One of the duties of an expectant mother is to feed her baby. It is a natural thing to do, but requires you to decide whether you breastfeed or use formula to feed your newborn. Many renowned organizations like the World Health Organization or WHO suggests breastfeeding as the primary method to provide nutrients and satisfy the appetite needs of babies. Today, we are going to learn the difference between breastfeeding and milk bottle or formula feeding and the benefits of each.
Breastfeeding – The Natural Method
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Generally, breastfeeding is a great defense against infections, diseases, allergies, and chronic conditions. It helps nourish the baby, especially at the merge of his or her growth and development. For the mother, it has advantages in burning calories and eventually losing weight. It also shrinks her uterus and lowers the risk of certain illnesses, which include breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.
The suggested time to breastfeed babies is during the first 6 months, but can be extended until the 12th month. Some mothers may not be comfortable or willing to breastfeed their babies when they are 7 month already or older. If you can still prolong your breastfeeding, it is much better, because you provide all the nutrients your baby needs.
1. Fights Infections and Other Health Conditions
There are certainly health benefits when you breastfeed your baby boy or girl. During this process, you are passing anti-bodies to your baby, which eventually reduces the possibility of getting sick. It is able to fight infections and diseases, such as allergies, asthma, diarrhea, meningitis, ear infections, respiratory infections, obesity, diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS. In other words, the milk of the mother has properties that increase the strength of the immune system and decrease the growth of living organisms (viruses and bacteria) that can badly affect the health of the baby.
2. Supplies Vitamins and Minerals
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The reason why babies who are breastfed are healthier is mainly because of the nutrients present in the milk of the mother. It is sometimes referred to as the perfect food for every baby because it consists of the necessary vitamins and minerals they need for their general nourishment. These include protein, lactose, fat, and vitamin D.
3. Gives Good and Easy Digestion
Because newborn babies do not yet have teeth, it is difficult for them to bite and chew. In fact, they are not yet in the stage of doing those natural skills. They only suck, so breastfeeding is the best method for them to consume foods. In addition, the mother’s milk is easier to digest than other foods, including formula-based milk, which is why it lowers the chance of suffering from constipation or diarrhea.
4. Costs Zero Dime
The parents of the baby are also able to save money when they choose to breastfeed their precious little one. Milk from the mother’s breast has definitely no cost at all. You do not have to worry buying cans or bottles of milk just to make sure you breastfeed your baby at anytime he or she needs it. In time, your baby can prevent having sickness, which is another money-saving technique. There is no need to get your baby to the hospital or buy medicines when he or she is healthy due to breastfeeding.
5. Provides Comfort and Convenience
Both the mother and her baby enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding. In terms of convenience, both of them are able to inherit it. The mother does not have to prepare her baby’s milk because no need to mix ingredients. The baby also feels safe and cared for when she is nearby to his or her mom. There is a great bond and priceless moment created when a mother breastfeeds her newborn. It is a wonderful connection between a mother and her infant, which is called as a personal and intimate experience.
Bottle Feeding – The Formula-Based Method
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There is no question about the benefits of breastfeeding. For some reasons, there are mothers who cannot breastfeed their babies. When exceptional circumstances and medical concerns do not allow that, bottle feeding is not a bad alternative at all. A mother can still provide her baby with milk but based on the right formula. This still contains vitamins and minerals, which the baby needs for his or her development, growth and nourishment.
1. Offers Convenience and Flexibility
First of all, the mother, or a caregiver, enjoys the benefit of convenience. She can feed the baby at anytime, regardless of what she is doing. So, even when you are busy about something, when your baby is hungry, you can just give him or her a bottle. Also, wherever you are, your baby can be fed without feeling shy or uncomfortable. There are some mothers who are shy to breastfeed their babies in public. With bottle feeding, it won’t bother you at all, so this is a good advantage for the part of the mother or the caregiver.
2. Satisfies the Baby’s Appetite Quicker
In comparison to breast milk, formula-based milk is less digestible, which makes the baby consume a much lower amount. This helps reduce the time for your baby to feel full. Somehow, this is advantageous because your baby can quickly sleep as well and feel comfortable easily.
3. Grants Diet Freedom
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Another benefit the mother or a caregiver can have when providing bottle milk is that she does not have to follow certain foods to eat. You may enjoy eating some of the unhealthy ones you like to have sometimes. This does not affect the baby at all, which is quite a good news for some mothers.
Breastfeeding or bottle feeding, a mother has to take care of her own child. It is essential that the baby is properly fed at the right time with the appropriate food. While some can do breastfeeding at home and bottle feeding in public, providing natural milk is most recommended. It only depends on the comfort level of the mother, as well as her lifestyle and condition that can be considered to try bottle feeding.
