Breastfeeding or Formula: A Quick Primer

One of the most controversial topics on motherhood is whether to breastfeed or not. Both options offer advantages and challenges. Deciding between breastfeeding or formula for your baby, the mother or parents needs to consider several factors. Going through the considerations will help you get to the right decision and choose what is best for you, your baby, and your family.

The Advantages of Breastfeeding

1. It’s free – The best argument to choosing breastfeeding over formula is the cost. Mom’s milk is free. No need to spend money on formula, feeding bottles, and other baby feeding paraphernalia.
2. Always ready – Mom’s milk is always ready and available. No preparation, heating, cleaning bottles, and heating is required. It is ready and at the perfect temperature whenever the baby asks for it.
3. It’s a complete meal for the baby – Mom’s milk is still the healthiest option for the baby. It has all the nutrients necessary for the baby’s growing needs. Mom’s milk also includes colostrum during the first few days of feedings. It is rich in antibodies, hormones, and allergens to the baby fight bacteria and infections. Breastfeeding has been proven to boost the baby’s immune system, improve IQ, and promote a healthy digestive system.
4. Good for the mom – Breastfeeding is a key factor to mom’s getting back to her normal weight. Feeding your child will help you burn calories, lower the risk of some diseases and cancers, release happy hormones, and prevents postpartum depression.

Disadvantages of Breastfeeding

1. Feedings can be inconvenient – You have to be home, in a private location, or covered up to feed your baby. Although acceptance is increasing, breastfeeding a baby in public is still not a social norm.
2. Restrictions on mom’s diet – Moms need to watch their diet while breastfeeding. No caffeine and alcohol intake. Doctors have to pre-approve any medications. You will also need to eat healthy because what you eat is eventually passed on to your baby.
3. Mom’s movements are limited – Moms have to be with or near their babies at all times. If they need to be at work or away for a time, they will need to pump and freeze milk. Travels, visits, and late nights will have to be limited or cancelled at this time.

Choosing Formula for you Baby

There is nothing wrong with bottle feeding your baby. It is a healthy and practical way of nourishing your child and should not be discounted as an inferior choice to breastfeeding. Here are the advantages and challenges of bottle-feeding for you to consider.

Advantages of Formula Feeding

1. More freedom for the mom – Moms can get back to work or travel without worrying about their baby’s meals. The baby can also be left in the care of a nanny, other family members, or a nurse. She can also eat and drink whatever she wants without compromising her baby’s wellbeing.
2. Baby’s diet monitoring – Bottle-feeding makes monitoring baby’s diet easy. You can measure the amount of milk consumed by the baby. The number of calories, nutrients, and vitamins is easily measurable with bottle feeding. There is a whole range of special formulas you can choose to supplement our baby’s needs.
3. Baby can bond with other members of the family – Feeding is a special time and opportunity to bond with the baby. Mother and child enjoy and develop a bond while breastfeeding. Bottle feeding widens the opportunity to include other family members – the dad, siblings, and other significant people with the baby.

Disadvantages of Formula Feeding

1. Formula might not provide all necessary nutrients – Baby formulas that are available and sold in the market are all approved and regulated by the government. However, babies might not be able to get all the necessary nutrients he or she needs in one formula.
2. Possible allergies and rejection – Baby formula don’t have the components to provide babies immunity from infections and diseases as mam’s milk. Not all formulas are accepted by the baby. Finding the ideal formula for the baby will need the help of a doctor and a lot of trials.  
3. Expensive – Baby formula is expensive. You will also need to buy feeding bottles, rubber nipples, bottle warmer, sanitising kits, and a lot more.
4. Needs careful preparation – There is a whole process of milk preparation before it can be fed to the baby. The bottles have to be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised. The formula has to be carefully chosen to meet the baby’s specific needs. Water and milk measurements have to be accurate, and milk has to be at the right temperature upon feeding.
5. Availability concerns – Not all stores in all locations sell the specific brand and make of formula for babies. Stockouts and discontinuity are possible. There is also the concern of clean water availability.

Conclusion

Choosing between breastfeeding or formula for your baby have a lot of considerations and repercussions. The most important factor is your and your baby’s health. Sometimes the choice is made for us, like when your or your baby’s health calls for it. But if you are given the chance to decide, ponder early on your pregnancy. Both options are healthy and viable ways of nourishing your child, you just have to choose which one is better for your family. Consider all the factors and how they will fit into your health requirements, your lifestyle, and your needs. And mostly, how you can provide your baby with the best care possible. Until they are ready to be introduced to solid foods.