As a parent, you want the best for your child. As you weigh the pros and cons of formula feeding, you can be confident that your child will be healthy.
Not every mother can breastfeed their baby for one reason or another. Today's baby formula is full of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrition to meet any baby's needs.
Pros for Feeding Your Baby Formula
- Anyone can feed your baby. If you are a working mom, you need to be sure that your child has enough to eat in your temporary absence. Baby formula is convenient for your partner to take the night feeding or the caregiver to keep up with regular feedings during the day. Even if you are not nursing, you can still bond with your little one during feeding time. Your partner will appreciate the chance to bond as well.
- You can feed your baby anywhere. Yes, breastfeeding is very portable, but sometimes it can be a challenge to find a private place to nurse or pump if you are away. If your baby gets hungry before you get home, you can still feed them on the go.
- Your baby feels fuller longer. Baby formula is generally thicker than breast milk, so it takes longer to digest. A formula-fed baby may feed every four hours instead of a breastfed baby who may feed closer to every 2 ½ to 3 hours.
- Baby formula is consistent. Breast milk can be affected by medication, alcohol, or the types of food you eat. While the changes vary a little, baby formula is consistent as long as you make it according to the manufacturer's directions.
Conclusion
Bottle fed babies are healthy and breastfed babies are healthy. Today's mothers often start with breastfeeding even if they do not reach the six month milestone. For the remaining months until your baby starts whole milk, they still have formula to keep up their nutrition. If you can breastfeed, you are giving your child the best. If you must formula-feed, then you are still meeting your child's nutritional needs. And that makes your child healthy. When your child is fed and loved, that is all that matters.
