05/21/2026
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Breastfeeding is REALLY important for both moms and babies, and the science of the milk cannot be duplicated or compared to anything else if we compare apples to apples.
However, if and when breastmilk is not available, or a mother cannot produce her own milk, or doesn’t want to, that does not mean mom is inferior for choosing what is needed to ensure the baby is fed.
We need to continue to help educate our health care system and our families on WHY getting breast milk is important and should be thought of as first choice for infant nutrition, and because of all the benefits mom receive to her own body while giving her baby breast milk. The art of breastfeeding is designed to help moms body and uterus to return back to size and function from the first breastfeed. It helps mom and baby regulate together. An amazing attachment is curated during this process. This helps eliminate diseases, cancer, illness between the mom and baby. There is a MUCH bigger picture that happens during this process than most of us realize.
Even when it comes to the environment, breastfeeding helps reduce waste, with no bottles, or garbage.
However, we do need to be mindful and kind to those who cannot produce milk (or enough) for their babies because it happens.
We also need to be supportive to those who need to use formula when no other option is available, and to those who choose to use formula.
But most importantly we cannot stop educating around the benefits of the science behind the process and the milk, because informed choices are important!
We need more education around the benefits to mom and baby on breastfeeding and breastmilk, so that people CAN make INFORMED choices, and seek the support they need.
Phrases like “fed is best” or “you can’t tell a breastfed baby from a formula fed baby by looking at them” does not compare apples to apples, does not include the science or the relevancy of breastmilk to formula, and certainly starts a war between moms and families, that is not supportive in nature and is only hurting us, or filling people with shame.
We need to support one another, show kindness and allow people to make choices on true and factual information.
And as an IBCLC I support people through all forms of feeding. There is certainly a time and a place for the need for formula. It changes for every family. But my job is to also educate and reduce harm (physical or emotional) throughout the process, by giving informed consent. 🙂
Be better, together.
Xo
