Infant Formulas
Medical Author: David Perlstein, MD, FAAP
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Which is better, breastfeeding or formula-feeding?
Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants. This includes premature and sick newborns, with rare exceptions. Pediatricians generally advise that full-term, healthy infants exclusively breastfeed when possible for the first 12 months of life and, thereafter, for as long as mutually desired. Advantages of breastfeeding include: (1) breast milk
is nutritionally sound and easy to digest; (2)
breastfeeding is believed to enhance a close mother-child
relationship; and (3) breast milk contains infection-fighting antibodies (immunoglobulins) that may reduce the
frequency of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, otitis media (ear infections), and other respiratory infections in the infant. Please see the
Breast Feeding article for more information.
Some parents choose formula-feeding either because of
personal preference or because medical conditions of either the mother or the
infant make breastfeeding ill-advised. Parents need not feel guilty for
choosing formula-feeding. Infant formulas are a time-tested, perfectly
acceptable alternative to breastfeeding. Even though
formula-fed babies do not receive infection-fighting
antibodies from the breast milk, they still will have
received a four- to six-month supply of these antibodies
through the maternal bloodstream prior to delivery.
Remember also that the majority of breastfeeding infants
end up on a combination of breast- and formula-feedings
before their first birthday.
Some common reasons for choosing formula-feeding
include:
- There is an inadequate supply of maternal breast milk.
- The baby is sucking inefficiently.
- Parents are unable to quantify the amount of breast milk
received by the baby. Some parents want to know exactly how much their baby is
receiving at each feeding, and formula/bottle-feeding allows exact
measurement.
- A significant reason for not breastfeeding is concern
about transferring certain drugs the mother is taking due to a medical problem
through the breast milk to the infant. Examples of medications that are
considered unsafe for the baby include cimetidine (Tagamet), cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan), lithium (Lithobid),
gold salts, methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), metronidazole (Flagyl), cyclosporine, and bromocriptine (Parlodel). Numerous other medications have not yet been adequately studied in the context of breastfeeding and the possible effects on the baby. Mothers may choose bottle-feeding rather than risk any potential effect on the baby.
- An increasing number of mothers must return to work shortly after their baby's delivery. Formula-feeding offers a practical alternative for mothers who may not be able to breastfeed due to work schedules. Formula-fed babies often need to eat less frequently than do breastfed babies because breast milk moves through the digestive system more quickly. Thus, breastfed babies may become hungry more frequently.
- A benefit of bottle-feeding is that the entire family
can immediately become intimately involved in all aspects
of the baby's care, including feedings. The mother can
therefore get more rest, which can be critically important,
especially if the pregnancy and/or delivery were especially
difficult.
Next: What is in an infant formula, and how do I
choose the right one? »
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