The Breast Feeding vs Bottle Feeding Debate

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Breast Feeding vs Bottle Feeding
- The Pros and Cons of Each

The breast feeding vs bottle feeding question is a decision that every new parent must answer. It is best answered before the baby is born since breast feeding must be established soon after birth to be successful.

Every new parent wants the best for their newborn baby. Most people are aware that the advantages of breast feeding outweigh the advantages of formula feeding. However, sometimes circumstances dictate the choice they make.

If you educate yourself about breast feeding vs bottle feeding, you will be able to make the best decision for your family.

I. Advantages of Breast feeding in the Breast Feeding vs Bottle Feeding Debate

For Baby:

Passes on mother's antibodies to protect from illnesses
Perfect food for babies, exactly right nutritionally
Increased protection against many lifetime diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, asthma, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and some cancers
Lower rates of sleep apnea through adulthood
Adults who were breast fed average higher IQs than those who were formula fed
Breast milk's supply and compostition is ever-changing to meet the needs of the growing baby
Lower rate of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in breast feeding babies
Breast milk is more easily digested, therefore less colic, constipation, and diarrhea
Improves effectiveness of vaccinations
Babies who are breast fed show lower rates of obesity from infancy to adulthood

B. For Mother

Burns 500 more calories per day, resulting in faster pregnancy weight loss
Breast feeding decreases likelihood of post delivery hemorrhage
Breast fed babies show lower health care costs for childhood illnesses and diseases
Healthier baby means less time-off needed from work if working outside the home
Lower rates of breast, uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancers among mothers who breast feed
Decreased need for insulin in diabetic mothers while the mother is breast feeding
No preparation required - always warm and ready
Lower risk of heart attack, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoperosis, and stroke
Often there is a delay of the return of menstration
Diapers are less smelly than diapers from formula feeding babies
Increased bonding
More "green" than formula, producing less waste of resources (containers, labels, shipping)

Click here to see what other moms say are their personal advantages of breastfeeding (or contribute YOUR story).

Breast feeding newborn

II. Disadvantages of Breast Feeding in the Breast Feeding vs Bottle Feeding Debate

For Baby

B. For Mother

Requires a significant time commitment
Learning curve is difficult for some mother/baby combinations, causing frustration
Less freedom for mother to be away from the baby, unless she is willing to pump
For those who are returning to work, pumping may be inconvenient or not possible
Since breast milk is more easily digested, the baby may need to be fed more frequently
The extra energy the body requires to make breast milk may make a new mother tire more easily
Some medications may be passed on through breast milk, therefore should be avoided during breast feeding
Some breast feeding complications can occur due to improper feeding techniques, such as plugged ducts, breast infection (mastitis) or cracked nipples
Some women experience the inconvenience of leaking breasts, which require wearing breast feeding pads
A mother may need to eliminate some foods from her diet, if it is found that her baby is sensitive to these foods
Some foods should be avoided or limited during breast feeding, such as alcohol, caffeine and fish containing mercury
Breast feeding mothers need to be concious of their nutritional needs, much like during pregnancy
Breast feeding mothers need to make sure they drink adequate amounts of water, or their milk production may be affected

For Family

III. Advantages of Formula Feeding in the Breast Feeding vs Bottle Feeding Debate

For Baby

B. For Mother

Since feeding responsibilities can be shared, the mother can get more rest
Easier to understand how much baby is consuming, and therefore if he is getting enough
Easier to leave the baby in the care of others

C. For Family/Caretakers

Increased bonding opportunity for other family members
Since formula takes longer to digest, there is generally more time between feedings

IV. Disadvantages of Formula Feeding in the Breast Feeding vs Bottle Feeding Debate

For Baby

Some rare cases of contamination where death or illness occurred to the baby. Click here to read a November 2008 CBS news article about formula contamination.
Missed opportunity for the health advantages of breast feeding outlined above
May develop a sensitivity or allergy to formula, requiring a change to an alternate (and usually expensive) special formula

B. For Mother - missed opportunity for the health advantages of breast feeding outlined above

C. For Family

Costs can be significant for formula and supplies - conservative estimates around $1500-2000/year
Bottles must be prepared and warmed to the right temperature
Costs for health care are usually more, due to significantly greater incidence of childhood illness and disease
Bottles and nipples must be washed and sterilized after each use
Formula feeding is less convenient for travel, due to preparation and warming needs

Can't I do both?

While a few women successfully breast feed and supplement with formula, this is not recommended. Here is why...

The supply of breast milk produced is a sensitive response to demand. "Skipping" a breastfeeding time my negatively impact your future supply. For successful breast feeding, it is important that you not supplement with formula unless you pump your breast milk during that time. This is especially critical during the first 6 weeks of your baby's life. This is when your body is trying to establish the quantity needed to satisfy your baby.

Another reason to avoid supplementing breast feeding with formula feeding is to keep from confusing your newborn. Sucking from a bottle is much easier than breast feeding. If your baby learns this, he may refuse to breast feed or become frustrated. Even newborns don't want to work hard if another option is available.

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides this statement regarding breastfeeding:

"Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.
Colostrum, the yellowish, sticky, breast milk produced at the end of pregnancy, is recommended by WHO as the perfect food for the newborn, and feeding should be initiated within the first hour after birth.
Exclusive breast feeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breast feeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond."

Have you answered the breast feeding vs bottle feeding question?

Looking for more?
The "Feeding Babies" Debate shares real stories of real parents who tell of their decision process and the journey that decision took them on. You are encouraged to share your own story, too!