Breast Milk or Formula Milk – A Guide For Parents

Milk is the first food for a human being. In the initial months after birth, a baby gets all its nutrition solely from milk. While the entire world, including doctors and midwives, recommends only breast milk, is formula milk even an option? While many companies specialize in formula milk for even newborn babies, why is it not recommended? Come, let’s dig deeper into this topic to understand our options better.

It is universally recommended to exclusively breastfeed your baby until they are 6 months old. Once you introduce solid foods, you need to continue breastfeeding preferably until they are a year old. Opt for formula milk if and only if the doctor asks you to or after getting a “go-ahead” from the doctor.

In This Article

• Breast Milk or Formula Milk – What to Opt For?
• Growth Difference Between Breastfed and Formula-Fed Babies
• Nutrient Content – Breast Milk Vs. Formula
• Advantages of Breast Milk Over Formula
• Switching Between Breastmilk and Formula
• Tips to Keep in Mind While Switching to Formula Milk
• FAQs

Breast Milk or Formula Milk – What to Opt For?

Breast milk is the most naturally occurring food for a newborn baby. The mother’s body prepares to feed the baby immediately after birth.

Some of the Notable Properties of Breastmilk

1. It provides all the nutrients (in the right proportion) required by a newborn baby until they are old enough to derive nutrients from other sources.
2. Breast milk provides immunity and protects the baby from several diseases.
3. If the mother has been vaccinated for certain diseases, the benefit of immunity extends to the baby through breast milk. This is because the antibodies from the mother’s body transfer to the baby through breast milk.

Formula milk on the other hand, though artificially manufactured, has been done so after a lot of research and innovation. The formula milk is made from different sources (cow/goat/soy) to suit the needs of a baby. Read here to know different types of formula milk available for the baby.

Some of the Notable Properties of Formula Milk

1. It closely mimics breast milk to provide similar benefits to a baby.
2. Can be a good supplement when the mother is unable to breastfeed a baby for various reasons.
3. Provides the option to feed the baby even when the mother is not around.
4. Even babies suffering from lactose intolerance can drink formula milk that is specifically designed for such infants.

Growth Difference Between Breastfed and Formula-Fed Babies

There is not much difference between the growth of a formula-fed and a breastfed baby. Since breast milk supply takes some time to stabilize, a baby might get more or less based on the mother’s body. This is not an issue for formula-fed babies. This might make formula-fed babies seem to grow at a different rate than breastfed babies.

After the 6 months mark, when solid and semi-solid foods are introduced to the baby, the growth depends on how well they eat and absorb nutrients from different food items.

Nutrient Content – Breast Milk Vs. Formula

Breast milk is known as liquid gold as it contains all required nutrients for the baby – in the exact right proportions as required by the baby’s body. The milk consistency and nutrient contents change as the baby grows.

Formula milk is designed to meet the nutrient needs of a growing baby. This is why you find formulas categorized based on the age of the child. Though it contains all required nutrients, it is not customized to each baby’s needs. It is made based on a general study and may not be the right fit for all babies. Sometimes mothers have to try more than one or two brands of formula before they can finalize the right one for their baby.

Advantages of Breast Milk Over Formula

Some of the advantages breast milk has over formula milk are:

1. Breast milk adapts to the needs of a growing baby.
2. The mother’s body milk produces as and when the baby requires it.
3. If the baby is sick, breast milk can meet the baby’s needs to get better.
4. It is digested easier than formula milk, thus reducing constipation and gassiness in a baby.
5. Breast milk provides immunity for the baby against several diseases.
6. The antibodies from vaccination and medicines present in the mother’s body are transferred to the baby.
7. A mother need not carry anything extra when she steps out with the baby.
8. There is no washing and sterilizing of bottles after every feed.
9. The milk is always at the right temperature for the baby.
10. Breastfeeding helps the mother’s uterus shrink back after delivery.

Switching Between Breastmilk and Formula

If a mother is unable to exclusively breastfeed a baby, she can opt to use both breast milk and formula milk for her baby. However, a sudden change from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding can confuse the infant. This is where paced bottle feeding technique can help and ensure that the baby is getting a proper feed. But why would a mother need to switch to formula feeding? Here are the possible reasons:

1. When the mother is stepping out away from the baby for long hours (usually work).
2. If they are unable to produce enough for the baby.
3. The baby refuses to breastfeed.
4. The mother is sick and the doctor does not recommend breastfeeding.
5. When the weaning journey starts.

Tips to Keep in Mind While Switching to Formula Milk

No matter what the reason, if you decide to switch between breast milk and formula milk for your baby, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Start slow. Let your baby adapt to the formula milk and bottle before you expect them to drink the recommended quantity.
2. Ensure the baby is comfortable with the bottle and it is the recommended size for your baby.
3. The nipple hole has should not be too small or too big.
4. The baby might refuse a bottle initially. Try asking someone else to offer the bottle if the baby refuses to take it from the mother.
5. It takes a lot of time and patience to get a baby used to both feeding methods simultaneously.
6. Follow a fixed schedule, so that both mother and baby know when to expect what.
7. Get the bottle ready before the baby gets too hungry.

As a mother, do what you feel is best for your baby. You need to consult your doctor and get their approval before you decide to switch to formula feed (either partially or completely). You don’t need anyone else’s permission to do what is best for you and your family.

However, remember, breast milk is extremely important and beneficial to a baby, but if in case, you are unable to breastfeed your baby due to various reasons, it is perfectly fine to formula feed!

FAQs

1. Is it OK to Feed My Newborn Baby Formula Milk?

Yes, as long as you consult your pediatrician and you follow the instructions to the T.

2. Which Milk Helps a Baby Gain More Weight – Breast Milk or Formula Milk?

Formula milk is known to have more fat content. However, the weight gain solely depends on the body structure of the baby. A breastfed baby can be chubbier than a baby who has been on formula since day 1.

3. How Long Should You Breastfeed a Baby?

Doctors recommend a minimum of 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, after which you should introduce the baby to other foods. After that, it is completely up to the mother to decide when to end the breastfeeding journey.