Breastfeeding vs. Formula: Is One Really Better?

August 13, 2024

Loving Parents Standing In Nursery Cuddling Baby Son At Home

Choosing between breastfeeding and formula feeding can feel overwhelming for new parents. It’s a decision that deserves thoughtful consideration.

“At the end of the day, a fed baby is the best type of baby,” says Elizabeth Odom, M.D., board-certified pediatrician and certified lactation counselor at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Whether you choose breast milk or formula, I am really happy with either—as long as your baby is fed, growing and healthy.”

Keep reading to learn the pros and cons for each to figure out which is best for you and your baby.

The Case for Breastfeeding

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding newborns human milk throughout the first six months of life. Parents can then begin introducing other foods. If possible and desired, breastfeeding can continue beyond the six-month mark.

Human milk offers many health benefits for babies, including:

Antibodies to protect against illness
Nutrients to help growth and development

Thanks to these ingredients, human milk reduces the risk of acute and chronic illnesses. Breastfed babies are less likely to experience ear infections, obesity, diabetes and other conditions.

There are also potential health perks for people who breastfeed:

Can lose pregnancy weight faster
Lowered risk for breast cancer, diabetes and other diseases

“Breastfeeding is free, portable and natural,” Dr. Odom says. “It is a really nice bonding experience.”

Dr. Odom notes that though full of nutrients, human milk often lacks vitamin D. This is why breastfed babies need supplementation.

Obstacles to Breastfeeding

To encourage more moms to breastfeed, the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee declared August to be National Breastfeeding Month. The goal is to help people understand the benefits of, identify obstacles to and find success in breastfeeding, all year long.

However, breastfeeding isn’t always the right choice. You may opt for formula for the following reasons:

Availability. Newborns eat around the clock, often needing to feed every two or three hours. If you aren’t available to breastfeed your baby this often and cannot pump breast milk, formula allows your baby to feed regardless of your availability.
Diet. Whatever you eat gets passed to your baby through breast milk. Feeding your baby formula allows you to eat or drink without risk to your little one.
Health. For most women, breastfeeding is healthy and safe. You should choose to formula feed if you have certain conditions, such as HIV, or use cocaine or other illegal drugs. Formula feeding may also be a better option for those who experience low milk supply due to medications or medical conditions.
Intolerance. Babies are not typically allergic to human milk. In rare cases, a baby may not tolerate some food proteins in human milk. Special formula gives needed nutrients without causing allergic reactions.

Encouragement for Those Choosing Formula

In the United States, all baby formula—generic and name-brand alike—must meet various requirements. A key requirement is to include all nutrients necessary to help a baby thrive.

“If a mom isn’t interested in breastfeeding, that’s completely okay,” Dr. Odom says. “Plenty of formula-fed babies are absolutely wonderful, brilliant, healthy people.”

Today, formula comes in various types to meet babies’ needs and preferences. Your baby’s formula may be based on the following:

Cow’s milk. Modified milk proteins mimic those found in human milk. These formulas contain lactose, vegetable oils and other vitamins and minerals. Most babies tolerate formulas based on cow’s milk.
Soybeans. While soy-based formula is not recommended for all babies, it is an option if your baby is lactose intolerant. You may also choose soy if you want to avoid feeding animal products to your baby.

If your baby has certain health needs, you may need a special formula. Some commonly used options include:

Hypoallergenic formula. Babies who are allergic to milk protein may require this special formula.
Lactose-free formula. Developed for children who cannot process lactose, this formula helps babies grow while reducing unwanted symptoms.
Partially hydrolyzed formula. This formula contains milk protein that is broken into tiny pieces. These smaller proteins may improve digestion and reduce infant fussiness and gas.

When choosing formula for your baby, keep iron in mind. Many formula-fed babies need extra iron to reduce the risk of anemia. An iron-fortified formula can offset this need. Discuss this with your pediatrician.

Formula Presents Challenges Also

While formula is convenient and contains important nutrients, there are a few downsides to using formula, including:

Bonding issues. Skin-on-skin contact during breastfeeding is a unique bonding experience that produces oxytocin. This chemical calms you down and ups your milk flow. You can still bond during bottle feedings by holding baby tight and making eye contact.
Cost. Formula costs money. Some options, such as hypoallergenic formula, can be very expensive. If you need financial assistance, talk with your pediatrician or apply to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
Preparation and cleaning. Using a bottle takes time. You may have to mix the formula and then get the bottle to the right temperature. Afterward, you must clean and sanitize bottles and nipples and store them in a safe, clean area.

A Final Word on Breastfeeding vs. Formula

Choosing between breastfeeding and formula depends on you. Consider your goals, lifestyle and health. Dr. Odom also recommends reaching out to others.

“Talk to people,” Dr. Odom says. “Lean on your support system—your pediatrician, obstetrician, lactation counselor, family and friends. We’re all here to support you. Whatever you decide to do is what will be best for your baby, and we’re here to help you through that.”

Need help breastfeeding or choosing the best formula for your new little one? Find a pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine today.