BREASTFEEDING VS.

ARTIFICIAL FORMULA
Omar Amireh, Robert Demofonte, Kirsten Hurd, Steven Lukac, Courtney
Michaels
 ABSTRACT
• Through extensive research, substantial evidence has been found to
support our proclamation that breastfeeding provides a greater amount of
nutrients as opposed to the use of artificial formula. We discovered that
breastfeeding is not only beneficial for the baby, but the mother as well.
It was clear that natural breast milk not only served as the best source of
nutrients, but that breastfeeding supports earlier cognitive development,
shows a positive outcome for the mother and reveals health benefits
during infancy as well as after. Also, we discovered that financially,
breastfeeding is one way to save money and if one were unable to
physically express breast milk, the mother has different opportunities and
alternatives to provide breastmilk to their baby without resigning to
artificial formula. In conclusion, breastfeeding provides more beneficial
outcomes for both mother and baby than artificial formula.
 NUTRIENTS

• Breast milk contains fats, proteins, and vitamins that are essential for an
infant’s health.
• Also, contains colostrum, which is produced by the mother right after birth.
• Colostrum is high in carbohydrates, proteins and white blood cells in which
infants contain through breastfeeding.
• One of the most common cells being obtained are breast specific
macrophages that engulf and absorb harmful microorganisms, thus
promoting immunity to the baby. (Shenker, 2017)
• Breast milk also contains a protein called lactoferrin and enzymes called
lysozymes. These both aid in the destruction of harmful bacteria that also
aid in immunity. (Shenker, 2017)
 HEALTH BENEFITS

• As breastfeeding is found to be crucial in the first 6 months of life

for the development in the first 1-2 years, colostrum is the first fluid
that fulfills the primary purpose of building the immune system.
• Since childbearing is found to be associated with long-term weight
gain and postpartum weight retention, breastfeeding is found to
assist with postpartum weight loss.
• It decreased the risk of cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine
diseases.
• Breastfeeding mothers are found to less likely develop
hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.
 COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

• The first 9 months of life are the most crucial times for brain growth and
cognitive development. Cognitive scores are tallied using the relations to
head circumference, a measurement of the general brain development,
and correlating with brain volume.
• It has been found the longer a child was breastfed, the less likely of
underdeveloped brain growth. The prevalence of head circumference
deficit decreased significantly from 13.3% to 5.8% as infants were
breastfed from 30 days to 120 or more. (Tawia)
• Using brain MRIs, it was found that young children artificially fed as
infants exhibited less white matter development than infants who were
exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months. (Tawia)
 SKIN-TO-SKIN
• “Skin-to-skin contact involves the newborn being placed on the mother’s abdomen
in a prone position straight after birth, then carefully dried” (Clark, 2014).
• This position is crucial, as it helps to keep the baby calm, regulating heart rate,
temperature, reduce pain and also to facilitate breastfeeding.
• These effects are from the baby using the mother’s warmth, reducing its own
energy use, and listening to the soothing heartbeat it has been near for its entire
life, which then calms the baby down.
• Skin-to-skin has be shown to improve physical development, brain function and
social awareness over time.
• The stress relief from skin-to-skin contact encourages a bond between the mother
and the baby. This shows how the mother and child feed off of each other’s
strength and happiness, creating a beneficial cycle.
 ALTERNATIVES AND ECONOMICS
• According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, $3.6 billion can be saved if more
mothers giving birth choose to breastfeed their children. Savings include 3 different
childhood illnesses, medical expenditures, wages lost by parents attending to an ill
child and the prevention of immature deaths.
• “In a 1997 policy statement, the AAP reported that research in the United States,
Canada, Europe and other developed countries indicates that breastfeeding decreases
the incidence and or/ severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection, otitis media,
bacterial meningitis, botulism, urinary tract infection, and necrotizing enterocolitis”
(Weimer, 2001).
• Although breastfeeding is the most convenient method of milk removal, many mothers
are unable to physically breastfeed their children and often search for alternatives
before purchasing artificial formula.
• Alternatives include: breast pumping, electric or battery-powered breast pumps or
purchasing donor breastmilk.
 CONCLUSION
• In conclusion, for expecting mothers looking to provide their baby with
the greatest amount of nutrients, breastfeeding is more beneficial for
both mother and baby than artificial formula. Although artificial formula
is easily accessible, breastmilk has been found to provide greater
nutrients, health benefits, cognitive growth, financial support, skin-to-skin
benefits, and alternatives for mothers that are not able to physically
express breastmilk. These claims have been shown to benefit the infants
and the mother presently and in the future. With that being said, it is
important for expecting mothers to be educated thoroughly on all options
available to provide the greatest benefits before resigning to artificial
formula.
 REFERENCES
• Available as per request