Breast or Bottle?

A mother’s breast is the best milk delivery system ever created for newborn infants. It dispenses nourishing milk, while keeping it warm and sterile. Breastfeeding is defined as “the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e., via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container.” According to design, babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. It is a well-known fact that breast milk provides enough calories to support a baby’s rapid growth and contains just the right amounts of all essential vitamins and minerals needed for proper brain and body function of the baby. To better appreciate this, listed below are the Benefits of Breast milk for infants:

• Greater Immune Health– During breastfeeding, antibodies are passed on to the baby. Colostrums, also known as first milk, contain antibodies to protect the newborn against diseases. Many studies show that breastfeeding strengthens the immune system. Antibodies help the child resist diseases and improve his immune response.

• Lower risk for infection– Breast milk contains antibodies that protect against diseases, especially against diarrhea and respiratory infections. An analysis of research studies concluded that formula-fed infants have a threefold greater risk of being hospitalized with a severe respiratory infection than infants who are breast-fed for a minimum of four months.

• Less necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants– NEC involves infection and inflammation that causes destruction of the bowel (intestine) or part of the bowel. Most common and serious gastrointestinal disorder among hospitalized preterm infants. Usually occurs within the first 2 weeks of life, usually after milk feeding has begun.

Human breast milk is without a doubt the healthiest form of milk for babies. Breastfeeding promotes health and helps to prevent disease, and it is recommended that mothers breastfeed for six months or more, without the addition of infant formula or solid food. After the addition of solid food, mothers are advised to continue breastfeeding for at least a year, and can continue for two years or more. However, there are a few exceptions when breastfeeding would not be advisable, such as when the mother is ill or is taking certain drugs or is infected with human T-lymph tropic virus, HIV if not taking ARVs, or has active untreated tuberculosis. In such case, some mothers may opt for baby formula, which may contain some potentially harm ingredients as those listed below.

Potentially Harmful Ingredients in Commercial Baby Formula

Lactose
A number of people are lactose intolerant, which is different from an allergy to dairy. Most commercial baby formulas are milk or dairy-based. If your baby suffers from colic, diarrhea, stomach cramping or gas within 30 minutes of ingesting cow’s milk products, the infant may have a higher sensitivity to lactose or may even be allergic to dairy.

Mono and Di-glycerides
Baby formula usually contain mono- and di-glycerides, food additives that help oil-based ingredients and water-based ingredients blend together. They also contain trans fats.

Synthetic vitamins and minerals
Baby formula may contain synthetic vitamins and minerals that are processed, chemically based compounds, which makes them less effective. The human body is organic and is designed to process elements found in nature and cannot digest inorganic minerals or matter. Inorganic minerals that are lodged in the body’s tissues and cells may eventually cause some degree of toxicity in the body.

Iron and Iron Oxide
Babies born full term (after 37 weeks) generally have enough iron in their system to last for the first six months. Pre-mature babies may have iron deficiencies. Regardless of when your baby is born, more isn’t necessarily better where iron is concerned. Iron and iron oxide (rust) can interfere with a baby’s ability to absorb zinc, a vital mineral in an infant’s brain development. It is not recommended to supplement an infant’s diet with iron or iron oxide until they are at least 18 months old unless recommended by a doctor or nutritionist.

The use of infant formula has been cited for numerous increased health risks. Studies have found formula-fed infants in developed countries are at a greater risk for acute otitis media, gastroenteritis, severe lower respiratory tract infections, atopic dermatitis, asthma, obesity, type-1 and -2 diabetes, sudden infant death (SIDS), eczema, necrotizing enterocolitis and autism when compared to infants who are breastfed. Some studies have found an association between infant formula and lower cognitive development, including iron supplementation in baby formula being linked to lower I.Q. and other neurodevelopmental delays. However, it is also noted that other studies have found no correlation.

Artificial feeding has also been associated with more deaths from diarrhea in infants in both developing and developed countries. Experts agree that breastfeeding is beneficial, and have concerns about artificial milk formulas but also hold conflicting views about how long exclusive breastfeeding remains beneficial.

Breastfeeding is undoubtedly God’s design to keep newborns nourished and strong. Breast milk, unlike commercialized milk, has many ingredients that cannot be replicated in any laboratory providing the benefits only breast milk can give. Moreover, there are a number of ingredients in breast milk that have yet to be discovered.

Breastfeeding is obviously best for babies. It is natural and inexpensive as well as nutritionally and emotionally good for baby. Why give your child anything less?

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References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_formula
www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/what_should_know_formula.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-14/health/29884460_1_breastfed-breast-milk-infants
www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp
http://motherchildnutrition.org/healthy-nutrition/about-essential-nutrition-actions/benefits-of-breastfeeding.html
www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/nec.html
http://dherbs.com/articles/baby-formula-13.html