breastfed babies on average get sick less than formula-
fed babies, the family is also likely to save money on
doctor visits, medicine, and time off from work to care
for a sick child.
The mother’s health also benefits from breastfeed-
ing. Nursing mothers tend to lose the weight they put
on during pregnancy faster than mothers who do not
nurse. The hormones that are released in the mother’s
body when her infant nurses also help her uterus con-
tract and become more nearly the size it was before
pregnancy. Mothers who nurse their babies also seem
to be less likely to develop breast, ovarian, or uterine
cancerearly in life. Finally, breastfeeding offers psy-
chological benefits to the mother as she bonds with her
baby and may reduce the chance of postpartum
depression.
DISADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING.Although
breast milk is the best food for an infant, breastfeed-
ing does cause some disadvantages to the mother.
Initially babies breastfeed about every two to three
hours. Some women find it exhausting to be available
to the baby so frequently. Later, when the infant is
older, the mother may need to pump breast milk for
her child to eat while she is away or at work. Fathers
sometimes feel shut out during the early weeks of
breastfeeding because of the close bond between
mother and child. In addition, women who are breast-
feeding must watch their diet carefully. Some foods or
substances such ascaffeinecan pass into breast milk
and cause the baby to be restless and irritable. Finally,
some women simply find the idea of breastfeeding
messy and distasteful, and resent the fact that they
need to be ‘‘on tap’’ much of the time. For women who
cannot or do not want to breastfeed, infant formula
provides an adequate alternative.Formula feeding
Although infant formula is not as perfect a food as
breast milk for infants (it is harder for them to digest
and is not a chemical replica of human milk), formula
does provide all the nutrients a baby needs to grow up
healthy. The United States Food and Drug Adminis-
tration (FDA) regulates infant formula under the Fed-
eral Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The
FDA sets the minimum amounts of 29 nutrients that
must be present in infant formula and sets maximum
amounts for 9 other nutrients. Some of these nutrients
include Vitamins A, D, E, and K, andcalcium. Some
formulas containiron, while others do not.
Substances used in infant formulas must be foods
on the approved Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
list. Facilities for manufacturing infant formula are
regularly inspected by the FDA, and the manufacturer
must keep process and distribution records for each
batch of formula. Every container of formula must
show an expiration or use by date. The FDA must be
informed of any changes made to the formula.
Infant formulas are either cow’s milk based or
soybased. Infants who show signs of lactose-intoler-
ance (colicky, restless,gassy, spitting up) usually do
well on soy-based formula. Formula comes in three
styles:
ready-to-feed. This is the easiest type of formula to
use. It can be poured straight from the can into a
bottle. It is also the most expensive form of formula.
Concentrated liquid. This needs to be mixed with an
equal portion of water. Concentrated liquid is less
expensive than ready-t0-feed.
Powder. This needs to be mixed with water. Advan-
tages are that it is the least expensive formula and
that it keeps longer than the liquid varieties. The
main disadvantage is that it requires accurate meas-
uring of powder and water.Reasons to formula feed
Not every woman wants or is able to breastfeed.
Aside from personal preference, here are some reasons
why some women should formula feed.KEY TERMS
Antibodies—proteins produced by immune system
cells that destroy or disable viruses or bacteria.
Antibodies are generally specific to each species
of virus or bacteria, so that antibodies against one
type of virus will not affect another type.
celiac disease—a digestive disease that causes
damage to the small intestine. It results from the
ability to digest gluten found in wheat, rye, and
barley.
Exclusive breastfeeding—All an infant’s nutrient
and fluid needs are met from breast milk
Meningitis—a serious infection of the membranes
surrounding the brain
Type 2 diabetes—sometime called adult-onset dia-
betes. This disease prevents the body from properly
using glucose (sugar).
celiac disease—digestive disease that causes dam-
age to the small intestine. It results from the ability
to digest gluten found in wheat, rye, and barley.Infant nutrition