Is Breast Milk better than Formula?

Is Breast Milk better than Formula?

Baby formula is a good substitution for breast milk when breastfeeding is challenging or complicated because of medical reasons. It can also help parents who want to share the responsibilities of feedings with other caregivers if pumping is not an option. While breast milk is the gold standard, formula can be a good runner-up, especially when you are educated about the quality of the ingredients that go into it.

Is it more filling? In the simplest answer, yes. But maybe not because of the way you are thinking. For one thing, it is possible for babies to drink more formula than breast milk if it comes from the bottle. Milk production from the bottle is dependent by what you put in, not like breast milk which is dependent on the supply and demand of your baby. Also, breast milk is composed of foremilk and hindmilk. The foremilk is more liquidy and easy to access. The hindmilk is thicker and creamier and more filling. If your baby is only working for the foremilk, they are missing a lot of the creamy goodness from the hindmilk that could be filling them up. Let them keep nursing to ensure they are getting enough, and getting enough of the good stuff.

Formula can also be more filling because of the ingredients used. For example, Holle and Lebenswert Stage 1 formulas are made organic maltodextrin, a natural thickener that balances the sweetness of the milk and milk powder. If formula looks a little thicker than breast milk, it is because it is. A thicker food means that it stays longer with your baby since it takes longer to digest. Newborns that are formula-fed may sleep a little longer than babies who are breastfed because they are not hungry sooner. Keep in mind that it is not always the case. Babies do not fuss or wake up just because they are hungry.

You want your baby to be satisfied. Will baby formula keep them feeling full longer?

Your baby’s feedings are an important part of their newborn months. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may feel like your little one is on your breast constantly. For all of the health benefits that come with nursing your baby, do you wonder if you are providing them with enough? Does your mind wander and imagine formula-fed babies having longer periods of rest?

Don’t let the exhaustion get the best of you. If you are nursing for the first few weeks, the recommended six months, or even the first whole year of your baby’s life or longer, you are providing them with enough. Your baby is getting enough when they are:

  • gaining weight at a steady rate
  • wetting at least six diapers a day
  • content after they have been fed

  

Can You Combine Breast Milk and Baby Formula?

Absolutely! Any amount of breast milk that you feed your baby is more of the antibodies to boost your little one’s immune system, decrease their risk of allergies or asthma, and have few ear infections and respiratory illnesses. If you are able to nurse or express breast milk for your baby, continue so that you can maintain the supply for your baby’s demand.

When you choose to supplement baby formula with your breast milk, remember the benefits of organic baby formula. The best ones contain no GMOs, artificial sweeteners or ingredients, and have less exposure to toxic chemicals that can affect your baby’s development. Organic baby formula companies that adhere to biodynamic farming practices that respect the entire system from soil to animal to environment are providing your baby with the best foods while sustaining the Earth. When you want the most natural food to take the place of the natural goodness of breast milk, organic baby formula is the way to go.

Edited and reposted from December 2018