Maternal Child Nursing: Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding Guidelines

This essay provides a comparative analysis of breastfeeding and formula feeding, particularly in the context of a case study involving Mrs. G., a mother facing challenges with her pregnancy. It explores the benefits of breastfeeding, such as enhanced immunity for the baby and reduced risk of certain diseases for the mother, while also acknowledging potential difficulties like latching issues and societal constraints. The essay uses evidence-based research to highlight the advantages of breastfeeding, including reduced risks of infections and chronic diseases in infants. It also discusses situations where formula feeding may be a more suitable option, such as when the mother faces health complications or when societal factors hinder breastfeeding. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions about infant feeding based on individual circumstances and available resources.

Running Head: Breast feeding vs. Formula feeding
Breast feeding vs. Formula feeding

Breast feeding vs. Formula feeding 1
Breast feeding vs. Formula feeding
According to the article, Mrs. G. was not well and was facing many challenges; in that
situation feeding a baby could be done any way by either breast feeding or bottle feeding.
Breast feeding is feeding a baby straight from the milk of a mother’s breast while bottle
feeding is stated as feeding a baby with nursing bottle. Many individuals think breast feeding
is better but in contrast to this argument, there is a real significant difference between breast
feeding and bottle feeding. In this article both benefits and shortcomings of breast feeding is
discussed (Andres, et. al, 2015).
It is important to decide between breast feeding and formula feeding. Many health
experts agreed about the fact that breast feeding is the healthiest option. According to
American Academy, breastfeeding is recommended for nutrition’s, as breast feeding allows
children to develop strong immunity against disease. Breastfeed also creates an emotional
attachment with babies. According to the research it is proven that breastfed babies have
fewer infections and help the babies to fight against antibodies and germs. It is also said that
the longer babies are breast feed the more the baby achieve in life.
Many health organization and World Health Organization suggest that breast feeding
is better for babies as it defends against infections and protect babies from chronic disease.
This organization recommends that breastfed is very important in initial months as it provides
best nutritious choice (Dinis, Andrade, Torres, Chauhan & Sibai,2018). Apart from that
breast feeding is important for mothers also, it reduces the chance of breast cancer, diabetes
and heart disease. Even the mothers who breastfeed easily lose weight after pregnancy. In the
initial years of babies growth breast feeding reduces the chances of gastrointestinal, ear and
respiratory infections. According to the research breastfed i seem to reduce the chance of
infections by 25%-75%, this the first year of life experience a reduced incidence of

Breast feeding vs. Formula feeding 1
gastrointestinal, ear and respiratory tract infections. Also it was found that breastfeed babies
experience fewer chances of diarrhoea and lower rates of eczema for lifelong. One more
study suggested that breastfed babies experience decrease the occurrence of asthma.
But it is natural and sometimes it may be possible that mother is having lack of milk
some latching issues because of which mother could not breast feed. Like Mrs G. who was
going through labour pain, gaining weight, high blood pressure and lot more issues in that
case bottle feeding should be used (Bartleby, 2018). And in the growing society where
mothers are treated immature or given bad looks for nurturing in public community, therefore
an alternative solution is developed for this problem that is feeding the baby by bottle. So,
formula fed can be used as it is very convenient method as babies can feed anytime and by
anyone. Additionally, choosing to breastfeed leads to happier, healthy and brighter live of
both baby and mother. It is also true that human breast milk contains hundreds of ingredients
that cannot found in cow's milk or formula feeding. Formula feeding is difficult for baby as it
is not easy for baby to digest (MedlinePlus, 2017).

Breast feeding vs. Formula feeding 1
Reverences
Andres, A., Moore, M. B., Linam, L. E., Casey, P. H., Cleves, M. A., & Badger, T. M.
(2015). Compared with Feeding Infants Breast Milk or Cow-Milk Formula, Soy
Formula Feeding Does Not Affect Subsequent Reproductive Organ Size at 5 Years of
Age, 2. The Journal of nutrition, 145(5), 871-875.
Dinis, J., Andrade, A., Torres, P., Chauhan, S. P., & Sibai, B. M. (2018). 897: Opioid Use
and Breast Feeding in Postpartum Patients: A Prospective Study. American Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, 218(1), S533-S534.
Bartleby, (2018), Breast Feeding versus Bottle Feeding, Retrieved on 16 February from
<https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Breast-Feeding-versus-Bottle-Feeding-
FKY2SD4C8MRA>.
MedlinePlus, (2017), Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, Retrieved on 15 February from <
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000803.html>