Did you know that almost 85% of mothers breastfeed right after birth?
While breastfeeding can be a great option, there’s also the question of baby formula. Each choice has its pros and cons, but the choice will ultimately depend on your unique situation.
Are you wondering what you need to know? Keep reading to learn all about the differences between baby formula vs. breast milk.
Baby Formula Pros
Have you ever asked yourself, “What is baby formula?”
Put in the simplest terms, baby formula is an alternative to breastmilk that is chockful of all the nutrients a baby needs. There are even nutrients in these products that a baby can’t get from breastfeeding.
The good news is that the baby formula guide has a lot of different brands for you to choose from. This can allow you to avoid any ingredients your baby might be sensitive to or even allergic to. Simply put, one brand of formula isn’t necessarily one-size-fits-all.
Once you hit on the perfect formula with your pediatrician, parents can work in a team. It’s a wonderful feeling for a father to help feed their child while the mother can focus on other tasks that need to get done. This allows for much more convenience and flexibility in their schedules.
It also opens up the possibility of hiring a caretaker who can administer the baby formula whenever your child is hungry. Since baby formula is more full-bodied, babies don’t digest it as quickly as breastmilk, which means they’ll end up having to eat less often over the course of each day.
Best of all, a mother who uses baby formula won’t have to worry about dieting in order to keep her breastmilk from being tainted. That way, she can eat and indulge in whatever she’s craving.
Breast Milk Pros
When it comes to breast milk, the main advantage is the presence of antibodies that work to boost your baby’s immune system. This can go a long way toward protecting them from regular infections and other illnesses.
Since the milk is from their mother, there’s also a much better chance of the baby having easier bowel movements. There’s even a boosted bond with the baby that can come from the increased amount of skin-to-skin contact when breastfeeding.
When it comes to breast milk benefits, one can’t argue with the fact that breastmilk is free. This can help you save money if you’re on a budget. Some mothers will argue that breastfeeding is more convenient because you don’t have to worry about bringing formula with you.
Baby Formula Cons
Breast milk contains antibodies that can boost a baby’s immune system, but many baby formulas lack these antibodies. However, there are some prebiotic baby formulas that can help your baby’s immune system in a way that’s similar to breast milk.
Despite the complexity involved in creating baby formulas, the technology still isn’t quite as complex as breast milk. After all, a woman’s breast milk can change in real-time as the baby’s needs change.
To supplement this, you can purchase baby formula for different periods of their lives, such as 0 to 6 months or 1 to 2 years. The packaging of baby formula can let you know which formula is recommended at each stage of a baby’s life.
There’s the possibility that your baby will have more gas due to baby formulas. The exact effects will depend on the brand of formula and your baby’s biological temperament.
There’s also the question of price. Baby formula is, of course, more expensive than the breast milk that is naturally created within a woman’s breasts.
Breast Milk Cons
A major disadvantage of breastfeeding is that it can cause the mother’s nipples to chafe, swell, and become irritated in general. Once the baby starts teething, these symptoms can worsen. It’s even possible for a baby to draw blood on accident.
There’s also the inconvenience of the mother always having to be with the baby in case the child is hungry. This can prevent the mother from performing other chores, such as those around the house or those at her place of employment.
In general, there’s an undeniable learning curve to breastfeeding. It can be hard to get it right on the first handful of tries, which could end up ruining a mother’s self-confidence. For instance, the baby may not want to latch on to the nipple or, if they do, it could come with a consistent discomfort.
For latch-on issues, it’s often necessary to pay for consultations with a lactation expert. There’s also the awkwardness that is hard to get used to when it comes to breastfeeding in public places.
Since whatever a mother eats or drinks can affect the breastmilk they make, it’s crucial for a mother to watch her diet for the baby’s sake. For instance, fish have mercury that can get into the breastmilk. This is bad for the baby so fish is often out of the question during the early stages of breastfeeding.
Later on, it could be possible to eat fish that’s low in mercury. For other dietary restrictions, it’s a good idea to consult with a pediatrician.
Ready to Choose Between Baby Formula vs. Breast Milk?
Now that you’ve learned all about the differences between baby formula vs. breast milk, you can decide which is best for your baby. While nutrients will be important for them their entire lives, babyhood is one of the most sensitive and crucial time periods for growth.
We can provide you with the most popular and most trusted baby formula brands on the market, including Aptamil, Hipp, Kendamil, NANNYcare, and more. Our customers are always coming back for more because they depend on our high-quality products.
Do you have questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
