The Breast Milk or Formula Debate Will Never Get Old

By Carla Coriaty-Hulla, RDN CDN

The breast milk or formula debate will never get old. Since we are now treating mothers pre-pregnancy using the same biomedical model used to treat our children, formula and breastfeeding are becoming a great concern for our new moms and planning moms. The eight million dollar question: Which formula is best?

Before you get excited to find the answer in this article, wait, the answer is not here because it doesn’t exist. The best formula out there for babies is the one your body makes naturally and quite perfectly. We will however explore the formula options and compare them to the ever so perfect mom’s milk. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant this article can help you make that informed decision based on what is available. All of the formulas will have cons in my eyes but we will weed out the worst and bring you the least offensive options.

First let’s explore why we love mother’s milk so much. Number one is- it was meant for humans. No one can debate this. Human milk is for humans, cow’s milk is for cows, goat’s milk is for goats and so on. Human milk contains beneficial immunoglobulins and immune regulators that protect babies from infection and help to protect them from allergies by balancing their immune systems. This will never be in any formula. It is impossible to replicate this. Also breastmilk contains enzymes and probiotics which are impossible to replicate and detrimental to a healthy gut. The nutrients in breast milk are absorbed and in their perfect forms for babies to utilize optimally. It is also impossible to replicate these forms of vitamins synthetically for a baby formula. Breastfed babies have been shown to have less diarrhea and fewer colds and ear infections than formula-fed babies. Studies report that they’re less likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or develop lymphoma later in life. Breastfeeding is also free and super-portable, whereas formula can cost at least $1200 annually or more if allergies are found. Dr Gabriel has found, in his own practice, that the children who have breastfed will have: less sick visits, less allergies, and less incidence of obesity when they get older. The benefits are endless and can be easily researched. Time and time again you will always see breast milk is best. In my own experience with breastfeeding my children, I have found it to be much more affordable, very easy and portable, a wonderful bonding experience and the result is a healthy protected intelligent baby.

The options:

Elemental Formula : Elecare, Nuetramagen AA, Neocate. Our choice: Neocate Wins! While it contains corn syrup solids it is non GMO corn and additionally does not contain any genetically modified organisms or ingredients. Why you ask? It is not made in the USA. Neocate is manufactured in England where the GMO laws are much better than USA. So if your child suffers from allergies and you’re unable to breastfeed Neocate with an added probiotic and omega 3 supplement is the best choice.

Organic Milk Based Formula: Earth’s Best Organic, Baby’s Only Organic, Bright Beginnings, HiPP Combiotic First Infant Milk. The best of these are HiPP since it contains organic non GMO ingredients from the UK but also because it has probiotics as well as prebiotics to provide and support healthy gut flora which is so important in infancy. I’m not happy that most of these formulas are made from non fat milk and contain mostly casein as protein base or hydrolyzed whey which is so highly processed.

Homemade Formula Recipes: Weston A Price (WAPF) cow or goat milk based, WAPF dairy free, liver based formula. Weston A Price Foundation stands by their beliefs that raw milk is the best and only form we should consume however it has been my experience that if there is an allergy or casein sensitivity raw milk is still not well tolerated. So if you know for sure the baby tolerates cows milk or goat milk the homemade formula is a good choice. If there is a possibility of sensitivity the liver based formula is also a good choice. The taste is tough to accept but those that have not tasted anything other than that usually accept it.

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