Choosing to breastfeed your newborn baby may seem like an easy decision – after all, breast is best. However, it’s important to understand that there are various breastfeeding challenges to overcome, and it isn’t always the right choice for everyone. Nor should you feel pressured into doing it, especially if it’s not right for you and your baby.
Below, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding in the hope that these tips can help you make the right decision for you and your baby. However, if you feel you need expert help when making this important decision, you may wish to seek the advice of trained lactation consultants and specialists who can help you find out what’s best for both of you.
The Benefits of Breast Milk vs. Formula for Fighting Infections
One of the first advantages of breastfeeding is that breastfed babies are less likely to be admitted to hospital with infections than formula-fed babies. This is because your natural milk supply contains a number of germ- and infection-fighting factors, such as antibodies, which you pass onto your infant to help them build up a strong immune system.
By doing this, your infant is better protected from:
- Respiratory infections
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Meningitis
- Allergies and asthma
- Diabetes
- Sudden infant death syndrome
- Obesity
It is even more beneficial for premature babies.
While it’s true that a breastfed baby is less likely to have an infection, the majority of formula-fed infants will remain infection-free, too. There is simply a higher risk to bear in mind.
The Nutritional Factors of Breast vs. Formula
From the perfect proportion of fat, calcium, carbohydrates, and protein to just the right amount of fatty acids to boost brain development, your breast milk is perfectly suited to your baby’s nutritional needs. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rigorous regulations for companies producing formula milk, it is still impossible to manufacture milk that boasts the exact same qualities as your breast milk. Essentially, the living, goodness-filled substance your body produces naturally cannot be replicated by man-made processes and machines.
Furthermore, breast milk is often much easier for your baby to digest, so they’re less likely to suffer from constipation and diarrhea than formula-fed babies.
The Comfort of Formula vs. Breast
In the initial stages of your breastfeeding journey, you may lean more toward formula in the breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding debate. This is often because getting your baby to latch on in the first week or so of their lives can be difficult, painful, and stressful.
You may find that your breasts hurt, and your nipples are sore; if this describes your situation, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of a lactation specialist. Oftentimes, it’s simply a matter of knowing the right breastfeeding technique for you and your baby. On the other hand, some breastfeeding difficulties may be due to underlying factors, i.e. infections.
The Convenience of Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-Feeding
When you’re exhausted from late-night feeds or out shopping, convenience is crucial.
Breast milk is available whenever your baby is ready – there’s no need to warm it up, wash and sterilize bottles and nipples, or run to the store for more formula. Breast milk is always on tap’ – but only if mom’s around.
One of the main benefits of formula is that anyone can bottle-feed your baby. This is particularly beneficial when you and your partner share feeding duties or when you need to return to work, run errands, or take a well-deserved date night with your significant other. You’re also free to formula feed wherever you are, without the worry of needing privacy to do so.
That said, breast pumps also give you all of this much-needed freedom when you’re breastfeeding. Many mothers pump and freeze their breast milk for use when another family member or caretaker watches their baby.
The Cost of Formula vs. Breast
If there’s one, unbeatable advantage to breast vs. formula, it’s that breast milk is free and requires no fancy equipment or cleaning products (unless you do opt for that breast pump). On the other hand, formula costs can soon mount up, as can doctor’s fees and medications if your baby does contract an infection or illness.
Mom’s Diet When Feeding Baby with Breast Milk vs. Formula
When weighing the pros and cons of breastfeeding over formula feeding, one final fact to take note of is your own diet.
While breastfeeding, you must be as strict with your diet as you were when you were pregnant. There are certain foods you won’t need to avoid like you did when you were pregnant, but you’ll need to continue limiting your caffeine intake, monitoring your alcohol intake (you should only breastfeed 2 hours after having an alcoholic drink to avoid passing anything on to your infant), and avoiding fish that are high in mercury (i.e. shark or swordfish).
While bottle-feeding with formula means you can eat (or drink) whatever and whenever you want, breastfeeding does come with an additional advantage: it can help you lose weight!
Choosing the Feeding Option That’s Right for You
While breast milk is arguably the most advantageous of the two options, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for you and your baby. The breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding debate is something that’s very personal to you and your little one. Take your time when making this decision, and consider looking into breastfeeding support if you feel you need it.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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