Breast Milk
- Contains the proper proportion of nutrients that your baby needs, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, and calcium
​
- It provides natural antibodies that help your baby resist illnesses, such as ear infections
​
- Usually more easily digested than formula. So breastfed babies are often less constipated and gassy
​
- It may raise your child's intelligence . Studies show breastfed babies have higher levels of cognitive function
​
- Breast milk may even help your child in the later years, by reducing the risk of being overweight, and of developing asthma, allergies, type 1 and 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, and lymphoma
​
- Good for moms too. Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and ovarian cancer. It can also help you lose your baby weight more easily, and make it less likely you'll have postpartum depression
​
​
Formula Milk
- Best possible alternative to breast milk
- It's convenient. Formula-fed babies can be fed by anyone at any time
​
- It's flexible. You don't have to fit pumping into your work schedule. Instead, you can simply leave formula for your babysitter or day care center
​
- Scheduling feedings may be easier. Formula isn't digested as quickly as breast milk, so formula-fed babies don't need to east as often, especially in the first few months
​
- You don't have to worry about what you eat. Moms who breastfeed may have to avoid certain foods that their baby can't tolerate