Breastfeeding is Better Than Formula Feeding
Introduction
Many parents debate whether to formula feed their child or breastfeed their child. Approximately 1-5% of mothers have to formula feed because they are unable to provide enough breast milk for their baby, and 2% cannot lactate or have other health problems that prevent them from being able to breastfeed (Sediles, 2015). This statistic indicates that approximately 95% of mothers have the ability to exclusively breastfeed their baby. Although infant formula is necessary for the 5% of women, mothers should try their best to breastfeed their child because of all of the benefits breast milk provides. Breastfeeding is better than formula feeding because formula just mimics some aspects …show more content…
Infant formulas are based off of the composition of breast milk. Infant formulas were initially not nearly as healthy as breast milk, but now have become better by adding smaller protein molecules and other fatty acids that are beneficial to a baby’s health. Breastfeeding is better than formula feeding because the proteins in breast milk starts as smaller molecules and slowly builds into larger molecules. This progression allows babies to adjust to digesting the larger molecules of lipids in the breast milk (Hamosh, Bitman, Wood, Hamosh, & Mehta, 1985). Kulas (2015) explains how infant formulas mimic breast milk by stating, “In certain infant formulas, called hydrolyzed formulas, the protein is broken down into even smaller particles for easier digestibility.” These smaller molecules allow babies to digest the formula easier. Though easier to digest, proteins in infant formulas obviously do not change size because formula is supposed to be uniform, which in turn means the child lacks the progression of breaking down larger molecules. The only way for there to possibly be a change in lipid size in formula is to switch formulas. Switching formulas is a negative because the new formula may cause the baby to have a hard time digesting the food. Along with adding smaller molecules to the infant formula, companies have also added DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) to formula which are two essential components in the breast milk. DHA and ARA are the most common fats found in the brain (Presti, 2008). Because the brain is largely made up of fats, and DHA and ARA are the most abundant fats found there, it seems essential to have these fatty acids added into infant formula to promote the development of the brain. A study shows “…infants fed formula with DHA and ARA… scored approximately 7% higher on a test of mental
Introduction
Many parents debate whether to formula feed their child or breastfeed their child. Approximately 1-5% of mothers have to formula feed because they are unable to provide enough breast milk for their baby, and 2% cannot lactate or have other health problems that prevent them from being able to breastfeed (Sediles, 2015). This statistic indicates that approximately 95% of mothers have the ability to exclusively breastfeed their baby. Although infant formula is necessary for the 5% of women, mothers should try their best to breastfeed their child because of all of the benefits breast milk provides. Breastfeeding is better than formula feeding because formula just mimics some aspects …show more content…
Infant formulas are based off of the composition of breast milk. Infant formulas were initially not nearly as healthy as breast milk, but now have become better by adding smaller protein molecules and other fatty acids that are beneficial to a baby’s health. Breastfeeding is better than formula feeding because the proteins in breast milk starts as smaller molecules and slowly builds into larger molecules. This progression allows babies to adjust to digesting the larger molecules of lipids in the breast milk (Hamosh, Bitman, Wood, Hamosh, & Mehta, 1985). Kulas (2015) explains how infant formulas mimic breast milk by stating, “In certain infant formulas, called hydrolyzed formulas, the protein is broken down into even smaller particles for easier digestibility.” These smaller molecules allow babies to digest the formula easier. Though easier to digest, proteins in infant formulas obviously do not change size because formula is supposed to be uniform, which in turn means the child lacks the progression of breaking down larger molecules. The only way for there to possibly be a change in lipid size in formula is to switch formulas. Switching formulas is a negative because the new formula may cause the baby to have a hard time digesting the food. Along with adding smaller molecules to the infant formula, companies have also added DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) to formula which are two essential components in the breast milk. DHA and ARA are the most common fats found in the brain (Presti, 2008). Because the brain is largely made up of fats, and DHA and ARA are the most abundant fats found there, it seems essential to have these fatty acids added into infant formula to promote the development of the brain. A study shows “…infants fed formula with DHA and ARA… scored approximately 7% higher on a test of mental