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When my wife and I went to pre-baby classes they'd often use the phrase "Fed is best" and I thought it was strange because it sounded like something that could

When my wife and I went to pre-baby classes they'd often use the phrase "Fed is best" and I thought it was strange because it sounded like something that could have rhymed and was a missed opportunity. Then I was informed that the phrase used to be "Breast is best" but, like you're saying, women who could not breast feed for whatever reason were subjected to this level of guilt and ridicule so much so that now they've dropped that phrase. They'd say like "Sure, breast feed if you can but if you can't that is totally a-ok too. Get some formula, get some skin to skin time. Your baby will be fine". I liked how much effort the classes were putting in to not pressure people to breast feed when it wasn't always an option. There's no need to feel, as a parent, that you've failed your child if you're not breast feeding.

ragnese 6y ago
That is very positive and reassuring to hear. When my then-wife and I had our son, it was still very strong "breast is best" messaging. It really has made a lot of parents feel awful amounts of guilt and shame. Personally, until we have very strong evidence that breast milk is significantly better for the baby, I think the messaging shouldn't even be "breast feed if you can"- it should be "breast feed if you want". Some women have a terrible experience breast feeding even though the technically "can" produce the milk. It can be physically quite uncomfortable, it keeps dad from being able to bond as well, the baby might not be good at "latching", etc.
- aaron695 6y ago
  > If you are not a scientist who has actually conducted one of these studies; if you are not intimately familiar with the methodologies and the math techniques used in the analysis; if you've only ever read the headline and maybe an abstract of a study- then please don't give advice to anyone on the topic. Please don't spread "information" that X is better than Y. Do you have a good article backing this - > I think the messaging shouldn't even be "breast feed if you can"- it should be "breast feed if you want". Preferably a solid journal article, or an analytical news article. The top ones on Google are just emotive. Nutrition from womb to 2 years is vital, it's probably the most important deal-able issue in the world today. I'll assume that advice is only for HN users who have clean water and access to good baby formula and the IQ's and education to do it properly. I don't see why formula is not as good as, if not better than breast. But evidence is breast is best as far as I can see.
astura 6y ago
Skin-to-skin is totally BS nonsense. It was found to be beneficial for premature infants who need help regulating body temperature in low resource settings (where incubators are not available). So naturally, people started recommending it for term infants who don't need help regulating body temperature and it's risks completely ignored! https://www.skepticalob.com/2019/04/fisher-price-rock-n-play-recalled-for-32-infant-deaths-hospital-skin-to-skin-care-kills-more-babies-each-year.html https://www.skepticalob.com/2019/04/fisher-price-rock-n-play... https://www.skepticalob.com/2016/01/overselling-the-benefits-of-skin-to-skin-and-ignoring-the-risks.html https://www.skepticalob.com/2016/01/overselling-the-benefits...
- ink_13 6y ago
  Skin-to-skin is also for pair bonding. To toss it out as just for body temperature is too hasty.
- bhandziuk 6y ago
  > BS nonsense This sounds like the conclusion of someone who does not have kids. You're going to wear a shirt all the time? What does this even mean to avoid skin to skin contact? It looks like your links are talking about the first few hours or days while still in the hospital. I'm talking about skin to skin over the next many months.

ragnese 6y ago

That is very positive and reassuring to hear. When my then-wife and I had our son, it was still very strong "breast is best" messaging. It really has made a lot of parents feel awful amounts of guilt and shame. Personally, until we have very strong evidence that breast milk is significantly better for the baby, I think the messaging shouldn't even be "breast feed if you can"- it should be "breast feed if you want". Some women have a terrible experience breast feeding even though the technically "can" produce the milk. It can be physically quite uncomfortable, it keeps dad from being able to bond as well, the baby might not be good at "latching", etc.

aaron695 6y ago
> If you are not a scientist who has actually conducted one of these studies; if you are not intimately familiar with the methodologies and the math techniques used in the analysis; if you've only ever read the headline and maybe an abstract of a study- then please don't give advice to anyone on the topic. Please don't spread "information" that X is better than Y. Do you have a good article backing this - > I think the messaging shouldn't even be "breast feed if you can"- it should be "breast feed if you want". Preferably a solid journal article, or an analytical news article. The top ones on Google are just emotive. Nutrition from womb to 2 years is vital, it's probably the most important deal-able issue in the world today. I'll assume that advice is only for HN users who have clean water and access to good baby formula and the IQ's and education to do it properly. I don't see why formula is not as good as, if not better than breast. But evidence is breast is best as far as I can see.

astura 6y ago

Skin-to-skin is totally BS nonsense. It was found to be beneficial for premature infants who need help regulating body temperature in low resource settings (where incubators are not available). So naturally, people started recommending it for term infants who don't need help regulating body temperature and it's risks completely ignored! https://www.skepticalob.com/2019/04/fisher-price-rock-n-play-recalled-for-32-infant-deaths-hospital-skin-to-skin-care-kills-more-babies-each-year.html https://www.skepticalob.com/2019/04/fisher-price-rock-n-play... https://www.skepticalob.com/2016/01/overselling-the-benefits-of-skin-to-skin-and-ignoring-the-risks.html https://www.skepticalob.com/2016/01/overselling-the-benefits...

ink_13 6y ago
Skin-to-skin is also for pair bonding. To toss it out as just for body temperature is too hasty.
bhandziuk 6y ago
> BS nonsense This sounds like the conclusion of someone who does not have kids. You're going to wear a shirt all the time? What does this even mean to avoid skin to skin contact? It looks like your links are talking about the first few hours or days while still in the hospital. I'm talking about skin to skin over the next many months.