Breastfeeding Vs Bottle Feeding

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The task of deciding whether to breastfeed or formula feed a newborn is not an easy one for new mothers. Many health experts recommend breastmilk over any other supplementation; however, there are several aspects for the new mother to consider when making their decision. While greater factors like medical conditions may limit the ability to choose, some smaller factors like comfortability will also have an impact. Weighing the benefits and emotional affects it will have on the new mom and time-consumption between the two can largely influence a mother’s decision as well. Breastmilk is strongly recommended for the different health and developmental benefits it provides to infants; it is known to supply the ideal nutrition to infants because …show more content…
Some mothers will choose breastmilk over formula, not only for its advantages in health and development, but for the opportunity to better bond with their baby. Breastfeeding was found to establish and support stronger emotional and psychological bonding between mother and baby. While breastfeeding, the hormone Ocytoxin, also known as “the love hormone” is released into the mother’s body. This hormone creates feelings of love, contentment and pleasure. “Breastfeeding is a way to build a loving relationship with your baby by providing all of their nutritional, emotional, and physical needs. While you are nursing your baby, they are closely snuggled to you and feel the warmth from your body” (Garrett, …show more content…
Breastfeeding, especially in the first eight weeks of a baby’s life, will be completely time consuming. Because breastmilk is very thin, newborns will need to nurse 8-12 times a day. As the baby gets older, these feedings will decrease. Each time a mother breastfeeds her infant, her milk has to let-down first. If the mother has an issue with milk let down, this will result in the infant receiving too much colostrum, resulting in a foremilk imbalance. Once the milk lets down, the infant than nurses until they are satisfied. If a breastfeeding mother, for whatever reason, needs to express breastmilk, this can be a lengthy process. Breast pumps simulate the suckling of an infant. Once the mother’s milk lets down, she would then express milk through a pump into a bottle until she produces the desired amount. If a mom exclusively expresses breastmilk for her infant, and does not actually breastfeed, she will need to express regularly to keep her milk supply from diminishing. This includes waking through the night and taking breaks while at work to express her milk. Expressed breastmilk has time frames for when it needs to be used. Typically, milk that has been expressed needs to be refrigerated or frozen. Expressed breastmilk cannot be heated on the stove or microwave. To warm breastmilk, it must be placed in water and allowed time to reach room