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  • Essay / The Best Way to Feed a Baby - 1091

    For years there have been debates about the best way to feed a baby. Many pregnant women struggle to decide which decision is right for them, because ultimately it is a natural behavior for our species and those like us. You have two options to choose from when deciding how to feed a baby after birth. The first is bottle or breast feeding and the second is feeding a baby with formula. This article will review both options and compare them, the policies involved and finally the arguments involved on both sides. Breastfeeding is the natural process by which a woman breastfeeds her child. Other names for this process are breastfeeding or breastfeeding. The American Academy of Physicians makes the following policy statement on breastfeeding: “Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for both mothers and their children. Breast milk provides medical and psychological benefits that breast milk substitutes do not provide (Breastfeeding (Policy Statement), 2014) » Feeding an infant at a mother's breast is a natural phenomenon that many mammals like humans do to provide for the needs of their children. Before the advent of scientific infant formula technology, the breast was the only way to feed an infant right after birth. The first fluid produced by the breast after the baby is born is colostrum. It is a yellow substance produced during pregnancy and rich in nutrients and antibodies believed to protect the baby. This colostrum is how the baby is nourished for about three to five days and will provide enough nutrients the baby needs. After this period of time, that's when ejection occurs and the actual milk comes in and the breast is ready...... middle of paper ...... significant differences depending on the selected age groups (Belfield and Kelly, 2010 ). The downside to breastfeeding is the time it takes, society's negative views about public breastfeeding, and the effort it sometimes requires for mothers. There are also positive aspects of formula feeding, including convenience and ease of use. In the United States, especially today, breastfeeding is becoming more common than in the past due to awareness of its health benefits. Yet many women still choose formula breastfeeding. due to personal beliefs, personal situations or difficulties experienced by the mother or child. 75% of women breastfeed their child for some time during their life (AAP Reaffirms Breastfeeding Guidelines, 2012). Regardless of the benefits, there will most likely always be a choice thanks to scientific research and advances in formula technology..