World Breastfeeding Week 2010 (Aug 1 - Aug 7)
Expectant mothers often fret over whether they should breastfeed or rely on bottled formula for their baby’s nutrition. Although whether or not to breastfeed is a parent’s decision, it cannot be denied that breastfeeding has many advantages that bottle feeding does not offer. It is recommended that breastfeeding be the choice of nutrition for infants 0 to 12 month old.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding and breast milk instead of bottle feeding. Although there may be conditions that make bottle feeding more attractive, sticking to natural means and understanding the importance of breastfeeding is recommended when possible.
Ideal Nutrition
For one, breast milk is the perfect form of nutrition for newborns. This is because breast milk is naturally meant to meet the needs of human offspring. It is hard to find real challenges to the wisdom of nature.
Commercial baby formula, while comprehensive and backed by the latest science has to offer, will lack some of the benefits breast milk offers.
Breastfeeding: The Advantages
Studies have shown that breast-fed infants are hospitalized less and are less sickly than their bottle-fed counterparts. Breast-fed babies show lower incidences of ear infections, constipation, diarrhea, sudden infant death syndrome.
Studies have also shown that breast-fed babies have 5 to 10 more IQ points than those that are bottle-fed exclusively for the first six months of their life. Not only are these children smarter, they are healthier to boot. This is due to the completeness of the composition of breast milk resulting in earlier and better development of babies’ brains.
Breast-fed children are observed to be less prone to overeating and obesity. The special formulation of breast milk allows for the proper regulation of appetite and metabolism.
Breast milk is easier to digest and is less likely to cause constipation or diarrhea. The formula of breast milk is also easier to digest, which usually means babies feed more. Breastfeeding mothers will have to be prepared to breast-feed every 3 hours or so.
Although breast-feeding is still best for babies, baby formulas have been successful in at least narrowing the gap. However, breast-feeding is still the way to go for newborn infants up to one or two years, and should be the only choice unless the mother is suffering from any condition that prevents her from doing so.
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