Formula feeding not only deprives infants of natural protection, but also exposes them to potent immunogens found in artificial cow milk (“Breast-Feeding: The Immunological Argument” 1167).
Breast milk may also protect babies from asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, and obesity (Galson 356). Although results of studies that explored the relationship between infant feeding method and asthma have been debatable, extensive breastfeeding has proven to be beneficial. Gdalevich and his associates found that infants exclusively breastfed for 3 months or less have a 1.9-fold increased risk of developing asthma compared to babies exclusively breastfed for more than 3 months (Stuebe). Regarding SIDS, controlled studies determined that formula feeding is associated with a 1.6 to 2.1-fold increased odds of this