New mothers are often faced with the dilemma of what to feed their newborn baby. However, breast milk is claimed to be nature’s perfect food for any infant. It offers many benefits to both mother and child, from reducing cancer risks for the mother to boosting the baby’s immunity.
WHO states that breast milk provides all the nutrients and energy the infant needs for the first months of life. It continues to offer more than 50% of the baby’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year and up to 33% during the second year.
However, there are times when new mothers are unable to breastfeed due to specific physical or psychological reasons. In this article, we will review situations when it’s okay to formula-feed your baby instead of breastfeeding.
Understanding Baby Formula
For the uninitiated new mothers, baby or infant formula is a man-made infant food designed to mimic the benefits of breast milk. It contains nutrients newborns need to grow and develop when not breastfed. The baby formula is typically manufactured from cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or soy milk that has been processed.
Baby formula is available in three forms on the market: powder, concentrate, and ready-to-feed. These are self-explanatory, with the powder being the most economical and ready-to-feed being convenient. No matter which form you choose, baby formula has been designed to mimic the natural composition of breast milk as closely as possible.
Baby formula is not a replacement for breast milk, as it cannot replicate the health and immunological benefits. It‘s essential to understand that baby formula is a safe and nutritious alternative, not an absolute replacement for breast milk.
How to Safely Transition to Formula
Once you have decided to transition to formula, call your lactation consultant and schedule a meeting before you switch. Healthcare professionals are best equipped with the required knowledge to transition from breast milk to formula. They can suggest a safe and gradual method to make the switch by getting your baby used to the taste and texture of the formula.
At this point, you should consider potential health risks as well. According to TorHoerman Law, specific baby formulas have been associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal condition. Newborn babies, especially those born premature or with low birth weight, are at the risk of developing NEC after ingesting specific baby formulas. NEC is a fatal disease that causes severe intestinal perforations in affected babies leading to bacterial infections.
There is an active NEC lawsuit against several bovine-based formulas like Similac, Enfamil, and more. Anyone who has had their baby fed cow’s milk-based baby formula resulting in health issues, can file a toxic baby formula lawsuit. This further reinforces the need to consult an expert before switching to formula, as they can help you choose the safe and right formula based on the baby’s specific needs.
The lactation consultant will also address issues like adjusting to new feeding cues and nipple confusion between breast and bottle. However, the most important consideration is picking the safe and correct formula for your baby.
Valid Reasons to Switch to Formula
Many mothers’ primary reasons for switching to formula are rooted in medical conditions. It could be because of certain medications or infections that may cause harm to the baby through breast milk. Certain allergies or metabolic disorders may also necessitate specialized formula for the newborn. A study revealed that over 50% of new mothers stop breastfeeding because of low milk supply.
There are valid reasons beyond medical ones as well. One of the significant reasons is having to return to academics or work after childbirth. The lack of parental leave or unsupportive work policies discourages a lot of women from exclusively breastfeeding their babies. Other reasons include postpartum depression, physical discomfort or pain during breastfeeding, or simply the convenience of formula feeding.
Guilt and Judgement Should be Least of Your Worries
New mothers who decide to make a transition to formula-feeding their babies are often faced with societal pressure, shame, guilt, and a sense of failure. However, it is more important to have a well-fed and healthy baby. Moreover, specialized formulas offer nutrients and building blocks for healthy growth and development.
Breast milk contains all the required nutrients, minerals, and antibodies for the baby’s still-developing immunity and growth. It protects the newborn against infections, illnesses, allergies, and other chronic health conditions. This is crucial because the latest data suggests that breastfed babies are 33% less likely to die during the post-perinatal period.
Nursing mothers, on the other hand, benefit from reduced cancer risk and a faster postpartum recovery. A study revealed that the risk of breast cancer is reduced by 4.3% with every 12 months of breastfeeding. However, we must understand that breastfeeding has benefits, but they are not absolute. While breastfed babies can still fall sick, formula-fed babies can thrive and develop strong immunity.
When it comes to feeding your baby, there’s no right or wrong choice, only the best choice for you and the infant. Prioritizing your mental well-being and your baby’s health is essential while deciding what to feed your newborn. Remember that support is readily available from parenting groups, healthcare professionals, and lactation consultants.