https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:56:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-67423 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:28:01 +0000 Cchoi4 67423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO is almost 10 months now, but when I was pregnant, I subscribed to the whole idea that breast is best. I still feel, with all that I've read, that breastmilk is the best source of nutrients for my baby. That said, I had a very difficult time with it. After the pain of breastfeeding subsided, my LO was always fussy and after calling a lactation consultant to monitor what was going on, we came to the conclusion that LO was not able to effectively nurse, and was not removing breastmilk. Long story short, my milk supply was affected by this and I was never able to keep up with his demand after that. So came the "heartbreaking" decision to supplement him with formula (1 bottle a day was all I needed.) I felt like i wanted to avoid formula as much as possible...while my parents and all others kept reminding me that "you were a formula-fed baby and you turned out fine). Now we are at 10 months and I have to say I'm glad to be pumping less and spending more time with my baby. Formula lets me do this. He is now on 3 bottles a day, with 1 bottle of breastmilk.</p> <p>Of course I would have LOVED to have breastfed exclusively. I would have loved to have ample milk and feel bonded to baby and do things the "natural" way. The way nature intended. It did not work out that way. In the end, I am grateful that formula was there to help me. </p> <p>I've come to the conclusion that as mothers, we just need to try out best. In the end, our babies will grow up regardless of breastmilk v. formula, and be cared for and loved..and that is the best we can do for them. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20938 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:40:58 +0000 MsMamaBear 20938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: I was formula fed and I have nothing wrong with me. Even during pregnancy I had nothing, just a textbook pregnancy.</p> <p>If a mom can breastfeed, good, if not, formula is fine. I know after I stopped when my milk dried up, Baby Bear and I became happier. Nothing sucked more than being tied to a pump, pumping milk because I had to get it to her some way because the latch wouldn't work, breastsheilds didn't work and LC didn't help. It was horrible and I'm so glad it's over. </p> <p>I wish it had worked, but it didn't and she WILL be perfectly healthy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20876 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:30:32 +0000 SugarplumsMom 20876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I intend to try my hardest to breastfeed, but I'm buying formula to get me by for the first few weeks - just in case!</p> <p>Both me and my brother were formula fed, my Mom said it was way too painful. DH on the other hand, was exclusively breastfed. He has allergies, I don't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20858 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:22:22 +0000 looch 20858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was breastfed, my husband was formula fed. My MIL formula fed all 4 of her children, and the results among them couldn't be more different. Two of them are rail thin, 2 are a bit plump, all 4 are good eaters, none have allergies, 1 went to college....my point is while I do agree breast is best, I don't really worry about long term effects about my choice. When our kids are 5 years old and we're discussing discipline, I doubt the first question we will ask each other is if they were breast fed or formula fed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20855 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:16:07 +0000 Red 20855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lozza: LMAO, so true! It's all about the greater good. :)</p> <p>I do believe "Breast is Best" but formula isn't bad either.</p> <p>What's funny is that my mother raised my little brother when formula was considered better than breast milk and keeps asking me why I'm not using formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20828 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:47:03 +0000 erinpye 20828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know truly what effect formula has on a baby vs. breast milk, but I will say I was breast fed and my sister was formula fed. She has asthma and a lot of allergies, I don't. I have no idea if there is any connection, but there could be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20737 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:24:01 +0000 MsMini 20737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that there is a place for both breastmilk and formula. It all depends on each family, their situation, their comfort level, and the health of mom and baby.</p> <p>I think the goal of the mother/baby dyad is happy healthy mom, and healthy happy baby. This is how I approach the mom/baby dyad at work (I am an NICU nurse). If breastfeeding is working well, and makes everyone healthy and happy that perfect. If there is a massive struggle, mom is super unhappy, or the baby is suffering from lack of breastmilk supply, then it is time to look at other options.</p> <p>You just can't really know what will work best for you until you are in the situation, and really think and reflect, and give it a shot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20730 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:14:53 +0000 Rosie Girl 20730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would think the contents of your breastmilk are better. Antibodies, etc. But, I do know now that formula is a lot more similar to breast milk then what it used to be. And I was a formula baby vs my sister who was breastfed for almost a year, and I don't think there is much difference. (other then she is super skinny and smart.... hmmm...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20700 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:27:45 +0000 Andrea 20700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mekarual: I wish her all the best but I bet she will not longer call it poison if she ends up using some formula! :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20652 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:53:44 +0000 mekarual 20652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a friend who is so scared of not being able to breastfeed, and worried that she will have to give her baby "poison" as she calls it. I keep telling her - formula is FOOD. We all know the studies and "breast is best", but when it comes down to it, whatever keeps your baby fed and healthy is what is best!</p> <p>Formula feeding is not "failing"..... it's FEEDING.</p> <p>(and all that coming from an EBF Momma, ha!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20648 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:42:28 +0000 Andrea 20648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks ladies! So interesting to read everyone's responses and I feel more educated about the topic now. I think it really is so true that formula gets a bad rap not because of what it is but because we have somehow "failed" if we resort to it. And failing at anything mommy related, especially in the early days when you're trying to do everything by the book, is a hard pill to swallow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20626 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:08:53 +0000 Miss Adia 20626@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There isn't anything wrong with formula. I think the slogans are what gets most women. "Breast is BEST" like if they aren't breastfeeding then obviously they don't want the BEST for their baby. See how that could rub people the wrong way?<br /> I mean, we all know breastmilk is better than formula, but sometimes it's not the best option.<br /> I did breastfeed for a year because I was making too much money for WIC, but not enough to spend $22 a can for formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20615 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:57:14 +0000 anewme 20615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I cringe at the conversations regarding breastfeeding vs formula now. before I had LO I was all about breastmilk and even in my own ways secretly criticized mothers who didn't breastfeed. After my LO came, I never really had any problems with breastfeeding, she had a good latch from the very beginning. My supply was enough to meet her demand, but I just had problems with pumping. I could not keep a stash for those days I wanted to just sleep a few extra hours and have someone else get up in the middle of the night to feed her. After pumping to the point where I saw blood in my breastmilk, I threw the accessories in the sink, washed it, packed it up and said "the hell with it." My mom and my MIL had always told me to supplement with formula and I refused. I hated to admit it, but it was partially a pride thing. I thought, I'm a woman, I gave birth to a child, I was going to be able to produce the food that nourished her. I EBF for 3 months and I was breaking down...and this is with an easy child who never gave me any other problems. </p> <p>There is so much thrown at us mothers and parents, that if we don't meet these expectations, we are made to feel that we have failed our children, ourselves and our society. With my next child, I'm not going to be as critical on myself, I'm not going to judge others for their decisions. Formula is there for a reason and no woman should feel less of a woman for choosing or having to use it to nourish their child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20401 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:16:14 +0000 loveisstrange 20401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't personally think there is anything wrong with it, but there are a lot of benefits to breastmilk. My mother breastfed and supplemented with formula.</p> <p>I think that there are always extenuating circumstances and some women/babies just can't breastfeed. I hate the stigma of "Formula is bad" simply because those mom's shouldn't be made to feel like they have failed at something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20355 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:17:49 +0000 Lozza 20355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coastinganon Right back at ya ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20327 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:59:30 +0000 cyndistar3 20327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I believe breastfeefing offers babies a better start, not that I am against formula or anything, I understand it doesn't work out sometimes. Plus, in my honest opinion breast milk tastes soo much better lol... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20315 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:49:40 +0000 MsMamaBear 20315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So true. I tried to breastfeed but it was hard, I tried my best and she's on formula now. I totally felt the mommy guilt. If you say you are formula feeding because it was hard, ppl will say you didn't try hard enough, get a LC, the breast is best, formula is poison! </p> <p>You can do all that, but it still doesn't work. Sometimes milk dries up like mine did. She got a month's worth and it helped. </p> <p>Like a PP said, a sane mommy is best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20312 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:45:23 +0000 Mrsbells 20312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont think anyone has said that formula is "BAD" per se, However its just not comparable to breast milk in terms of the benefits to the baby.</p> <p>We are always looking for natural/ healthier/ organic options, and when it comes to baby nutrition breast milk is as natural as it gets </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20309 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:42:31 +0000 heffalump 20309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like many mom's out there, I started out all gung-ho about breastfeeding. I researched, took a class, etc. I was going to breastfeed and there was no other if, and's, or buts about it. </p> <p>And then my LO came. And that was the worst week of my boob's life. I tried. I tried hard. I cried and cried and cried. Feeding wasn't fun for anyone. It wasn't a bonding experience, it was awful. So finally I switched to formula and I cried some more. I felt so guilty!</p> <p>But now my LO is 4 months old and so healthy. I get awful migraines and my hubby is able to take over and feed her when I'm in bed in pain, and I don't have to worry about waking up to pump or anything. And really, my hubby wasn't breastfed for a second and he has way more smarts than I ever will. </p> <p>I think breastfeeding is awesome. If I could do it, I would. I'll try again when I have another baby. But I'll also try not to be so hard on myself if I can't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20294 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:31:36 +0000 Coastinganon 20294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lozza- I &lt;3 you </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20247 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:44:05 +0000 Lozza 20247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kinda of along the lines of what coastinganon was saying... I think the whole "to breastfeed or not to breastfeed" issue is, for most moms, the first time when you really have to pick your battles re: your LO.<br /> No parent is able to do everything they'd like to/for/with their child. It's just not possible. And I think that as your kid gets older, you probably get more accustomed to the fact that you have limited time, money, energy, sanity... and therefore you sometimes have to say "Well, while it would probably be great for little Billy's cognitive development if I were to sit here and show him stimulating high-contrast flash cards while singing nursery rhymes in Mandarin, I think that instead I will stick him in his swing while I take a shower and check Facebook for thirty minutes, after which I will be a much more excited mother and all-around pleasant person."<br /> And I don't know about you other first-time moms, but I was a crazy person those first few weeks post-partum, and it was really easy to get caught up in the idea that I still could do anything and everything that I'd ever wanted for my child! It wasn't too late! I could breastfeed and cloth diaper and do EC and make him bilingual and engender a love of vegetables and classical music!<br /> And while I can still catch up on the vegetables and Mozart, breastfeeding is a "do it now or forever hold your peace (at least with this child)" kind of thing. And it really sucks to want to breastfeed and then face all kinds of challenges and think "really? I'm failing at something ALREADY?" And I really, really, really do not believe that choosing to formula feed is "failing", but I do think that it's easy to feel like it is in those first couple weeks if it's something that you'd really wanted to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20237 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:26:18 +0000 Coastinganon 20237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For all of the reasons stated above; which are valid. PLUS for the guilt those-of-us-who-don't-have-the-time-to-read-all-of-those-reasons-but-know-they-are-there have. Meaning, yes breast is best...but really, a sane mommy is best. </p> <p>When you have a baby, you immediately know that you would fight a lion for that baby...but sometimes breastfeeding is just that challenging, so when you give up, or are thinking of giving up, the mommy guilt is there not only because of all of the technical reasons why breast is best, but because you gave up fighting the lion.</p> <p>I had a very deep, personal struggle with breastfeeding the first time around that led to depression and sadness. This time, with my daughter, I have made a choice to define my own success. Instead of focusing on failure, I am focusing on what I was able to do to succeed based on my definition of success.</p> <p>So anyway, it isn't that formula is the devil, or motor oil or whatever, it is more the mommy guilt over not succeeding at something that is 'best' that makes people cringe when faced with supplementing and or replacing with formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20224 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:15:30 +0000 Lozza 20224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I really wanted to do it for essentially the reasons junebugmama listed above.<br /> LO was exclusively breastmilk-fed (nursed or pumped-milk-bottles) for about 6.5 months, and then we started supplementing quite a bit with formula since I can't pump enough to keep up with his demand.<br /> I will say that, while breastfeeding at the beginning was crazy hard and frustrating, now that it's established I find formula more frustrating. Mainly because it seems to cause more gas and stomach discomfort than breastmilk ever did, so now we worry about whether we should switch kinds, or whether something else is up... DS seemed to tolerate breastmilk perfectly and is just fussier on formula. Plus, while it's certainly easier to make more formula than to make more breastmilk, milk was easier in a way because I was far less worried about timing (in the sense that with formula, we are vigilant about making sure it's not in use for more than 2 hours, whereas we were pretty relaxed about breastmilk). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20216 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:07:22 +0000 Maysprout 20216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since breastfeeding works on a feedback mechanism sometimes giving formula can work against breastfeeding attempts and decrease supply. If given while pumping (though pumping isn't quite as efficient at emptying the breasts so requires more pumping than time nursing) I know a lot of women have been greatful for formula. It's not that formula is terrible but it's that it's not as complete as breastmilk. The antibodies in breastmilk help boost infants naive immune system and develop the digestive tract. Another thing is that a lot of infant formulas are based off of little research and use sucrose instead of lactose for a sugar. Sucrose dosen't have galactose, it's unknown if the galactose does anything since research on infants is hard, but it is known to aid brain development. In addition to galactose, which formula makers leave out of their sensitive formulas without any indication that anything significant is different, there are lots of other ingredients present in breastmilk that may aid in development, a lot is unknown, but many studies have shown some differences in breastfed vs formula fed babies. Only a third of women are still EBF by 3 months and that's thought to cost society lots and lots of money.<br /> <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2010-04-05/health/breastfeeding.costs_1_breastfeeding-sudden-infant-death-syndrome-preterm-babies?_s=PM:HEALTH" rel="nofollow">http://articles.cnn.com/2010-04-05/health/breastfeeding.costs_1_breastfeeding-sudden-infant-death-syndrome-preterm-babies?_s=PM:HEALTH</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20204 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:54:38 +0000 Mrs. Bee 20204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's just so much pressure on moms to breastfeed exclusively and moms are made to feel so guilty. I know this, and I'm not immune!</p> <p>The funny thing is in my mom's generation everyone exclusively breastfed, but my mom and most asian moms I know seem to be pro formula so you can get some rest! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20203 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:54:35 +0000 T.H.O.U. 20203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that there isn't anything "bad" with formula but I do believe there are many benefits to breastfeeding both to the mother and the child. </p> <p>Also, call me a skeptic but I get so worried about all the recalls and contamination you hear about in processed foods that I would be so worried about formula for the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20202 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:53:28 +0000 looch 20202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From what I know, formula is derived from cows milk, and nature only intended that for calves, not humans, so it isn't the perfect source of nutrition for human babies. Also, the content of breastmilk changes to suit the baby's requirements and immunities from the mother are passed to the child, which doesn't happen in formula. One last thing, not sure really how much water this holds though, is that since you can't overfeed a breastfed baby, they are less likely to develop habits that lead to overeating as they aren't as strictly held to drinking a specific number of ounces as formula fed babies are.</p> <p>I formula fed our son, I don't apologize for it. I had a horrible start to breastfeeding and should have done things differently, but I didn't and my son seems to be developing on track. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20198 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:50:31 +0000 junebugmama 20198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's some reasons that I've found when researching<br /> It's always available.(obviously we know some woman struggle)<br /> It's free.<br /> It contains active infection-fighting white blood cells and natural chemicals that give increased protection against infections in the first months, when these can be the most serious.<br /> It contains the perfect proportion of nutrients that your baby needs, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, and calcium.<br /> It is easily digestible.<br /> It may protect against allergies and asthma in the future.<br /> It may decrease a baby's risk of obesity in the future.<br /> It may contain some fatty acids that promote brain development.<br /> Breastfeeding can help new mothers lose weight more easily</p> <p>I'm going to do my best to try to breastfeed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20185 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:46:09 +0000 Rubies 20185@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think formula gets a bad rap because we're always bombarded with "breast is best" slogans and at least for me, I've always thought breastfeeding should feel natural and easy (boy, was I wrong!). I suppose that yeah, breastmilk is probably the best food for a baby but I hate that we beat ourselves to a pulp when it doesn't work out.</p> <p>I wasn't breastfed and I like to think that I ended up alright! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-is-so-bad-about-formula-anyway#post-20180 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:41:58 +0000 Andrea 20180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Almost every mom has a story about her problems with breastfeeding. It is amazing what us women go through! But why does formula have such a bad rap anyway? As far as I know, you can't really tell the difference between kids that were breastfed for a long time vs. kids that were not or only for a short time. What is everyone's take on this? </p>