Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding: The Pros and Cons

Ever wondered what the pros and cons of breastfeeding vs formula feeding are? Look no further, Mama!

Part of the big-picture decisions parents goes through is what nourishment they can give the baby.

While breastfeeding is the most natural way to provide for the baby’s nutrition, the go-to healthy alternative is formula milk. The truth is, the personal choice of choosing between formula milk and breastfeeding depends on the circumstances.

This Mama’s Choice guide hopes to eliminate all clouds of doubt so that before you cradle the little one, you know what to do. So keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of breastfeeding vs formula feeding.

The Pros of Formula Milk

Some breastfeeding moms may experience difficulty producing enough milk for their babies. On the other hand, formula milk is accessible and available at grocery stores, baby stores, and even online. Here are different positive outcomes of choosing to feed formula milk to your baby.

Discomfort-Free – Mamas will not have to deal with months of breast sensitivity, leaking, and discomfort that comes with breastfeeding.
Control in Feeding – Formula milk allows Mamas to regulate and know how much their baby is eating.
Baby Feels Fuller – Formula takes longer than breast milk to be digested by your baby, keeping your little one fuller and saving you extra time to tend to other activities.

Cons of Formula Milk

While breastfeeding saves time and money, formula milk is no stranger to the additional labour of love in caring for the baby. Breastfed babies also have fewer infections and hospitalizations due to health-related concerns than formula-fed babies. Here are other unsatisfactory outcomes due to choosing formula milk.

More time spent on preparation
Formula milk is harder to digest
It can be more expensive
Formula milk requires access to clean water, which may be a health issue depending on where you live

Pros of Breastfeeding

Colostrum sustains the baby and supports its immune system until regular breast milk comes in. So aside from the apparent health benefits of going au naturel on your beloved baby, here are other positive outcomes you and your baby can share once you decide on breastfeeding.

Health Benefits for Mama – There is substantial evidence linking breastfeeding to the decreased risk of breast cancer. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that breastfeeding lowers a mother’s risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and ovarian cancer.
Long-Term Benefits for Baby – Breastfeeding is beneficial for developing your baby’s cognitive health. It provides a reduced risk of several sicknesses.
Cost Savings and Efficiency – Mamas can use the money they spend on formula elsewhere. Breastfeeding is also efficient as lactation areas are now heavily promoted in public places.

Cons of Breastfeeding

The early weeks of breastfeeding pose issues with milk supply, cracked nipples, and other adjustment issues. Here are some of the disadvantages of breastfeeding:

Discomfort, particularly during the first few days or weeks
Lack of social support
Uneven distribution of parenting work
Loss of bodily autonomy

Some women even develop mastitis, a potentially severe breast infection, to top all of this.

Good thing that for cases like this, the Intensive Nipple Cream from Mama’s Choice comes in handy. Our nipple cream is enriched with an innovative combination of date palm extract, coconut oil, and shea butter that soothes your sore nipples and prevents skin cracking and irritation, leading to inflammation.

Mama's-Choice-Intensive-Nipple-Cream-user — Image Credit: @kullaprang

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Here are the benefits of Mama’s Choice Intensive Nipple Cream’s natural ingredients:

Date Palm – soothes and hydrates sore and cracked nipples. This is because it has natural antioxidant and anti-ageing properties.
Coconut Oil – is a natural emollient perfect for moisturizing dry and stressed skin. It is an edible oil loved by many for its soothing and hydrating properties. (Also Read: 6 Incredible Benefits of Coconut Oil on Skin)
Shea Butter – is an excellent skin protector and anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, pure butter from the shea tree helps improve skin suppleness.

The Takeaway on the Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding

There are more pros and cons of breastfeeding vs formula feeding that we may not have covered. So before deciding on a method of feeding your little ones, it is best to be equipped with the proper knowledge and discipline to give the baby what it needs to be strong and healthy.