Published: 04/08/2010 by Milk Matters

Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

As Dr Jack Newman, (co-founder of the Newman Breastfeeding Clinic & Institute) states," formula is always an outdated, inexact copy of the real thing. Formula contains no antibodies, no living cells, no enzymes and no hormones."
Dr Newman says "Your breastmilk is made as required to suit your baby. Formulas are made to suit every baby, and thus no baby. Formulas succeed only at making babies grow well, usually, but there is more to breastfeeding than nutrients."

An undeniable fact is that Breastfeeding saves lives and offers huge cost savings to employers, medical schemes, Provincial and State Health Hospitals and Departments, Governments, and World Bodies concerned with Infant and Child Health. No wonder UNICEF and WHO encourage all governments to 'Protect, Promote and Support Breastfeeding' in their respective countries.

But let's concentrate on the Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mothers and Babies.

Breastfeeding offers both short term and long term benefits for babies:
Breastfeeding Protects Your Baby From

* Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or Cot Death)
* Food intolerance
* Allergies
* Otitis Media
* Contamination due to bottle feeding
* Diabetes
* Obesity
* Heart disease
* High blood pressure
* High cholesterol levels
* Respiratory Illness
* Childhood Cancer
* Gastrointestinal Disease and Infections
* Urinary Tract Infection

In addition

* Many studies indicate that breastfeeding enhances Cognitive Development. Breastfeeding offers infants the correct nutrition for optimal mental development and neurological outcome
* Breastfeeding promotes good jaw development
* The risks to the premature babies not receiving breastmilk are even greater. The fact that mothers are sometimes too ill to provide this special milk to their babies is the main reason for the existence of breastmilk banks, such as Milk Matters, all over the world

Breastfeeding also offers short and long term advantages for mothers including:

* Contraction of the uterus after birth,
* Contraception while the baby is breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hour
* Protection from breast cancers
* Protection from ovarian cancer
* Protection from osteoporosis - thinning of the bones
* Financial savings when not buying formula
* Financial savings with fewer visits to the doctor
* No offensive positing
* No offensive nappies whilst exclusively breastfeeding
* Convenience, especially at night and when on holiday
* Not to even mention the satisfaction of knowing that you are providing your baby with the best nutrition possible.

Does Formula Feeding Have Any Benefits?
Fathers Can Also Enjoy Feeding Their Babies.

One has to admit there is something very special about feeding a baby and have him or her go to sleep in your arms. Many fathers may feel that they are missing out and would prefer to share this experience as well.
Fortunately, this is still possible even if a baby is being exclusively breastfed; once mom is more confident about breastfeeding, she could express some breastmilk and occasionally dad could offer it to their baby. Mothers particularly appreciate such gestures over weekends, so that she can enjoy a sleep-in or afternoon nap. Perhaps dad would be willing to do a middle of the night feed once or twice during the week.
Some May Claim That Formula Feeding Is More Convenient

Breastfeeding moms would argue the point; one of the huge advantages of breastfeeding is the convenience factor - after all breastmilk has to be the perfect fast food. There may however be times when mothers do need to go out and leave their babies behind. Once again being able to express and allowing Dad or your baby's care-giver to feed him your expressed milk offers you the extra flexibility.
What About Returning To Work?

Many mothers who return to work are unaware that they have the option of continuing to breastfeed their babies or still have the option of gradually weaning their babies once they are back at work. There need be no hurry to wean your baby before returning to work.
See 'The Working Mother' for details of your options for feeding your baby when you are going back to work.
Stretching Night Feeds

Possibly one of the most difficult adaptations that new mothers need to make is coping with broken sleep. Many mothers and even health workers believe that giving babies formula or even solid foods will make them sleep better at night. All too frequently the extra food or milk has no effect and could even cause more wakefulness. Why not occasionally use the 'dad does a night feed of expressed milk' idea instead?
Avoid Spoiling Your Figure!
Research in fact shows the opposite to be more likely. Changes to the body including the development of breasts tissue occur during pregnancy not during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may have little or no affect on the long-term shape or size of the breasts, but may contribute to a healthy return to normal weight after the birth.

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO SEE A COMPARISON TABLE OF BREASTMILK AND FORMULA
http://www.milkmatters.org/breastfeeding/breastvsformulae