Bottle feeding is a common topic of debate among many mothers and health care specialist for significant reasons. Because some see it as a negative motherhood practice, there are hospitals and health care facilities that prohibit the use of feeding bottles in their premises. But while there are those that see it as a bad thing, there are still those who patronize it and prefer it over breastfeeding.
List of Pros of Bottle Feeding
1. No Pain
A common complaint among many new mothers who experience breastfeeding for the first time is that it can be uncomfortable, and sometimes even painful. What’s worse is the pain doesn’t only occur during the process of breastfeeding, but can stay throughout the day because breastfeeding can make breasts feel sore and tender. Because of this reason, many first time mothers prefer bottle feeding, which eliminates the chances of pain and discomfort.
2. More Time
There’s very little else a mother can do while she’s breastfeeding. Because she needs to hold and support her child with both hands, whatever tasks and responsibilities she has to do must be put on hold. But with a bottle, the task of feeding can be passed on to a trusted individual like the father or a nanny, which leaves the mother more time to go about her daily routine.
3. Milk Storage
For working moms, bottle feeding can be very beneficial especially that they can’t stay with their babies 24 hours in a day. Bottles can be used to store breast milk, with the help of a breast pump which can be used at different times of the day to collect milk for later consumption. Stored milk can be kept frozen for up to 6 months, and simply needs to be heated when it’s time for feeding.
4. Convenient
When mothers are out with their babies, and they need to be fed, it can be challenging to take out a breast and feed on the spot. The practice of breastfeeding in public causes a lot of discomfort and unease, not only for the mother, but also for those around her that might not be as open to the idea of seeing a breastfeeding session. Bottles make it convenient to feed a baby in public without fear of drawing attention.
List of Cons of Bottle Feeding
1. Limited Contact
Specialists and doctors say that during the first few years of life, physical contact between the mother and the baby is a vital aspect in establishing a strong bond as mother and child. But with bottle feeding, contact might become limited. This is especially true when the process of feeding is assigned to someone other than the mother, which might confuse the baby as to who their primary caregiver is.
2. Tedious
Breastfeeding requires very little preparation, aside from the mother having to clean her hands and her breast prior to feeding her baby. But before a baby can feed on a bottle, they must be put through tedious cleaning to ensure sanitation. Improperly cleaned bottles could lead to indigestion, infection, and disease, which means they must be thoroughly sanitized prior to use. Aside from the traditional wash, bottles need to be sterilized in a special baby bottle sterilizer. All in all, the process could take well over an hour, depending on the number of bottles being washed. This could take some time, and because cleaning has to be carefully performed, it could also become a very tedious chore later on. What’s more, the sterility of the bottles only lasts for a few days, and if they’re unused until then, they have to be sterilized again.
3. Expensive
The cheapest milk formula alternative that babies can consume is the powdered variant, which despite its being the cheapest, actually isn’t cheap at all. Compared to other formula types, powdered milk formula is most affordable but a single can could set you back significantly, especially if you choose to buy the higher end formulas. What’s more, the water used for cleaning the bottles and for the formula itself needs to be a specific kind and can’t be substituted with tap water. For mothers who are meticulous about cleaning their bottles, the use of special baby bottle cleaners in place of regular dishwashing soap could also increase the costs.
4. Uncertain
When a baby gets used to a specific kind of bottle nipple, they’re unlikely to take to other kinds, shapes, or textures of nipples. That said, if a mother needs to buy more bottles or different bottles, she might have difficulty getting the baby to feed as they could have already developed a preference for the old nipple. Another thing to remember is that a baby’s digestion isn’t yet mature, and changing milk formulas for any reason could lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and outright rejection.
