Let’s get one thing straight: breastfed babies aren’t smarter; formula-fed babies are just dumber.

Maybe this seems a matter of semantics (and a little incendiary), but I’m tired of reading about how breastfed babies are “more this” or “less that” than babies fed formula. I completely understand the urge of other breast-feeding advocates to talk about all the great benefits of breastfeeding in this way. But I really do wish they would find a new way to talk about it because what their language indicates is that somehow formula feeding is the norm.

Breastfeeding, NOT formula-feeding, is and should be the baseline. The sad reality is that multi-million-dollar corporations want us to think that formula is God’s gift to babies and mamas everywhere when instead it’s turned into our gift to their coffers. Simply stated, formula is a breastmilk substitute for families where breastfeeding is not an option.

Formula is for all those wonderful mothers out there who CANNOT breastfeed for medical reasons, either their own or their child’s (and I know a number who agonized over this issue – it’s heartbreaking to want to breastfeed and be unable to do so). Formula is for adoptive families. Formula is also for all those fabulous daddies going it alone or in pairs. These parents should give their little sweet babies some formula and sleep with a clear conscience, without the slightest bit of guilt or trepidation.

But women who CAN breastfeed but choose not to do so really need to understand the reality of breastfeeding as a baseline:

* Breastfeeding mamas often have little difficulty losing “baby weight” quickly. Breastfeeding mothers burn, on average, an extra 500 calories a day compared to calories burned during their pregnancies. (Seems like being pregnant would require the greater calorie load but not so!) In addition, breastfeeding encourages the contraction of the uterus back down to its pre-pregnancy size. Both of which, believe me, help you look more like your old self faster.

* Formula-fed babies are dumber. OK, I’ve already made this (rather mean) point in my title, but, hey, if breastfed babies are “smarter” then this is the obvious corollary. Seriously, in recent studies, breastfed babies experienced cognitive benefits.

* Breastmilk confers all kinds of immunological benefits on your baby. Formula does not contain antibodies. Enough said.

* Breastmilk may keep your baby at a healthy weight. Some recent studies have shown that breastfed babies have low risk factors for childhood obesity. In our rapidly-expanding-waistline culture, that is only a good thing.

* Breastmilk makes for a toddler who eats. Don’t get me wrong. Your toddler will be picky and will fixate on some food or another. But all that stuff you eat while breastfeeding? Your baby tastes it too. Just like you hear about cow milk getting “tainted” with wild onions or some such zesty herb, your breastmilk gets flavored by what you eat. (Formula ... well ... it comes in formula flavor.) Studies show that kids who breastfeed like a wide range of food flavors. My DD loves spicy Mexican salsa, lemons and limes, olives, and other non-traditional toddler fare. Maybe your toddler will at least let you add broccoli when she fixates on the traditional toddler favorite of boxed mac and cheese.

* On a truly practical level, breastfeeding does not require lots of stuff. Have boob, will travel. Anywhere. Any time. Perfect temperature and always ready. No being close to some microwave, stovetop, or bottle warmer every two to four hours. No bottles, extra nipples, or bottle liners to carry around. Sure, you can get a breastpump and all the bottles and paraphernalia, but you don’t need it. My DD didn’t take a bottle. Ever. Sounds inconvenient (and I worried initially that it would be so), but it was really far more convenient that lugging all that stuff around. I just lugged her (and the standard supply of diapers and wipes!).

So, rethink the baseline and bring breastmilk back as the norm. It may not make your baby “smarter,” but it sure will make her healthy and it may make you, your baby, and your diaper bag lighter.