4 ms·

Full disclosure: I was breast-fed and am perfect in every conceivable way. "The self-righteousness that exists is part of an ongoing effort to turn back 50 yea

Full disclosure: I was breast-fed and am perfect in every conceivable way. "The self-righteousness that exists is part of an ongoing effort to turn back 50 years or so of misinformation that existed in North America..." Isn't this exactly the point? Nearly everything we've ever known about nutrition has at some point been 'proven' to be completely, 100% wrong. Maybe we shouldn't be so judgmental of people who make different choices?

cromulent 16y ago
I'm also not convinced the choices are always for "convenience". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8443904.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8443904.stm
- run4yourlives 16y ago
  Sven Carlsen, the author behind this and basically every other study that forwards that breastmilk isn't as wonderful as it is (he's a lone voice) has questionable ties to GlaxoSmithKline.
  - cromulent 16y ago
    I would agree that there is much misinformation out there. I would also suggest that very few mothers choose not to breast-feed solely for convenience. I am not as sure as you that it is a scientifically proven fact that breast milk provides numerous health benefits. Whilst the recommendation nearly always is to use it (and no modern study suggests that formula is better) the studies are not as conclusive as I would accept as fact. The confounding and self-selection effects in the studies, and the differences in formula and ethical considerations since the long-term studies were started cast uncertainty on any conclusion. However, I understand that the majority of the information out there leads people to believe that it is a fact, and agree that the safe option is breast milk. Edit: "basically every other study...has questionable ties to GlaxoSmithKline". Really? The WHO also says that the benefits are moderate, rather than "wonderful".
    - run4yourlives 16y ago
      I would also suggest that very few mothers choose not to breast-feed solely for convenience. Are you a recent parent or are you otherwise directly experienced in witnessing the choices mothers make? I ask not only because the statement is little more than random opinion if you are not, and because I'm surprised that someone who is experienced would come to such a conclusion. It isn't the obvious path in a country where women return to work 6 weeks after giving birth. the studies are not as conclusive as I would accept as fact. Then you are self-selecting to support your own bias. The other link you provided in this thread made pretty clear assertions regarding this topic. The research is pretty strong. Stronger than most other areas. While that doesn't mean it is perfect, it does mean that all signs point to the fact that formula is not an equal replacement in certain key ways.
      - cromulent 16y ago
        > all signs point to the fact that formula is not an equal replacement in certain key ways That's a much softer position than "the fact remains that it is scientifically proven that breast milk provides numerous health benefits over formula. If you were fed formula, you have, on average, a higher risk of everything from a childhood cold/flu to asthma to leukemia." and one I could agree with.
run4yourlives 16y ago
Why I agree that the judgments are unwarranted,(in every case) Like I said, I don't agree with people being judgmental, I'm saying it exists to counter years of what can best be described as corporate propaganda.

cromulent 16y ago

I'm also not convinced the choices are always for "convenience". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8443904.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8443904.stm

run4yourlives 16y ago
Sven Carlsen, the author behind this and basically every other study that forwards that breastmilk isn't as wonderful as it is (he's a lone voice) has questionable ties to GlaxoSmithKline.
- cromulent 16y ago
  I would agree that there is much misinformation out there. I would also suggest that very few mothers choose not to breast-feed solely for convenience. I am not as sure as you that it is a scientifically proven fact that breast milk provides numerous health benefits. Whilst the recommendation nearly always is to use it (and no modern study suggests that formula is better) the studies are not as conclusive as I would accept as fact. The confounding and self-selection effects in the studies, and the differences in formula and ethical considerations since the long-term studies were started cast uncertainty on any conclusion. However, I understand that the majority of the information out there leads people to believe that it is a fact, and agree that the safe option is breast milk. Edit: "basically every other study...has questionable ties to GlaxoSmithKline". Really? The WHO also says that the benefits are moderate, rather than "wonderful".
  - run4yourlives 16y ago
    I would also suggest that very few mothers choose not to breast-feed solely for convenience. Are you a recent parent or are you otherwise directly experienced in witnessing the choices mothers make? I ask not only because the statement is little more than random opinion if you are not, and because I'm surprised that someone who is experienced would come to such a conclusion. It isn't the obvious path in a country where women return to work 6 weeks after giving birth. the studies are not as conclusive as I would accept as fact. Then you are self-selecting to support your own bias. The other link you provided in this thread made pretty clear assertions regarding this topic. The research is pretty strong. Stronger than most other areas. While that doesn't mean it is perfect, it does mean that all signs point to the fact that formula is not an equal replacement in certain key ways.
    - cromulent 16y ago
      > all signs point to the fact that formula is not an equal replacement in certain key ways That's a much softer position than "the fact remains that it is scientifically proven that breast milk provides numerous health benefits over formula. If you were fed formula, you have, on average, a higher risk of everything from a childhood cold/flu to asthma to leukemia." and one I could agree with.

run4yourlives 16y ago

Why I agree that the judgments are unwarranted,(in every case) Like I said, I don't agree with people being judgmental, I'm saying it exists to counter years of what can best be described as corporate propaganda.