Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding, What to Choose

Choosing whether to breastfeed or bottle feed (Formula feeding) their baby is one of the biggest decisions expectant and new parents will make.

But what do we mean by bottle feeding and breastfeeding?

According to MedicineNet, Bottle feeding is the practice of feeding an infant a substitute for breast milk. While Breastfeeding is the feeding of infants with milk from a woman's breast. It is recommended that babies be breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. Beyond that, breastfeeding is encouraged until at least 12 months, and longer if both the mother and baby are willing.

For more information on Exclusive Breastfeeding, just click on the link below;
Exclusive Breastfeeding; An Imperative Form of Adequate Nutrition for Infants

Breastfeeding has also been recommended as the best choice for babies but, choosing to bottle-feed your baby does not mean that you can’t feed them your breast milk. Mothers can use a breast pump to pump and store the breast milk in baby bottles for feeding at a later time.

However, what benefits does breastfeeding have over bottle feeding?

First, Breastfeeding is more nutritious. A mother’s breast milk is by far the most nutritious when it comes to the choice of breast milk or baby formula. A mother’s breast milk contains many essential nutrients that aren’t found in baby formula.

It also protects the baby from illnesses. The National Institutes of Health in 2004 indicated that children who were breastfed had a 20% lower risk of dying between 28 days and a year old when compared to children who weren’t breastfed during this time. In fact, the longer children were breastfed, the lower the risk. Even the first milk that is produced immediately after childbirth called colostrum, has large amounts of a substance called secretory immunoglobulin — this substance provides the baby with resistance against germs which in turn helps prevent illnesses.

For more information on what Colostrum is, just click on the link below;

COLOSTRUM, A Birthright for an Infant

Secondly, Breast milk is easier for babies to digest and protects them from allergies. A mother’s breast milk is far more easy for a baby to digest simply because there are enzymes in a mother’s milk that make it much easier to digest when compared to formula or cow’s milk. And when it comes to allergies, studies have shown that breastfeeding infants can prevent them from developing food allergies. Breastfeeding your baby helps to avoid food allergies in two ways: first, your baby is only being exposed to the foods that their mother eats and secretes in her breast milk, and second, breast milk helps boost a baby’s weak immune system.

Breastfeeding also increases the bond between baby and mother. So when a mother breastfeeds her baby, it gives her a sense of confidence in knowing that she can provide her child with all of the nutrients he or she needs. This not only helps strengthen the bond between the baby and mother but also helps to relieve feelings of anxiety as well.

Above all this importance of breastfeeding over bottle feeding, It’s also essential to always keep in mind that breastfeeding is cheaper. If you are the type that purchases baby formula, over a year, you will discover that you've spent quite a lot of money that could be saved if breastfeeding is practiced because breast milk doesn't cost a kobo or cent.

Unfortunately, not all mothers are comfortable or capable of breastfeeding. Some mothers have ongoing health issues that make breastfeeding unsafe or not possible. Women who are HIV-positive, on certain medications, or undergoing chemotherapy treatments aren’t safe to breastfeed their babies. On the other hand, some mothers simply prefer bottle-feeding over breastfeeding as a personal choice. When faced with these circumstances, mothers shouldn’t feel guilty if unable to breastfeed their baby; formula has come a long way, and today’s best baby formulas will have the necessary nutrients a child needs but it’s not quite the same as breastfeeding.

Even, some mothers worry that if they don't breastfeed, they won't bond with their baby. But the truth is, loving mothers will always create a special bond with their children. And feeding, no matter how, is a great time to strengthen that bond.

Also, Bottle feeding gives anyone in the family the opportunity to feed the baby. When a mother breastfeeds her baby, the downside is that she is the only one that’s able to feed the baby. Her husband, babysitter, or any other caretaker is unable to lend a hand in this daily task.

Hence, no matter whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle feed your baby, the most important concern is this: do whichever is the best for your baby and makes you most comfortable as a mother.