New parents have to make a serious decision for a newborn – breastfeeding or baby formula feeding. Food is a source of nutrients a baby needs to thrive. Consequently, it must have the essential fats, carbs, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Moreover, there must be the required amount of water to avoid dehydration and related health problems. What variant should parents choose to provide their babies with the needed nutrients?
Pros and Cons of Baby Formula
Bottle feeding can cause many health problems if parents choose it anyhow. Organic European baby formula is an excellent choice because it consists of only natural ingredients. European companies don’t add sugar and artificial taste enhancers to help parents develop healthy eating habits in their children.
The organic formula provides the following privileges:
- it lacks GMOs, antibiotics, pesticides, and hormones
- brands use only safe ingredients
- milk is skimmed and taken from a healthy cow
- it’s tested regularly to meet international standards
- it contains all the required nutrients
Another advantage of formulas is that mothers can enjoy various foods and drinks or take medicines without fear of hurting a baby. Besides, both parents and babysitters can feed a baby with freshly made formula. There’s no need to pump and warm up milk that might get spoiled.
Cons of bottle feeding
- Organic formula is more expensive than American formula.
- Cheap formulas usually contain sugar, taste enhancers, GMOs, and other artificial ingredients
- Nonorganic formulas can cause indigestion, allergies, obesity, and other health problems.
If a baby has cow milk intolerance, parents should consider organic goat milk formula. European brands also make formulas for sensitive tummies, but they’re a bit expensive. So, parents should learn proper budgeting.
Pros and Cons of Breast Milk
Naturally, mothers feed their babies with breast milk, which their bodies produce after a baby is born. It is the best food for newborns because it contains everything a baby needs – from macronutrients to micronutrients. Moreover, its main ingredient is water, which is necessary for a baby’s hydration.
Advantages of Breastfeeding
The Association of American Pediatricians suggests exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a baby’s life. It’s better to go on breastfeeding till kids are two years old, but a baby should also get supplementary foods, such as vegetables, fruit, and cereal.
Except for nutrients, breast milk has antibodies to different infections, like as ear infections. Breastfed babies seldom face problems with digestion, such as diarrhea, bloating, colon bacillus, or constipation.
The latest research proves that breastfed babies have a higher IQ level. It’s also free. Moreover, sudden infant death, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and allergies aren’t common among breastfed babies.
Disadvantages of Breastfeeding
Breast milk is beneficial for babies, but it must be problematic for mothers in the following way:
- it may be painful, especially when using the wrong feeding technique or a baby gets teeth
- moms are bound to babies
- mothers should keep to healthy eating habits
- mothers often have to shift to bottle feeding when taking medicines
Some countries cannot support a mother’s decision to breastfeed long because they have to return to work in 12 months or even less.
