Breastfeeding: The ideal choice for a healthy baby
On the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week, doctors tell you how breast feeding is an healthier option as compared to bottle feeding
04
Aug
2010
One of the most common questions which trouble new mothers is whether to breastfeed or bottle feed the baby. There have been numerous debates on this issue; however, doctors have always recommended that mothers should breastfeed the baby, at least for the first six months post delivery.
Breastfeeding has a number of advantages over bottle feeding. Below are just a few of them:
- The nutrient qualities in breast milk is the best, as it has the right amount of fat, proteins and vitamins required for the healthy growth and development of the child.
- Breast milk comprises of various infection fighting elements which strengthens the baby’s immune system. No matter how good the formula milk claims to be, it can never be compared to the complexity and the nutrition value of breast milk.
- Many doctors believe that breastfed babies face less difficulty in digestion and consumption as compared to bottled milk. Studies have further shown that bottle fed babies might tend to develop gas problems.
- Studies have shown that breastfeeding helps prevent obesity and increases the baby’s intelligence, while the formula based bottled milk provides no such advantages.
- Babies who are bottle fed have a tendency to develop more illnesses such as diarrhoea and upset stomachs.
- The baby can be allergic to the formula based milk; however, they can never develop any allergy towards breast milk.
- Breastfeeding is also advantageous to the mother as it helps in controlling the weight and prevents certain types of cancers.
- Another benefit of breastfeeding to mothers is that it reduces the postpartum bleeding as it helps in contracting the uterus to its original size.
- Not only is nursing a wonderful experience but it also provides the ideal nourishment required along with a strong bonding experience.
At the end of the day, choosing how and what to feed the baby is a personal decision which calls for thorough and careful consideration. Besides some cases wherein mothers are not able to breastfeed due to medical reasons, experts advise mothers who can, to opt for breastfeeding over bottle feeding for the healthy development and growth of the new born child.
Source: Apollo Hospitals Neonatology Unit
Picture Credit: Justyna Furmanczyk
