How to Decide Whether To Breastfeed Or Bottlefeed Your New Baby

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Educate yourself! Infant nutrition is the foundation for a lifetime of health and well-being. It’s also a personal choice...but ONLY IF you have all the facts! An uninformed choice isn’t really a choice at all, especially if it’s very likely that many mothers would make a different choice if they knew all the facts and had the mentoring and support they needed. More resources and links are provided below for additional research.
Step 2

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in their official 2001 statement regarding Infant And Young Child Nutrition: "Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and
development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. To achieve optimal growth, development and health, infants should be EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LIFE. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for UP TO TWO YEARS of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production."

"The vast majority of mothers can and should breastfeed, just as the vast majority of infants can and should be breastfed. Only under exceptional circumstances can a mother’s milk be considered unsuitable for her infant. For those few health situations where infants cannot, or should not, be breastfed, the choice of the best alternative – expressed breast milk from an infant’s own mother, breast milk from a healthy wet-nurse or a human-milk bank, or a breast-milk substitute fed with a cup, which is a safer method than a feeding bottle and teat – depends on individual circumstances. Infants who are not breastfed, for whatever reason, should receive special attention from the health and social welfare system since they constitute a risk group."
Step 3

The hierarchy of infant feeding is as follows: 1) exclusive breastfeeding, 2) expressed breast milk from the mother, 3) breast milk from a wet nurse or donated source (milk bank), 4) man-made breast milk substitute. As you can see, the WHO places man-made breast milk substitutes (formula) as the fourth and last option. This conflicts with the commonly held belief that formula is considered a healthy secondary alternative to human breast milk.
Step 4

Infant formula as we know it today was invented by Justus von Liebig, a German chemist, in 1867. It was originally designed for the 1 to 3% of mothers were medically unable to nurse their babies, replacing cow's milk and other inadequate alternatives. Due to intensive marketing to healthy mothers, formula companies managed to convince up to 75% of the population to use their product by the 1970's. This percentage has steadily dropped as more studies reveal the long-term health effects associated with the nutritional inadequacies of artificial breast milk substitutes, such as an increased risk of obesity, allergies, digestive problems, heart disease, and central nervous system diseases. In Third World countries, it is estimated that up to 1.5 million infants die each year from formula-related health problems, such as malnutrition and water-born illnesses. (See resources below for more info.)
Step 5

From the day a baby is born, his mother's milk makes adjustments based on his developmental needs. If you take a sample of a human mother's breast milk at 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and beyond, you will see distinct differences, which are specifically designed to meet the baby's nutritional needs at that specific developmental stage.

Man-made breast milk substitutes do not change over time to meet a baby's nutritional needs.
Step 6

Human breast milk contains millions of living white blood cells and immunoglobulins, which are designed to supplement and support a baby's immature immune system. Every time a mother is exposed to a germ, her body produces the necessary antibodies and passes them along to her baby through her milk.

Formulas contain no live white blood cells. They contain few immunoglobulins, and those which are included are usually the wrong kind. Without this necessary support, a baby's immature immune system is left to fend for itself as best it can, leading to more frequent illnesses.
Step 7

Human milk contains about 50% fats, which are necessary for a human baby's developing brain. It is rich in cholesterol, and high in Omega 3's, such as DHA and AA.

Most artificial breast milk substitutes do not contain DHA, and if they do, it is not easily absorbed. The lack of these vital nutrients may predispose a baby to heart and central nervous system diseases later in life. Formulas also do not contain the necessary cholesterol.
Step 8

Human milk contains an enzyme called Lipase, which helps to break down the fats so that they are nearly completely absorbed by the baby's immature digestive system. There is hardly any waste, and very little odor.

Formula does not contain Lipase. As a result, much of the needed fats are not digestible, and pass as waste through the colon or sweat glands. This causes the recognizable "formula smell" and foul diaper odors.
Step 9

Human milk contains soft, easily digestible whey proteins. It is high in proteins necessary for brain and body development, and rich in growth factors.

Breast milk substitutes are made with casein curds, which are harder for a baby to digest. They are not easily absorbed, create more waste, and are harder on the baby's kidneys. They are also deficient in most brain and body building proteins, and low in growth factors.
Step 10

Human breast milk contains Lactoferrin, required for intestinal health, and Lysozyme, an antimicrobial. These proteins are necessary for a healthy digestive tract.

Artifical breast milk substitutes contain little (if any) Lactoferrin, and no Lysozyme.
Step 11

Human milk contains sleep-inducing proteins and Tryptophan, an essential amino acid which also helps babies sleep.

Formula contains very few of these proteins, and no Tryptophan.
Step 12

Human breast milk is high in lactose, a key carbohydrate for brain development. It is also rich in oligosaccharides, which promote intestinal health.

Few formulas contain the necessary lactose, and most are deficient in oligosaccharides.
Step 13

The vitamins and minerals in human breast milk are easily absorbed, especially calcium, zinc, and iron, which is 50 to 75 percent absorbed. Breast milk is also high in selenium, an antioxidant.

By contrast, only 5 to 10 percent of the iron contained in formula is absorbed. Because the vitamins and minerals in formula are so difficult for a baby's digestive system to absorb, more are added to compensate, which makes formual even harder to digest. Formula is also low in selenium.
Step 14

Human breast milk is high in digestive enzymes which contribute to digestive health, and natural hormones which promote the baby's biochemical balance and over-all well-being.

In man-made breast milk substitutes, enzymes and hormones (which are animal-based, not human-based) are destroyed during the production process.
Step 15

The flavor of human breast milk changes based on the foods that the mother is eating. This allows the mother to help shape the baby's palate for future solid foods.

Formula always tastes the same, which can cause resistance to new flavors and picky eating later on.
Step 16

Human breast milk is free. A nursing mother typically eats about as much as she did while she was pregnant, and her appetite naturally decreases as she starts to replace feedings with solid foods.

Formula can cost between $1500 and $3000 a year, plus the cost of bottles and other supplies. Taking time off to care for more frequent illnesses can also result in lost income.
Step 17

Breast milk is always warm, on tap, and ready to go. You never have to make a last-minute run to the store because you ran out. If there is ever an emergency or natural disaster, you won't have to worry about having food available for your baby. It makes night feedings easier (especially if you co-sleep), because all you have to do is roll over, bring baby to the breast, and let him feed while you both sleep.
Step 18

Formula requires preparation and heating. This can be especially challenging away from home, or in the middle of the night when you're half asleep. Until a baby is old enough to hold his own bottle, you have to stay up to feed him (propping up a bottle is a choking hazard, and not safe). Like all manufactured products, formula is only safe when used as directed. Water used for mixing must be clean and bacteria-free, bottles and nipples must be sterilized, and formula must be mixed properly (not watered down!) for baby to be adequately fed. (These are minor inconveniences in the West, but in the Third World, they are serious health concerns!)
Step 19

Skin to skin contact is a very important part of bonding between mother and baby. Breastfeeding provides not only nourishment, but fosters healthy emotional development as well.

If you are unable to breastfeed for medical reasons, offering the breast for comfort and bonding purposes may still be an option. Holding your baby against your skin while bottle feeding can also help promote bonding.
Step 20

Breastfeeding is normal and natural, but that doesn't mean that it's easy. It's a skill, and like all skills, it must be taught, learned, and practiced. Before the invention of man-made substitutes, women learned how to breastfeed their babies from their mothers, sisters, and friends. All the experience, information and support they needed came from their fellow mothers. Today, this may not be as easy to come by, but it is no less important.

The WHO makes this recommendation for mothers struggling with breastfeeding: "Even though it is a natural act, breastfeeding is also a learned behaviour. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed provided they have adequate information, and support within their families and communities and from the health care system. They should also have access to skilled practical help from trained health workers, lay and peer counsellors, and formally certified lactation consultants, who can help to build mothers’ confidence, improve feeding technique, and prevent or resolve breastfeeding problems."

Comments

bfproblems said

on 10/9/2009 I don't know how any mom that is capable of breastfeeding can decide not to. Its such a special gift that can be given by only a mom.

on 9/24/2009 Love this article!! May I add that my firstborn was not breastfed and my 2nd son was. The difference in the health of these 2 boys as they grow has been alarming!! One had colds and ear infections every month, the other has NEVER HAD ONE (now 3 years old). One had terrible constipation and eczema, the other has a fine healthy gut and perfect skin. I could go on. Anyway, loved your article and wish more people had this info! 5*

momofour said

on 11/12/2008 Great article. I breastfed and bottle fed all four of mine. I absolutely loved the experience! I breastfed for 6 to 9 months for all of them and then switched to formula. They all did very well. I always promote new moms to try breastfeeding, especially for the bond that it provides between mother and child. Thanks for sharing your article!!*****

amylaine said

on 10/6/2008 This is very helpful. My mother came from the age that thought breast feeding was outdated. So I naturally thought I would bottle feed. My husband who read up on the subject matter urged me just to try. He said try once and I will be satisfied with your decision. My son was a natural nurser and needing no coaxing. I have three sons and never have fixed a bottle. It's wonderful.