Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding

As a new parent, you have many important decisions to make. One is to choose whether to breastfeed your baby or bottle feed using infant formula.

Health experts agree that breastfeeding is the healthiest option for both mom and baby. They recommend that babies feed only on breast milk for the first 6 months, and then continue to have breast milk as a main part of their diet until they are at least 1to 2 years old.

There are very few health problems that make breastfeeding not possible. There are other reasons women are unable to breastfeed, but with good support and knowledge, most of these can be overcome.

Here are some things to consider when deciding about breastfeeding. The decision about how to feed your baby is a personal one, and only you can decide what is best for you and your family.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your little one. Here are some of the many other benefits of breastfeeding:

• Breast milk naturally has all the nutrients babies need to grow and develop.
• Breast milk has antibodies that can help prevent your baby from getting sick.
• Breastfeeding can help prevent health problems in your baby, such as allergies, eczema, ear infections, and stomach problems.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to be hospitalized with breathing infections.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to become obese or have diabetes.
• Breastfeeding may help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Mothers who breastfeed find it easier to lose weight after pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding may help lower the risk for breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, and certain other diseases in mothers.

Breastfeeding is also more convenient. You can breastfeed almost anywhere and anytime your baby is hungry. You do not need to make formula before feeding, worry about clean water, or carry it with you when you go out or travel. And you save money on formula, which can cost $1,000 or more a year.

Breastfeeding is the natural, healthy choice for mom and baby.

Preparing to Breastfeed

It is true that breastfeeding is not always easy and natural for moms and babies.

It can take a little time for you both to get the hang of it. It is important to know this up front, so that you can make sure you have all the support and commitment you need if a problem does come up.

Skin to skin contact at birth will help you and your baby get a good start with breastfeeding. Ask your health care provider to put your baby on your chest, if everyone is healthy and stable after birth.

Being a new parent takes time, and feeding is no exception to this rule.

• Breastfed babies will sometimes eat every hour for a while, before they take a long nap. Try to nap when your baby does.
• If you need a longer break, you can also express milk (by hand or pump) and have someone else feed the breast milk to your baby.
• After a few weeks, a breastfed baby's schedule becomes quite predictable.

You do not need to follow a special diet when you breastfeed. It is rare that a baby will seem sensitive to certain foods, like spicy or gassy foods such as cabbage. Speak with your baby's doctor if you think this could be the case.

Breastfeeding and Work

It is easier than ever before to work and continue to breastfeed. Allowing women to breastfeed often leads to less missed time due to illness, and decreased turnover.

Hourly workers eligible for overtime pay who work for companies with more than 50 employees are required by law to be given the time and a place to pump. This does not include salaried employees, though most employers will follow these practices. Some states have even broader breastfeeding laws.

But not all mothers are able to pump their breasts on the job so they can continue to breastfeed. Certain jobs, such as driving a bus or waiting tables, may make it hard to stick to a regular pumping schedule. If you have more than one job or if you travel for work, finding a place and time to pump and store milk may be hard. And, while some employers provide a comfortable place for mothers to pump milk, not all do.

Overcoming Breastfeeding Problems

Certain problems can get in the way of breastfeeding for some moms:

• Some breast tenderness and nipple soreness. This is normal in the first week. It can also take a couple of weeks for mother and baby to learn how to breastfeed.
• Breast engorgement or fullness.
• Plugged milk ducts.
• Not enough milk for the baby's needs. Though many women worry about this, it is rare that a mother will produce too little milk.

It is well worth doing all you can to overcome breastfeeding challenges. Most mothers find that the early struggles pass quickly, and they settle into a workable and enjoyable feeding routine with their little one.

Health and Safety Issues

If you are a smoker, it is still a good idea to breastfeed.

• Breast milk can help to cancel out some of the risks to your baby from exposure to smoking.
• If you smoke cigarettes, smoke after breastfeeding, so your baby gets the least amount of nicotine.

It is safe to breastfeed your baby if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C. If your nipples are cracked or bleeding, you should stop nursing. Express your milk and throw it away until your breasts heal.

Mothers who should not breastfeed include those who:

• Have HIV or AIDS, as they can pass the virus to their baby.
• Are taking certain medicines needed to treat ongoing health problem. If you take medicines for a health problem, ask your provider if it is still safe to breastfeed.
• Have an alcohol or drug addiction.

Bottle Feeding Your Baby

There is no question that it is best to feed your baby breast milk for as long as you possibly can, even if it is just for the first few months or so.

A small number of mothers are not able to breastfeed. This can be hard to accept, but it does not make you a bad mom. Infant formula is still a healthy choice, and your baby will get all the necessary nutrients.

If you choose to feed your baby formula, there are some benefits:

• Anyone can feed your baby. Grandparents or babysitters can feed your baby while you work or get some well-deserved time with your partner.
• You can get round-the-clock help. Your partner can help out with nighttime feedings so you can get more sleep. This can be a bonus for your partner, giving them the chance to bond early on with their little one. Keep in mind though, if you breastfeed, you can also pump your breasts so your partner can feed your baby breast milk.
• You may not have to feed as often. Babies digest formula slower, so you may have fewer feeding times.

Remember that everything you do as a mother, your love, attention, and care, will help give your baby the best start in life.

Regardless of your choice as a parent, I think we are often wrecked with guilt over our choices. I, for one, often feel like a selfish mom. We all want the best for our children, and wanting the best and seeing it to fruition is easier said than done.

But what if we looked at what science and actual research said about breastfeeding vs. formula feeding rather than because someone simply said so?

As a long time follower of the blog, Science of Mom, I recently had the pleasure of buying Alice Callahan’s first book aptly named The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide to Your Baby’s First Year. I was beyond elated when the book arrived at my mailbox. Filled with intrigue in curiosity, I too wanted to know the answers to all the tough controversial parenting questions surrounding a baby’s first year.

Where should my baby sleep?

When should we cut the umbilical cord?

What is the truth about babies and vaccines?

And of course…

What is does science say about breastfeeding vs. formula feeding?

A brief history on breastfeeding mother’s.

One of the greatest arguments for breastfeeding is that it is completely natural. In the past, breastfeeding was the only option…right? Well, not exactly. For those who believe that all mothers make enough milk to support their baby, we know this is simply not true. Since the beginning of time there were mothers who could not successfully breastfeed their children due to low supply, latching issues, or a baby’s inability to gain weight from a mother’s milk.

What exactly did mothers in the 1800s do when they could not breastfeed?

They got a wet nurse or another family member to breastfeed their babies. Basically, another lactating woman would nourish the baby with her breast milk if the mother could not. If that wasn’t possible, babies were given cow’s milk or homemade formula using evaporated cow’s milk, water and Karo corn syrup. This is documented as early as the late 1800s and early 1900s (p. 73-74).

What are the physiological benefits of breastfeeding vs. formula feeding?

From a purely physiological standpoint, babies who are breastfeed during the first year of life experience a reduced incidence of gastrointestinal, ear and respiratory tract infections. “Breastfed infants seem to have a 25%-75% reduction in infections, with better protection associated with exclusive breastfeeding.” The main reason babies experience a reduced rate on infection is breast milk transfers immunity from the mother to the baby.

Regarding ear infections, breastfeed babies experience a reduced risk likely because “breastfeeding requires the baby to create strong pressure in a rhythm suck, swallow, breath pattern, and this is thought to keep the Eustachian tube in the inner ear aerated.”

Science also shows that breastfed babies experience a 50% reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). And lastly, breastfed babies have a lower risk of experiencing a very rare condition called necrotizing enterocolitis, in which the intestinal tissue dies (p. 77-78).

What about the emotional and attachment benefits of breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding?

While the book Science of Mom does not go into great detail on this topic, it does seem that breastfeed babies, bottle fed babies and formula fed babies experience equal outcomes in terms of attachment and emotional bonding.

The act of holding your baby, comforting your baby, and feeding your baby when they are hungry is really the foundation for establishing a strong emotional bond. It’s the constant way we—as parents—communicate to our babies that we are here for them and that we will meet their needs.

What are the long-term outcomes of breastfed vs. formula fed children?

This is an area where we do not have all the answers and more research is needed. Here is a list of conclusions we can draw currently:

— In one study comparing siblings who were formula fed vs. breastfed, there was little difference to how they turned out later in childhood (p. 78-79).

— Another study found that breastfed babies may experience fewer bouts of diarrhea and lower rates of eczema in the first year of life. When the children were seen again at age 6.5 and 11, there was no difference in BMI, obesity, blood pressure, asthma, behavior difficulties or rates of dental cavities (p. 80).

— One more study found that while breastfed babies may experience a reduce incidence of asthma in the early years, they may actually experience an increased risk of asthma later in life.

What’s the big picture?

This is a small glimpse into the science behind the breastfeeding vs. bottle vs. formula feeding debate. The book Science of Mom goes into far greater detail, including how to properly look at infant feeding research, the limitations of scientific studies, as well as cultural barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding.

Need some encouragement, mama?

Try these printable affirmation cards to fill your heart with contentment and happiness.

Here are a few conclusions that we can draw:

— Not every mother is physically able to breastfeed her baby. Lack of milk supply, latching issues, poor infant weight gain, illness, adoption, surrogacy, and beyond are all possible reasons a mother may not breastfeed.

— Breast milk is better for infants during their first year of life. It offers protective benefits to the baby’s health in infancy.

— In the long term, there do not appear to be significant differences among formula fed babies vs. breast milk fed babies.

— It’s also important to note that note all formulas are not created equal and parents should do their research before choosing a formula.

— Lastly, there is no significant difference in emotional attachment among breast fed vs. formula fed babies