If you ask the internet if breastfeeding is good, you will soon learn that YOU MUST BREASTFEED because BREAST MILK = OPTIMAL FOOD FOR BABY. But if you look for evidence, you’ll discover two disturbing facts.

First, there's no consensus about why breastfeeding is good. I’ve seen experts suggest at least eight possible mechanisms:

1. Formula can’t fully reproduce the complex blend of fats, proteins and sugars in breast milk.
2. Formula lacks various bio-active things in breast milk, like antibodies, white blood cells, oligosaccharides, and epidermal growth factor.
3. If local water is unhealthy, then the mother's body acts as a kind of “filter”.
4. Breastfeeding may have psychological/social benefits, perhaps in part by releasing oxytocin in the mother.
5. Breastfeeding decreases fertility, meaning the baby may get more time before resources are redirected to a younger sibling.
6. Breastfeeding may help mothers manage various post-birth health issues?
7. Infants are often given formula [...]

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Outline:

(04:03) Except…

(05:07) The one big trial

(06:38) How much did breastfeeding increase?

(07:49) Did more breastfeeding lead to healthier babies?

(09:15) Did more breastfeeding lead to better long-term health?

(10:27) Intermission

(10:46) Did more breastfeeding lead to higher IQ?

(13:54) Did more breastfeeding lead to higher IQ later in life?

(15:37) Nursing doubts

The original text contained 3 images which were described by AI.

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First published:
August 30th, 2024

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/p7x3vvPR59WHuoQ2A/nursing-doubts

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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