Early Childhood Development: Breastfeeding and Child Milestones

So, we know that breastmilk is best for the infant, what could be in it and what does it do? There are many things to learn about the breast milk. Breastmilk has been proven to provide the best autoimmune defenses and nutrition for the infant because it contains all the essential nutrients, antibodies, and other factors important for growth and development, especially the first moment that a mother breastfeeds. Whatever it contains cannot be replicated in any other way. Some scholars and medical practitioners, however, think formula can be as good as breastmilk. For example, Doctor Nivin Todd says that, “Formula feeding is also a healthy choice for babies. If you use a formula, your baby will get the best possible alternative to breast milk” (WebMD). She said this in comparison to cow milk that other mothers may opt for as an alternative. This should be a relief for those mothers who are forced to choose an alternative method of feeding their infants.

Every mother of a newborn baby must make a very personal decision when it comes to how they are going to feed their infant. I was faced with that decision 3 years ago when I had my first son who I named Ethen. It was one of the very hardest decisions I had to make. I had to consider all the good benefits of breast feeding as well as the benefits of formula bottle-feeding, but the good benefits of breastfeeding outnumbered the bottle feeding ones. I finally decided that breast feeding was the best option for my son and for myself, after extensive research on breastfeeding as well as formula feeding, and also taking a breastfeeding class where I received a lot of information which helped me

As you get ready to welcome your baby and introduce her to this world, you are flooded with thoughts of how to take care of your little one in the best possible way. You find that motherhood is not only about loving and caring, it is also about making a few conscious decisions to help your child grow in a healthy manner. One such decision is whether to breastfeed your baby or to offer her formula nutrition.

Breastfeeding protects babies against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as sepsis in pre-term babies. Breast milk contains antibodies that help babies fight off infections like otitis media and respiratory problems like meningitis and bronchitis. It has been found to reduce the incidence and intensity of atopic diseases. Babies who breastfeed tend to suffer from colds less frequently and have fewer incidents of colic. (Davis)

Deciding whether to formula feed or breastfeed ones baby is one of the biggest and most crucial decisions expectant and new parents will make before giving birth. Organizations such as World Health Organizations (WHO), American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Dietetic Association recommend breastfeeding as the best option for the newborn. Most of these organizations and other supporters of breastfeeding affirm that it defends the baby against infection, reduces the risks of certain chronic conditions and prevents allergies. To decide if you want to bottle-feed or breastfeed one needs to do some research on both methods of feeding. Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for a baby, but formula feeding a newborn can also produce a highly healthy, happy child. The decision to breastfeed or bottle-feed is up to the mother, her comfort level, her ability to produce milk, as well as her religion or culture.

“Some mothers have to give up breastfeeding even though they want to breastfeed. To give up breastfeeding can be a sensitive issue in a time when breastfeeding is promoted as the healthiest for mother and child” (Larsen & Kronborg, 2013, p. 848). The debate over whether breast-feeding is better than bottle-feeding or vice versa has been a debate for many years. With more and more research that is continuously being developed, the option to breast-feed or bottle-feed is ultimately up to the parents of the child. Although the decision could be based on factors such as a physical incapability or financial burdens, the end result should always be what is going to be best for the baby. As research continues to grow, there has been proven evidence of the positive and negative aspects that come with breast-feeding and bottle-feeding.

DiSanto states that there are advantages to bottle feeding as well. Formula contains vitamins and minerals that breast fed babies need to get from supplements (DiSanto, 2012). With bottle feeding there is no need to schedule activities or work around the babies feedings because another caregiver can feed the baby (DiSanto, 2012). Because formula is harder for babies to digest they do not need to eat as frequent as breast fed babies (DiSanto, 2012). Women who bottle feed to not need to worry about what they eat or drink affecting their baby (DiSanto,

A plethora of questions and concerns arise upon confirmation of pregnancy; however, the decision on whether to breastfeed or formula feed an infant seems to be one of the more crucial decisions. Moms new to nursing a baby need all the information that they can get in order to help choose which method of feeding is more suitable, because every mother wants what is best for their child. Unlike formula feeding, the benefits of breastfeeding are substantial for both mother and baby. Moreover, choosing to breastfeed will lead to brighter, happier, and healthier lives.

You might be wondering why you can’t receive the same benefits from formula and here’s why. It’s impossible for formula to compare to the complexity of breast milk. Your milk is custom-made just for your baby. Your body responds to pathogens that you are exposed to, and actually creates a substance in your milk to protect your baby from exposure. Pretty amazing huh? In one study, The National Institute of Environmental Sciences determined your baby will have a 20 percent less chance of dying in the first year of life if breastfed. Not only does breastfeeding protect your baby from developing illnesses in the early stages of life, but it will also help avoid diseases in the future. Breastfed babies are less likely to have diabetes, high cholesterol, and inflammatory bowel disease in their adult life. I know, as a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your children from harm. After all, it doesn’t matter how old they get, they’ll always be your babies.

Whether to breastfeed or to formula feed is one of the many decisions parents have to make when caring for a newborn baby. The decision may seem simple in which parents base there decision on comfort, convenience and finance but little do most parents know the decision being made can have damaging long term effects than that of the present. There is plenty of research that state the significance of breastfeeding that go far beyond the extent of bonding between mother and newborn. Although, that too is important. Breast milk is known to contain antibodies which can help the newborn in developing a strong immune system which influence all the body systems. Research has shown that breast-milk can help prevent long term diseases such as

Breast-feeding is nutritionally, emotionally and physically superior for a mother and her child. “Human breast milk is not standard nor is it interchangeable with cow’s milk. It is a dynamic fluid that changes in composition to meet the needs of the baby as it grows” (“Giving your Baby... Diet.” par. #10). Breast milk contains growth factors and antibodies which stimulate the growing baby and protect it from illness such as diarrhea, ear infections, rashes, allergies, asthma, skin problems, pneumonia, respiratory illness and other serious illnesses. Breast-feeding also improves a baby’s chance of remaining healthy. These antibodies are not found in formula. They can not be sustained. Breast-fed babies are also neurodevelopmentally more

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for infants as it will help promote health, growth, immunity, and development. Human breast contains antibodies, viable leukocytes, and many other substances that can stop or prevent bacterial colonization and prevent harmful penetration of the newborns body. The American Academy of Pediatrics actually advocates for exclusive breast-feeding, because ideally, breast milk should be the sole nutrient for the first 6 months and continued with foods until 12 months of life or longer.

Throughout most of human history, breast milk has been the one food that infants have thrived on. Breastfeeding is recognized throughout the world as the preferred method of feeding infants due to its health benefits and nutritional quality. Recommendations by leading health organizations echo the importance of breastfeeding by setting forth guidelines.

Breast milk contain antibodies that help infants fight viruses and bacteria for the long haul. The risk of infants growing up with asthma or allergies are lowered by being breastfed. In the first few months of their lives infants that are breastfed, completely without formula, were seen to have fewer sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and random sessions of diarrhea. This is attained through the Entero-Mammary Host Immune System. When breastfeeding mother were exposed to viruses or bacteria, she started creating antibodies. The breast secreted those antibodies which are then passed to the baby through the breast milk. Formula feeding does not offer antibodies for the extra protection infants would

Can an individual who was breastfed score higher on an IQ test and have better cognitive abilities? Cognitive development can be affected in different ways. One of the factors that can influence the growth of the intellectual aspect of the individual is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is associated with a wide range of positive benefits to the child’s development. There are a lot of experimental and research studies conducted that provide evidence of breastfeeding’s positive effects.