends, which is not necessarily good. Babies that are breastfed typically have higher cholesterol levels than those that consume formula. Studies suggest that higher levels of cholesterol early in life may aid in the ability to metabolize cholesterol better during adulthood. Research also states that the earlier an infant is exposed to cow’s milk the greater the risk of developing allergies and numerous other health issues in the future.
Health care experts project that if mothers were to breastfeed for just 12 weeks after pregnancy, the infant mortality rate would decline by almost 5%. Furthermore, not a single manufacturer will state that formula is better than or as beneficial as breast milk. The Industries’ goals are clearly not in favor of the mother and child; rather, their priorities lie with the bottom-line. Speaking from experience as a previous employee of one of the largest formula manufactures of formula, the primary message is, “Sell, Sell, Sell!” with little mention of formula’s inferiority to mothers milk. This is best described with the following excerpt from Milk, Money, and Madness, “It was no longer a goal to produce solely for sick infants or for times when mothers milk was not available; the goal grew to producing a product that could replace mothers milk on every square inch of the globe.” (Pg. 113)
Today, many busy moms, otherwise capable of breastfeeding, unwisely and/or selfishly choose formula over breastfeeding. A mother’s complications with breast feeding are sometimes a direct result of a poor diet and/or a lack of exercise. This problem is further exacerbated by the formula Industry’s move to provide product samples to local OBGYN offices for distribution to expectant mothers, which creates an “either-or” decision instead of an “in case of” solution. Long before expectant mothers have had the opportunity to research the benefits of breast feeding they are inundated with mail coupons and advertisements for formula as well as the “latest and greatest” product samples. Mothers are misled and suckered into the lie. The health benefits associated with breastfeeding are clear and scientifically proven. In a perfect world formula companies would start investing their money in educating mothers on the importance of breastfeeding and achieving optimal lifestyle habits rather than ignorantly persuading all mothers to feed their babies unsuitable milk.
References
Eiger M.D., S.E., & Olds, S.W. (1999). The complete book of breastfeeding.
New York: Workman.
Baumslag M.D. M.P.H., N., & Michels, D. (1995). Milk, money, and madness: The culture and politics of breastfeeding. Connecticut: Bergin & Garvey.
