Food for Thought The choice of whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby is a highly personal one and should be made based on your own personal considerations and lifestyle. The need to return to work outside of the home, health concerns, and other factors can all play a part in which choice is right for you. You should rest assured that your baby will receive both the nutrients and nurturing he or she needs to thrive with either option you choose.
Evolution has designed breast milk to provide nutrition that can be easily digested and absorbed by an infant's immature digestive system. In addition to nutrients, antibodies pass from mother to child boosting the child's immunity. Numerous studies have shown additional health benefits such as a lower incidence of allergies later in life.
For many reasons, breast milk is considered the ideal first food choice. A variety of organizations including the World Health Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and formula manufacturers themselves recommend breastfeeding as the preferred feeding method.
As you prepare to make the choice for yourself and your baby, it is best to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each feeding method. Gather information from a variety of sources and become as knowledgeable as you can about your options. Discuss your feeding preferences with your spouse so that you can both feel good about your choice.
A Few Basic Considerations Breastfeeding burns calories and helps to shrink the uterus, which means that breastfeeding mothers often have an easier time getting back in shape after the birth of their baby. Breast milk also requires no preparation and is readily available at no cost.
Breast milk is more easily digested and absorbed than infant formulas so breastfed babies tend to need feeding more frequently than bottle fed infants, every two to three hours during the first few weeks of life.
Bottle-feeding requires organization and preparation, but offers the flexibility to share the responsibilities and joy of feeding the baby without needing to pump or express breast milk. The cost of infant formula during the first year of life ranges from about $1000 to $1500.
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