Breastfeeding v. Formula-feeding
Breastfeeding v. Formula-feeding
Breastfeeding v. Formula-feeding
Introduction
The term breastfeeding or nursing in humans refers to feeding newborn children with breast milk from the mother. The action can be direct when the baby mechanically sucks the milk or when pumped from the mother and placed in bottles to feed infants (Williams et al., 2020). The latter approach is most common among mothers with demanding occupations as it allows them to have the freedom needed to complete their duties while ensuring the child is fed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding is a scientifically and medically proven best approach to providing newly-born children with the needed nutrients needed for their healthy development and growth (Williams et al., 2020). Under standard settings, all mothers are virtually capable of breastfeeding. However, the lack of accurate information and support from their healthcare system, society, and family limits the propagation of the practice.
The lack of information and support results in mothers preferring formula feeding, which Almeida et al. (2020) states that lack the needed immunity-boosting elements present in breast milk. Additionally, children who feed on breast milk are able to digest the nutrients easily compared to children on formula feed. It is noteworthy that the purpose of formula-feed is to primarily allow effective development for children if the mother has medical, physical, or mental limitations.
However, unlike breast milk, formula feed primarily allows the child’s dietary needs to be attained. Finally, they also allow children with specific nutritional needs to behave their needs met effectively (Almeida et al., 2020). Thus, it is evident that breastfeeding offers newborn children the needed nutrients and immunity boost to support their growth and development. As medical practitioners, it is their responsibility to train and support mothers of newly born children in understanding the importance and value of breastfeeding.
