Breastfeeding is a personal choice and can be an appealing option, as it offers nutritional benefits to the baby, and bonding time between mother and child. In addition, it provides essential nutrients that boost the infant’s immune system. While it is ultimately left to the choice of the mother, breastfeeding is advised by medical establishments like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
For a mother, breastfeeding burns calories and lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. In addition, this practice saves time and money as extra formula is not needed. For babies, breast milk is easier to digest than formula. Breastfeeding also lowers an infant’s risk of asthma or allergies.
For some women, the flexibility in giving their baby formula is more appealing. This allows for the father or other individual to feed the baby so the mother is not solely relied upon. Additionally, there are women who are not comfortable with breastfeeding in public and prefer to use a bottle. Typically, bottle feedings are less frequent, as formula is digested slower than breast milk.