Myths about formula feeding, busted
Sometimes, we tend to get stuck in the traditional way of thinking which sort of restricts our ability to adapt to new innovations. Even when you are feeding your baby, there is an alternative to breastfeeding if that method doesn't work out for you and your baby; namely, formula feeding.
While breastfeeding is good for the baby, there are many advantages of formula feeding as well. If you do decide to breastfeed your baby instead of formula feeding, that’s fine. It’s when you take this decision under the pressure of people may think or due to misinformation when the problem arises.
You will be surprised to learn just how many things about the baby formula is utterly untrue. Read on as we try our best to bust a couple of the most common myths related to baby formula.
Formula Feeding Myth #1: Using Baby Formula Will Diminish Your Bond with Your Baby
This particular one obviously has to be a myth. The bond that you share with your baby is most certainly not based on the amount of skin-to-skin contact you have with him or her.
While it is true that women who breastfeed their baby spend a longer amount of time with them, but that doesn’t have to be a parameter. Creating a bond only depends on spending time with your baby and making them familiar with you – that’s it!
In addition to this, there is no evidence to back this claim as well, which is why we can conclude this as a myth.
Formula Feeding Myth #2: Using Baby Formula Will Negatively Affect Your Ability to Make Breast Milk
When you breastfeed, the amount of milk your body produces depends on the amount of milk your baby drinks. In other words, if your baby drinks less breast milk, your body will produce less and vice versa.
It also means that if you introduce formula to your baby‘s diet, it does not mean that your breast milk production will completely come to a halt; this is just your breasts adjusting to the change.
Formula Feeding Myth #3: Baby Formula Lacks the Required Nutrition for Proper Development
Another false statement as formulas nowadays have a similar makeup as breast milk. So, if breastmilk is nutritious, the same logic should apply to baby formula as well. In fact, if your baby needs extra nutrients like vitamin D, using a formula can help you with that as well. Formulas today can deliver all the essential nutrients your baby needs.
We would also like to point out another fact that many people tend to forget. Breast milk nutrition is dependent on the health of the mother. There are often times when mothers and lacking certain nutrients. This will reflect in the breast milk produced as well. In these cases, it’s much better to opt for the best formula you can find as it is enriched with the necessary proteins, minerals, nutrients, and vitamins.
Formula Feeding Myth #4: Formula Feeding Will Make Your Baby Bigger or Obese
According to Fatherly, the only way that a baby can become obese with formula feeding is when the parents unintentionally overfeed their infants.
Baby formulas are created by companies to have specific nutritional requirements so why would they include anything that could cause potential obesity? We would also like to point out that there is no research that suggests using baby formula will make your child obese.
If your baby is not getting enough exercise, eating junk food, or is having medications that are slowing down his or her metabolism, then there might be chances for your baby to gain weight. In some cases, genetics are to be blamed as well. However, never the baby formula.
Formula Feeding Myth #5: Preparing Formula is a More Convenient Task then Breastfeeding
Although formula feeding might look more convenient in comparison to breastfeeding, it definitely isn’t.
Before you actually start feeding your child, there are many steps that you need to carefully perform. Firstly, you will have to sterilize the bottles and nipples with the boiling water. It should be taken into account that sterilization is an important step that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Secondly, you have to make sure that the measurement of the formula is in sync with the amount of water that you take. Thirdly, you have to heat the bottle evenly and no, you cannot microwave it. After you’re done feeding the baby, you again have to sterilize the bottles and nipples for the next use. Quite elaborate, isn’t it?
Whether you breastfeed or use formula, enjoy the process... because before you know it, it'll be time to introduce your bundle of joy to solid foods.
Resources— Baby Gaga, Fitness for Mommies
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