The Breastmilk vs Formula Milk Debate
As mothers, we may be different, but in the end, we all want the same thing: for our children to be happy and healthy. While adults focus on balanced diets filled with lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, nutrition for infants looks quite different—and often sparks debate. One of the most discussed topics in early parenting is whether to breastfeed or formula feed. So in this article, we’ll explore the breastfeeding vs. formula debate and why breastfeeding may be a better choice for you and your baby.
Why Do Some Moms Choose Formula?
Some mothers see formula as the more convenient choice due to physical challenges like low milk supply or pain that makes breastfeeding difficult. Formula is seen as more convenient because it can be prepared by anyone, so this helps to free up the mom’s schedule if she doesn’t have to prepare it by herself. Moms who use formula also don’t have to worry about their own diet negatively impacting the baby’s health because all the nutrients are in the formula.
Other barriers to breastfeeding could be negative public perceptions or limitations in the workplace. For example, according to NBC News only 40 percent of working moms had time and space at work to pump their breast milk because many employers did not meet the requirement to provide accommodations for nursing mothers.
In many families, and cultures, formula is also seen as better than breastfeeding. This perception may be influenced by aggressive marketing tactics that lead to overconsumption of formula over breastmilk. But despite the public perceptions of formula, most experts will still agree that breastfeeding is the healthier choice, especially during the earliest phases of a baby’s life. Many experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.
What is Exclusive Breastfeeding?
The term, “exclusive breastfeeding” means that the infant sustains only from their mother’s breast milk and is not supplemented with formula, water, or solids in the first six months. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Department of Health and Mental Safety recommends that all infants be exclusively breastfed until six months of age, and continue to incorporate breastmilk for at least 1-2 years. In fact, WHO recommends that the baby be breastfed within an hour of birth and be fed on demand. Many new moms may have been taught to feed formula to their babies, and may not understand why breastfeeding may be a healthier option. So let’s look at some of the benefits of breastfeeding over formula.
4 Facts About Breastmilk vs Formula Milk
1. Human breast milk is easier for your infant to digest than formula
Breastfeeding is natural and your breastmilk is made up of all the nutrients your baby needs. Mom Cozy reports that the whey and casein proteins in the milk are absorbed quickly, making digestion easier overall. This quick absorption helps prevent colic, which is a common gastrointestinal issue. Additionally, this quick absorption also aids in the early development of muscle and bone tissue in infants.
2. Breast milk helps with your baby’s immunity
When your baby is first born, their immune system isn’t fully developed, making them more prone to dangerous infections. As Mom Cozy explains: “Breast milk contains secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), the main source of passively acquired immunity for several weeks before endogenous production of sIgA. During the postpartum period, infants are susceptible to pathogenic infections, which can be averted by sIgA.”
Reports by John Hopkins Medicine also indicate that breastmilk can help prevent lung, ear and gastrointestinal (GI) functions, as well as asthma and allergies.
3. Breastmilk helps to support infant brain development
Breast milk is naturally rich in vitamins and nutrients that help to support your baby’s growth and development for years to come. Breast milk contains DHA which aids in brain development, memory, and vision. A 1999 study from the The American Journal of Nutrition reports that studies indicate that breast milk fed babies showed more cognitive development than babies fed with formula, starting at 6 months up to age 15. However, there may have been other factors that could have contributed to this result
4. Breastfeeding is linked to lower risk of obesity
Multiple studies have linked breastfeeding with lower rates of obsesity. As stated in a 2009 study in Obstetrics & Gynecology “Children formula fed in infancy were 1.1 (95% CI, 1.0–1.1)21 to 1.3 (95% CI, 1.2–1.5)22 times as likely to become obese as children who had ever been breastfed” (Stuebe, 2009).
While the benefits of breastfeeding over formula are numerous, a recent report from The University of Buffalo reminds mothers that lifestyle factors may also play a role in the difference between formula and breast fed babies. For example, breastfeeding mothers may have had more knowledge related to nutrition and more access to medical care which may have contributed to more positive outcomes. So the differences between breastfed and formula fed babies shouldn’t be attributed to the feeding method alone.
Are there any times when formula may be the better option?
John Hopkins Medicine points out that while breastfeeding is best for most mothers, a doctor may recommend a nonexclusive breastmilk diet in cases when the baby has health problems such as low blood sugar. Additionally, formula may be recommended for moms with health problems or on medication that may be transmitted to the baby through nursing.
Final Thoughts
Breastfeeding your baby is not only a meaningful bonding experience between mother and infant, but in most cases, it is also the healthiest feeding method. Research shows that breastmilk surpasses formula in terms of nutritional value and benefits for an infant’s development. Additionally, studies support that breastfeeding provides numerous advantages that can extend into later childhood and even adulthood. We hope you found this information helpful. If so, please remember to share. You may also be interested in 8 Amazing Facts About Breastfeeding – Breastfeeding Perspectives
References
Anderson, J., Johnstone, B., Remley, D.,(1999) Breast-feeding and cognitive development: a meta-analysis.The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Breast-feeding and cognitive development: a meta-analysis – ScienceDirect
Gale C, Logan, K.C., SanthaKumaran, et.al., (2012). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Effect of breastfeeding compared with formula feeding on infant body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis – ScienceDirect
All You Need to Know About Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding. Mom Cozy. Breastfeeding vs. Formula: A Complete Guide for Parents
John Hopkins Medicine Breast Milk Is Best | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Mothers seek to combat breastfeeding stigma in Asian-American communities. NBC News. Mothers seek to combat breastfeeding stigma in Asian-American communities
New study unpacks the hidden power of breastfeeding.2023. University of Colorado at Boulder.New study unpacks the hidden power of breastfeeding
Stuebe, A (2009).The Risks of Not Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants. Obstetrics & Gynecology. The Risks of Not Breastfeeding for Mothers and Infants – PMC.
