Many of us have heard that formula feed is less nutritious than breast milk and that all formulas are created with the same ingredients.
Are you also among the mothers who face this dilemma of choice with loads of information around?
Well, worry not! R for Rabbit is here to help you navigate through your newborn’s feeding journey and information about Lactogen vs. Nanpro.
Table of Contents
Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding
Breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition for newborn babies, owing to its richness in essential vitamins and minerals required for the baby’s growth and development.
But, at times, due to certain unavoidable circumstances, many mothers are unable to breastfeed their babies. This opens the gate towards the second-best option, that is, formula feeding.
Let us now understand the basic difference between the two before proceeding.
| Aspect | Breastmilk | Formula Feed |
| Composition | Contains natural antibodies, enzymes, and bioactive components. | Manufactured to replicate breastmilk but lacks the natural antibodies and enzymes. |
| Immunity | Provides antibodies against infections and diseases. | Lacks natural antibodies, but some formulas are fortified with additional immunity- boosting elements. |
| Digestibility | Easily digested, reducing the chances of constipation or diarrhea. | It may be harder to digest for some babies, leading to various digestive issues like constipation or gas. |
| Frequency of feedings | Babies may feed more frequently (every 2-3 hours) due to faster digestion. | Feed less frequently due to slower digestion. |
| Health Benefits | Reduces the risk of infection, allergies, asthma, obesity, and SIDS. | Supports overall development but lacks some of the protective health benefits of breast milk. |
| Dietary Impact | May taste different, depending upon the mother’s diet. | It has a consistent taste. |
| Risk of allergies | Rarely causes allergies as it is naturally tailored to suit the baby’s needs. | May cause allergic reactions due to babies’ sensitivity to certain proteins or ingredients. |
Formula Choice and Considerations
Protein, carbohydrates, and fat make up 98% of infant formula due to the requirement of these nutrients by the growing baby.
However, the type of ingredients used differs in each formula feed. Therefore, during selection, it is mandatory to look for the first few ingredients for an optimum selection.
Protein
Digestion in babies is based upon the type of protein consumed by them. This is because, larger the size of the protein, the stronger the enzymes required for its digestion.
Breastmilk
The proteins present in the breastmilk are of two categories:
Whey protein: It accounts for 60% of the protein content in the breastmilk and is readily digestible, hence sufficiently absorptive to nourish the immune system of the baby. This includes numerous immune-boosting benefits necessary to combat infections.
Casein protein: It accounts for 40% of the protein content in the breastmilk and creates a gel-like form, facilitating easy digestion and making the baby feel full for longer. It also helps in the efficient absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which is beneficial for the baby’s bone development.
Formula-Feed
The two types of proteins present in the formula-feed are derived either from the cow’s milk or soy milk, which are larger than those found in the breast milk. These can be present either in:
Partially hydrolyzed form: Broken down into smaller parts and easy to digest.
Fully hydrolyzed form: Broken down into tinier parts that are comparatively easier to digest.
Therefore, base your choice upon your baby’s individual digestive needs for proper health and nutrition.
Carbohydrates
Though both formula feeding and breast milk contain lactose, the former that comes from the breast milk, has the added complex sugar oligosaccharides. This adds to the gut microbiome development in the baby, hence aiding their digestion and immunity.
However, this element is not found in the formula feed, hence affecting their immunity partially.
Furthermore, some infants are lactose-intolerant, which may necessitate extra care in selecting the kind of formula.
Probiotics
The probiotics found in the breastmilk occur naturally and keep evolving to support the infant’s current requirements. However, the one present in the formula lacks this customization feature, which thus requires additional care and attention towards babies’ healthy digestion.
In addition, there are also other factors to choose from, like organic and non-organic, hypoallergenic, etc.
Formula Specifics
Two of the most famous formulas are Lactogen and Nanpro. While the former is added with probiotics like L. Reuters, it is easier to digest. The latter is considered to be a hypoallergenic option, which is usually considered the best option for babies with a sensitive digestive system.
Benefits Of Formula Feed
Despite the absence of the natural agents that are present in the breastmilk, formula is considered to be a healthy alternative because of the following:
- Provides convenience and flexibility to feed at anytime and by anyone.
- Requires less feeding compared to breastmilk due to its tummy-filling ingredients.
- Provides vitamin D that is absent in the breastmilk and requires additional supplements.
- Children born through C-sections lack the contact with certain good bacteria of the mother’s vagina that provide them with the necessary immunity. This is fulfilled by the formula.
Tip: It is recommended to switch from one formula to another gradually to let the child’s digestive system to adapt to it.
Reason: A sudden change in the formula feed could add extra load on the still-developing kidneys for digestion. This could also lead to acid reflux, spit up, vomiting, gastrointestinal issues, etc.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding provides essential bonding between the mother and the baby due to skin-to-skin contact, but the same can even be done in case of formula-feeding.
Besides this, effective care and attention given to the formula-fed babies compensate for the lack of various antibodies that are not given to them. This thereby makes formula feed as one of the best options when breastfeeding becomes challenging.
