The Follow-Up: Is Breast Best?

We’ve all heard the phrase breast is best. But is it really that simple? In this episode, I sit down with an expert to talk honestly about what the research actually says about breastfeeding and where the science gets murky.

We break down what’s fact, what’s myth, and why so much of the “breast is best” messaging comes from data that’s more correlation than causation. From IQ to obesity to immune health, we unpack what studies really measure (and what they don’t).

I also share my own story as a pediatrician who planned to breastfeed but ended up formula-feeding my son after a difficult birth and ICU stay. That experience shaped how I talk to parents today because feeding your baby should never come with shame.

We discuss:

• Why most breastfeeding research isn’t based on randomized trials

• How socioeconomic factors shape the data we see on long-term “benefits”

• The difference between short-term and long-term outcomes

• What sibling studies tell us about IQ, weight, and immunity

• Why guilt over feeding choices can actually take away from connection

• The importance of supporting all feeding journeys—breast, bottle, or both

Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.

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