Does Formula Make Babies Smarter?

on September 16, 2009 at 7:55 AM

formula and IQ A new study on formula published in the journal Child Development is being questioned by some breastfeeding advocates. The study found that infants who were given formula that was supplemented with DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) did better on cognitive tests than infants who were given formula without it. While the study didn't make the claim that DHA-enhanced formula is better than breast milk, some experts think the study is a marketing ploy to get new moms to feed their babies formula rather than breast milk (which is a natural source of DHA, among other things).

Doctors are concerned that this study is merely the "first step" toward finding a replacement for breast milk (previous studies have shown that kids who were breast fed have higher IQs than those reared on formula). One pediatrician, interviewed by abcnews.com, said that merely adding DHA to formula wouldn't make it better than breast milk, but that many of her patients are believing the hype.

The formula used in the study was given to the researchers for free by a formula manufacturer.

What's your opinion?

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Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer: What You Should Know

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: breastfeeding, formula, in the news

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Comments (21)

science_spot

on Sep 16, 2009 at 8:27 AM

In order for me to believe DHA formula is better than standard formula, they would have to prove it is being absorbed by the body, becuse i am not convinced it is. Anyone know if they have this data?

Otherwise, yes it seems like a marketing ploy to confuse parents about the benefits of breastfeeding.

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aurorabunny

on Sep 16, 2009 at 8:33 AM

This study brought to you by Nestle.

ethans_momma06

on Sep 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM

i think that it is also important to note that while this may be a cut above regular formula ( if you gotta pick one, pick the best one) BF and BM has so many many other advantages other then a raised IQ....also does not look like they did a comparrison between IQ level for BM vs formula, just formula vs. formula.

While I hope that mothers who are perfectly capable of BF do not feel that this advancment in formula is enough to switch over or stop BF, any advancment in formula companies is great for those who have no choice but to use it.

rozepyle

on Sep 16, 2009 at 12:41 PM

any way YOU being CAFEMOM can stop posting this stuff? think about it, how many people are so blind and ignorant they hop at the sight of one little "what they think is positive towards formula" just because they are too lazy to breastfeed? people who dont want to breastfeed are looking for every little excuse not to do it, so maybe lets not encourage?

RanaAurora

on Sep 16, 2009 at 12:58 PM

Sadly, plenty of people hear, "This ingredient makes babies smarter!" and rush to buy it... over breastfeeding, because breastmilk doesn't have advertisers to say, "We've had this ingredient all along and it's all natural!" Your own title for this post is misleading the EXACT same way formula companies want it to be - even though you didn't SAY "formula makes babies smarter than breastfeeding" that's what's implied by NOT saying, "DHA formula makes babies smarter than non-DHA formulas." It's advertising that preys on the fact that people want the best for their babies but are naturally gullible and ignorant unless they CHOOSE not to be, which unfortunately, most people don't.

The best part about DHA? The LifeDHA made from algae and fungus? It's extracted from the (soon to be genetically created fungus) with hexane - hexane is refined crude oil. It's a known NEUROTOXIN.

So, yeah, sure. Let's make our babies smarter by letting them eat brain poison. Sounds good to me!

bluelady27

on Sep 16, 2009 at 1:01 PM

I agree with Rozepyle. If you formula feed, fine. Just don't put it on a pedestal and try to justify it. Formula is not and will take a lot more to ever become better than breastmilk. Even if formula ever does grow to become better than breast milk (highly unlikely) I will still continue to nurse my children simply because it is the natural way and my babies are not cyborgs or humanoids requiring some other fuel my body can not offer. These post seem to be getting more frequent and more ridiculous. Formula feeding mothers are out there. That is inevitable. Just stop feeding them misleading information. Because there are going to be some ignorant mothers out there who base their decisions on misconceptions cafe mom offers them.

on Sep 16, 2009 at 1:51 PM

Okay, this study is obviously ridiculous, but let's take it down a notch with the "anyone who doesn't BF is lazy." That's a pretty absurd blanket statement and even I as someone who is very pro-bfing would not say that. Let's not go out of our way to make other people feel like crap, mmmmkay?

nily

on Sep 16, 2009 at 2:51 PM

OH GOD THE WORLD IS MORE STUPID EVERYDAY! Come you know the amount of babies that drink formula? There will be a bunch on Einsteins out there. I DOUBT that a product can make you smarter. Healthy? well maybe but the intelligence of a person TO ME is define buy many things like surroundings, motivation, self esteem, good emotional health, a healthy environment, maybe genes (who knows?), accessibility to a good education and stimulation to learn and others. Not by some damn product. My ex husband drank formula and he is the most stupid person on the face of earth there theory solved LOL.

on Sep 16, 2009 at 3:00 PM

*NOTE* Not everyone that doesn't Breastfeed is lazy there are some like me that for medical reasons and doctors orders cant and although all that I delay my treatment to BF my son till the was 5 months. So not everyone is lazy. I do think breast milk IS THE BEST!