Formula vs. Breastfeeding: Making the Right Choice

Sitting in the hospital, waiting to hold my newborn for the first time, a wave of emotions washed over me. What if I couldn’t breastfeed? Was formula feeding safe for my baby?

As a new mother, I received endless advice—on co-sleeping, exclusive breastfeeding, and everything in between. But one of the biggest decisions I faced was how to feed my baby.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months due to its numerous benefits. However, breastfeeding isn’t always possible for everyone—and that’s okay. If you’re unable to breastfeed or choose not to, formula feeding is a perfectly healthy alternative. What truly matters is that your baby is nourished, loved, and thriving.

In this article, I share my journey in making this decision, hoping it helps you find what’s best for you and your little one.

Breastfeeding: 

Did you know breast milk, full of vitamins and minerals, is easily digested by newborns? The perfect food for babies up to six months, breast milk contains digestive enzymes,antibodies and oligosaccharides (a carbohydrate) that help develop healthy gut bacteria. It also changes its nutrient composition to meet the age-appropriate needs of a baby. 

Formula Feeding: 

Formula milk for infants, on the other hand, is designed to mimic a mother’s breast milk composition to a large extent. These powders contain nutrients and vitamins that breastfed infants get from supplements, like Vitamin D and probiotics. Soy-based formulas are great for infants with lactose intolerance and milk allergies. 

Whether you breastfeed directly or use a breast pump, you and your baby will benefit.

Immune System Support and Disease Prevention

It’s natural for mothers to worry—we all do. But your body has incredible ways of adapting and supporting your baby.

The first milk your body produces after birth, known as colostrum, is often called liquid gold because it’s packed with antibodies that help strengthen your newborn’s immunity. I fed this to my baby, knowing it would protect against illnesses and infections.

As colostrum transitions into mature breast milk, its composition evolves to include proteins, fats, and white blood cells that support your baby’s growth and immunity. These infection-fighting substances stimulate the immune system when your baby encounters viruses. Additionally, breast milk contains lactoferrin and interleukins (-6, -8, and -10), which help regulate the body's inflammatory response.

If you face latching difficulties, as I did, pumping and bottle-feeding your milk is a great alternative. However, encouraging your baby to latch has benefits, including stronger mother-baby bonding, psychosomatic well-being, and increased milk production.

Long-Term Health Advantages

As I watched my baby turn into a toddler, I noticed breastfeeding had undisputed health advantages. Some of them include:

• Gut health: Breast milk introduced a balanced supply of probiotics, reducing the risk of health conditions like asthma and allergies.
• Low risk of infection:  I breastfed my baby for over a year, improving his immunity to diseases like pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
• Brain development: Breastfeeding for at least six months can boost brain development and higher IQ. Nurturing interactions during a feeding session fosters this growth.

Though I decided to breastfeed, I had days where formula feeding was my saving grace. Why not? Formula feeding is often frowned upon, but you'll realise there’s no wrong way to feed your baby. Formula feeding has numerous benefits if you cannot or choose otherwise.

• Extra calories: Formula feeding is a great alternative to give additional nutrients and calories to a premature infant if you cannot produce enough breast milk.
• Health issues: If you have a medical condition that prevents you from breastfeeding, formula feeding ensures your baby is fed.
• Infant sensitivities: Many infants are born with special feeding needs, like a milk allergy. Formula feeding allows you to choose from soy-based options that include all the essential nutrients and vitamins required.
• Mother’s diet: A mother’s health directly impacts her breast milk and the baby’s health. But with formula feeding, you have the freedom to eat and drink anything without affecting the health of your child. 

• Option of caregivers: Having a caregiver to help you feed the baby with a bottle allows you time to rest. It also makes transitioning to work easier.
• Flexible feeding schedule: Since formula digests slowly, it keeps your baby full longer. With longer gaps between feeding times, you have more time for yourself.
• Pre-planning: Anyone from your family can help prepare the formula mix on a rushed morning. Have a holiday coming up? Pack your diaper bag with ready bottles and warm water, and feed on the go. 

Breastfeeding is a journey unique to every mother. On some days, you will cherish the experience, on others, it can be physically exhausting. These overwhelming emotions can sometimes make it difficult to find joy in breastfeeding.

To make the feeding experience for your newborn stress-free, ask family members to help. I had my husband help burp and put the baby to sleep after a feed. On the other hand, if the family cannot help out, you can hire help. Once I rejoined work, I chose to breastfeed partially, which meant pumping my milk and storing it for when I wasn’t available. 

Breastfeeding was incredibly demanding, even with the help of a pump. It is physically challenging and requires you to be near your baby constantly. Both you and the baby need time to figure out a routine for breastfeeding. 

• Latching issues: Latching pain is common but should last only 10 days after birth. Many times, exclusive breastfeeding after 10 days can also cause sore nipples, engorged breasts, and clogged milk ducts. To reduce the pain, I learned proper breastfeeding positions, wore a supportive breastfeeding-friendly bra, and pumped out excess milk.
• Frequent feedings: Breastfed babies need to be fed more often than formula feeding because breast milk digests sooner. I chose to feed on demand, approximately every two hours, which made work and travel a challenge.   
• Diet: As a breastfeeding mother, I was constantly warned about my diet. Nutrition from what you eat and drink can be passed on to your baby through breast milk. If you enjoy a good brew, you must keep your caffeine intake at 300 milligrams (one to three cups of coffee) a day. Excess caffeine in your body can pass through breast milk, making your infant irritable and gassy.

Maybe formula feeding is easy, maybe it’s not. However, exclusively breastfeeding was a challenging experience for both me and my baby. While I experience one particular discomfort, you may or may not experience any. 

• Nipple tenderness: Nipple soreness and tenderness can happen due to wrong positions. A lactation consultant can help you learn the correct feeding technique for an easy feeding experience.
• Breast engorgement: My breasts had engorged due to milk buildup. My gynaecologist advised me to feed the baby more often or pump out milk to reduce the discomfort. I also gently massaged the breasts and used a cold compress to ease the tenderness.
• Clogged milk duct: Skipping feedings or tight bras can cause a clogged milk duct, which can look like a lump on the breast. Massage the area with gentle pressure to open the duct. 

Breast milk is free. And unless you are pumping, you don't even need extra supplies like bottles and nipples. In contrast, formula feeding can be expensive. You need formula powder, feeding bottles, nipples, and cleaners for the entire formula-feeding period. Additionally, if you have a child with special feeding needs, the cost of soy and hypoallergenic formula quickly adds up. 

Formula feeding does offer convenience and flexibility. However, it is a significant financial commitment when you factor in the cost of hiring help and the time spent preparing bottles.

As a mother, my end goal was to feed my baby. Before I had my son, I knew I wanted to breastfeed him for only six months. But I chose to go on because it worked for me and my family. As a mother, you will know the right choice once your baby arrives. 

And even after making a decision, you can always reconsider and choose what feels right for you and your baby. But always speak to your doctor. My gynaecologist helped me with a variety of options before I found breastfeeding and pumping to be the perfect fit for me and my baby.

As a mother, I can tell you nothing in the world can prepare you for a baby until you bring one home. Breastfeeding or formula feeding both have their benefits. And as one mother to another, don't worry about judgements on your decisions. So long as you have a healthy, happy, and well-fed baby.  

If you, like me, would like to include a mix of exclusive and partial breastfeeding in your routine, excellent. But even if you don’t, formula feeding offers similar nutrients and bonding time with your baby. Remember it is always the mother’s choice, as it should be.