Breastfeeding Support is Best.

Infant Formula has been around since the 1860s when babies relied on cow's milk if their mom couldn't produce well. And cow's milk wasn't safe in the time when buckets of raw milk were carried through the city streets by horse drawn carts. Formula was nourishment that was not likely to be contaminated by deadly bacteria. Okay, so formula saved a lot of babies in the 1800s.

In the 1950's the formula companies turned their public health campaign into a bustling business opportunity. Carnation? Nestle? They touted their products as healthier, safer, easier. And America abandoned breastfeeding. Why did they call it formula? You might be able to look in a Baby Boomer's attic and find a recipe card with the "formula" it. It will read something like:

13oz evaporated milk

20oz boiled water

2tsp Karo syrup

In 1978, the book Breast is Best by Dr. Penny Stanway hit shelves. The book was meant to detail the benefits of human breastmilk, give tips for breastfeeding success, and provide guidance for "looking after yourself" when breastfeeding. "Breast is Best" became a catch phrase, and more moms attempted breastfeeding. Hospital practices changed.

In 1981, the WHO published the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The Code prevented formula companies from (falsely) overstating the benefits of formula and insuring their "proper" use. Those of us in the lactation world still know the Code and appreciate its importance daily. In 1985, the first IBCLCs were certified and began counseling mothers on lactation.

Breastfeeding popularity grew, and the formula companies knew they had to play catch-up. Some of the newer ingredients, like the synthetic oligosacchrides, are safe and probably improving the quality of formula. But other things, like brown rice syrup and corn syrup have a total "ick" thing about them. Ascorbic acid and tocopherals are FDA approved preservatives. There is still no formula that is shown to be as nutritious as breastmilk. (It's not even close, I mean, you can't synthesize live cells and put them in a powdered form.)

As breastfeeding popularity grew, lactation started to feel like an unachievable fairy tale for many moms. Nursing mothers complained that their body was a slave to their newborn. They complained that their nipples hurt, that their baby didn't sleep at night, and that it was hard to back to work. Formula seemed easier and even empowering to some mothers. "Breast is Best" started getting backlash.

At some point in the 2010's "Fed is Best" started taking hold. The Fed is Best Foundation was formed after a physician was encouraged to avoid formula and exclusively breastfed to the severe detriment of her newborn. Fed is Best is not anti-breastfeeding. It is an organization that wants to prevent serious illness that can occur if exclusive breastfeeding is not properly monitored. Fed is Best and Breast is Best are NOT opposing ideologies. In fact, they both aim to keep babies their safest and healthiest.

Here we are in 2026, and I hear from moms every day:

"I really wanted to avoid formula, but the nurse said I was 'starving my baby.'"

"My pediatrician gave all her kids formula, and they are fine."

"I wanted to breastfeed, but it didn't work after a few days, so I gave up."

"I could tell he was hungry, and I didn't know what to do."

"Her doctor said combo feeding is the best of both worlds, but it doesn't feel that way."

We know a lot now - still not enough, but a lot. In 2026, we hear that moms want to nurse their babies. But they are confused by the advice they are given. What is best? Breast? Bottles?

Here's what I know. We can safely support infants and breastfeeding AT THE SAME TIME! We can support a mom's desire to lactate, nurse her baby and have the experience she hopes for. We can support partners, grandparents, siblings, and everyone in that dyad's village. We can support education, maternal leave policies, family leave policies, access to breast pumps, human donor milk, careful supplementing methods, long term goals, and shared decision making.

Getting support is best. Please reach out with any questions. Woven Pediatrics is happy to support any breastfeeding and lactation journey with evidence-based medicine. Low milk supply is a common problem, and formula is not the only answer. Woven Pediatrics has helped many moms who supplement with formula along the way. Dr. Stephanie and Woven Pediatrics believe that supporting a fed infant and supporting breastfeeding are one in the same. Support is best!!