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The benefits of both breast milk and breast feeding are nonzero but are often overstated. Many of the studies are not very good. The book “Lactivism” provides

The benefits of both breast milk and breast feeding are nonzero but are often overstated. Many of the studies are not very good. The book “Lactivism” provides an entertaining account of recent history: https://www.amazon.com/Lactivism-Fundamentalists-Physicians-Politicians-Breastfeeding/dp/0465039693/ https://www.amazon.com/Lactivism-Fundamentalists-Physicians-...

pempem 4y ago
Came to post this ^ Only 30 years ago, the pendulum was fully swung in the direction of formula. Having gone through the pregnancy gauntlet recently I've found - There are many studies posited but no one ever talks about the 'n' or the replicability. The studies are almost always asking you to do something uncomfortable or be scared (amnio may cause a miscarriage; the best brain developing breastmilk is the feed btwn midnight and 6am; blah blah blah) - There are so many people happy to tell women they should just stay home or if they dont they'll miss crucial moments or not develop their children's potential or even ability to love correctly. Oddly this is crucial for society and yet the US society provides near 0 support to make this happen
- bell-cot 4y ago
  > ...so many people happy to tell women they should... People happy to sit on their fat fannies and "supervise" the folks busting their asses to do all the work...yeah. That was old before the first pyramid was put built.
mcv 4y ago
I think in general, it's best to breastfeed if you have the opportunity to do so, but it's not that big a deal if it doesn't work for you and you rely on formula instead. Both work. It's great that both options exist, so you can pick which one works best for you. People get way too uptight about this sort of thing. Not to mention that society is really hypocritical about it; demanding that women breastfeed, but also criticising them when they actually do so. Can't we give each other a bit more freedom to make our own decisions and trust that most people will be doing a pretty good job at it? Provide info, not judgement.

pempem 4y ago

Came to post this ^ Only 30 years ago, the pendulum was fully swung in the direction of formula. Having gone through the pregnancy gauntlet recently I've found - There are many studies posited but no one ever talks about the 'n' or the replicability. The studies are almost always asking you to do something uncomfortable or be scared (amnio may cause a miscarriage; the best brain developing breastmilk is the feed btwn midnight and 6am; blah blah blah) - There are so many people happy to tell women they should just stay home or if they dont they'll miss crucial moments or not develop their children's potential or even ability to love correctly. Oddly this is crucial for society and yet the US society provides near 0 support to make this happen

bell-cot 4y ago
> ...so many people happy to tell women they should... People happy to sit on their fat fannies and "supervise" the folks busting their asses to do all the work...yeah. That was old before the first pyramid was put built.

mcv 4y ago

I think in general, it's best to breastfeed if you have the opportunity to do so, but it's not that big a deal if it doesn't work for you and you rely on formula instead. Both work. It's great that both options exist, so you can pick which one works best for you. People get way too uptight about this sort of thing. Not to mention that society is really hypocritical about it; demanding that women breastfeed, but also criticising them when they actually do so. Can't we give each other a bit more freedom to make our own decisions and trust that most people will be doing a pretty good job at it? Provide info, not judgement.