Professor Holmes
English 111
10/8/13
Breastfeeding vs. Bottle feeding Choosing whether to breastfeed or bottle feed is one of the first choices mothers have to make. The decision to breastfeed or formula feed a baby is a personal decision each and every family will have to make together. Many expecting mothers have to analyze the benefits of both before making a decision that will shape their lives as the baby grows and develops. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to either decision such as the ingredients, health benefits, convenience, and the cost. Breast milk is the milk produced by a female for her infant offspring. The baby nursing from its mother is the most common form of obtaining milk after the first few days, weeks and months after the baby is born. Breast milk can be supplied by a woman other than the baby's mother (donor milk). Bottle feeding is another method of milk for the baby. It is used in replacement or addition to breast milk. Bottle feeding is done through formula, which is manufactured food designed for feeding infants under 12 months of age. There are many different brands and types of formula to choose from as your baby grows older. Milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns before they are able to eat and digest other foods, so breastfeeding or bottle feeding are both essential. Breast milk has a list of ingredients that goes on and on. Broken down, breast milk is made up of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates. The milk contains two types of proteins, whey and casein. Approximately 60% of the milk is whey and 40% is casein, making this a perfect balance of proteins for the baby, making it a quick and easy digestion. The fats in breast milk are a primary calorie source that is needed for the babies’ brain, retina, and nervous system development. The vitamins in breast milk are based off of the mother’s vitamin intake. The vitamins A, D, E, and K are all significant to the infant’s