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Breastfeeding vs

Bottle Feeding

By: Noah Connolly RN

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Breastfeeding

  • Optimal source of nutrition
  • Newborns should feed 2-3 hours
  • Reduced the risk of infection by providing IgA antibodies, lysozymes, leukocytes, macrophages, and lactoferrin that prevents infections
  • Provide protein and nitrogen for neurologic cell building and improves the newborn’s ability to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels
  • Contains electrolytes and minerals
  • Easy for the newborn to digest
  • Reduces the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome, allergies and childhood obesity
  • Promotes maternal infant bonding and attachment

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Infant-specific Benefits

  • Decreased risk for:
    • Gastrointestinal infections
    • Celiac disease
    • Asthma
    • Respiratory tract infections
    • Otitis media
    • Sudden infant death syndrome
    • Obesity in adolescence and adulthood
    • Diabetes mellitus types I and II
    • Hypertension
    • Hypercholesterolemia
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Rheumatoid arthritis

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Mother-specific Benefits

  • Decreased risk for:
    • Postpartum bleeding
    • Ovarian and breast cancer
    • Diabetes Mellitus Type II
    • Hypertension
    • Hypercholesterolemia
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Rheumatoid arthritis

* Rapid uterine involution

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Family and Society-specific Benefits

  • Less expensive than formula
  • Reduces annual health care costs
  • Reduces environmental effects

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Breastfeeding 101

  1. Skin to skin within 30 minutes of life; breast feeding position of preference
  2. Expression of colostrum (first amount of breastmilk); nipple stimulation
  3. Spread colostrum on nipple and entice the newborn
  4. Support breast in one hand and with the thumb on top and four fingers underneath
  5. Pull newborn to nipple, entice newborns mouth to open around areola and nipple
  6. Recommend placing finger on side of newborn’s mouth to prevent excessive suction on nipple

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Patient Education

  • Uterine cramps are normal
  • Hunger cues: hand to mouth or hand to hand movements, sucking motions, and rooting reflex
  • Aim for 15-20 mins per breast
  • Feeding completion cues: slowing of suckling, softened breast, sleeping
  • Gently pat the newborn’s back to allow for burping
  • The newborn is receiving “enough” if according to their weight, and how many dirty diapers they make.
  • Remember, a newborn’s stomach is only the size of a cherry!
  • Always place the newborn on their back after feedings
  • Breast milk can be expressed manually or through a pump

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Bottle Feeding

  • Formula feeding can be an adequate source of nutrition if the newborn is fed every 3-4 hours
  • Teach parents how to prepare formula, mix according to instructions, bottles, and nipples
  • Bottles and accessories can be put in the dishwasher, boiled, or washed
  • Use safe tap water to mix formula. Ensure proper formula to water ratio.
  • Keep the bottle nipple filled with formula to prevent the newborn from swallowing air
  • Discard unused formula remaining in bottle to prevent bacterial contamination