Formula is an inferior substitute for breast milk.

Unlike breast milk, formula does not contain substances that will fight colds, ear infections, diarrhea, and pneumonia in your baby.

Unlike breast milk, formula does not contain substances that improve brain function - i.e. breastfed infants have higher IQ's than formula fed infants.

Breastfeeding helps you lose weight - You burn 1,000 calories a day when you exclusively breastfeed an infant.

Breastfeeding helps protect you against osteoporosis and pre-menopausal breast cancer.

It costs approximately $1,000.00 per year to formula feed. Even if you are receiving formula from WIC, remember, formula from WIC is a supplement. The milk will run out before the month does. WIC will supply more food for a mother to eat when she is breastfeeding.

Unlike breast milk formula cannot help protect your baby from diabetes and cancer (leukemia and lymphoma).

The incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is much less in the breastfed infant.

Formulas try to imitate breast milk - why give your child second best when he/she can have the real thing!

Breast milk is the best milk for your baby. Unless you have the AIDS virus or unless you are taking drugs or medications that will cause harm to the baby if they get in your milk then you should breastfeed. Anything less is less than the best for your baby. It is your choice. Please choose wisely.

Michal A. Young, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Breastfeeding Coordinator,
D. C. Chapter of the A.A.P.

Revised 9/6/01