Home » Breast Feeding & Breast Milk Issues - Is Formula Milk Or The Mom's Nipple Best For Baby?

Breast Feeding & Breast Milk Issues - Is Formula Milk Or The Mom's Nipple Best For Baby?

Posted: Wednesday, July 01, 2009

by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com

Why does some women breast feed their baby while others don't? There can be many reasons for this. Unfortunately some mothers regardless of the health benefits the infant gets from breast milk; did blatantly admit to being selfish, saying they couldn't be bothered with the hassle. They said it was more "convenient" to feed their baby bottled milk. Is this right? Is it not about what is best for baby. Then we had them who were uncomfortable with the whole scenario of breast feeding. Once again is it not what's best for baby.

What is best for baby? Let's look at the reasons why some women breast feed, while others don't. Remember, the breast was designed to produce and hold milk, and the nipple designed for sucking on. Aren't the calf and cow prime examples of natural being the best? Having said this, when young animals is abandoned at birth they are hand fed milk through a bottle and they go onto thrive. I found after listening to women who breast and bottle fed their babies, was that either method was practiced purely based on their own personal beliefs.

Below is a rundown on the benefits of both options. If baby is content and his/her belly is filled by either the breast or bottle then you decide which it is to be

Most recognized formulas are manufactured from dairy cow's milk. Mother's milk and cow's both include two components; curds and whey. Curds are white and clumpy, and whey is basically, the liquid. When an infant feeds on formula made from cow's milk, there is commonly more curd than what's in breast milk. It's not rocket science to see from this that breast milk is easier to digest than cow's milk.

Throughout different stages of baby's development, breast milk changes. While formulas may appear to be rich in nutrients, it doesn't always mean it's the best. During your nine months of pregnancy the body naturally prepares itself for breast-feeding, seeing the breasts fill with specially formulated milk to meet with the requirements of your baby as they grow.

There are millions of healthy babies who are living proof that formula milk is ideal, but breast milk consists of many ingredients that can't be duplicated by formulas. Breast milk contains higher carbohydrate and lactose counts than cow's milk. Lactose is strongly linked with larger and faster brain growth. Minerals contained in mother's milk may not be as superior as those contained in formulas, but minerals created by women are fully absorbed by the infant. If baby struggles to take in essential minerals, such as iron, it can alter the balance of bacteria in the stomach which can then give an opening for harmful bacteria to breed.

Breast milk in comparison to formula milk is by far the most beneficial for new born babies.

Breast milk supplies all nutrients baby needs for healthy growth
Breast milk is natural and purposely created as baby food.
Breast milk changes with baby development so they get exactly what they need, and not deprived of critical goodness
Breastfeeding helps protect the infant from infections because antibodies are passed into the milk
Beast milk helps prevent constipation and common allergies like eczema
Breast milk contains growth factors and hormones that help encourage development

If you take into account the above health benefits for baby's welfare, it should be enough to offer the little mite the nipple to suck on to his/her heart's content. Moms don't miss out when they breastfeed, in fact they are compensated with a strong emotion that only them who have given birth could ever understand. Breastfeeding your baby is satisfying emotionally. That's not to say you can't bond with a bottle-fed baby, but there is an exceptional closeness, and the feeling from this closeness is somewhat unexplainable.

It doesn't cost you a penny to give the nipple leaving you more money to spend on baby necessities.
No need to purchase expensive sterilizing kits if you breast feed. You also evade having to prepare several bottles throughout the day, giving you more of that all important quality time with baby.
You can breast feed anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Most public places cater for mothers and babies. Some restaurants and cafes have private quarters for mom to feed her child.
It is said that the womb returns to normal size more quickly than it would if bottle feeding
Breastfeeding is good for the environment. There is no use for energy, packaging materials, and machinery
It helps reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer. Check these pointers with your GP to ascertain there has been no change.

Let us look at the perks of bottle feeding, even though proven not the best for baby in comparison to breast milk. With bottle feeding you can ask for help. After giving birth and tending to baby's' demands, it's natural to feel the whole baby lark taking its toll leaving you tired. It's just as important to rest after baby's arrived as it is before delivery. If you've experienced difficulties feeding baby off the nipple…express breast milk into a bottle and feed the child this way. If you prefer, and baby's content, is to use a combination of both expressed breast milk and powdered formula.

Bottle Feeding

Feeding equipment should be properly sterilized. Young babies are vulnerable so everything has to be germ free. You need to sanitize everything that baby comes in contact with.
Never do anything other than suggested on the instructions on the formula packet.
Make sure the temperature of the milk is exactly as recommended. Don't use the microwave to heat the formula.

After weighing up the pros and cons and you've decided to breast feed but uncertain how to go about it, or may be lack confidence, don't worry, it's natural for you to feel this way, and when mothers instinct kicks you naturally become a natural.

How do I breast feed properly so I know baby hungers no more?

It is vital mom is comfortable before feeding starts. Make sure your back is supported and not leaning back and your lap is flat.

In order to satisfy baby, he/she needs to use the tongue to get a good mouthful of breast. The baby's bottom lip and tongue need to get to the breast first. Bring him/her close to your breast with their head tilted back, so as to lead with the chin…let their lips touch the nipple. Usual response from baby is dropping of the lower jaw. Guide baby gently to the breast aiming the bottom lip away from the base of the nipple. Its important baby gets a good scoop of breast so the nipple is at the back of the mouth. Once the infant is latched onto the breast he/she will maneuver the tongue touching the under surface of your breast, and take milk from the ducts.

Breast Feeding Tips For Moms

Put the palm of your hand behind the infant's shoulders and your index finger and thumb behind the ears. Don't panic if baby is fidgety you are doing nothing wrong. Baby will get to the nipple eventually. Babies find the breast by touch, not by sight or smell. When the lower jaw starts to drop "begin," don't wait until the mouths at its widest. Watch your baby's lower lip. As long as the bottom lip makes contact as far from the base of the nipple the top lip will follow.

If baby's actions are like that of an octopus, try swaddling him/her so the arms are lying at the side. Now give baby his/her nipple tipple of milk.

About Babies as well as pregnancy? Do you know all there is to know about being pregnant to stay healthy throughout the nine months

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