Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-Feeding: Which is Right for You and Your Baby? 

All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Breastfeeding vs. Bottle-Feeding: Which is Right for You and Your Baby? 

As you prepare to give birth for the first time, there will probably be about half a million questions on your mind. One of the biggest concerns you might have is about your baby’s health – how do you as a mom ensure that their nutrition is exactly what it needs to be, to provide them with optimal growth and development? How do you know if they’re getting what they need to live a long, happy and healthy life? How do you decide between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding? Here are some things you need to think about it. 

 Bottle-Feeding is Okay 

 There’s a lot of controversial back and forth conversation about this topic and many moms who believe that breastfeeding is the only way to properly provide your children with the nutrients they need. While breastfeeding offers many benefits and doctors do recommend it as the best possible nutrition for your baby for at least the first six months of their life, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using formula for moms who cannot or do not wish to breastfeed for whatever reason. Bottle-feeding with a good formula like Alula Baby Formula, which is a healthy alternative for your little one, can ensure healthy growth and development when breastfeeding isn’t in the cards.   

Let’s Talk About Bonding  

Another common topic of conversation is the special bond that is created through breastfeeding your baby. Skin-on-skin contact with your little one is an experience that most mothers love and cherish forever, but this doesn’t mean that moms who bottle-feed will fail to bond with their child. Any loving mother who cares for their baby will be able to build a close emotional bond with them, no matter what feeding method they use.   

Costs and Accessibility  

Let’s not forget that bringing a new life into the world is expensive, and one of the costs you’ll need to keep in mind is that of a good baby formula. Breast milk is, of course, free and almost always readily available for when your bundle of joy is wailing from hunger. Studies show that breastfed babies are also less likely to get sick, which means that by breastfeeding, you could be saving on doctor’s fees too.  

In terms of accessibility, it’s always a good idea for nursing moms to express regularly and store excess milk for later When you’re bottle-feeding, be sure always to have some backup formula in case you run out – nobody likes a middle of the night run to the convenience store in their pyjamas with a crying baby.   

Final Thoughts  

The decision between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding is an extremely personal one and completely up to Mom and baby. As discussed, there are many different factors to consider and even more than have been discussed above. It’s a good idea to have an open conversation with a health practitioner about what your options might be and how to navigate them in order to make sure that both Mom and babe are happy, comfortable and satisfied.