One of the biggest decisions new parents face is whether to breastfeed their babies. Breastfeeding has many benefits for both mother and baby and may help lower a mother’s risk for certain diseases. The latest reports say that at least 83.2% of the babies receive some breast milk. Additionally, 78.6% receive breast milk for one month, and 55.8% receive it for six months.
The same report also reveals that only 24.9% were exclusively breastfed. This means many parents are using alternatives to breastfeeding. One of the most used alternatives is a baby formula. But is this a viable option or risky? Let’s find out.
Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding
It’s hard to beat the benefits of breastfeeding. Breast milk has antibodies that help protect your baby from disease. Moreover, it’s free and easy to make. You don’t have to worry about running out of formula or buying new bottles every few weeks.
However, breast milk is not always an option for mothers who cannot produce enough milk. Some women find that they don’t enjoy the bonding experience with their newborns while they’re breastfeeding them, or they simply don’t have time.
For all such reasons, mothers may choose to use baby formulas instead of breastfeeding. However, baby formulas can cause some health concerns. For instance, the ingredients of a baby formula might negatively affect your infant. Similarly, it can also result in overfeeding or underfeeding.
Also, breast milk contains antibodies and other components that help boost an infant’s immune system. While formula provides essential nutrients, it doesn’t offer the same level of immune system support as breast milk.
Lastly, some ingredients in baby formulas can also lead to fatal health diseases like Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). It is an intestinal tract disease that can cause diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and even death. However, many baby formula manufacturers have kept consumers unaware of such problems until now.
Therefore, parents whose babies have developed NEC after consuming baby formulas are suing manufacturers like Similac. Through a Similac lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that manufacturers knew about this problem but didn’t warn the consumers.
According to TorHoerman Law, Enfamil is also facing such lawsuits. Both Similac and Enfamil need to appear in court to answer the appeals of the users. In fact, if they are found guilty, they also have to give the right compensation to the parents for medical expenses and lost wages.
Pros of Using Baby Formula
Baby formula is a viable alternative to breastfeeding. If you are unable to breastfeed or need to supplement your baby’s diet with formula, it can be an affordable option.
In most cases, the cost of buying ready-made formulas will be less than what you would spend on fresh ingredients and cooking them. Also, since there are many different types of foods available in stores these days, you’ll have plenty of choices. In fact, you can even get options for organic foods nowadays.
Baby formula is also convenient. You don’t have to worry about mixing up batches in advance because they’re already prepared by manufacturers. Moreover, they can offer good nutrition to your infant, especially if you can’t breastfeed for some reason.
Cons of Using Baby Formula
While there are some pros of using baby formula, there are a lot of cons, too.
- Infants who are formula-fed may have a higher risk of developing allergies, asthma, and eczema. In fact, one study found that infants who were breastfed for at least six months had lower rates of food allergies than those who were not. Many babies have cow milk protein allergy. 8-14% of infants also react to soy. Children with allergic proctocolitis have a chance of at least 25-60% to react to soy.
- Formula-fed infants may be more likely to develop diabetes, obesity, and heart disease in adulthood. This can occur as a result of overfeeding through baby formulas. When breastfeeding, infants can suck as much milk as they want. However, that’s not the case with baby formulas.
- Babies consuming a formula diet have been shown to have higher incidences of asthma when compared to their breastfed counterparts. The allergies caused by baby formula can lead to long-term asthma.
- While affordability was one of the pros of baby formulas until now, the cost is rising. There’s a shortage of baby formulas nationwide. This has led to an increase in cost by 18% in a single year.
Safety and Health Considerations
You may have heard that baby formula is not as safe or nutritious as breast milk. While this is true, it’s important to remember that the ingredients in infant formula are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hence, it is vital to check the labels of baby formulas before buying them.
Baby formulas can contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli if they aren’t prepared correctly at home. If you do decide on using powdered formulas instead of ready-to-feed versions, make sure that they’re stored away from heat sources.
The amount of sugar contained within different types varies widely. Some brands have almost twice as much per serving than others. This puts infants who consume large quantities regularly at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuits
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), also referred to as “the silent killer” of babies, is a devastating disease that affects the intestines. NEC is a serious gastrointestinal disease that causes intestinal tissue death and can be fatal in around 50% of cases.
Many parents are filing baby formula lawsuits against manufacturers like Similac and Enfamil. The lawsuits are a result of several studies that have recently proven the connection of baby formulas with NEC.
Since NEC is a severe condition, the medical expenses can be huge. Moreover, it can also cause a lot of mental damage to the parents. Therefore, parents whose infants suffered from any such issues are filing a lawsuit. They claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of consortium, etc.
Making an Informed Decision
Before you decide whether or not to use baby formula, there are some things you should consider.
- Consider the risks and benefits: Breastfeeding is always better than using formula. But if you can’t breastfeed and want your child to get all the nutrients, then choosing an appropriate option is important.
- Do your research: The internet has lots of information about both breastfeeding and formula feeding, but it’s not always accurate or credible. That’s why it’s important to check out websites that have been reviewed by experts in pediatrics, lactation, etc.
- Talk with your doctor if possible: Your doctor may have insight into which type of formula would work best for your baby based on his specific health conditions.
Conclusion
Baby formula is a viable alternative to breastfeeding, but it is not without its drawbacks. It offers convenience and accessibility, but it lacks some of the unique benefits that breastfeeding provides, such as immune protection and bonding. A well-informed decision should be made based on the specific needs and circumstances of the family.