Breastfeeding refers to a natural formula of feeding a child with her mother’s breast milk directly from the breasts. This formula is the best recommended for infants whether born maturely or prematurely or sick as it provides a variety of nutritious elements within the first six months of life. It, therefore, gives adequate amounts of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, digestive enzymes, hormones, and antibodies required by the infants (Margaret & Peter 470).
Whereas Formula feeding refers to a formula of feeding an infant through an alternative method rather than breastfeeding or in addition to breastfeeding. Therefore in this formula, a mother relies on various basic forms of feeding which include: Powders to be dissolved in water, concentrated liquids requiring diluting with water, Cow’s milk which provides iron, Soy-based formulas especially for infants who are intolerant to lactose or allergic.
For a start off of human life, breast milk is the ideal food best recommended for human infants. But at some instances due to circumstances e.g. of medical or other reasons, some mothers opt for formula feeding. However in Choosing the feeding formula for one’s baby that’s a personal decision that requires careful and thorough thoughtful consideration before deciding (Cook 600). Health benefits and general benefits for mother and child of each type of feeding. Each of the following formulas has its various benefits both to the mother and to the child and these are discussed below.
Breastfeeding
It allows Infection fighting by the infant through the antibodies that are passed from the mother to the baby. These help a child’s body lower the occurrence of many conditions such as ear infections, diarrhea, meningitis, respiratory infections e.t.c.Breastfeeding also protects a baby from infections by strengthening an infant’s immune system by increasing barriers preventing infections and decreasing the growth of organisms such as bacteria and viruses.
Breastfeeding on the other side to the mother is beneficial as the milk is free. This breast milk doesn’t cost even a cent. Therefore infants usually have quick access to milk and through feeding, they acquire immunities and antibodies and thus breastfed infants are sick less likely to be than those who receive formula feeding. In this case, for example, medical researchers have shown that infants who are exclusively breastfed at least four months or more have 40% lesser episodes of contracting ear infections. In this way, the mother and child are likely to make fewer trips to the doctor’s office, and so it, therefore, reduces the spending for prescriptions and over-the-counter doctor’s medications.
Through the Nursing care of breastfeeding, mothers can lose accumulated weight after delivery since they use at least 500 calories or more a day in breastfeeding In addition there is the development of a well-accepted extra closeness between the child and the mother during this period. Recent studies have shown that breastfeed babies have low risks to adult obesity as they tend to gain less unnecessary weight, which prevents them from future overweight building this is to the National Women’s Health Information Center.
Breast milk can sustain the child fully by providing the necessary mechanism that can sustain the child for a period of up to two years when the child is exclusively breastfed. This involves giving the child only breast milk for a period of up to six months without the introduction of other types of food. By following this type of feeding, the child is protected from the contraction of another type of disease (Rice 124).
Formula feeding
Since not every mother can breastfeed the alternative of formula feeding is relied upon and likewise, breastfeeding has also got its health benefits and general benefits for the mother and the as discussed below. Formula feeding is a source of nutrition for children as the manufacturers usually attempt to duplicate mother’s milk through using a multifaceted mixture of proteins, vitamins, fats, and sugars, thus able to meet a child’s nutritional needs.
This formula is very convenient not only to the mother but also to a baby as feeding can be done at any time. By so doing, the mother will be able to share the feeding duties with the child thus making it feel involved in the crucial feeding process through the bonding that often comes with it.
The formula feeding allows flexibility as once the feeding bottles are ready with what is prepared she can entrust her baby to the maidens and those who are responsible for giving effective care services and by so one’s little one feedings are taken care off. Therefore there is no need for scheduling work and obligations activities around the baby’s full time. In addition, mothers do not require finding a private place to nurse a baby in public (Levine 654). This method prevents the passage of infections such as a virus that can easily pass through breast milk, therefore this method can be recommended for women who are HIV positive. Mothers using this method have the advantage of choosing on their diet what they want e.g. types of foods and drinks thus there is no restriction since they shall not affect their babies.
Difficulties, cost comparisons, and the intelligence quotients
Recent studies show that exclusively breastfed babies for 6 months are smarter in having intelligence quotients of five to ten points more than the children that were fed with the formulas. Most breastfeeding mothers lack personal comfort due to latch-on pain especially during the first week to up to 10 days of breastfeeding. They also develop sore nipples or breasts due to the frequent feeding of babies.
Breastfeeding compared to formula feeding is lesser in terms of expensiveness/cost due to the ability to prevent illness thus avoiding frequent doctor’s visits and treatments. In addition to medical cost formula feeding methods e.g. powdered formula, ready-to-feed, soy, and hypoallergenic formula are very expensive for example the first year of life, costs of basic formula can run up to about $1,500.
There is much emotional connection of security from the warmth and presence of the nursing mother and the infant that develops especially during the skin to skin contact (Rhydderch et al 219). While in comparison to formula feeding mothers may be tempted to even prop a feeding bottle in a baby’s mouth, with no human contact during feeding whereas a nursing mother must cuddle her child closely to her many times a day. Therefore nursing emerges not only being just a feeding formula but also as a source of warmth and comfort for a baby.
Breastfeeding is the better more beneficial way of feeding
According to the research scientists on health matters they greatly recommend the practice of breastfeeding as it is very vital for individual growth, personal, social, and human development which is incorporated during this early stage of life (Mitchell). This is because it has been considered to contain all the relevant defense mechanisms that can sustain the child’s growth and prevent the encroachment of diseases on the child.
As tackled breastfeeding is very important therefore it should be tried by mothers who can and if then it burdens one can try it for a short period and then switch if she doesn’t like it since it is difficult to switch to breastfeeding after formula feeding has begun. Breast milk is counted as a living substance as it provides immunity to a baby’s functioning system within the first year of life.
Work cited
Cook DG. Infant feeding and blood cholesterol: a study in adolescents and systematic review. Pediatrics 110: 597-608, 2002.
Levine, RJ, Effect of breastfeeding on cognitive development of infants born small for gestational age. Arch Pediatr Adolesc 156: 651-655, 2002.
Mitchell, S.A. & M.J. Black Sigmund Freud and Beyond: A History of contemporary Psychoanalytic notion. New York: Basic Books 1995.
Rice A. Effective breast feeding practices: focus on the children that are under five year s old 2003 8:110-130.
Rhydderch et al. introduction of the baby friendly hospital initiative A general practice. Qual Saf Health Care; 2004 13:213–217.
Margaret B, Peter L. Post natal care –plans and the mismanagement of infant feeding problem in their early life cycle. Longman publications 2006.15:456-510.