Breastfeeding_vs_Bottlefeeding

Breastfeeding vs Bottle-feeding A new study has found that even the sickest babies can benefit from breast-feeding. Pediatric researchers describe a successful program in which nurses helped mothers attain high rates of breast-feeding in very sick babies-newborns. “Their mother's milk helps to fend off infection and provides easily digestible, nutritious ingredients that can reduce the infant's stay in the neonatal intensive care unit”. This is only one of the innumerable benefits of breastfeeding. I believe that it is of critical importance that all mothers make the informed decision to provide human milk for their infants in order to protect the baby’s health and to promote a very special bond between mother and child which only a mother can provide. However, in today’s society, breastfeeding is often thought of as unnecessary and therefore formula is chosen instead. Breast milk is the only natural, complete and complex nutrition for human infants. It has been scientifically proved that breast milk benefits every system in a baby's body. It offers protection against allergies and respiratory infections and its composition keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs. It is easily digested and absorbed and therefore abdominal pains are less frequent. Besides, nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter teeth and it enhances vision. Childhood diabetes is less common among breastfed than bottle fed babies. What is more, breastfeeding enhances a baby's cognitive development; because it allows the baby more control in feeding (it seems that the ability to control one's own actions is essential in human development). The composition of breast milk, too, seems to support optimal brain development. Indeed, research has found that children fed mother's milk as babies have higher IQs, on average, than those fed formula. The physical act of nursing promotes bonding between the mother and the child. A baby's emotional need for love and care is just as strong as her physical need for milk. Whereas most formula-fed babies are soon taught to hold their own bottles, the breastfed baby is always held by the mother. A breastfed baby enjoys not only the comfort of the warm breast, but also the eye contact before, during, and after feedings. In this way, with all his/her senses, the baby drinks in the mother's love. By holding him safe in her arms and giving nourishment from her body, the mother offers the baby a sense of continuity from pre- to post-birth life. Gazing into the mother’s eyes, the baby understands that he/she is loved and protected and that his/her mother is there to provide for his/her needs as he/she adjusts to this new world. Many mothers, especially young women, claim that bottle milk very well replaces breast milk. They believe that bottle-feeding can be as beneficial and nutritious as breast feeding. In addition, both parents can participate equally in feeding and take advantage of this opportunity to bond with their child. Besides, this kind of feeding allows women to have more freedom in terms of scheduling and dieting. Both the mother and the baby will have an easier time if she needs to return to work in the months after the birth. This is why, many mothers, especially working mothers, decide to choose bottle feeding. To conclude, breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beneficial activities for mother and baby. I believe that it is a choice many mothers should make today, as it results in significant health benefits for both child and mother, as well as emotional benefits.