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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Bottle Feeding
Parents are tasked with making many important decisions in their child’s life. One of the most crucial decisions at the very start of the journey to parenthood is the method of feeding the baby that will give them the best possible start to their life.
As a mother, you may have your heart set on breastfeeding your child to give them all of the direct nutrients and as many antibodies as you can. Yet this isn’t always viable, nor is it always the best possible decision. If a baby is lactose intolerant then they will unlikely be able to consume animal milk or breast milk. Bottle feeding means that the baby can be bottle-fed with soy milk or baby formula milk, ensuring that they do not miss out on vital nutrients.
In these circumstances, bottle feeding provides an excellent alternative. If you are considering the bottle feeding route, you should take the time to look at the advantages and disadvantages of bottle feeding to make sure it’s the best fit. This will also enable you to make a well-informed decision.
Advantages
You Can Track Milk Intake
Bottle feeding a baby allows you to find out what your baby’s overall average milk intake is every day. This means you can monitor the amount of milk that they consume to make sure it is appropriate for their developmental stage. If you have any spare formula, we’d recommend that you visit Sell Formula to earn some money.
It Is Always Available
Mothers who prefer to bottle feed their babies often claim that formula milk is available at the majority of stores. As a result, it is viewed as being more convenient than breastfeeding which needs to be pumped for each feed. Breast milk still may not be enough to fully feed the baby, and some mothers may need to supplement this with formula anyway.
Anyone Can Feed The Baby
Breastfeeding doesn’t allow the dad the opportunity to properly bond with their baby. With bottle feeding, however, both parents can feed the baby which allows for bonding to take place between both parents. It also allows siblings or other family members to spend some one-on-one time with the baby.
Ideal For Lactose Intolerance
If a baby is lactose intolerant then they will unlikely be able to consume animal milk or breast milk. Bottle feeding means that the baby can be bottle-fed with soy milk or formula milk, ensuring that they do not miss out on vital nutrients.
No Alterations Are Made To The Mother’s Diet
Simply put, bottle-feeding a baby allows the mother to return to pre-pregnancy eating and drinking habits quickly.
Mothers who choose to formula feed their babies don’t need to worry about restricting their caffeine intake, nor do they need to worry about how prescription medications may impact their baby. They also do not need to worry about adding specific fruits and vegetables to their diet to support their baby via breastfeeding.
It Can Be Carried Out In Public
Some moms are not comfortable with breastfeeding in a public space. If this sounds like you, bottle feeding is a convenient alternative that still allows you to provide your baby with all the nutrients they need!
Disadvantages
The Process Can Become Inconvenient
Bottle feeding can often be quite inconvenient. Not only do you have to make the formula according to specific instructions but you must also carry formula milk, clean bottles, baby nipples, and additional necessities when you go traveling.
Trying to manage all of these supplies and a baby can quickly become stressful! Plus, bottle feeding can become inconvenient if you have to make up a bottle to feed your baby throughout the night.
Formula Isn’t As Nutritious
As convenient as it may be, using bottle-fed formula does not offer the same nutritional value as breast milk when it comes to helping a baby to grow and develop. Not only is breast milk much lighter on the stomach but it also reduces the risk of developing obesity in early childhood, unlike bottle-fed formula.
It Can Be Expensive
If you are bottle feeding, you need to purchase the best and most appropriate bottle feeding equipment. This includes feeding bottles, a sterilizer, and a cleaning brush, in addition to the formula itself. Overall, it could become an unwanted but necessary monthly expense that may drain your bank account considerably over time.
Conclusion
Bottle feeding has many advantages and disadvantages, as revealed in this article. You must carefully consider both sides of the coin before you decide on the best possible way of feeding your baby. At the end of the day, the final decision is yours, so make sure you have thought through everything thoroughly before committing.
