EDUC 519 A Comparison Between Breastfeeding & Formula Fed Paper
EDUC 519 A Comparison Between Breastfeeding & Formula Fed Paper
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Benefits of Breastfeeding versus Formula Fed
Breastfeeding has undergone marked changes over the past century as mothers are presented with the alternative of formula feeding. However, the choice of whether to breastfeed or formula feed is a personal one for expectant mothers. Most mothers supplement out of necessity, convenience or personal choice, meaning that they give their babies formula in addition to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding presents many benefits to the baby, but it has some disadvantages to nursing. Likewise, formula feeding is associated with many risks, but it possesses some advantages too. Therefore, it is essential for expectant mothers and parents to understand the pros and cons of each mode of feeding to make the right choice for them and the baby. EDUC 519 A Comparison Between Breastfeeding & Formula Fed Paper
Benefits of Breastfeeding
One of the benefits of breastfeeding is that breast milk offers ideal nutrition for infants. Breast milk has a perfect mix of every nutrient an infant requires to grow, including vitamins, proteins, and fats. The ideal first milk is called colostrum, and it helps develop the infant’s immature digestive tract (Liu et al., 2019). Colostrum is high in protein, low in sugar, and contains beneficial compounds. This composition also changes according to the infant’s changing needs, especially during the first month of feeding. The only vitamin that may lack from breast milk is vitamin D.
Breastmilk also contains important antibodies that help infants fight off bacteria and viruses. This factor is particularly essential in those tender early months. The colostrum contains high amounts of immunoglobulin A that protects the infant from sickness by forming a protective layer in their nose, digestive system, and throat (Adesman, Soled & Rosen, 2017). Additionally, breastfeeding minimizes the risk of infections for the baby and mother. Such infections include respiratory tract infections, childhood leukemia, diabetes, and ear infections. Moreover, the natural ingredients found in breast milk continue to provide the baby with better health as they grow. It is also easy for a newborn to digest breast milk, helping f prevent gas and colic. Breastfed babies have less diarrhea and constipation, and their bowel movements are not smelly. Breastfeeding minimizes the risk of breastfeeding and ovarian cancer for the mother and other illnesses such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis (Al-Mamari et al., 2017). Furthermore, women who choose to breastfeed recover faster from childbirth. EDUC 519 A Comparison Between Breastfeeding & Formula Fed Paper
Brain development is another benefit of breastfeeding. Some studies have linked breastfeeding to enhanced brain development and cognitive functioning. This might be due to the touch, eye contact, and physical intimacy accompanying breastfeeding, including the nutrient content (Brahm & Valdes, 2017). Other studies indicate that breastfed babies are more likely to develop behavioral problems as they grow, and their intelligence scores are higher. However, the most pronounced effects are exhibited by preterm babies with a higher risk of developmental issues.
Lastly, breastfeeding increases the mother-baby bond. Various studies show that mothers who breastfeed tend to develop strong emotional bonds with their babies. Mothers cite this as their biggest breastfeeding benefit (Buturovic, 2020). Nursing is something special the bay and mother share. Breastfeeding is considered a gentle way for newborns to transition to the world outside the womb. It offers psychological and psychological benefits for the mother and the baby. Breastfeeding encourages the skin to skin contact that offers babies higher emotional security, thus enhancing bonding. Creating this emotional bond lowers the rates of infant abandonment. Women who have breastfed are less likely to abandon their babies.
Limitations of Breastfeeding
However, one of the limitations of breastfeeding is that it takes away the mother’s freedom. Breastfeeding mothers need to be physically available day and night for every feeding, significantly affecting their schedules. A breastfed baby needs to be fed more often, usually every 2 to 3 hours, which can be inconvenient and exhausting during the day, especially when the mother needs to work (Liu et al., 2019). Moreover, the partner cannot feed the baby, making them feel left out of the breastfeeding relationship. Furthermore, breastfeeding requires a healthy lifestyle because another has to think about their diet. They might need to avoid some substances such as alcohol, caffeine, and even stress, which could affect breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding can also be painful and uncomfortable, especially during the first months when the baby needs to be breastfed more often. Some of the common problems associated with breastfeeding include sore nipples, plugged milk ducts, breast engorgement, and mastitis (Martin, Ling & Blackburn, 2016). Moreover, some women get embarrassed or feel uncomfortable when breastfeeding in public or around others. As a result, they end up staying indoors more often, which can lead to isolation or loneliness. Furthermore, not everyone breastfeeds well; it might be harder for some mothers and end up discouraged or disappointed.
Advantages of Formula Feeding
One of the advantages of formula feeding is that it offers a flexible schedule. Anyone can feed the baby even when the mother is not around, making it easier for them to carry out other activities. For mothers who formula feed, their schedules do not revolve around feeding the baby (Rahman & Akter, 2019). They can leave the baby with the sitter or partner without having to pump beforehand. As a result, it is easy for them to work around their schedules.
Moreover, formula-feeding mothers can share responsibilities with their partners. As mentioned earlier, feeding is an important bonding moment shared between parent and offspring. With breastfeeding, the father does not get an opportunity to bond with the baby (Tahir et al., 2021). However, bottle feeding allows the father, siblings, and other family members to spend more time with the newborn.
Another benefit of formula feeding is that parents can measure how much the baby eats in a day, giving them insight into how many minerals and vitamins they take in. As a result, mothers do not have to worry if their breast supply milk is insufficient. By knowing how much a baby drinks in a day, they can plan ahead and purchase more formula, unlike breastfeeding (Adesman et al., 2017). Other benefits of formula feeding are that it helps babies who are lactose intolerant. Besides, the mother does not need to worry about making lifestyle changes such as diet because their conditions do not affect the baby.
Risks Accompanying Formula Feeding
One of the risks accompanying formula feeding is that infant formula contains solids that are difficult to digest, resulting in digestive issues. Therefore, a formula-fed baby has higher chances of having digestive problems. Moreover, infant formula does not contain vital and natural nutrients an infant needs to grow and develop as breast milk. Furthermore, it does not contain antibodies that offer health benefits a baby gets from breast milk, which may compromise the baby’s immune system (Al-Mamari et al., 2017). Therefore, formula-fed babies are more likely to develop certain illnesses such as diarrhea, ear infection, and childhood diabetes.
Infant formula is also expensive. Such expenses come from the formula itself, feeding bottles, rubber nipples, and other equipment. A mother also needs to invest in good quality formula mill powder, all of which add expenses to their monthly budget (Brahm & Valdes, 2017). Moreover, preparing milk for bottle feeding requires time and effort as one needs to wash and sterilize bottles, prepare the milk and make sure it has the right temperature. Therefore, it is a lot of work.
In summary, both breastfeeding and formula feeding have advantages and disadvantages. However, the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh those of formula feeding. Most health professionals recommend breastfeeding due to its nutritional and health benefits for the baby and mother. However, sometimes breastfeeding is solely inadequate, so a combination of both modes of feeding can be highly beneficial.
References
Adesman, A., Soled, D., & Rosen, L. (2017). Formula feeding as a risk factor for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: is bisphenol an exposure a smoking gun. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 38(7), 545-551.
Al-Mamari, T., Al-Ghafri, M., Al-Wahaibi, M., Ambusaidi, S., & Hassan, H. S. (2017). Breastfeeding and bottle (formula) feeding habits among Omani babies. Madridge J Nurs, 2(2), 81-6.
Brahm, P., & Valdes, V. (2017). Benefits of breastfeeding and risks associated with not breastfeeding. Rev Chil Pediatr, 88(1), 15-21.
Buturovic, Z. (2020). Formula feeding can help illuminate the long‐term consequences of full ectogenesis. Bioethics, 34(4), 331-337.
Liu, Z., Neuringer, M., Erdman Jr, J. W., Kuchan, M. J., Renner, L., Johnson, E. E., … & Kroenke, C. D. (2019). The effects of breastfeeding versus formula-feeding on cerebral cortex maturation in infant rhesus macaques. Neuroimage, 184, 372-385.
Martin, C. R., Ling, P. R., & Blackburn, G. L. (2016). Review of infant feeding: key features of breast milk and infant formula. Nutrients, 8(5), 279.
Rahman, A., & Akter, F. (2019). Reasons for formula feeding among rural Bangladeshi mothers: A qualitative exploration. PloS one, 14(2), e0211761.
Tahir, M. J., Ejima, K., Li, P., Demerath, E. W., Allison, D. B., & Fields, D. A. (2021). Associations of breastfeeding or formula feeding with infant anthropometry and body composition at 6 months. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 17(2), e13105.
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