Breastmilk vs. Formula Debate

I think it's mostly unknown, especially if looking at children in similar situations (lifestyle, family history, etc). Any predictions we could make would be fraught with error.

However, a child who has other risk factors like low SES or a family history of health issues, is probably at greater risk from not bf'ing than a child in a high SES and no family history of major health issues. I know that I felt bf'ing was very important the first time around though it wasn't for any specific reason, just generally. The second time around I felt bf'ing was even more crucial because in addition to the "general" risk, it was compounded by the risk of immune problems due to family history.

"The last of human freedoms - the ability to chose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances. " - Viktor Frankl.

At the moment, our knowledge of the humane genome would not be at the stage where we would be able to quantify the risk for each and every child. Maybe one day it will be in this state.

However, there are family histories that are indicative that lack of BF may be more risky for some than others.

I think in Harmony's case, she has summed it up nicely. For myself, with my eczema, allergies, and so on, and my husband's asthma I also felt that BF was particularly important for all my children.

I think their are other family histories where it would also be important. Celiac disease, diabetes, high cholesterol later in life and so on would be things that come to my mind. I know these would also be affected by later diet, but I think laying a good foundation would be extra important. Anything that runs in families and also seems to have increased risks with FF.

Maybe we will find out other things where not BF also increases the risk of illness. Again that would be important if there is a family history. But even without a family history, there are all sorts of things like infectious diseases where BF is important. I don't think that will ever be predictable, even if we can map everyone's genome in the future.

Teresa

Well, I didn't raise the factor of low SES, but I am guessing that it might be that other things in their life may not be ideal either - eg diet. Although that is not a given, I usually found it less expensive to buy fresh produce and cook fresh food, than to buy some of the unhealthy items that fill many people's shopping trolleys.

Or in some cases, people with low SES may, for other reasons, may not be making as good a decision about diet, so children brought up in this environment have other risks factors as well, making BF more important.

Exactly how low SES contributes to the degree of risk - is it causal - or is there some other link? I can't say for sure.

Teresa