Fed Is Best: The Unintended Harms of the Breast Is Best Message and How to Find the Right Approach for You and Your Baby

"Christie del Castillo-Hegyi, MD, and international board-certified lactation consultants Jody Segrave-Daly, a neonatal registered nurse, and Lynnette Hafken, MA, IBCLC provide a clear-eyed look at the current messaging and latest scientific research around breastfeeding and formula feeding to show that the best way to feed a baby can be different for every family"--
A revolutionary look at infant nourishment for every family, regardless of whether you feed your baby with breast milk, formula, or both, from the founders of the Fed Is Best FoundationFor babies, like for all living things, being fed is best. But the current stringent focus on exclusive breastfeeding is putting some babies at risk by depriving parents of a full understanding of how to tell when breastfeeding alone doesn’t provide enough—and what to do about it.Fed Is Best provides a clear-eyed look at the current messaging and latest scientific research around breastfeeding and formula feeding, to help parents make informed choices about how to best feed their baby based on their individual circumstances.This eye-opening critique and practical, judgment-free guide:Breaks down the dangers of insufficient feeding in infants—and how to recognize and prevent themReveals myths around colostrum, other aspects of breastfeeding, and the expectation that nearly all mothers will produce all the milk their baby needs as long as they follow current guidelinesProvides detailed guidance on how to ensure your baby is getting enough to eat, particularly in those crucial first few days after birthDestigmatizes supplementation, a practice employed throughout human history to protect infants when their mother’s milk wasn’t enough—and shares strategies that encourage continued breastfeedingDetails what parents need to know about breastfeeding, combination feeding, and pumped milk feeding with sample schedules to help maintain milk supply and help parents get more sleepProvides inclusive, evidence-based guidance on formula and bottle feeding that has been shown to improve infant health outcomesEmphasizes the importance of mental health as a key consideration when finding your best infant feeding methodLet Fed Is Best help you find the feeding method that’s right for you and your baby.