A mother’s science experiment comparing the bacteria-fighting properties of breast milk against formula has gone viral – and sparked a furious debate.
Jessica Wilson, from St Helens, Merseyside, a biology student, shared a photo on Facebook of two petri dishes side-by-side, showing how each liquid had performed in the task, with formula ‘having no effect’.
In her post, Jessica, who has a 17-month-old son, revealed that she had soaked four small assay discs in her own expressed breast milk, and another four in an unnamed brand of formula.
She had then placed them into separate petri dishes, each containing the same strain of bacterica, micrococcus luteus, and recorded the results after 24 hours.
Jessica revealed that the dish on the left – soaked in breast milk – showed ‘clear circles… where the breast milk has fought off the bacteria’. Whereas the dish on the right, soaked in formula milk, ‘has had no effect’.
Jessica Wilson, from St Helens, Merseyside, shared a photo on Facebook of two petri dishes side-by-side, showing how each liquid had performed in the task
Her post, which she posted on Tuesday, has had more than 13,000 reactions and 12,000 shares – as well as 2,500 comments, and has sparked a debate on whether the experiment ‘shamed’ formula-feeding mothers.
Jessica wrote on Facebook: ‘My science project investigation results: 2 plates of Micrococcus luteus, 4 assay disks on each, the left is disks soaked in breast milk, the right is disks soaked in formula.
‘As you can see the clear circles around the disks is where the breast milk has fought off the bacteria and nearly cleared the plate, the formula on the other hand has had no effect and the bacteria has completely over run the plate, even moving the disks.
‘Proof boobs are magical and breast really is best! Be proud of what your giving your babies.’
Jessica revealed that the dish on the left, pictured – soaked in breast milk – showed ‘clear circles… where the breast milk has fought off the bacteria’
Jessica revealed the dish on the right, pictured: ‘The formula on the other hand has had no effect and the bacteria has completely over run the plate, even moving the disks’
However, not everyone commenting on the post was complimentary, with many claiming that the experiment shamed mothers who were unable to breastfeed their baby.
Mary Herrick wrote: ‘Almost, if not all, women know that breast is best. However, many women can’t produce enough or keep up with breastfeeding. FED IS BEST! women don’t need to feel lesser then if they can’t breastfeed.’
Jessica, pictured, said: ‘I did the investigation as formula companies claim they are the closest thing to breast milk and that antimicrobial properties are added to the milk’
Madison Mae Canzona said: ‘Fed is best. Sick of this war between breast vs formula. As long as babies are being fed we are doing a good job!!!!’
Rach Grayson added: ‘Some people actually suffer deep depression from not being able to breast feed so it’s not a big sook.
‘Mothers should help to build up other mothers not tear them down.’
And Laura Kelly posted: ‘Breast is best… ugh i hate this… makes ppl who dnt feel inadequate…in my opinion bein fed n cared for is best…. nobody n nothin can guarantee a healthy child wit no issues cos it was breast fed.’
To which Kia Herly commented: ‘Thats a foolish statement thats like saying feeding a child fast food is equal to feeding the child a healthy diet.’
Then Megan Gatton replied: ‘And now formula is being compared to fast food. Good grief. So many babies are alive BECAUSE of formula. Their mothers couldn’t breastfeed and they’d have starved in the ages where supplements weren’t available. So yes, a baby being fed and cared for is what matters. And formula is a perfectly healthy alternative!!’
However, thousands of mothers posted in support of the experiment.
Ada Enday Johnson shared the post, writing: ‘So many women think they don’t produce enough because their milk doesn’t come through straight away, or that when they try to express nothing comes out, or that they believe they’re not making enough because baby always wants to suckle, or baby always “seems hungry” these are all normal things, yet society will put labels on and say baby needs medication, has this wrong, needs thicker milk etc etc.’
Che Verallo wrote: ‘It’s really great how people appreciate mother’s wonder breastmilk. Would love to tag haters shaming mothers who breastfeed their babies in public coz’ baby is hungry to enlighten them.’
People took to Facebook to comment on the post – to praise the experiment as well as say that the status shamed mums who weren’t able to breastfeed their babies
Zsófia Thompson said: ‘It wouldn’t even cross my mind that formula would fight against bacteries but at least it shows to people who r in doubt.’
Kimi Rox added: ‘It’s so good for so many things when bub is sick… conjunctivitis and numerous other things my friends have healed their babies with unfortunately I couldn’t beast feed past a week I didn’t have enough supply for my hungry babies.’
Sharon Mutimer-Crans posted: ‘Let’s not be proud of anything we do, just in case it makes someone else feel bad. People need to harden up a bit.
Other mothers voiced their support for the experiment
Eve Dickson God replied: ‘Yes!! Let’s ignore something amazing cos not everyone can do it. I wasn’t able to bf my first but I still know the importance of breast milk. I didn’t have a big sook about it!!’
Jessica told cafemom: ‘I did the investigation as formula companies claim they are the closest thing to breast milk and that antimicrobial properties are added to the milk.
‘I did it really to see how true it was and how well it worked in comparison.’