We have all been educated to believe that breast feeding is the best way to feed a new born baby.  It has all the essential nutrients  and it confers protection against infection and primes the immune system against disease.

Recently Professor Sven Carlsen from the University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway boldly challenged this view.  He acknowledges that breast fed babies are slightly healthier than formula fed babies but that this is the result of better conditions in the womb during pregnancy rather than because of the breast milk itself.  Professor Carlsen’s team reviewed more than 50 international studies on the relationship between breastfeeding and health and they have concluded that the only benefit to be gained from being breast fed is a slight increase in IQ.

It does not come as any great surprise to me that food scientists can create a product similar to breast milk and containing all the appropriate nutrients in the correct ratio.  They wouldn’t be very good scientists if they could not do this!  I’m also not surprised to learn that formula fed babies are healthy. If you just look  at your family and friends you will of course see that formula fed babies generally thrive and are not known to be any more sickly than breast fed babies.

It seems to me that this study is really missing the point.  There are many reasons why women do not breast feed.  It is a personal choice and it is good to know that there is a safe and practical alternative.  But feeding your baby is much more than a practical household task.  It is a normal, enjoyable and intimate part of the relationship with your new baby.  It’s not just a matter of nutrition.  It is also about creating a bond and socializing your child.

As adults we sometimes we have to use fast food because of our modern busy lifestyles.  It’s practical, convenient, tasty even nutritious.  But which would make you feel better, a pizza from the freezer or sharing a home cooked meal with all the trimmings?