Breastfeeding vs. Formulafeeding for Newborns

June 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Breast milk contains antibodies that help protect infants from a wide variety of infectious diseases, including diarrhea. Besides, it is said that breastfed babies are less likely to develop certain medical problems, including diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies. Moreover, breastfeeding may decrease the chances that the child will become overweight or obese.

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Many mothers find breastfeeding easier and quicker than formula-feeding. First of all it needs no preparation. Besides, breastfeeding costs little. And the last advantage but certainly not the least – breastfeeding meets a variety of emotional needs for both moms and babies.

Commercially prepared infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk. No doubt that bottle-feeding can offer more freedom and flexibility for the mother. Besides it makes it easier to know how much the baby is getting.

Many moms wonder if their newborn is getting enough to eat. Remember, that a newborn should be nursing 8-12 times per day during the first month. In the beginning, mothers may want to try nursing 10-15 minutes on each breast, then vary the time as necessary.

When your milk supply is established, breastfeeding should be “on demand”. It means when your baby is hungry. It will happen every 1-3 hours. As newborns get older, they’ll need to nurse less frequently. For babies who are getting formula, they’ll likely take about 2 to 3 ounces every 2 to 4 hours. Remember that newborns should not go more than about 4 hours without feeding.

New mothers are often concerned that their infants may not be getting enough to eat. You can be assured that your baby is getting enough to eat if he/she seems satisfied, produces about 4-6 wet diapers a day, has regular bowel movements, sleeps well, is alert when awake, and is gaining weight. As the time passes and babies gain weight, they begin to eat more at each feeding and go longer between feedings.

Continue to nurse or feed on demand. Breastfeeding stimulates milk production and your supply of breast milk will automatically adjust to your baby’s demand for it. Many infants “spit up” a small amount after eating or during burping. However, a baby should not vomit after feeding.

Now some words about nutritional supplements. Breast milk contains the right combination of vitamins and easily absorbed iron that will be sufficient until your baby begins eating iron-rich cereals around 6 months of age. A healthy infant being nursed by a healthy mother does not need any additional vitamins or nutritional supplements, with the exception of vitamin D. So supplements are usually not necessary. As a rule, iron-fortified formula is recommended for a baby’s first year and should contain up to 12 milligrams of iron per liter.