Should I bottle feed my baby?
Firstly, let me start by saying congratulations for giving birth. You should not be worried or feel uncomfortable with yourself for thinking about this. The important thing is that you have at least researched your options before deciding.
Right let’s discuss some of your concerns that you may have as a mother.
Will the baby struggle to baby bottle nipple?
Well, New-borns seem to naturally feel comfortable just sucking from a bottle, they have little trouble navigating this – it’s like fish to the sea (ignore me!)
However, there are some nuances, if you intend to both breastfeed and bottle feed. You see it has to do with the flow rates of milk. Breastfed babies have to work for their milk as the flow of breast milk is typically slower than if it were coming from a bottle (depending on the bottle nipple size). So, if you are changing between breastfeeding and bottle feed then care needs to be taken to mimic breastfeeding whilst bottle feeding to avoid overfeeding the baby (don’t forget milk tends to flow faster from the bottle feed) or consider using a bottle nipple size which allows a flow rate similar to that coming from your breast.
Which has more nutrients? Breast milk or bottle formula feed
There is a general consensus that Breast milk contains more nutrients than formula and will helps promote development, brain growth and improve immunity.
Which is financially cheaper breast milk or bottle feed?
Focusing solely, on the finance and the two options without wider considerations breastmilk is regarded often regarded as cheaper as formula milk can be expensive.
However, breast milk does have other cost associated such as purchase of accessories ; nursing pillows, nipple creams, lactation consultants e.t.c
- Aptamil 1 First Milk 200ML Ready To Feed Liquid£1.55 incl.VAT
- Product on saleLasinoh TheraPearl® 3-in-1 Breast Therapy -2 resuable packs£13.19 incl.VAT
- Product on saleVitabiotics Pregnacare New Mum Postnatal Formula – 56 Tablets£16.79 incl.VAT
- Product on saleLansinoh HPA Lanolin Cream, 40ml£10.79 incl.VAT
Is bottle feeding better than breast milk?
It’s important to understand that this is a personal decision. And, for some women breast feeding may not be the best option – a discussion with health experts and others should be had in these occasions.
However, there is a general consensus from health organisations that the “Breast is best”
from World Health Organization, Unicef and countless other respected health bodies, who advocate that babies be fed exclusively with breastmilk for the first six months of their life because of the health advantages to both children and their mums.
References
Wilson, C., 2021. Are there downsides to ‘breast is best’?. [online] Bbc.com. Available at: <https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170503-are-there-downsides-to-breast-is-best> [Accessed 11 April 2021].
2021. [online] Available at: <https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/alpha-consumer/2012/05/11/does-breastfeeding-really-save-money> [Accessed 11 April 2021].
What to Expect. 2021. Bottle-Feeding Your Baby – How to Bottle-Feed a Baby. [online] Available at: <https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/bottle-feeding/introducing-the-bottle-to-baby/#:~:text=If%20you’re%20only%20bottle,weeks%20to%20introduce%20a%20bottle.> [Accessed 11 April 2021].