A big decision to make after giving birth to your baby is whether you will try to breastfeed or bottle feed with formula. Both the USDA and WIC strongly recommend that mothers breastfeed their child unless there is a medical reason she cannot. The following table from the American Pregnancy Association provides a breakdown of the different advantages and disadvantages of each method.
| Breastfeeding | Bottle Feeding With Formula |
| Nutrition | |
| A perfect balance of nutrients | Not as efficiently utilized/absorbed as breast milk |
| Contains high levels of nutrients | Nutritional content depends on proper preparation (human error) |
| Easily digested and absorbed | Some babies have difficulty tolerating certain nutrients |
| Content varies according to the milk production stage, which meets the changing nutritional requirements | Pediatrician/caregiver determines the amount consumed |
| Infant determines the amount consumed | |
| Costs | |
| Milk is free | Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on the brand |
| Nursing pads, nursing bras, etc. | Bottles, nipples, etc. |
| Breast pump (optional) | |
| Advantages | |
| Always the perfect temperature | Anyone can feed the baby |
| No preparation time | |
| Milk is readily available at any time and any place | |
| Mother’s milk contains Immunoglobulins, providing passive immunity for baby | |
| Skin-to-skin and breastfeeding latch releases bond-supporting the hormone in mom (oxytocin) | |
| Disadvantages | |
| The mother must be available for feeding or must provide pumped milk if she is absent | Warming formula to the proper temperature |
| The mother must pump if feeding is missed (engorgement) | Preparation time varies |
| Early breastfeeding may be uncomfortable | The baby may not tolerate formula well (diarrhea) |
| Certain medications can interrupt breastfeeding | Always have to carry bottles, formula/mixing items with you |
| Formula does not contain Immunoglobulins (no passive immunity) | |
| Possible formula recalls | |
Breastfeeding: The Natural Choice Recommended by Experts
Both breastfeeding and bottle feeding are legitimate options for feeding your infant, though breastfeeding does offer greater advantages. Breast milk offers a perfect balance of nutrients, easily digested and absorbed by your baby. It’s designed to meet the changing nutritional needs of your child at various stages of milk production. Breastfeeding can provide the infant with what is referred to as “passive immunity.” Because the child’s immune system is still developing, breast milk from the mother can help build immunity in the baby, “passed” from her to the baby. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk that the child will develop the following: type 2 diabetes, asthma, obesity, ear infections, respiratory infections, and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). It also benefits mom’s health too. Breastfeeding reduces the risk that mom will develop type 2 diabetes, ovarian and breast cancers, and heart disease.[1]
Balancing the Options
Bottle feeding offers the advantages of variety of who can feed the baby (anyone who can hold the bottle and the baby), people can help feed the child during parts of the night so that mom can get more sleep, and feedings may be less often as formula is digested more slowly than breastmilk. Still, these advantages are outweighed by the advantages of breastfeeding. It’s important to recognize the individuality of each mother’s situation in deciding the best feeding method for her and her baby. For more extensive information about breastfeeding and its advantages for mom and baby, check out Medline’s description of breastfeeding.
At Birth Choice, we understand the challenges and questions new mothers face regarding feeding options. Our team is here to provide confidential, compassionate care and guidance. Breastfeeding is one of the covered topics in ESTHER, our free childbirth and parenting program. If you have any concerns or need personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can book an appointment with us.