Breastfeeding - Two sides to the story

[NickiV]

An earlier post states that breastfed babies are smarter, so...
My 7 year old is no dummy compared to where my 4 year old is shaping up to be and time will tell with the twins.  Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing that not every mother and child is able to do.  For those that can it's great, but for those that can't (adoptive mothers, babies with feeding issues, mothers that can't make any/enough milk - I'm sure the list is long) formula does do it's job in providing the necessary nutrition for that first year of life.  I am disappointed to think that just because someone doesn't or can't breastfeed that it means that she is not as smart or successful as a mom that does.  We are all different as well as our situation, our children and the circumstances in which we raise our families and there is no 'one' way to do anything.  Breast definitely has it's advantages, but to me it's not the only way and we do need to remember that.

[mrsnix]

May. 7, 2008 at 9:38 AM I agree with you on one hand---but I do think that if something is better for my child i will do it If i can.  So no, if a parent cannot breastfeed they should not be put down for that.  but I do think every mom should atleast try it since it is proven to be the best for your child.  But it's not like formula feeding is bad for your child and no mom should be ridiculed for her decision.   (after all it is HER decision)  there are so many bigger issues in the world and it really bothers me that people take the time to insult people over their choice on how to feed their babies!!  They need to look at it this way----Atleast they are feeding them!! there are so many children getting abused and neglected in the world.  If the worst you do is feed your child forumla then I say you're doing pretty darn good!

[NickiV]

May. 7, 2008 at 10:16 AM Exactly!!!

(Original Poster)

[Kelda]

May. 18, 2008 at 6:38 PM

I agree!! Intelligence is more determined by what a parent does to nurture them throughout their life, not by what they eat. And besides, breast milk or formula... eventually that will turn into table food. You might as well say broccoli is better than brussel sprouts. Or kids who carrots are smarter than kids who don't like them.

Food doesn't make kids smart, PARENTS and GENETICS do.