This is not meant as an attack on FF moms! Risks of Formula

Please answer the poll after.
By the way, I know all of this is true since I learned it all at the training WIC sent me to. WIC is a federal program. I don't think they would give me incorrect information.  These are all things that formula increases the risk of, not by 100% but by a significant amount.  My FF child is healthy and has never had an ear infection even.  This is scientifically proven information.  Please don't try to debate it or your post will be deleted.

Risks and Costs of Formula Feeding

For baby, artificial feeding increases the risk of the following diseases (among others*):

• Otitis media (middle ear infection): 3 to 5 times more likely
• Gastroenteritis: 6 times more likely
• Diarrhea
• Respiratory diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia): 2 to 5 times more likely
• Allergies
• Asthma

• Obesity

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): 3 to 5 times more likely
• Lymphomas: 6 to 8 times more likely
• Type-1 Diabetes: 2 to 7 times more likely

• Necrotising enterocolitis: 20 times more likely
• Inflammatory diseases of the intestine (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease): 3 times more likely
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Breast Cancer in girls
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Hodgkin's disease

• Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Urinary tract infections

• Vision troubles
• Poor development of jaw muscles and malocclusion
• IQ up to 8-10 points lower
• Tooth decay (« bottle caries »)
• Less effective immunisations (vaccines)

• Premature death (in the first year of life): 26.5% increased risk
*Incidence of all diseases studied is higher in formula-fed babies than in breastfed babies.

For mother, NOT breastfeeding increases the risk for the following diseases (among others)

• Post-partum haemorrhage
• Pre-menopausal Breast Cancer: 2 times more likely
• Ovarian Cancer: 1.6 times more likely
• Endometrial Cancer
• The mother who has Gestational Diabetes is 2 times more at risk of developing type-2 Diabetes later on if she does not breastfeed
• Osteoporosis

Artificial feeding also has an important impact on

FAMILY
• Artificial feeding is very demanding of time and energy: shopping for formula and supplies; preparation, cleaning/sterilising; etc.
• Supplies – milks and accessories - for formula feeding cost, in Canada, between 2000$ and 3000$ per year, per child.
• Medical costs and lost wages stemming from higher illness rates in formula-fed babies are important.

SOCIETY
• Artificial feeding costs the Canadian health care system billions of dollars per year.

THE ENVIRONMENT
• Production and consumption of artificial baby milks are a significant source of pollution.