There are many pervasive and frightening myths about feeding your baby formula. But the truth is that breast milk alternatives like S-26 Alula Original Formula are perfectly safe and meet all of a growing infant’s nutritional requirements.
Mothers should feel empowered and informed no matter which decision they make. Let’s go through the most common myths about formula feeding and debunk them, one by one.
1. Myth: Moms and Babies Need Breastfeeding to Bond
For the longest time, it was generally believed that babies needed to breastfeed to bond with their mothers. However, this myth has been thoroughly debunked.
This myth gained popularity because it was thought that skin-to-skin contact was essential for mothers and babies to bond. However, there are other ways you can bond with your baby gently stroking his head, holding his hand, and singing to him are just as effective.
2. Myth: Baby Formula is Not as Nutritional as Breast Milk
Although there are differences between baby formula and breast milk, you can be sure that your baby will get enough nutrition with formula.
Baby formula sold in supermarkets and drugstores is regulated to meet the vitamin, mineral, energy, and protein requirements of a growing infant it’s been this way since the 1980s.
3. Myth: Formula Makes Babies Bigger
There is no evidence to suggest that formula alone can cause obesity. However, parents of babies who are overweight may be unintentionally overfeeding.
Baby formula is designed to deliver the correct amount of energy for growing babies, so overfeeding or inactivity is the most likely reason some formula-fed babies are overweight.
4. Myth: You Can’t Use Formula and Breastfeed
Many mothers have an all or nothing approach to breastfeeding or formula feeding; however, feeding both (combination feeding) is another option.
Pediatricians will often recommend supplementing a baby’s diet with formula especially if the baby is not gaining enough weight in those crucial first months. Combination feeding also allows moms to breastfeed for longer.
5. Myth: Feeding Formula Causes Milk Supply to Dry Up
It is a fact that if a baby drinks more breast milk, a mother will produce more to meet the demand. However, many mothers worry that their milk supply will dry up completely if they feed their baby formula.
This is entirely untrue if you begin to introduce formula after you’ve been breastfeeding, your milk supply will decrease depending on how often you breastfeed, but it won’t dry up completely.
6. Myth: Breastfed Babies Are Smarter Than Formula-Fed Babies
It is a common misconception that babies who are breastfed are smarter. Although breast milk does have benefits, baby formula is regulated to meet the requirements for developing babies.
Essential nutrients such as DHA and ARA promote healthy brain and eye development. They are required by law to be in all baby formulas in the correct amounts.
7. Myth: Using Formula is Selfish
The myth that mothers who feed their babies formula are selfish is particularly damaging and hurtful whether a mother chooses to breastfeed or use formula is entirely her decision. And, sometimes, mothers have no choice.
Babies need to be fed and deciding to use formula because you have to (or even because you want to) does not make you a selfish mother.
8. Myth: Formula Can Be Dangerous or Even Fatal
The idea that using formula can be fatal to your baby is terrifying, but it’s completely untrue. Again, baby formula is safe and meets the nutritional requirements of growing babies.
The only instance where feeding your baby formula can be dangerous is mixing it with water that’s unsafe safe to drink.
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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