Formula is — no question — inferior nutrition for babies of all species, including puppies.
A puppy line-up
Before anyone gets their knickers-in-a-knot — yes, I know that sometimes babies are formula-fed for good reasons. Let’s not, however, pretend formula represents equivalent or optimal nutrition for a baby — it typically does not.
Sage rolling
Fraga et al. (2014) note that “a considerable body of literature, both in humans and in animal models — including the one used in the present study, demonstrates that an adequate breastfeeding period has both short- and long-term beneficial health effects, particularly when considering the metabolic and endocrine profiles of the developing and adult offspring” (p. 104).
Clarkia
We will take up “adequate breastfeeding period” on another day — that is a fascinating and emotional topic all by itself.
Lupine
Lactation works on supply and demand — more demand means more milk. Supplementing with formula not only substitutes inferior nutrition but it also interferes with the system that allows mothers to have the right amount of milk for their babies.
Supplementing, after all, reduces demand and that means reduced supply. It can quickly become a vicious cycle.
This is our eleventh litter; I have never supplemented a puppy, even with these bigger litters.
I certainly would if there was need — but with good understanding and management of lactation, “need” should be a rare exception and I have not come across it yet.
Mariposa - look closely to see eyeball!
It probably helps that lactation is not mysterious to me — I understand and trust the process.
What I do not trust is those who benefit from selling formula. They have long created lactation insecurity in order to make money substituting inferior nutrition for babies — with lifelong effects.
When I announced to my mother that I would be breast feeding my baby, she noted that bottle feeding had been good enough for all of her children — and the many foster babies who shared our lives.
This is a typical response when someone hints that maybe the way we did something wasn’t optimal: defensiveness. And isn’t it interesting that just making a different choice can cause people to feel as if we have invalidated them in some way?
Sage
There is no shame in allowing knowledge to shape new ways of doing things — in fact, a willingness to drop the ego and incorporate new information should be viewed as a strength.
Exclusively breastfeeding babies is optimal — this means no supplementing and delayed weaning.
I think if we create life, those lives deserve optimal insomuch as is possible. I am happy to report that when it comes to nutrition, we have optimal covered with the Wildflowers.
Late Afternoon Update & Photos
Suzanne came over to visit the Wildflowers. She held puppies so I could take individual photos. Mariposa was too wiggly and so her photo did not turn out but I substituted another one of her I took today. And Sage — well, there is a story to his but first here they are — The Wildflowers at Ten Days.
Paintbrush.
Mallow
Clarkia
Sage — note right ear.
Mariposa
Lupine
Buttercup
Larkspur
Clover
So I looked at Sage’s ear after Suzanne left because it looked off — and it was because there was a big lump under it! It was my veterinarian’s day off BUT she met me at the clinic — I love her.
Yep — I loaded up nine puppies and Daisy and hyperventilated all the way to Missoula because I hate traveling with little puppies, even safely crated.
Once there, Daisy and the puppies had a tailgate party in the parking lot (aka the puppies nursed in the back of the van) while Sage went to have his lump checked out.
AN ABSCESS!!!!!! Under his ear. How the heck would that even happen?!
He got a little shave and it was lanced — all my efforts to have a stress-free life for the Wildflowers and Sage had to ensure THAT! He was nursing again quickly and seems fine, if a bit goopy. We will warm-pack it when he nurses and he has antibiotics — sigh.
Best intentions and all that…
Here is Sage showing off his Drunken Dinosaur imitation…
The official Day Ten Puppy Pile
Good night!
Work Cited
Fraga, M., De Moura, E., Da Silva Lima, N., Lisboa, P., De Oliveira, E., Silva, J., . . . Manhães, A. (2014). Anxiety-like, novelty-seeking and memory/learning behavioral traits in male Wistar rats submitted to early weaning. Physiology & Behavior, 124, 100-106.