Breast vs. Bottle

By Deanna Robins &

Lindsey Janecke

Which is better for both the mother and the baby??

Pros of Breast-feeding

For the BabyFor the Mother

- Stimulates the release of oxytocin

- Decreases risk of ovarian and breast cancer

- Aids mother in losing weight gained during

pregnancy faster

- Helps build a child strong

bond between mother and- Free and convenient

(readily accessible)

- Help womb/uterus return to its normal size

faster- Forces mother to get needed

rest- Nature’s

contraceptive (suppresses ovulation but

doesn’t always prevent

pregnancy)- Less bleeding after the birth- More bone

strength (less hip fractures in

older age)

- Contains all essential nutrients and antibodies the

baby needs- Less diarrhea,

constipation, and other digestive problems

-Decreased risk of dental disease,

cancer, diabetes, and allergies

- Helps babies fight viruses while building a strong immune system

- Changes to fit the babies specific

needs- Suckling leads to

proper development of facial bones and

muscles- Allows baby to develop better cognitive skills

- Easily digested- Cannot be

contaminated by external factors

(ie. pollution)- Supplies the

baby’s first immunization

- Decreased risk for future obesity and high blood

pressure

Cons of Breast Feeding

For the Mother For the Baby

- Nipples may become sore and cracked- May suffer

from engorgement

more often (too much milk in breasts that

leads to hardness and

pain)- Clogged milk

ducts can cause mastitis (breast

infection)- Affects the

women’s entire life (must wear proper clothes, eat balanced

diet, avoid foods that may irritate

the baby, no smoking, no drinking etc.)

- Physically tied to baby (cannot

work unless expresses

enough milk or uses other

feeding methods)- Hard to establish

- Can be painful if not done correctly

- Possibility of contracting contagious diseases such

as HIV/AIDS, herpes, hepatitis, and beta

streptococcus - May be difficult to get them on a bottle after the breast

Pros of Bottle-feeding

For the Mother For the Baby-Needs to be fed less

frequently- Know exactly how much milk

the baby is ingesting- Other people can feed the

baby- Resume a normal life quicker (dress as you please, use any

type of birth control, no particular diet, may have a few

drinks or and aspirin without causing harm to the baby, diet

as she pleases)- Less embarrassing in public

- Can develop a close bond with other people than the mother

while feeding

Cons of Bottle-feeding

For the Mother For the Baby

- Possibility for more allergies/ ear infections or other medical

problems- More prone to illnesses such

as colds, flu etc.- Possibility of consuming milk out of an unsanitary bottle or prepared with unclean water- Being left with a bottle can

lead to tooth decay

- Harder to feed baby at times (ie. Having to get up in the middle of the night to

prepare a bottle)

Breast Milk Broken Down

- Along with the everyday nutrients the child needs such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water, breast

milk also contains:- Immunoglobulins: protect against many common infectious

illnesses that the mother has previously been exposed to- Lactoferrin: provides optimal absorption of iron and protects

stomach from harmful bacteria- Lysosomes: influence the type of bacteria that inhabit the intestinal

tract- Growth Factors: contribute to optimal growth and development- Allergic Factors: aid in preventing certain allergies in the baby

- Carnitine: essential for neural and musculoskeletal development- It also contains antibodies to help the baby defend itself against

sicknesses the mother may come into contact with- 80% of the cells in breast milk are macrophages (cells that kill

bacteria, fungi, and viruses)

Bottle Milk Contains...

- Bottled milk contains all the necessary components to a baby’s health, however a doctor should be

consulted to recommend the right one for the child- DHA&ARA: important components of healthy brain

and eye tissues - Nucleotides: basic building blocks of human DNA and RNA, which are essential substances in every

living cell- Vitamins: help child grow and develop properly

- Iron: helps produce healthy red blood cells- Flouride: helps prevent tooth decay

- Bottled milk may also contain harmful elements such as manganese and pesticides

Reasons Mothers Choose Not to Breast-feed

- Mother’s illness- Prescription medications

- Heart/kidney disease- HIV/AIDS

- Mother’s inability to produce milk- Working mother/school

- Prematurity- Baby’s illness

- Serious infection- Use of illegal drugs

- Lactose intolerant child

Alternatives-Expressed milk- -Milk from a donor

-Milk bank-Infant formula- Cow milk based

- Soy-based- Hypoallergenic/ protein hydrolysate

- Lactose free- Homemade

- Toddler/ transitional- can be found in three forms: premixed,

concentrated, and powdered-Nursing supplementer

Feeding Principles- Women should breast feed their babies for at least the first six months of their lives, however, it is recommended to feed for 9-

12 months- Even when choosing to breast feed a baby, the mother should gather as much information as possible as breast feeding can

be difficult and painful if not done correctly- If feeding with a bottle the mother should never leave the

bottle with the child overnight unless it contains only unsweetened water to prevent tooth decay

- When feeding with a bottle the mother, or whoever is feeding, should make sure the bottle is at the right angle to allow for

consumption without taking in a lot of air- When bottle feeding it is necessary to have the milk at the

right temperature to provide easier feeding - Milk should also be made correctly to prevent dehydration if it

is too concentrated or malnutrition if it is too diluted