There are advantages and disadvantages to both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.

Ultimately the decision should be made by the parents. The following table outlines several of the issues that need to be considered when making the decision on whether to breastfeed, bottle-feed, or a combination of the two. The American Pregnancy Association recommends breastfeeding for most families. If you have questions about breastfeeding, are struggling with your breastfeeding relationship or are not sure what is really best for your baby, please dont hessitate to contact a lactation consultant. Find a Lactation Consultant. Find a Lactation Conultant in Your Area Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-feeding Breastfeeding Nutrition Perfect balance of nutrients Contains high levels of nutrients Easily digested and absorbed Content varies according to milk production stage, which meets the changing nutritional requirements Infant determines amount Costs Free Nursing pads, nursing bras, etc. Breast pump (optional) Advantages Always the perfect temperature No preparation time Milk is readily available at any time and any place Disadvantages Mother must be available for feeding or to provide pumped milk if she is absent Mother must pump if feeding is missed Early breastfeeding may be uncomfortable Certain medications can interrupt breastfeeding Warming formula Preparation time varies Baby may not tolerate formula well Always have to carry bottles, formula/mixing items with you Anyone can feed the baby Formula ranges from $54 to $198 per month depending on brand Bottles, nipples, etc. Not as efficiently utilized as breast milk Nutritional content depends on proper preparation Some babies have difficulty tolerating certain nutrients Pediatrician/care-giver determines amount Bottle-feeding

Few things are more controversial to mothers than breastfeeding vs bottle feeding. Though there are many factors that go into the decision, ultimately the parents of the infant are the only people who have the right to decide how a baby is fed. Here are a few factors that often go into this decision. The Benefits of Breastfeeding Breastfeeding has so many health benefits for both infants and mothers that it's no wonder many people are so passionate about it. It strengthens the immune system of infants, passing along the mother's antibodies to the infant. Babies who aren't breastfed are more susceptible to illnesses, infections and are more likely to develop allergies, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO recommends that all mothers breastfeed in order to give their babies those advantages. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed for the first six months of a baby's life and to give the baby no other nutrition than breast milk. The AAP also recommends that the mother continue to breastfeed for at least another six months and to supplement the second six months with baby foods. The WHO recommends that mothers breastfeed for the first two years and has stated that more than two years is also beneficial. All of these organizations use the latest studies on breastmilk and the advantages that it brings. They have encouraged a higher percentage of women to breastfeed. This has included taking out ads to encourage the practice and to supply new mothers with more information about how the practice can benefit them. For new mothers, the act of breastfeeding is also beneficial. The time spent with the baby creates the perfect bonding time for mother and baby. It also burns calories, allowing the mother to lose her extra baby weight more easily. Some women report that it also relieves stress and helps calm the swirl of emotions that many women experience after giving birth. The Benefits of Bottle Feeding While virtually all health officials concur that breastfeeding is healthiest for a baby, there are occasions when it simply can't be done. For women with chronic conditions that require medications, there are some instances when breastfeeding would pass along harmful substances to the baby. In those cases, some mothers choose to use bottle feeding to spare the baby from the medication. In other cases, a mother may need to work long hours and have trouble pumping milk. In those cases, bottle feeding does deliver the basic nutrients that a baby needs to thrive. When breastfeeding is not possible, there are some mothers who feel guilty about bottle feeding. This feeling of guilt can aggravate the baby blues and create a detrimental emotional situation. If you are unable to breastfeed and need to bottle feed for whatever reason, it's important to remember that you are doing the best you can for your baby and to feel confident in your decision. Ultimately, if you are confident and happy about the situation, that is what is better for you and for your child.

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding: Which Is Better for You and Your Child?
Both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding have their advantages. Because you need to make a decision now, let's consider each of them in turn. That way, you can make an informed choice. Breastfeeding is better because:

Your breast milk perfectly provides for your baby's nutritional needs. Your breast milk offers health benefits to your baby. You can get back in shape more quickly by breastfeeding. The physical act of nursing promotes bonding between you and your child. Breast milk is always available (as long as you are). Breast milk is cheaper.

On the other hand, bottle-feeding is better because:

Both parents can participate equally in feeding and take advantage of this opportunity to bond with their child. The mother has more freedom in terms of scheduling, dieting, and sexuality. Both you and your baby will have an easier time if you need to return to work in the months after his birth. It provides good nutrition for your baby if you have a very rare medical condition that dictates against breastfeeding. You can avoid any uncomfortable feelings you may have concerning the physical nature of breastfeeding, especially in public.

To help you make the decision that's right for you, let's take a brief look at these arguments.

Breast Milk Is the Best Milk

The American Academy of Pediatrics hails breast milk as the perfect food for the first six months of your baby's life. Just right in its mix of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals, breast milk also provides most of the vitamins your baby needs (though it does come up somewhat short in vitamins A, C, and D). Amazingly, your breast milk adapts its composition from day to day to suit the changing needs of your baby. In the first few days, your baby needs colostrum-a somewhat thicker, high-protein, low-fat liquid. Over the next two weeks or so, the consistency of breast milk changes. The colostrum is gradually replaced with mature breast milk, which is more liquid and higher in fat and cholesterol. (Unlike adults, babies make good use of a diet high in cholesterol and fat. Your baby's rapidly growing body needs these nutrients for the proper development of the brain, nerve tissues, and cell membranes.) Commercial formulas may have come increasingly close to duplicating the essential composition of human breast milk, but formula will never be able to adapt its composition from day to day to suit the particular needs of your child.

Breast Milk Protects Your Baby's Health

Breast milk helps to guard against many disease-causing agents. Your breast milk contains antibodies that can destroy bacteria, viruses, and other germs that can make your baby sick. Breast milk can ward off everything from strep throat and tetanus to measles and chicken pox. It may also increase your newborn's resistance to many allergens. Because only the human body produces antibodies, formula cannot provide this natural immunity from diseases.

Breastfeeding Versus Bottle-Feeding

NaturalNews) The cover of Time Magazine last week had a picture of a woman nursing her three-year-old child to raise awareness of breastfeeding and get people talking about it. It worked, perhaps better than they anticipated. The tactic was employed and completely justified because breastfeeding rates in America are very low, due to our weird American hang-ups that can't reconcile the dual purposes of breasts. As Dr. Sears said, the real purpose of the human breast is for nurturing a child, not selling cars and beer.

The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Canadian Pediatric Society, among others, recommend breastfeeding for at least two years, and beyond, as long as both the mother and child desire. What should be more individualized than a childhood, and a mother/child relationship? There is no evidence that continued breastfeeding is harmful nor that it is advantageous to wean a child before he is ready.

It's the norm - in other cultures and in other species

The history of breastfeeding and humanity speaks for itself. There shouldn't need to be a discussion. If your great-grandmothers didn't breastfeed, you wouldn't be here. It's what's normal. Name one other mammal that doesn't do it. You can't. Some "experts" in the news responded to the Time article, taking aim at "attachment parenting" (which was just parenting in the old days) and other past norms it calls "extreme" including breastfeeding beyond infancy, calling it "a prescription for psychological disaster" that may cause "destructive psychosexual problems." Yet in many countries children are commonly breastfed for several years. In places like Mongolia, children need the nourishment longer due to limitations of a nomadic lifestyle, and may nurse to as old as 6 years. In America, we are raising the first generation that is expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. With the imploding health of our nation, it's time to get people thinking about what can be done to fix it, and breastfeeding is one thing that can make a big difference. In places like Belgium, The Netherlands and Finland, where more than half of all children are breastfed for multiple years, the life expectancy is still increasing. Scientists that studied 135 species of primates (including humans) recorded and analyzed variables including litter size, age at weaning to adult female body weight, and length of estrus. Their comprehensive data found strong correlation between female body weight and offspring weaning age. The calculation they came up with predicts, with a 91% success rate, that knowing the female's body weight predicts the offspring's weaning age. Apply that calculation to humans, and it determines that humans should have an average weaning age of between 2.8 and 3.7 years old.

Benefits for mother and child

Research shows that the content of breast milk changes as the child ages, naturally addressing the increased need for more fat and energy. It adapts to the toddlers developing system, providing the right nutrition at the right time. Unlike cow milk, which can cause digestive challenges and even allergies, human milk is custom made for that child's needs, that day. If she gets sick, she's getting antibodies from the milk before mom knows she's ill. The immunological benefits increase during the second and third years of nursing. Thousands of antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic antibodies protect against things like E. coli, pneumonia, step throat, salmonella, influenza, rotavirus, rubella, West Nile virus, allergies, asthma, mumps, measles, diabetes, meningitis and many cancers.Nursing children get sick less often, and heal quicker.

Breastfeeding is a source of comfort, support and security. The accessible nature of their mother's attention due to the breastfeeding relationship, combined with the hormonal benefits of consistent (loving) physical contact translates to an independence and security that comes from a deep-seated attachment. Strongly attached children are more empathetic and compassionate, easier to discipline, relate better to people and have a higher IQ. These are not children that are bullies. The physical workings of breastfeeding actually promotes oral development and enhances language skills.

Benefits to mother include emotional well-being due to the milk-making hormones, as well as less stress and less incidence of postpartum depression. The length of time a woman breastfeeds is linked to lowered risks of many cancers, diabetes and arthritis. Other benefits include natural birth control, easier parenting and a built in ability to soothe your child. It's faster and inexpensive also.

Parents that employ the tenants of attachment parenting, including extended breastfeeding, generally find it validating as it empowers them to trust their instincts, often over what well-meaning doctors and family members steeped in the western culture of a fear-based, medicated approach to health advise. There is nothing extreme or indulgent in giving your child a greater chance of growing up happier, healthier and smarter.

Health benefits of breastfeeding are real - Here's the scientific proof

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 by: Willow Tohi Tags: breastfeeding, scientific, evidence