[vampiresdoexist]

I am nervous that this will add more toxic fuel to the “breast is best” movement because context isn’t being considered and pros and cons aren’t be weighted appropriately.

Breast feeding is an exhausting endeavor. And I have been surprised by how much guilt is layered onto mother’s who choose for mental and physical health to stop breastfeeding and move to formula.

My hope is that these studies actually lead to better formula as well as the other discoveries these researchers are gathering.

[tines]

Social shaming is so watered down these days. Used to, if you stepped out of line, society would shun you and nobody would patronize your business or whatever, and you'd have to move out of town. Nowadays you get some mean online comments and downvotes. Nothing in your actual life changes, because modern society is so bureaucratized (in a good way) that most social functions operate independently of your social approval rating. Yet so many people live in fear.

People need to mentally toughen up, stop being "influenced" and just make their decisions and live their lives.

Either breastmilk has health benefits or it doesn't. This shouldn't be sensitive information. We should not care whether this adds "toxic fuel" to some online idiot fest. People who can and want to breastfeed, do it. Who gives a flying fuck what facebook commenters say or how much "guilt" they are "layering" on.

If you're going to live in a modern bureaucracy and take all the shit that comes with it, at least use the advantages boldly!

[rimunroe]

I'm not saying this information shouldn't be shared or anything, but I certainly understand the sentiment expressed by the person you're replying to.

I don't know what your personal experience is, but your comment comes off as cold and unrealistic. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period are incredibly difficult. They deprive people of sleep (often starting many weeks before birth), and frequently come with depression and complicated feelings about one's body. Breast milk seems best for infants, but the way that information is conveyed is often filled with judgement--even from trained medical personnel working in obstetrics and pediatrics!--and absolutism which doesn't adequately balance the degree of benefit it provides with the likely already fragile mental health of the breastfeeding parent. Babies fed with formula turn out just fine, but you'd be surprised how rarely prospective/new parents get reminded of that.

[Carrok]

Indeed. "Fed is best." However you can accomplish that.

[vampiresdoexist]

I am surprised by all the downvotes! Alas.

[barbazoo]

> I am nervous that this will add more toxic fuel to the “breast is best” movement because context isn’t being considered and pros and cons aren’t be weighted appropriately.

The article isn't about breastfeeding at all is why I assume people downvote.