Are you aware of the drawbacks of bottle feeding? Bottle fed babies are more at risk of developing infections and suffering from health issues. Read on to know the disadvantages or drawbacks of bottle feeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous. Despite doctors, TV commercials and elders in the family strongly recommending breast milk as the best food for infants, many mothers prefer bottle feeding formula milk. Majority of women are actually ignorant about the disadvantages of bottle feeding and feel that it is the best under a certain set of circumstances. The simple golden rule to follow is unless the mother or the child is medically unfit to consume breast milk, the infant must not be bottle fed. In this articleUnique Antibodies and HormonesDiscomfort to the BabyHealth Issues in BabiesComposition and Hygiene FactorNutritional DeficienciesRisk of ObesityDisadvantages Faced by Mothers Bottle Feeding Drawbacks The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the disadvantages of bottle feeding: Unique Antibodies and Hormones - The greatest disadvantage of bottle feeding is that the infant will miss out on unique antibodies and hormones which are present only in breast milk. These antibodies and hormones are very useful to develop the immunity levels in the baby. These also ensure proper growth and development of the baby. Hence, infants must be breast fed for as long as possible. Further, the healthy nutrients contained in breast milk can be easily broken down and digested by the delicate digestive system of infants. Discomfort to the Baby - From a psychological point of view nursing provides a tremendous amount of comfort to a baby and is capable of consoling an infant when she is sick, upset or dehydrated. Bottle feeding the baby may not provide her such type of comfort. Health Issues in Babies - Babies bottle fed with formula milk are more likely to suffer from health issues. In certain rare cases premature babies can also develop a severe health condition which is referred to as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) if they are not breast-fed. This causes damage to the intestines and poor supply of blood in the body. Bottle feeding formula milk also increases the chances of allergies in babies. Composition and Hygiene Factor - For preparing formula milk the powder and water has to be mixed in the right proportion. Sometimes it is possible to get the mixture wrong- it may become too strong or weak. From a hygiene perspective the entire set of bottle feeding equipments must be thoroughly washed and sterilised. If the feeding bottle is clean then there are chances of the baby developing infections due to bacteria build up. Nutritional Deficiencies - Nutritional deficiencies are a common problem in formula feeds. The formula may not contain the right proportion of fatty acids which are essential for brain development, amino acids which are required for development of the central nervous system and iron and calcium which are required by a new born baby. In addition to containing nutrients in the right proportion, formula must be capable of being absorbed by an infant’s body easily. Unless this happens the child will not get the necessary nourishment required for growth and development. Risk of Obesity - One of the drawbacks suggested by research studies carried out to compare babies who were breastfed and those who were bottle fed, is bottle fed babies have an increased risk of obesity at least until he or she is six years old. Disadvantages Faced by Mothers - Nursing is also beneficial for the mother’s health. The chances of a breast feeding mother suffering from breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis is much less compared to one who does not breast feed. Additionally the risk of post partum depression and Type 2 diabetes is far less in a nursing mother. Breast milk has been proven to be far more nutritious than formula for promoting overall growth and development of infants. It is rich in nutrients and provides the much needed immunity in the initial stages of a child’s life. On the other hand a number of risks associated with formula feeding identified by medical research calls for mothers to consider breast feeding as the first choice of infant feed.
Are you aware of the drawbacks of bottle feeding? Bottle fed babies are more at risk of developing infections and suffering from health issues. Read on to know the disadvantages or drawbacks of bottle feeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous. Despite doctors, TV commercials and elders in the family strongly recommending breast milk as the best food for infants, many mothers prefer bottle feeding formula milk.
Majority of women are actually ignorant about the disadvantages of bottle feeding and feel that it is the best under a certain set of circumstances. The simple golden rule to follow is unless the mother or the child is medically unfit to consume breast milk, the infant must not be bottle fed.
Bottle Feeding Drawbacks
The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the disadvantages of bottle feeding:
Unique Antibodies and Hormones -
The greatest disadvantage of bottle feeding is that the infant will miss out on unique antibodies and hormones which are present only in breast milk. These antibodies and hormones are very useful to develop the immunity levels in the baby. These also ensure proper growth and development of the baby. Hence, infants must be breast fed for as long as possible. Further, the healthy nutrients contained in breast milk can be easily broken down and digested by the delicate digestive system of infants.
Discomfort to the Baby -
From a psychological point of view nursing provides a tremendous amount of comfort to a baby and is capable of consoling an infant when she is sick, upset or dehydrated. Bottle feeding the baby may not provide her such type of comfort.
Health Issues in Babies -
Babies bottle fed with formula milk are more likely to suffer from health issues. In certain rare cases premature babies can also develop a severe health condition which is referred to as necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) if they are not breast-fed. This causes damage to the intestines and poor supply of blood in the body. Bottle feeding formula milk also increases the chances of allergies in babies.
Composition and Hygiene Factor -
For preparing formula milk the powder and water has to be mixed in the right proportion. Sometimes it is possible to get the mixture wrong- it may become too strong or weak. From a hygiene perspective the entire set of bottle feeding equipments must be thoroughly washed and sterilised. If the feeding bottle is clean then there are chances of the baby developing infections due to bacteria build up.
Nutritional Deficiencies -
Nutritional deficiencies are a common problem in formula feeds. The formula may not contain the right proportion of fatty acids which are essential for brain development, amino acids which are required for development of the central nervous system and iron and calcium which are required by a new born baby. In addition to containing nutrients in the right proportion, formula must be capable of being absorbed by an infant’s body easily. Unless this happens the child will not get the necessary nourishment required for growth and development.
Risk of Obesity -
One of the drawbacks suggested by research studies carried out to compare babies who were breastfed and those who were bottle fed, is bottle fed babies have an increased risk of obesity at least until he or she is six years old.
Disadvantages Faced by Mothers -
Nursing is also beneficial for the mother’s health. The chances of a breast feeding mother suffering from breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis is much less compared to one who does not breast feed. Additionally the risk of post partum depression and Type 2 diabetes is far less in a nursing mother.
Breast milk has been proven to be far more nutritious than formula for promoting overall growth and development of infants. It is rich in nutrients and provides the much needed immunity in the initial stages of a child’s life. On the other hand a number of risks associated with formula feeding identified by medical research calls for mothers to consider breast feeding as the first choice of infant feed.
