It has been clinically proven that breast milk is best for babies, but still, there are mothers who choose formula feeding over breastfeeding. Not only for the reason that they are busy, but also they are unaware of the disadvantages or at least the things formula milk can’t provide like breast milk.
Disadvantages of Bottle Feeding:
- Babies are more likely to develop certain illnesses when they are bottle fed. Diarrhea and chest, ear, or urine infections are just a few of them. Immature babies also have greater chances of developing severe and rare disease such as the necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) if they are not breastfed. This can cause their intestines to get damaged because of infection, and they could have a poor supply of blood. It also increases the chance of getting allergies.
- If you’re feeding your child formula milk, there’s a possibility that you will get the wrong mixture. There is also a need for you to wash and sterilize equipments thoroughly to avoid germs from getting in contact with the equipments. If you are unable to do them properly, you might risk your child’s health.
- People in the medical field strongly suggest that mothers should feed their babies with breast milk. This is because they were able to compare both breast and formula milk and found out how disadvantageous formula milk can be. Not only that it can increase the risk of infections, it also increases the risk of obesity in babies up until they’re 6 years.
- You don’t get that great bonding feeling with your baby. Not to mention, you have to hold their bottle during every feeding instead of just sitting there holding your baby.
- If you’ve started formula feeding your child, it might be difficult to switch to breast feeding. Even if you want to combine formula feeding and breastfeeding, it might confuse your child since both nipples are different. If you want to try it out, you must consider introducing formula feeding after 6 weeks.
- One important thing is that unique is that antibodies and hormones are not present in formula milk. These antibodies and hormones are present only in breast milk and it helps your baby develop their immunity level and their growth.
- We don’t really want to risk our babies’ health so it is very important that while they are still young, we should give them only the best. As for milk, breast feeding is very important because your baby might miss out important nutrients that are not present in formula milk.
Now, formula obviously isn’t bad at all. It’s a great alternative if you’re too busy of a mom, or if you simply can’t produce enough milk for your baby’s needs. Formula is great as well, it just doesn’t have all the benefits breast milk can have. Just take the time to look at the benefits of breastfeeding!
