Many new mothers face the difficult decision on whether to bottle feed or breast feed their baby. Both have great benefits, but bottle feeding tends to fall under quite a bit of heat from parenting and medical communities. Bottle feeding can mean that you feed the child breast milk that you have previously pumped as well as using formula. For the purpose of this article we are going to focus mainly on formula feeding. If you are struggling with the decision on how to feed your new child, then learning in depth all of the benefits and drawbacks that may be experience will surely help.
The Advantages of Bottle Feeding
1. Anyone Can Feed
One of the great things about bottle feeding is that anyone can feed the child. Feeding is a strong bonding experience, and if you are breastfeeding, you are the only one that gets to experience it with your child. Bottle feeding allows fathers, siblings, and other people to bond with the new born.
2. Very Convenient
You are able to easily and effectively feed anytime you need to. You do not have to go through the motions of breastfeeding, which can be time consuming and uncomfortable for the mother, instead you can simply use a bottle.
3. Public Use
Breastfeeding in public, while completely okay, can make many women feel insecure and embarrassed. In these cases, bottle feeding would be ideal. You can feed your child without have to expose yourself in any way or go to a private area.
4. No Worry Of Production
Many mothers have no choice but to bottle feed their children because their body is not producing a sufficient amount of milk. The stress and pressure is relieved when you know you will be able to give your child the nutrition they need.
5. Know How Much They Are Eating
It can be very difficult to identify just how much you baby is eating if you are breastfeeding. Using a bottle allows you to monitor exactly how much is being consumed.
The Disadvantages of Bottle Feeding
1. Interferes With Bonding
Feeding is a huge bonding moment for both baby and mom. Breastfeeding is the most ideal situation for this because you baby will feel the most comfortable while latched on. It also gives a sense of closeness to the mother. It is hard to mimic this same experience with a bottle.
2. Very Costly
One of the biggest perks of breastfeeding is the simple fact that it is free. Formula is very expensive, and adds up quickly. The cost of bottles, nipples, and cleaning equipment also adds up.
2. Digestion Issues
When your baby is feeding from a bottle, they are going to inevitably ingest air. This air causes a multitude of digestion problems like gas, constipation, and diarrhea.
3. Keeping Clean
Ensuring that all of the bottles and parts necessary clean and sterilize at all times can be a large hassle and very time consuming. This is a large drawback because with breastfeeding their is no preparation.
4. More To Carry
If you are bottle feeding, you must have formula, clean bottles, nipples, and other necessities with you at all times. This includes a trip to the store or a restaurant. All of this can be difficult to keep up with and lug around, especially when you are carrying a baby too.
5. Lacks Nutrition
While formulas have come a very long way in the nutritional department, absolutely nothing can compare the nutrients found in breast milk. Breast milk naturally has everything that you baby needs to thrive and grow healthily.
6. Doesn’t Help With Baby Weight
A big pro to breastfeeding is that it burns a tremendous amount of calories and helps new moms drop their added baby weight much faster than mothers who bottle feed.
Important Facts About Bottle Feeding
