Giving formula milk to infants is sometimes inevitable. Avoiding formula milk due to societal pressure can cause deficiencies. Read more at Meri Sehat.

Your Baby Drinks Milk Out Of A Bottle?

Introduction

In this day and age, the mantra &ldquo;to follow your heart&rdquo; bombards us left, right, and center. You&rsquo;ll hear it from your favorite social media influencer; you&rsquo;ll find articles in abundance online; even the ads are going to shove the idea down your throat.

It&rsquo;s all good until a mother &ndash; or a father, for that matter &ndash; announces that they&rsquo;ll bottle feed their baby. Society goes berserk, everyone suddenly feels the urge to look down upon them. Making them feel as if they are culprits. To the extent that first-time moms, and moms who experience baby blues or <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/postpartum-depression">postpartum depression</a>, begin to feel like bad moms; they feel like a failure, unable to do anything about it.&nbsp;

Since every family is unique, no one should criticize another for choosing formula feeding. You must choose what is best for both &ldquo;you and your newborn child&quot;.&nbsp;

The formula could be the healthiest choice for you and your baby for various purposes. Not every baby is able to successfully latch and suck. Some moms might not have enough supply of milk to meet their baby&#39;s requirements; others might experience health issues or take medications that restrict them from breastfeeding. Perhaps the mother is unavailable and the father is the primary caregiver at that time.&nbsp;

The thing is breastfeeding issues could be difficult to handle, and for some continuing it might not be realistic at all.

&nbsp;

Understanding Pros And Cons Of Bottle Feeding

Formula milk (FM) is a dried powder-based breast milk alternative. In most cases, cow&#39;s milk, vitamins, and minerals are used to make infant formula. Cow&#39;s milk serves as the formula&#39;s primary source of protein. The FM also contains fat from vegetable oils for a baby&#39;s health and growth. You can give it to your baby in bottles or sippers after combining it with lukewarm, boiled water.

For the first 6 months, the vital nutrients in formula would boost your baby&rsquo;s growth. A baby can begin eating semi-solids when they are 6 months old. However, they shouldn&#39;t start drinking cow&#39;s milk until they are 12 months old.

&nbsp;

<div>Formulas are categorized into three basic types.</div>

<ul>
	<li>Milk-Based Formulas:&nbsp;They are prepared from cow&#39;s milk, vegetable oils, iron, vitamins, and minerals.</li>
	<li>Soy-Based Formulas:&nbsp;They are manufactured from soybeans, vegetable oils, and nutrients.</li>
	<li>Specialty Formulas:&nbsp;They are manufactured from predigested cow&#39;s milk, with the protein extracted or in decreased quantity.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

There are also hypoallergenic formulations available intended for babies who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow&#39;s milk.

The option of custom formula is best for babies with food protein allergies, malabsorption, or intestinal issues. Special recipes according to certain religions or cultures would also fall into this category.

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>For Infants Up To 6 Months Old:&nbsp;Stage 1 or beginning formulas are appropriate.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>For Infants 6 Months Or Older:&nbsp;Stage 2 or follow-on formulas are advised because they frequently have higher iron contents. However, switching to these later-stage formulations offers no real advantages.</li>
	<li>Anti-Reflux (AR) Formula:&nbsp;A thickening agent is added to these to assist in maintaining the milk in the baby&#39;s stomach and lessen the possibility of reflux.</li>
	<li>Formulations With Additional Substitutes:&nbsp;According to the formula&#39;s manufacturers, the additional substitutes make it closer to breast milk. However, this does not imply that the baby&#39;s body would be capable of digesting or absorbing these substances in the same manner as it would if they were nursed.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

Some additional ingredients include:

<ul>
	<li>Long-chain polyunsaturated (LCP) acids</li>
	<li>Antioxidants</li>
	<li>Probiotics</li>
	<li>Prebiotics</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

Formula feeding might be preferred by a family for a variety of reasons, and that is perfectly alright. Whatever your choice is, you should feel confident in your decision to formula feed<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.

&nbsp;

<h5>Insufficient Breast Milk</h5>

The formula is sometimes needed to meet the requirements of an infant, as enough breast milk is not being produced and your baby is still hungry.&nbsp;

A hormone called prolactin increases milk production after the birth of your baby. Another hormone, oxytocin induces the contraction of tiny muscle cells in the breasts, which brings the milk out.&nbsp;When your baby is breastfeeding, prolactin levels rise, and more milk is produced in a continuous cycle of supply and demand. The baby draws milk from the breast (demand), and the breast reacts by producing more milk (supply).&nbsp;

Investigators still have a long way to go to fully comprehend all the factors which influence or obstruct the production of breast milk but, generally, it&rsquo;s because of:

<ul>
	<li>Adding formula in between breasbreastfeedings</li>
	<li>Stretching out the time between meals</li>
	<li>Time spent sucking on a pacifier</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

<h5>Medical Conditions</h5>

Several mothers may be unable to breastfeed due to certain medical conditions or medications, such as:

<ul>
	<li>Mother has HIV or AIDS.</li>
	<li>Medications taken by the mother may pass onto the baby through breast milk, like antiretroviral medications (useful against HIV and AIDS).</li>
	<li>Mother is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.</li>
	<li>Mother is undergoing radiation therapy, especially for the chest.</li>
	<li>Mothers with untreated and active tuberculosis infections.</li>
	<li>Breastfeeding is not recommended for mothers infected with human T-cell lymphotropic viruses - type I or type II.</li>
	<li>Mothers who use illegal drugs such as cocaine, PCP, heroin, marijuana, and others should not breastfeed their children.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Other causes include being unable to breastfeed due to pain, or maybe because of operations or deformed nipples that make nursing intolerable.

&nbsp;

<h5>Advised By&nbsp;Paediatricians</h5>

A doctor can suggest specific formulas according to the infant&rsquo;s needs.

&nbsp;

<h5>A Mother&rsquo;s Choice</h5>

The decision to choose a formula is often personal and sometimes essential for some parents. For instance:

<ul>
	<li>If the mother works outside the home for a job, or any other purpose, they may select a formula.</li>
	<li>If they believe formula works better for the baby and family.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Working mothers are often unable to find spaces at work where they can use a breast pump in privacy.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

FM is a full nutritional diet for infants. Many formula products include added components to better resemble breast milk.

One of the common distinctions between formula and breast milk is the presence of antibodies in breast milk, which help protect your baby from a variety of infections.&nbsp;

Also, breast milk contains less protein than formula. But by choosing a lower protein formula, you can lower your baby&#39;s risk of being overweight or obese later i.e. low protein formula milk can provide the same advantages as breast milk with regards to the protein component.

&nbsp;

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<h5>Myth 1: Formula Is Not Easily Digestible</h5>

Fact: This is not true in all cases. Other than cow&#39;s milk, some formulations use soybeans or other vegetable oils. These special formulas have been adjusted to make them simple and easy to digest, particularly for newborns who cannot take cow&#39;s milk protein or lactose.&nbsp;

Note: Customized formulas should be used only under the supervision of a healthcare expert.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 2: Babies Are Allergic To Formula</h5>

Fact: All formulas must comply with strict dietary and safety guidelines. Several types of formula milk are now being designed to meet the needs of all infants. Moreover, infants&#39; allergic responses to formula milk are also considered.

The major part of formula milk is dehydrated cow&#39;s milk with added vitamins, minerals, and vegetable oils. It&rsquo;s not ideal to just substitute breastmilk with (unprocessed) cow&#39;s milk since it would be difficult for the baby&#39;s stomach to digest and absorb its nutrients.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 3: Formula Milk Is Only For Babies With Galactosemia</h5>

Fact: Well, this is not true. All babies can take formula milk. It&rsquo;s just that babies with galactosemia are compelled to take FM.&nbsp;

Galactosemia is a disease in which a baby cannot digest or tolerate breast milk. Their systems&#39; inability to digest the sugar galactose present in BF means they are unable to breastfeed.&nbsp;

Doctors advise against milk products and nursing while they wait for a galactosemia disease confirmation to be made. A special diet consisting of lactose and galactose must be given to your infants if they have classic galactosemia.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 4: Babies Fed With Formula Have Bonding Issues</h5>

Fact: Well, it is true that breastfed newborns experience a lot of skin-to-skin contact with their mothers, but this does not imply that infants who are fed baby formula have a less intimate parental connection.&nbsp;

Previously, it was considered that a baby who was not carried or nursed in the first few hours after birth, would not bond well with the mother in the long term. We know for a fact now that there are many possibilities for moms and dads to connect with babies who are receiving formula. So, don&rsquo;t worry.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 5: Babies Are Nutrient Deficient Due To FM</h5>

Fact: There are some differences between breast milk and infant formula. But they are largely unrelated to whether or not your child is receiving the right quantity of nourishment.

Since the 1980s, infant formula&#39;s amount of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals has been strictly regulated. Any baby formula sold must adhere to the same nutritional standards.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 6: FM Always Causes Obesity&nbsp;</h5>

Fact:&nbsp;This myth is a challenging one. There is some evidence connecting the formula to the likelihood of childhood obesity. Although, nothing in the formula is to blame for this. It&#39;s more of a parenting issue; it appears that parents who use formulas might be overfeeding their children.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 7: Formula-Fed Babies Struggle To Switch Between Breastfeeding And Formula</h5>

Fact: Most babies have trouble switching back and forth between the breast and the bottle. And if your infant is starting to reject the breast or the bottle, then FM is definitely the culprit.&nbsp;However, this issue could be resolved through certain tactics:&nbsp;

<ul>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Select a bottle that resembles your breast closely if you combine nursing and formula feeding.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>The bottle should have a nipple that resembles your breast and a gradual flow to resemble your milk flow.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Encourage gradual drinking. Place your baby as well as the bottle in a posture similar to how they feed at the breast.</li>
	<li>You can pump your breast milk to give via bottles.</li>
	<li>Your baby must be capable of switching back and forth without any problems at that point when you intend to give them a combination feed.</li>
	<li>If your infant is favoring the bottle, take it as a cue to extend their time on the breast so they can be equally comfortable with both.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

<h5 dir="ltr">Myth 8: Formula-Fed Babies Develop More Food Allergies Than Breastfed Babies</h5>

Fact: It&#39;s untrue in every way. In fact, according to a recent study, feeding your baby formula made with cow&#39;s milk can lower their risk of developing milk allergies.

According to the groundbreaking SPADE study, giving cow milk-based formula to infants as young as 2 months old minimizes their risk of developing milk allergies by nearly 88%<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;

Formula feeding hasn&#39;t proved to either increase or decrease a baby&#39;s likelihood of acquiring other food sensitivities. Therefore, don&#39;t be concerned that feeding your infant formula will increase the possibility of them developing food allergies later in life.

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 9: Formula Is Poison</h5>

Fact: There&rsquo;s no research to support the statement that the formula is similar to poison. This myth is frequently used to target new parents when they are at their most sleep-deprived, which makes it not just inaccurate, but also offensive. Many formulas are designed to provide all the vital nutrients in breast milk.&nbsp;

Formula feed provides all vitamins, minerals, lipids, carbs, and proteins that your baby would get from breast milk.&nbsp;You can evaluate it yourself by comparing the nutritional values of formula and breast milk. Infant formula&#39;s main natural ingredients come from things like:

<ul>
	<li>Whey And Lactose: They come from animals, mostly goats or cows.</li>
	<li>Starch-Like Maltodextrin: Potatoes are considered a reliable source.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Omega Fatty Acids And Fats: Vegetable Oils are a good source of this.</li>
	<li>DHA: They are obtained from fish or algae.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 10: Infants Fed Formula Frequently Get Ear Infections</h5>

Fact: According to numerous high-quality surveys, babies fed formula have a moderate risk of developing ear infections. It does not indicate that babies who consume formula would always be susceptible to infection.&nbsp;

According to a 2016 study, when breastfeeding 6 months and younger babies, the chances of an ear infection shot down by 2%, i.e., from 7% it went to 5%.

Comparatively, while ear infections won&#39;t occur in 95% of breastfed newborns, there were no reports of ear infections for 93% of babies who&rsquo;d been formula-fed throughout the first 6 months of life. Even if formula feeding seems to increase the chance slightly, it is manageable.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<h5>Myth 11: Baby&#39;s Brain Health Is Affected By Formula</h5>

Fact: This was true many years ago. Today, however, the formula contains compounds that mimic the brain-boosting properties of breastmilk, as the producers are aware of all the nutrients babies require for optimum development. Since formula now contains DHA and ARA, two key elements in breastmilk that promote brain function, breastfed babies no longer have a cognitive advantage.

Furthermore, compared to formula feeding, numerous studies, especially one printed in the British Medical Journal, validate that breastfeeding has little or no influence on the intellect in children<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>.

&nbsp;

Conclusion

Some mothers are indeed unable to breastfeed exclusively. Some of them might produce a small amount of milk, while others experience various difficulties that make nursing challenging.&nbsp;Perhaps due to medical reasons your doctor advises you against breastfeeding, or there is a social gathering that makes it difficult to nurse your child.&nbsp;

You decide what you want to do &ndash; whether you want to breastfeed or give your child formula milk. If anyone wants to go ahead with breastfeeding, they could definitely try it. But, be ready to supplement as necessary with infant formula because it&rsquo;s the safest and most successful way to provide for your baby&#39;s nutritional needs.&nbsp;

You can choose augmenting or formula feeding for your infant, without worrying, because the widely associated myths have been successfully debunked.

&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>The formula serves as a secure substitute for breast milk.</li>
	<li>Your infant can consume the formula during the first 12 months of life.</li>
	<li>There may be health concerns related to infectious disorders like HIV, which means not all moms can breastfeed.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Many women are forced to return to work earlier than they&#39;d want, especially where maternity leave is unpaid. Also, it can be difficult for working mothers to find private spaces in their offices to pump.</li>
	<li>When given formula, babies grow and thrive as long as the formula is produced properly and consumed in sufficient amounts.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

Trusted By