Breast Feeding vs. Formula Feeding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Breast Feeding vs. Formula Feeding - Essay Example In this article, the benefits and disadvantages of breast feeds and formula feeds will be highlightened through review of suitable literature. Breast milk has the right composition of various nutrients essential for the survival, growth and development of the baby (CDC, 2011). It is easily available, non-expensive, warm, and stable. For the baby, breast feeding has several advantages. It enhances the immunity of the baby because of transfer of maternal antibodies, thus preventing several infectious diseases. It also protects the baby from other conditions like allergies, atopy, asthma and some autoimmune related diseases. Other than antibodies, breast milk has many antiinfective factors (AAP, 2010). Breast fed babies are at decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and are likely to be more intelligent than those on exclusive formula feeding. They are also less likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis in the newborn period and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and childhood o besity later in life. Mothers too have several benefits. Exclusive breast feeding causes lactational amenorrhoea, a natural means of postpartum birth control. It helps the mother shed the extra weight gained during pregnancy.