Comparing Breastfeeding to Formula Feeding

Breastfeeding Benefits

-Breasts make milk for a reason

-Breastfeeding for at least the 1st yr

-FREE

-Protective antibodies

-Breastmilk changes with infants needs and growth patterns

-Natural protection against gastrointestinal illnesses and issues

-Protection from allergies, asthma, ear infections, colds, flus, diabetes and constipation

-For every 87 deaths from sids, only 3 are breastfed

-Special proteins, only in human milk, allow the child to develop a higher IQ level

-Reduces risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cancer, etc

-Reduces stress of the mother and child, creates emotional balance

-Creates a bonding relationship between child and mother

-Milk coats and protects the digestive tract from harmful bacteria

-Reduced risk of obesity through life

-Hospitalization is 10 times less during the 1st year vs. formula fed children

-Breastmilk can kill off salmonella, streptococcus, e.coli and pneumococcus, etc

-Assists the uterus in contracting back to its normal, prepregnancy size

-Reduced risk of cancer to the mother

-Burns 400-1,000 calories a day assiting the mother to return to her normal weight

-Delays return of fertility, natural conception protection

-Moms and babies are healthier, less trips to the doctors, saves money, etc

-Would save approximately 33 million a year if WIC babies were breastfed

-U.S. spends approximately 1 billion a year on ear infections... can be prevented and treated naturally

-Breastfeeding reduces pollution- no need to manufacture, sell & toss out artificial milk

-Don't have to warm up breastmilk

-Aside from the mothers dietary choices during pregnancy, best nutritional start and protection life can provide

-Can easily breastfeed anywhere, anytime Formula Feeding (comparing to the above benefits of breastfeeding) -Child is adopted & breastfeeding is not an option -Mother is not producing any breast milk -$1,500-$2,000 a year -No protective antibodies -Formulas are man made, providing chosen nutrients -Processed milk may not be as protective -Little to no protection -Formula is far from being the perfect food -Needs to be warmed up -Need warm water, bottles, formula, water, etc Great Resources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2443254/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/542846-the-negative-effects-of-bottle-feeding/ http://www.llli.org/nb/nbbenefits.html http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/breastfeeding/Documents/MO-BF-Benefits.pdf http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/ebf-benefits/ http://www.phdinparenting.com/2009/05/14/the-scientific-benefits-of-breastfeeding/ #.T3e7SjGPX_M