Parenthood is full of choices, and deciding whether to breastfeed or formula-feed can feel overwhelming. You may have heard from your parents or grandparents that you were formula-fed and you turned out fine, or that you should breastfeed so your baby can grow up to be a genius. If you’re being pulled in different directions as you try to decide what’s right for you and your baby, read below to learn about the facts of breastfeeding versus formula feeding.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Although breastfeeding has gone in and out of style over the years, recent research has shown new moms just how beneficial breastfeeding can be. From unique nutritional benefits to virtually cost-free feeding, breast milk is called “liquid gold” for a reason. Breast milk offers unmatched nutrition that is perfectly designed for infant growth and development, and the nutrient content of breast milk will evolve to meet the changing needs of your baby as he or she grows. The nutrients that are naturally present in breast milk are easy for infants to digest and absorb, which helps to reduce instances of vomiting and diarrhea. In addition to ideal nutrition, breast milk promotes a phenomenon known as passive immunity. Babies’ immune systems are functional when they are born, but they have not been sensitized to the viruses and bacteria around them. Mothers pass on valuable immunoglobulins through breast milk, which helps give babies resistance to illnesses that mom has already recovered from.
While breast milk’s benefits are virtually priceless, this mom-made nutrition is also cost-free and readily available whenever a baby is hungry. The only financial costs associated with breastfeeding come from accessories, such as nursing pads, bottles, and storage containers. Although new moms may worry about covering the price of a breast pump, the Affordable Care Act requires most health insurance plans to provide breast pumps to moms at no cost. Pumps for Mom makes it easy for new parents to get a free breast pump through insurance, so their little one can enjoy all of the amazing benefits of breast milk.
Benefits of Formula
New moms may think that formula feeding is easier than breastfeeding, and that may be true for some parents. Breastfeeding is no easy feat, and a lot of the responsibility falls on moms, whereas dads, grandmas, or grandpas can run to the store to buy formula and make a bottle. Formula feeding offers parents greater freedom, though this flexibility comes with a cost–literally. Infant formula costs between $54 to $198 per month, which adds up to around $650 to $2,376 every year, and it does not offer the same nutritional and health benefits as breast milk.
However, breast pumping helps replicate some of the flexibility of formula feeding because mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa can feed a little one with a bottle of expressed breast milk. No one can tell you what’s right for your family, and there’s no mom-shaming here, whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed.
Do I Need a Breast Pump?
Moms do not necessarily need a breast pump if they are choosing to breastfeed. However, a breast pump helps parents enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to breastfeeding versus formula feeding. With a breast pump, moms share the responsibility of infant feedings with partners or family members. In addition, moms can maintain milk supply when using a breast pump even if they can’t be with their little one all day, every day. For those who are constantly on the move, the Ameda Mya is a battery-powered, double electric breast pump that is convenient, safe, and discreet so moms can pump anywhere they go. The Spectra S2 is another portable breast pump with an extremely quiet motor, backflow protection, and a massage mode to encourage let-down.
Research enumerates the benefits of breast milk, but each parent needs to make the best choice for them and their growing family. Whether you choose to breastfeed, formula feed, or combine the two, Pumps for Mom is on your side.
Raising a baby and breastfeeding are not for the faint of heart. Pumps for Mom is here to make motherhood a little easier. With the best breast pumps covered by insurance available, our expert team is ready and waiting to find the best breast pump for every mom. With our simple qualification form, new and expectant moms can submit their insurance information and see which insurance breast pumps they qualify for immediately. Then moms simply select the breast pump that best meets their needs, and the rest is on us. We’ll get your insurance breast pump to you as quickly as possible, and we will keep you updated throughout every step of the process. You’ve got enough on your mind–let Pumps for Mom take care of your breast pump through insurance.