1
B R E A S T – F E E D I N G V. S. F O R M U L A , W H I C H I S B E T T E R
F O R Y O U A N D Y O U R B A B Y ?
Breast-feeding is nutritionally, emotionally and physically superior for a mother and her child. “Human breast milk is not standard nor is it interchangeable with cow’s milk. It is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition to meet the needs of the baby as it grows” (“Giving your Baby... Diet.” par. #10). Breast milk contains growth factors and antibodies which stimulate the growing baby and protect it from illness such as diarrhea, ear infections, rashes, allergies, asthma, skin problems, pneumonia, respiratory illness and other serious illnesses. Breast-feeding also improves a baby’s chance of remaining healthy. These antibodies are not found in formula. They can not be sustained. Breast-fed babies are also neurodevelopmentally more advanced than those fed formula. This is because the ingredients found in breast milk promote brain development. (Neifiert, pars. #5 &7) Breast-feeding is the preferred method for feeding babies because it offers many benefits for both mothers and babies.
There are many advantages for babies who are breast-fed. Babies can digest breast milk easily because the proteins and curds in it are softer than those in cow’s milk. The proteins in breast milk destroy harmful bacteria and help protect a baby against infection (Giving your Baby... Diet.” par #20). A breast-fed baby will have loose bowel movements that are easy to pass. Manufacturers do attempt to lower the curd tension in formula so that it will act as breast milk does. They do this by producing formula that has a higher whey content than cow’s milk. But it is impossible to exactly replicate human milk. Because of the gentleness of breast milk in a babies system, constipation is rare in breast fed infants. Another advantage for breast-fed children is: Studies have shown that children that were breast-fed have higher intelligence quotients and more advanced cognitive abilities than formula-fed children. Brain processing is also faster (Georgieff, par. 23). “The Journal of the American Medical Association, reported that adults who as babies were breast-fed for seven months had higher IQ’s than those who were breast-fed for two weeks or less. A direct link may not exist between breast-fed babies and higher IQ’s, but a correlation, between the amount of time that a mother spends breast-feeding and the amount of time she will spend with her child as he grows up is defiantly indicated. If a mother is willing to devote herself to being the sole provider of food for her baby when he is young then perhaps she will spend more time one on one with him as he grows (Gupta, par. # 2&7). “One oft-cited advantage of breast-feeding is the bond it promotes between mother and baby.” (“Giving your Baby...Diet.” par. #10) “Nursing is a valuable source of security and comfort for your baby... Your and your baby comfort each other. Your baby regularly needs your breast milk and physical closeness and your full breasts regularly need to be emptied. Breast-feeding develops an intimate relationship that can deepen the bond between you and your baby” (Neifert, par #6).
Even though breast milk is the best food that mothers can give to their babies, full of nutrition and components that help babies to grow strong and healthy, there are several brands of instant milk formulas adequate for supplying nutrition for an infant. Since all infant formulas produced in the U.S. are highly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most infant formulas are remarkably the same. The basic content of formula is 43% carbohydrate, 50% fat and 7% protein. The FDA works to ensure that formula-fed infants receive proper nutrition. The ultimate goal of all formulas is to imitate human milk. “The inherent problem in this approach is that the content of human milk is not uniform.” (Georgieff, par. # 20) Formula manufacturers try to improve the performance of infant formulas, vis-à-vis human milk, by adding ingredients to help prevent infection and promote brain development (Georgieff, pars. #8 & 21). Some of these brands such as Carnation Good Start are cow’s milk based. “These standard cow’s milk based products suit most babies, but other options are more appropriate for some” (Georgieff, par. # 2). However, some experts say that it is not good to use cow’s milk during the child’s first year of life. “The Committee on Nutrition Strongly recommends against using cow’s milk of any kind for infants under one year because it does not contain enough iron, essential fatty acids, vitamin C, zinc, and other trace substances. Studies show that cow’s milk can also lead to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, which itself may lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Cow’s milk is also the most common cause of food allergy in babies under one year” (“Giving your Baby ... Diet.” par.#16). Other formulas are not cow’s milk based. Another example is soy- based milk. Most formulas do contain vitamin supplements. Iron being one of the major ones.
In addition to breast-feeding being beneficial to infants, breast-feeding also has decided advantages for the mother. As a woman’s body works to produce milk, it uses up calories. This encourages weight loss, and makes it easier for the mother to return to her original weight before the pregnancy. Breast-feeding also helps speed the recovery of women after delivery. Studies have shown that women who breast-feed have a lower risk of breast cancer (“Giving your Baby...Diet.” par. #10). “The longer a woman breast-feeds her children, and the more children she has, the less likely she’ll be to develop breast cancer” (Christensen, par. #1&3). Breast-feeding is also low in cost, high in convenience, portable, easy for night time feedings, less work than sterilizing bottles and mixing formula, and can act as birth control. There are several myths about breast feeding that women have believed; these myths need to be dispelled. Myth # one: Nursing ruins your breasts. Truth: It doesn’t. Pregnancy may affect the breasts, but nursing has no impact on them. Myth # two: Women with small breasts or flat nipples can’t nurse. Truth: The size of the breasts bears no relationship to the ability to produce breast milk. If the mother’s nipples are inverted, simple techniques can be used that will help her nurse successfully. Myth # three: Nursing is a lot of trouble. Truth: It can be less trouble than preparing formula and bottles. If the mother wants to do it, and the milk is always clean and ready. Myth # four: Nursing ties the mother down. Truth: Both baby and breast are highly portable. No equipment to carry, nothing to refrigerate. (“Giving you Baby...Diet.” par. #7) These are just some of the misconceptions about breast-feeding. It is so important that woman become informed about the truths of breast-feeding, because breast milk has many beneficial qualities.
Breast milk is the best food that mothers can give to their babies. It provides nourishment as well as an emotional bond. Breast-feeding is natural and supplies 100% of a baby’s vitamins and minerals. No adequate substitute for breast milk exists. No matter how hard manufacturers try, they will never be able to recreate it because it is always changing and adapting to the babies specific needs. Researchers everywhere say that breastfeeding is best. They recommend breast-feeding for at least the first six months of life. Everyday is important; each day of breast-feeding benefits the baby. The bottom line is that there is simply no better food for infants, and if it is possible, mothers should breast –feed their babies.
W O R K S C I T E D
Christensen, Damaris. “Breast-feeding has protective bonus.” Science News. 10 Aug. 2002: 6. ProQuest Direct. Online. 19 May 2003.
Georgieff, Michael K. “Taking a Rational Approach to the Choice of Formula.” A Thomson Healthcare Company. Aug. 2001: 48 Health Reference Center-Academic. Lansing Christian School Lib. , Lansing MI. 19 May 2003.
“Giving Your Baby an Ideal Diet.” A Thomson Healthcare Company. 2001: 79. Health Reference Center- Academic. Lansing Christian School Lib. , Lansing, MI. 13 May 2003.
Gupta, Sanjay M.D. “Of Brains and Breast Milk.” Time. 20 May 2002: 92.
Neifert, Marianne. “The Advantages of Breast-Feeding.” McKesson Health Solutions LLC. 2001: 15. Health Reference Center – Academic. Lansing Christian School Lib. , Lansing, MI. 13 May 2003.
Sheehy, Maura. “Breast-Feeding 911.” Parents. July 2001: 149-150.