The Dangers of Bottle-Feeding

(Newswire.net — December 9, 2017) Cheyenne, Wyoming — Many moms are forced to bottle feed their baby’s formula for one reason or the other, whether it’s due to health complications or an exhausting work schedule. Either way, every parent has to make the best decision for their children based on circumstantial constraints. While to pros of bottle-feeding are obvious, understanding the cons of it is just as critical in making a well informed decision. 

It’s been said many times that breast is best as it transfers germ fighting properties to suckling infants unlike formula which leaves infants prone to a host of sicknesses. 

“For infants, not being breastfed is associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, and pneumonia,” says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. “As well as elevated risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).” 

There’s quite a few hazards of bottle-feeding and the odds are definitely not in its favor. This isn’t to say your baby will develop all or any of these issues. It’s just worth being aware of the potential consequences of choosing not to breast feed.

There’s also formula preparation and sterilization concerns to consider as each extra step involved multiples the margin of human errors occurring. If feeding is over concentrated, then there’s an imbalance of nutrients delivered. If bottles and the nipple aren’t sterilized properly, then an infant may inadvertently develop stomach issues since formula lacks the germ fighting antibodies which are found in breast milk.  

 “Some studies suggest that just one formula feeding can change a baby’s normal intestinal bacteria,” says Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre in New England. “This could increase a baby’s risk of infection in the digestive tract and their risk for immune problems later in life.” 

The freedom a mother gains to move about easily for work and other activities is countered by the risks incurred by their baby. While a partner, relative or hired caregiver may be able to step in the role of all around nurturer, as a mother naturally is, one wonders if it’s really worth the trade off. 

“It has been proposed that bottle-feeding gives the parents more control and the infant less self-regulation, thereby potentially over-riding infant satiation cues,” reports The Telegraph. 

The necessary challenge and effort required of a baby to suckle from their mom has important character building aspects that are being developed throughout the process. The overall experience and medical profit to both mother and child are enumerable. It’s strongly advised to breastfeed as much as feasible. 

A healthy diet and regular exercise helps to produce quality milk. Furthermore, alcohol consumption should be minimal. Having a reliable breast milk analysis kit like the HealthyWiser™ PureMilk™ at hand for those rare instances where a drink is had is always a good idea.