Breastmilk vs Formula: Help for Your Decision

Breastfeeding vs Formula

Different mums have different needs. For some, breastfeeding is not an option, for either medical or personal reasons. 

What is the Difference Between Breastmilk vs Formula?

If you do not breastfeed, there are several good formulas available. Formula is easy to work around your sleep schedule. (At bedtime, just put a thermos of clean warm water and a baby bottle with pre-measured formula powder by your bed. Then, when your baby gets hungry, mix them together and voilà! You have fresh formula without having to totter down to the kitchen and start from scratch.) Formula also allows your partner to give a feeding, giving you the chance to catch up on a little sleep. 

Pros of Breastfeeding vs Formula

But if you can breastfeed, this is definitely the way to go. Breastmilk has hundreds of ingredients to build strong bodies and brains, and scores of special immune boosters (even white blood cells) to enhance immunity and prevent illness…and it reduces SIDS.

In addition, breastmilk is always clean, warm and available (which will save you hours of time and hundreds of dollars). Breastfeeding can also help you lose weight (your baby sucks out of you as many calories as you would consume running 3-5 miles a day). 

Is It Okay to Breastfeed and Formula Feed at the Same Time?

Supplementing breastmilk with formula is perfectly fine—in fact, it is preferable to dropping breastfeeding altogether. It is especially helpful if you have difficulty expressing breastmilk. Keep in mind that your body will adjust to the number of times you breastfeed, so as you breastfeed less, you will start to produce less breastmilk. However, combining breastmilk and formula is recommended over completely dropping breastfeeding altogether.

Final Thoughts: Breastfeeding vs Formula

The discussion about whether to breastfeed or formula feed has sparked an ongoing debate. Ultimately, the best way to feed a baby depends on what a mum needs. If breastfeeding is not an option because of medical or personal reasons, then fresh formula is a great alternative. What really matters is that baby is getting fed, and breastfeeding is not causing undue physical or emotional stress on Mum. 

Avertissement : Les informations présentes sur notre site ne constituent PAS des conseils médicaux pour une personne ou une condition spécifique. Elles sont uniquement destinées à titre d'information générale. Si vous avez des questions médicales et des préoccupations concernant votre enfant ou vous-même, veuillez contacter votre fournisseur de soins de santé. Le lait maternel est la meilleure source de nutrition pour les bébés. Il est important que, en préparation et pendant l'allaitement, les mères adoptent une alimentation saine et équilibrée. La combinaison de l'allaitement au sein et au biberon dans les premières semaines de vie peut réduire la production de lait maternel de la mère et il est difficile de revenir sur la décision de ne pas allaiter. Si vous décidez d'utiliser une préparation pour nourrissons, vous devez suivre les instructions avec soin.