Just say No!

It can be a temptation to give a supplemental bottle to a child. It can be a huge daunting challenge to feed this hungry babe all by yourself, can't it?
On the other hand, it's also a great feeling to know that this beautiful bouncing baby is 'all your own work'!!

We love to invest in manufactured things, but don't see the real thing with which we are trying to substitute... It's right there, and it's free!
Mothers' confidence in their ability to 'do it all' can be knocked back easily. So here's some notes to help you remember why...

"Breastmilk: made for your Best Baby!"

The World Health Organisation does tell us that his mother's Breastmilk is the first choice of food for every baby.  The second option is her breastmilk given via a cup/bottle etc.  Third choice is another mother's breastmilk (as a wet nurse, or via bottle from a milk bank).
Last of all, artificial infant milk is the final choice to maintain a child's health.  In other words, the last resort.

• Demand & Supply

A feed of bottled artificial milk means that you missed the chance to feed with breastmilk, and that means you will make less breastmilk.

More Milk Out Equals More Milk Made.

Find out more here, and here. It's especially damaging for your hormone levels and milk supply to replace a late evening/night-time feed with a bottle of formula. It may be useful to cluster feed, or use breast-compression - learn how with Dr Jack Newman.com.  Ask for further advice from your breastfeeding supporters.

• Nipple Confusion

If a young baby gets accustomed to artificial nipples (dummies, or bottle teats), he may refuse to go back to the real thing. Or he may suck differently at the breast, which can make you sore. Linked here, or here. Wait till at least the first month has passed before you use them.  Babies don't need bottles - they can take milk from other devices such as special feeders, spoons, cups. (Start here for advice on this.) You may well hear that someone else's babies had no such issue... this doesn't mean it doesn't happen.  We are all different.

• Formula milk is not so good for human babies

We often heard that "Breast is Best", but in fact our language is gradually changing to the messages "Breastfeeding is normal", "Breastmilk: it's what your baby was born for", or even, "Artificial Milk is Worse".
Links here and here, and here, and here.
Formula makes babies zonk off to sleep for hours, because their tummies are full for longer (up to 4 hours, compared to about 1.5 hours between the breastmilk feed & the tummy emptying). This is due to the bigger size of protein molecules in cow's milk. It is less easily digested, in other words! Even the most sleep-deprived will surely agree that that can't be right.
A far more forthright mother than I posted this piece named "No, formula is not fine".

Remember also that f***ula milk is far simpler than human breastmilk. Breastmilk has over 300 known ingredients. It is not just food, but also a host of substances which protect your baby's health. See page from the La Leche League Info Site, and an article from Chemical & Engineering News, 2008:

Much still remains to be understood about how many of milk's natural components are synthesized and delivered, how synthesis is controlled, and the effects of the mother's diet on the final product. "It is a remarkable fluid," German emphasizes. "It's extremely embarrassing how little we still know about it."

Particularly in the early days, a baby does not need as much human milk as artificial infant milk (but also later on - you will notice the difference with formula-fed children in the nursery). A 37ml measure of artificial infant milk carries the same nutritional value as just 7ml of breast milk.  Anyone still thinking that the baby isn't getting enough may be hugely reassured to know what size his stomach is. As a rough guide, on day 1 it's about the size of a small marble or a nutmeg. Additionally, we know now that the stomach does not become stretchy until day 2. This explains why newborn babies need to feed frequently. Little, and often!

• Nappies

They don't smell so good when babies get formula feeds. What's going on in there??!

• What do you do with your hands?!!?

When breastfeeding, it's a tough choice about what on earth to do with your spare hand (s!!): a sudoku puzzle? A drink? A cute book to read to your older child? Chat on the phone? Nose picking?
Well, it's a toughie.

• It's a greener world

There are many planet-friendly reasons not to use formula milk (links here)

• ££££'s

Think of the money you'll save - on equipment, and electricity (for the sterilisation) as well as the milk powder itself! It can be over £600 to formula feed a baby in its first year. Don't give your hard-earned cash away to those greedy global corps, and especially not Nestle.
Please don't complain that breastfeeding needs expensive equipment, too!  Much of it is unnecessary. You were born with the only vital gear!
Why not ask an experienced feeder in our support groups about what equipment is actually useful?

• Feeding older children

The emotional and developmental advantages of continuing to feed an older child are discussed here, or in this book, Mothering your Nursing Toddler.
In terms of nutrition, some believe that breastfeeding a baby after 12 months is of little value because the quality of breast milk begins to decline after six months. The fact (not paid for by follow-on milk manufacturers) is that the composition of human milk changes to meet the changing needs of baby as he matures. Even when a baby is able to take solids, human milk remains (ideally) the primary source of nutrition during the first year. It gradually becomes a supplement to solids during the second year.
It is very commonly said that formula has a very high level of iron compared with the iron content of human breastmilk. This is a particularly the case with the heavily advertised Follow-On Milks. However, it is important to know that the iron in human breastmilk is very easily digested by human babies (it is more bioavailable).
In addition, it takes between two and six years for a child's immune system to fully mature. Human milk continues to complement and boost the immune system for as long as it is offered (and remember you can offer a cup of expressed breastmilk, if you prefer).

• Feeling proud of what you've done!
  

• Finally, here's a great list of 101 reasons.

Only 2% of women medically CANNOT breastfeed; that means 98% of women can do it quite successfully, even if there are initial problems which need skilled help & advice.

So, it is very rare for a breastfed baby to “need” supplements. If someone tells you he does, make sure they are using the correct growth charts, get a second opinion, and please do your own research before following their advice.

If you have introduced formula & want to cut back, follow the advice given here, and talk to a professional about your individual case.