The following is a post from the Ob GYN formula, a mom write in about
the differences between formula and breastmilk, the doctor replies but
says that in favor of formula breastmilk may not supply enough iron and
Vit D. I would like to respond to her and thought some of you may like
to do the same... what are your thought? IS there any evidence/research
that breastmilk is lacing these components?

Thanks
Cindy..

At Tue, 12 Jan 1999, Kelly Shanahan, MD wrote: >
>At Tue, 12 Jan 1999, Lori wrote:
>>Dr. Shanahan, I couldnt have said it better! Even if a mother nurses
her child one time within the firts couple of days
after birth, that baby will get colostrum that is chock full of ghood
stuff that cannot be reproduced in formula. As long as
a woman knows her options, no one can make her feel bad for her choices.
Only a mother knows what is best for her and
her child. Thanks for putting it so eloquently!

>>I was unable to exclusively breastfeed my baby so I supplement with
>>formula. She is doing well and her pediatrician is happy with how she
>>is progressing. I keep hearing that breastmilk is the best for your
>>baby and that there are many benefits of breastfeeding. I don't want
to
>>start a debate on the subject I am just wondering how much of a
>>difference there really is.
>
>There is a huge difference between human breastmilk and formula, and
>breast really is best -- breastmilk provides antibodies which help
>decrease risk of infections; there is a lower incidence of SIDS; fewer
>ear infections; and breastfed babies get exactly what they need in
terms
>of calories, fats, carbohydrates and protein. HOWEVER, not every woman
>can breastfeed exclusively, no matter how much she wants to. No mother
>should be made to feel inadequate because she does not breastfeed, or
>does not breastfeed exclusively, or does not breastfeed for the full
>year the American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending.
>
>And in formula's favor -- formula is fortified with iron and vitamin D,

>2 substances which may not be present in high enough amounts in
>breastmilk.
>
>Even if you were only able to breastfeed for a short period of time,
you
>gave your child important antibodies in the initial clostrum and
>breastmilk. If you are using a combination of breastmilk and formula
>now (which it sounds like you are), you are still providing many of the

>benefits of breastmilk.
>
>The bottom line is that what is important is that your baby is doing
>well, no matter what you feed her. Please don't let anyone make you
>feel guilty. If she's happy and your pediatrician is happy, then you
>should be happy too.
>
>--
>Kelly Shanahan, MD, FACOG
>S. Lake Tahoe, CA
>

--
Cindy Curtis,RN,IBCLC
Virginia,USA
mailto:[log in to unmask]
Benefits of Breastfeeding Page  http://www.erols.com/cindyrn