While breastfeeding might be a natural function, not all mothers have a natural inclination towards it. It is important, however, for one to choose carefully as to how and what one feeds their baby.
Yet without a doubt, medical experts are unanimous about breastfeeding your baby during the first year or for that matter, for whatever length of time.
In fact, the number of benefits that breast milk can offer babies not only pertains to nutrition but also to the presence of antibodies that can resist infections. In fact, breast milk can prevent both the mother as well as the child’s risk of getting cancer – even if scientists have not been able to figure out why.
Alternatively, there are circumstances in which it would not be advisable to breastfeed your child, especially if you or the baby are suffering from certain medical conditions.
In the case of the baby, if it is in a weak physical condition, small in size, undergone premature birth, has difficulty sucking or suffers from defects of the mouth, then formula feeding might be the way to go.
As for the mother, if you are suffering from tuberculosis, HIV, have herpes lesions on the breast, a hepatitis infection, suffer from severe malnutrition or consume street drugs or alcohol, then you will have no choice but to opt for feeding your baby formula.
And if you are concerned about the baby’s health, remember to select a commercially prepared formula (iron-fortified) which contain vitamins and nutrients that even breastfed babies can benefit from.
It must be pointed, yet again, that even though breast feeding is recommended for every child, it isn’t the best option for mothers every time.