Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

 
Most infants will have their first feeding within 24 hours after birth. This makes breastfeeding versus bottle feeding an issue of immediate relevance. New mothers often question what advantages and disadvantages each method of feeding has, and which is best for their newborn.

The simple fact is that both breast milk and formula created to be nearly identical to breast milk, produce healthy children that grow and develop in a normal fashion. Some children never know a bottle, and others never know breast - yet both develop just fine.

While currents of opinion have shifted back and forth greatly over the years, asserting at times that one was preferable over the other, advances in the creation and composition of baby formula has rendered the nutritional debate nearly extinct. What does remain strong, however, is the debate surrounding the emotional bond formed between mother and child via breastfeeding.

Despite the great gains made in the composition of formulas, there is an obvious consensus among healthcare professionals that breastfeeding is the best choice. Perhaps the greatest argument made to support such a consensus is that breast milk provides the baby with a portion of the immunities that the mother has developed throughout her life - a benefit that breast milk does not offer. Also, breast milk is more easily digested due to the high fat content, and offers slightly more nourishment. Studies have shown that breastfed infants are less prone to medical conditions such as allergies, diarrhea, ear infections, and obesity. Breastfeeding also offers the advantage of not requiring any preparation or clean up such as bottles.

Having said this, bottle feeding does have its advantages. Chiefly, a caregiver other than the mother is able to feed the baby. Also, if the mother is planning to return to work shortly after giving birth, bottle feeding is likely the best choice. It must be remembered that when bottle feeding, the mother can either feed the baby a specially designed infant formula, or her own breast milk which she has expressed and placed in bottles.

Of note, for premature babies, breastfeeding is highly recommended because the milk provides the nutrients and immunities that the baby needs, and the breast is much easier for these physically weak infants to feed from. Many mothers are now choosing to breastfeed their babies for the first few weeks or months and then switch to bottle feeding. This early breastfeeding provides infants with the nutrition and immunities needed to grow and develop, and allows the mother to cease breastfeeding in favor of bottle feeding, which is more convenient for her.

Essentially, what can be taken from this comparison is that healthy infants will grow and develop perfectly fine no matter if fed from breast or bottle. Knowing this, if the mother chooses to bottle feed the baby, there is no reason for the mother to feel guilty or worried that she is putting his health at risk.

As mentioned above, beyond the issues of convenience, health, and nutrition, there are concerns regarding the emotional health of both the mother and the baby. Bottle feeding is unable to provide the opportunity for the mother and the baby to bond in the way that breastfeeding is able to. The ability of breastfeeding to help form a strong bond between the mother and the baby is made evident by the fact that newborn infants are encouraged to suckle their mother's breast only minutes after birth. Breastfeeding also helps the mother feel well. The same hormone that is released to stimulate the production of milk provides a relaxing effect to the mother.

Studies have also shown that breastfeeding fosters feeling of protectiveness and attachment in mothers. It helps to build a strong sense of confidence in the mother, knowing that she is able to care and provide for her child. Interestingly enough, these same feelings have been found to be present in mothers who bottle feed; although, they are perhaps not as common.

Having made the comparison of emotional well-being and feelings of attachment created by both bottle and breastfeeding, it can be concluded that while breastfeeding does seem to offer a greater degree of both, the difference is minimal. In fact, the method of feeding is less significant to the baby's emotional well-being than the overall amount of love, attention, and reassurance that the mother provides to him. An infant whose needs are cared for attentively and is provided with warmth and love will be far healthier than one who is not.

Of final note, many doctors recommend that at two or three weeks of age, the mother begin feeding the baby a bottle a week. This will keep the baby familiar with the use of a bottle, and not wholly dependent on the breast. Several weeks after the introduction of a bottle per week, the mother should begin to feed the baby numerous bottles each week. This provides the mother with a much needed occasional break from feeding, and helps to wean the baby from the breast.

Advantages of Breast Feeding

As has already been shown, it is difficult to make any large, absolute statements regarding clear and distinct advantages that breastfeeding offers over bottle feeding. Compounding this already ambiguous debate is the fact that the studies that have shown breastfeeding to be more advantageous have extraneous factors. The studies show that the incidence of breast feeding tends to be higher among the middle- and upper-classes. These classes tend to have greater access to healthcare and other amenities that aid the health of infants beyond any possible advantages that breastfeeding may have, thus skewing results. This fact should be kept in mind.

There are some well documented advantages that breastfeeding does hold over bottle feeding. The following is a brief summary:

1. Immunity to Infection: Breastfeeding passes immunities stored in the mother's body to the baby. Breastfeeding has thus been shown to reduce the incidence of and in some cases, prevent infection. More specifically, breastfeeding has been shown to significantly reduce occurrences of gastroenteritis and respiratory infection, as well as sudden infant deaths.

2. Allergies: It is argued that breast milk helps protect against eczema and is a valuable alternative to cow's milk which contains a protein that is the most common allergen in infants. It also helps infants intestines build up mucosa which helps prevent allergens from affecting the infant when solid foods are introduced.

3. Breast Cancer: Bodies of evidence do exist which support the claim that breastfeeding helps to reduce the occurrence of breast cancer in mothers who use this method of feeding. There is conflicting evidence to this claim and it is unclear whether it is true.

4. Nutritional Factors: Breast milk is designed specifically to meet the nutritional needs of infants throughout their development.

5. Breastfed infants have a lesser tendency to be overweight. Some studies show that this fact is true not only when young, but in later life as well.

6. Breastfeeding is easier for the mother because she does not have to carry around any extra equipment, nor does she have to buy it. This makes breastfeeding less expensive and easier when traveling with a baby.

7. Breastfeeding reduces ovulation which is a natural way of helping to prevent - although not with 100% efficient - pregnancy from occurring immediately after a birth.

8. Some bodies of evidence suggest that breastfeeding can help prevent diabetes mellitus in infants whom are genetically predisposed, or prone, to it.

9. Breastfeeding helps the baby's uterus get back into shape.

10. There are no artificial ingredients and complete and balanced nutrition is provided to the baby.

11. Breastfeeding women lose 500 calories a day when breastfeeding which can help them lose weight or consume more food.

Disadvantages of Breastfeeding

1. If the mother is breastfeeding the baby with no use of bottle at all, she will have less freedom. She will be at the mercy of the baby's feeding needs. This will prevent the mother from returning to work shortly after pregnancy and will stop the mother from having any short breaks away from the baby in which to relax.

2. Breastfeeding has been shown to be harmful to the shape and figure of breasts. Because breastfeeding causes the continuous production of breast milk, the breasts are always full. This may lead them to sagging later in age. Great breast support during lactation can go a long way in preventing such disfigurement.

3. Breastfed infants tend to have looser stools than those fed on formula. This tends to produce more work for caregivers.

4. It is often difficult to tell how much milk a breastfed baby is actually getting. This can result in underfeeding and malnutrition.

5. The mother will also experience some discomforts brought on by breastfeeding. These include nipple soreness, painful over distension of the breast, and lactorrhea.

6. Mothers who breastfeed tend to be more prone to fatigue. This strange fact is attributed that the fact that these mothers have a tendency to worry more about feeding. Is the baby getting enough milk? Do I have any of the common breast complications associated with breastfeeding? Am I producing enough milk? These are common concerns of breastfeeding mothers.

7. The mother may feel embarrassed or uneasy feeding the baby in a crowded home or in public places.

8. It has been asserted by some that breastfed infants are also more prone to colic.

9. The mother may experience a decreased sex drive while breastfeeding.

10. Breastfeeding allows only the mother to experience and develop the bond that is formed between the baby and the person who feeds him.

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