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Breast vs. Bottle: Is Breastfeeding Right for You?

Conflicting Information

Long before Bharati Hulbanni, 32, of Ann Arbor delivered her son, Milo, she had chosen to breastfeed him for one year. But after weeks of trying and seeking help from lactation consultants, her body would not produce milk.

As her son lost more and more weight, she finally turned to formula to give him the nourishment he so desperately needed.

Hulbanni felt pressure to breastfeed based on the media’s and society’s lauding of the benefits of breastfeeding. It was very damaging to her as she wrestled with caring for her newborn infant.

“It was bad enough that my baby was crying all the time and losing weight after he was born, but the added guilt of not being able to breastfeed and not for lack of trying was too much for me. No wonder post partum depression is so rampant,” says Hulbanni.

Even though it ultimately comes down to a personal choice, women are exposed to conflicting messages and information passed to them through the medical profession, the workplace and society.

For instance, The American Academy of Pediatrics, a strong breastfeeding advocate, recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the infant’s first six months, but only twelve states have passed laws that protect the woman’s right to breastfeed in the workplace. Michigan is not one of these twelve.

The United States Breastfeeding Committee cites that 70% of moms with children under the age of three are also full-time workers. For these women, the adequacy, or inadequacy, of the workplace accommodations to offer the flexibility and privacy to pump and store breast milk during the workday quickly drives the woman’s decision. This has a dramatic affect on women’s choices.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Immunization Survey, 70% of babies are breastfed at birth, but by the age of six months that number drops to thirty-six percent. As the child gets older, this number falls off even more with only 17% of one-year-old children being nursed.

Taya Hamilton, 35, of Huntington Woods, maintained her nursing schedule by pumping during work for all three of her children.

“Pumping was easy for me because I was able to use the conference room which offered me privacy. I became an expert at multi-tasking as I pumped both breasts simultaneously while using my hand to answer the phone,” says Hamilton.

Hamilton considered her act of pumping breast milk a gift she was providing to her children while she toiled away at work. For moms who would like to breastfeed after returning to work, it is wise to discuss the practicalities with their employer before they take maternity leave.

Unexpected Benefits

Despite logistical concerns, breastfeeding does offer many benefits. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfed infants have reduced incidence of ear infections and bacterial meningitis. Other studies also indicate that breastfeeding may protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, asthma and obesity. Breastfeeding also provides benefits to the mother such as reducing her risk of ovarian cancer and possibly reducing her risk of osteoporosis or hip fractures. It also helps the mother rid herself of some of the excess baby weight since breastfeeding burns 500 calories or more each day. The environment gets a green boost, too, with less formula bottles and cans to discard.

Breast milk is also inexpensive, much less likely to cause allergies, convenient, and the antibodies that are passed to the baby boost children’s immune system and ward off some infections.

The advantages of formula are also many. It allows the new father as well as other family members to share in the feeding process while giving mom a break. Bottle-fed babies tend to eat less frequently since formula takes longer to digest and you know how much your baby is eating with each feeding. Finally, for many moms, formula is an attractive option because it gives her more freedom and flexibility as she resumes her pre-pregnancy routine.

Deciding Early

One thing to keep in mind is that this decision should not be postponed until you are holding your newborn in your arms. It is very difficult to begin feeding your infant formula and then switch to nursing since the ability of breast to lactate weakens without stimulation.

“We’re seeing more parents coming in for prenatal consultations. It’s here where we can openly discuss the advantages and challenges of breastfeeding and prepare the mother to nurse,” says Dr. Nancy Mannisto, a pediatrician in Huntington Woods.

Mannisto adheres to the recommendations put forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics and encourages the mothers she sees in her practice to breastfeed.

Talking with your spouse, other mothers and your doctor throughout your pregnancy will help guide you along as you consider which option makes the most sense for you and your child. Whatever decision you make, take comfort in knowing that your baby’s nutritional and emotional needs will be met whether you choose to breastfeed or formula-feed.