Breastfeeding vs bottle feeding

Most new mums are unsure about which route to take when it comes to nursing their baby.

The guidelines below should help first-time mums decide whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding will suit them better.

Breastfeeding Baby

Breastmilk is highly nutritious food for babies. Here are some of the advantages breastfeeding has over baby formula:

• Breastmilk is free and always available.
• The white blood cells in breastmilk contain properties that help fight against infections. This is particularly important in the first few months when infections are more serious.
• It contains the right proportions of nutrients babies need.
• It is easily digestible.
• Breastfeeding can help new mothers lose weight easier

Bottle Feeding Baby

Although breastmilk has many benefits, there are reasons why breastfeeding isn’t an option and mums shouldn’t feel guilty about choosing not to breastfeed.

Infant formulas have improved over the years and are getting much better at matching the ingredients and the proportions to that of breastmilk.

Here are some tips for bottlefeeding babies with formula:

• Heating the formula is not actually necessary – drinking the milk at room temperature is fine.
• Mums should avoid distracting their baby once they start taking their formula.
• You can save unused product for the next feeding.

Tips for Choosing a Formula

• Pick a cow’s formula rather than a soy milk formula to start with.
• Don’t be afraid to buy cheaper brands as most formulas are more or less the same.
• An iron-fortified formula is important because children have a lot of iron deficiency in their first few years.
• There is no nutritional difference between powder, concentrate or ready-to-feed formula, so mums should feel free to choose whichever suits them best.