breastfeeding and high IQ!
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Topic: breastfeeding and high IQ!
Posted By: Bizzy
Subject: breastfeeding and high IQ!
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 9:52am
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An interesting article...
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1431468 - Link |
Replies:
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 10:30am
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Yeah its been in the news over here all day today- causing some pretty heated debates! Its funny that even though everyone knows that it makes for a healthier baby its the chance that it increases intelligence that seems to get everyone really wound up (well here it is anyway, alot of pro-bottle feeders are getting v v defensive). ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3 
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 10:36am
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yeah the bottle mums over on trade me were getting really heat up and defensive. I felt like saying (but so didn't want to get into that argument) THEY'RE NOT SAYING YOUR BABIES ARE STUPID. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 12:58pm
| yeah and isnt it only babies with a certain gene or something? |
Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 2:26pm
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To be honest, I think that's a lot of bull. It would suggest that babies in countries in Africa and Asia where parents are not likely to be able to afford formula and are b'feeding are a lot smarter than others. I think environment and education count for a lot more.
And before you think I'm getting defensive - Gina was on breastmilk for the first 6 months  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 2:28pm
| so your saying that people in african and asian countries who come from poor backgrounds are smarter as a general rule? |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 4:20pm
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You know what this really annoys me how we can't ever talk about how great breastmilk is. If we do we get critisized for shoving it in ff mums faces. Anyone ever think that maybe all these studies are right and breastmilk is the best. I feel like there is no support for bfing mums and if you ever look for help cos your having problems the first thing someone says is give formula a try. The annoying thing is you can't dare say there is no way in hell I'll be giving my baby formula as long as my boobs are producing milk. You just have to pretend to think about it. I'll probably have my head bitten off for saying this but its been bothering me for way too long.
Anyway I hope my kids have that gene
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 4:30pm
hear hear!!!! someone on another board pointed out how there are over 100 other properties/nutrients etc in breast milk that havent even been identified yet and you can bet they are all there for a reason. |
RachandJack wrote:Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 4:36pm
| hmm try being a ff mother and see what sort of reaction you get. i think there is soooo much more support and understanding for breastfeeding mothers. at least you arent made to feel like you are ruining your childs life because you cant/dont breastfeed |
Posted By: caliandjack
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 4:48pm
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From the article "In both countries, breast-fed children had a higher IQ by about six to seven points, but only if they had a variant that made the gene more efficiently process fatty acids.
For those with the less common - and less efficient - variant, breastfeeding made no difference when it came to intelligence, the researchers said." Would suggest you need to have the genetic make up in the first place. From my point of view, I have above average IQ and I was adopted at birth and exclusively breast feed. Obviously I will breast feed if i can as there are clear benefits to it, but I'm not going to feel guilty or anything if I find I can't and use a bottle. Having a healthy feed baby is surely the main aim. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">   [/url] Angel June 2012 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 5:23pm
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I have to agree with my2angels I think there is a lot of support for breastfeeding and a lot of pressure put on women to breastfeed. I whole heartedly agree that breastfeeding is best and I support anyone who wants to breastfeed and to feed for as long as they like but I also think there should be more understanding and support for those of us who can't/don't breastfeed.
RachandJack I think plunket are far too quick to push formula onto bubs, their answer to everything seems to be to give formula. I also think the hospitals do the same thing, it is easier for them to give babies formula than help with breastfeeding issues. My baby is formula fed but I don't think talking about the benefits of breastmilk is shoving it in my face, i'm already aware that breastmilk is best and thats why I had planned to breastfeed till at least 12 months but it didn't work out that way. I suppose some women may get upset about it as they would like to be giving breastmilk but can't etc. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 5:34pm
| Maybe support wasn't the right word but I just find that people think because I breastfeed it has all been a walk in the park and I should be lucky I can. I went through a hell of a lot of pain with Jack so I think I did a good job and I'm not sorry about that. But on the other hand I have a lot of respect for mums who made the decision to ff and stood strong. I realise it must be hard when there is such an emphasis on bfing but I also think it would be nice for ff to let some things go and let us be proud once in a while. |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 5:51pm
| I think (and this is only my opinion) that those who dont let you feel proud you bf are those who feel guilty about ffding. I personally dont really care how people feed thier babies as long as they feed them and the babies are healthy. I dont think women who bf necessarily deserve a medal or anything but good on those who perserve (sp?) when its hard and sore. Its all about choice and whats best for you but i dont really think its gonna make a baby more intelligent. |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 6:18pm
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Hey Rachandjack I understand what you mean. Everyone at my ante natal coffee group is still bfing and I think that is great but I am a little sad that I'm also not still bfing, but that is my problem not theirs. They are all supportive of me because they now what I went through but it can sometimes be a different reaction from people who don't know why I'm not bfing. (although I am over that now). I think my2angles is right about people not wanting you to feel proud because they have their own issues and thats not fair on you. I also don't think that every woman that is breastfeeding found it a walk in the park, but on the other hand bfing mums need to understand that not all bottle feeders gave up at the first hint of a problem.
I think in general women should be more supportive of each other rather judge each other all the time. (IMO anyway) -------------
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Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 8:08pm
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yes breast is best but ff is not the worst - worst would be not feeding your child at all.
be proud of whatever decsison you make for your child and yourself. ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: jaz
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 9:42pm
I've FF one child and BF the other. I can't say I was made to feel bad for FFing but I'm sure most of us have an underlying feeling of 'I couldn't breastfeed therefore have failed my baby' which can make FFing Mums feel a little defensive. I think there needs to be a lot of support and acceptance for BFing otherwise people would stop earlier. I gave up fairly early last time but with support from the midwife, plunket and lactation consultant I've continued feeding longer with no.2. I also think there is more acceptance of BFing now, which is a good thing. I think its acceptance of BFing rather than negativity towards FFing. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 9:48pm
If you believe what the study suggest, they'd have higher IQ. I think environment and education count for a lot more - and those will be heaps better in NZ that the third world countries. Anyways I think b'feeding is great but people should be given a break - I felt it was forced down on me at Akl Hospital and no one would give me info on formula even though my milk took days to come in! I think both formula and breast are valid choices and the most important thing is that babies are fed and happy. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 10:51pm
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are you reading the same article ...?
I posted the link cause i thought it was an interesting read...not cause i wanted to argue breast v formula. But since we are talking that way what makes me really angry is women who say stupid things about why they didnt breast feed or have ridiculous excuses when really they couldnt be bothered. Why not come out and say the truth in the first place. And for the record milk takes days to come in for everyone! Its how nature designed us. |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 07 November 2007 at 11:30pm
I totally agree. When people complain about how much BFing is pushed on them- these health care workers are pushing it on mothers because they are educated about how brilliant BFing is and they want what is best for your baby. They don't have an alterior motive to make you miserable- they want your baby to be as healthy as possible and they are trying to do everything possible to make people see that. I went through hell those first few months BFing DD1 but I persevered and it really annoys me when I see people giving up after a half hearted effort and acting like its their right because "happy mum = happy baby". If you want to FF fine- but understand it is a choice and with that choice comes the responsibility that you aren't doing what is best for your child (yes I know that everyone has their story but thats what it comes down to). I supplemented DD1 from 4 months because I thought my milk was running out- I am now more educated about BFing and I know it wasn't (my supply was just evening out so my breasts didn't feel as full but they still had milk) and if I had of had the support I could of worked through that. I take full responsibility for that, I feel v guilty and crap about it and I think I should feel that way- because I didn't try hard enough to do what was best for her. Only 2% of women are medically unable to BF. I feel that this place in particular is v v supportive of FF mums, I have never seen anyone get 'told off' for making the switch- but when something like this comes out why can't we, who have worked hard and persevered and made our choice to do that best, feel a little happy about it and not get the "its a load of bull" comments. ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 7:14am
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I don't think there is any argument, of course nature is better and wiser and of course breastmilk is best for babies.
for all you breastfeeders, you should be proud that you are breastfeeding.
Shame the article didn't mention how long that breastfeeding was needed to make a difference. -------------
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 8:35am
| Jennz if you feel bad about ffding Im sorry but that doesnt mean that the rest of us have to. If you feel like you have failed in any way thats your issue, dont try to tell us we havent done what is best for our babies. Sorry if that sounds harsh but your post just really got my hackles up. |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 8:57am
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sorry - edited as i was talking thru a hole in my ****
the delete post button seems to have disappeared! |
Posted By: Jennz
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 9:22am
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Totally agree that those are my own issues- it wasn't my intention to make anyone feel bad, just to take responsibility for their choices and not say that scientific studies are rubbish because it doesn't support that choice. I don't feel that I failed- just that I didn't do the best for my baby, which is true.
I also think that it is possible to seperate emotional issues from fact. I expected it would get hackles up so don't worry about being harsh- I was pretty harsh myself so if I can give it I should be able to take it ------------- Jen, Charlotte 7 & Kate 3
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 10:17am
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Hey Jennz, I do actually question whether breastmilk is always best. I was on antibiotics before the birth then had god know how many drugs during and after the c/s and then in the three months that I breastfed 38 of those days were also spent taking antibiotics. I don't think all those drugs passing through my milk into bubs would have been doing him much good and they had probably killed off half the goodness in my milk. I know for a fact that antibiotics kill the bacteria in the gut that makes Vit K, and we choose not to give him the Vit K injection (because we believe they are born without it for a good reason) so I was taking alfalfa tabs and probiotics, but who knows what else all those meds killed off, and what that did to his system was probably more damaging than if we had given him formula.
I saw on Dr. Phil that in America you can buy human milk to give to bubs if you are having difficulties yourself. It all gets tested etc first. Maybe that would be the way to go in the future rather than formula. -------------
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Posted By: Mazzy
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 10:36am
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To add my 2c worth:
Yes, I agree breast milk is better for babies than formula. No, I don't think formula is evil or bad for babies, it has its place. I do think that formula is hugely overused these days and there are many, many women who could be breast feeding if they had the right support or encouragement or education or whatever, which is sad in an overall/societal sense. However, I also think that there is no way I could ever know all the complicated reasons behind why individual mothers make the choice/need to formula feed, so on an individual level there is no judgement or feeling of 'oh she's not doing the right thing'. All of the mums I know who feed with formula made the decision based on what they thought was best for their babies - who the heck am I to tell them otherwise! We all have to make decisions about raising our kids, it would be nice if the whole 'breast vs. formula' battle could be dropped and we could get on with the job of being mums (and dads). And live in a fairy land with flowers falling from the sky. Sorry - had to lighten the tone there somehow. I would add that, as a mum who breast feeds, often I do feel like I have to tiptoe around formula users or be overly supportive/enthusaistic towards them when discussing feeding, because they are often so defensive right from the outset. On the flip side, I also notice a lot of 'older generation' women I have met have been very pro-breast feeding and not shy about making inappropriate comments about it, as in 'oh good, you're breast feeding.' Like I need their approval. So I can understand some of the angst/annoyance. There's got to be a balance somewhere! ------------- Mum to two gorgeous girls! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 10:43am
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Well said Mazzy, as I wrote on one of my previous posts I think it would be nice if we all supported each other rather judged each other for our choices. -------------
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 08 November 2007 at 10:58am
| Yeah cuppeatea it should of said how long you need to bf for for it to make a difference. |