The Great Feeding Debate
Breast vs. Bottle
The nutritional option that you select for your child is a personal choice. Be sure to consult your doctor about the methods available to you, and thoroughly research and educate yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of both breast- and bottle-feeding your infant child, before making your decision.
The number one advantage of choosing to breastfeed your child is the body’s natural production of colostrom. This substance is produced by a mother's breasts shortly after her baby’s birth. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals and immunity components and is invaluable and irreplaceable for the natural protection of your child against infections at birth, and throughout childhood. There is no comparable synthetic substance that can protect your child like colostrom.
Breast Feeding
- Your Body – breast feeding helps the uterus regain original shape and assists in post-pregnancy weight loss as it can burn up to 500 calories per day. It reduces your chances of contracting breast cancer and most women don’t menstruate while breastfeeding, lowering the chances of an accidental pregnancy right after birth.
- Breastfeeding is a bonding experience for mother and child and can be relaxing for mom.
- Free and convenient – breast milk does not need to be purchased and prepared, and can save you upwards of $1000 per year.
- No artificial ingredients in breast milk make it easier for the baby to digest. Diapers are less offensive as a result.
- Breast milk provides completely balanced nutrition, always at the correct temperature, however a daily dose of Vitamin D supplements is recommended as milk is not a reliable source. Consult your physician for advice on supplements.
- Breast milk provides protective antibodies which lower instances of ear infections, diarrhea, and meningitis, and will also protect the child against allergies, asthma, obesity, diabetes and SIDS.
- After the first week of breastfeeding, colostrum changes into milk. Milk at the beginning of each feed is watery and referred to as Foremilk. It will satisfy the baby’s fluid and hunger needs and will slowly gain fat throughout the feed until it becomes Hindmilk. Hindmilk is richer and gives the baby a feeling of being full and satisfied.
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- Requires patience and persistence and can be painful for the first week to 10 days.
- Breast milk digests quicker than formula so feedings are required more regularly, which can be inconvenient.
- Feeding in public may be uncomfortable for some, although with careful planning, breast milk can be pumped and bottle-fed. Pumping also provides a mother with a little more freedom to leave her infant in the care of another minder.
- Diet can affect the flavour of the milk and induce gas in babies. Caffeine and alcohol can also be passed on to the child through breast milk and consumption should be kept to a minimum.
- Medical conditions or treatments such as HIV or chemo may make breastfeeding inadvisable. Women should consult their doctors on the safety of breastfeeding while taking any medication. Breast surgery may make feeding difficult if milk ducts have been severed.
Bottle Feeding
- Your Body – some women experience a decreased sex drive when breastfeeding.
- No need for public discretion.
- Dads can enjoy the bonding experience and help with midnight feedings.
- Provides a little more freedom for Mom as another care provider can prepare bottles and feed the baby.
- Formulas are a nutritious alternative and ingredients are becoming more and more complex by the day. Formula contains proteins, sugars, fats and vitamins.
- Great alternative for women with medical concerns and unable to breastfeed.
- Digestion of formula is longer than that of breast milk, and therefore requires less feedings.
- Women are able to eat and drink what they please as it cannot affect the baby through formula.
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- Formula is expensive and takes careful organization and preparation. Not only does sufficient formula always need to be on hand, the powdered variety must be prepared with sterile water. Pre-mixed varieties are expensive.
- Bottles and nipples need to be sterilized before first use and cleaned after every feed.
- Bottles need to be heated.
- Formula lacks antibodies.
- Formula can produce gas and constipation.
- Formula does not match the complexity of breast milk.
