Introduction.
Historically, the oldest sources that mentioned breastfeeding are believed to have come from the Near East, dating back to 3000 BC. However, over the years, it is thought that breastfeeding has been a necessary activity among women since the olden days. Breastfeeding was done to infants purposely to nourish them such that in some communities, it is believed that breastfeeding was a strong bond between the mother and the infant. To narrow down, over decades and in the contemporary world, a controversy has been challenging most mothers regarding whether to breastfeed or introduce formula feeding to their young babies. In academic literature, there has been researching and views from different authors and scholars concerning the necessity of choosing between breastfeeding and formula feeding. Most authors and scholars have varying stances about the controversy that most mothers encounter throughout their nursing period. For a mother to choose between the two methods, it is essential to understand the merits and demerits of both breastfeeding and formula eating. Therefore, the essay will argue that breastfeeding is preferable to formula feeding.
Main Argument.
Consequently, numerous challenges are associated with women as soon as they are pregnant and when nursing their infants. However, there is a significant gap between the dilemma of either breastfeeding or formula feeding. At this juncture, lactating women must consider and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of breastfeeding and formula feeding (Barta, 2022). Even though making a choice is difficult because of unavoidable circumstances, mothers should always seek ways to understand the significance of breastfeeding a baby rather than introducing formula feeding. Factors can hinder a lactating mother from perceiving breastfeeding as more advantageous than formula feeding. For example, personal inconveniences, health issues, and social factors; therefore, extensive research is necessary so that mothers can make breastfeeding the most appropriate way to feed their infants.
To begin, breastfeeding is significant in various ways to a toddler compared to formula feeding. According to the report and research from the healthcare system, breastmilk is believed to be the perfect food for an infant. Breastmilk is preferable to formula feeding because it contains the proper nutrients and the correct amount (Yi & Kim, 2021). According to the recommendations from healthcare, it is advisable to breastfeed a baby up to the age of six months so that other extra foods can be introduced. The healthy nutrients found in breast milk are absorbed and used by the infant appropriately, like proteins and carbohydrates. Breastmilk and the best nutrients aid in nourishing and growth of the baby’s nervous system(Yi & Kim, 2021). According to the research, babies breastfed appropriately during their young ages portray the best intelligence on tests when they grow older. Also, breastmilk provides nutrients to the baby, making the eyes work better since the milk has essential fats.
Nevertheless, in general, breastfeeding protects an infant against diseases and allergies. There is a microorganism known as probiotics and prebiotics, which prevents the body from any disease. This microorganism develops microbiota that agitates for better health outcomes through the pathogens and raises metabolic function (Jurvanen et al., 2019). However, through breastfeeding, there are various ways in which diseases are fought, which prevents severe infections and allergies. It is advisable for mothers to major in breastfeeding their babies until six months old because infants have far fewer lung, digestive, and ear infections. A case can happen when a baby can succumb to conditions throughout breastfeeding, such that breast milk helps to make the disease less severe (Järvinen et al., 2019). A mother must breastfeed because sometimes it is challenging to predict if food is safer for a child since some are associated with allergies. Therefore, breastmilk is perceived to have natural filters and aids the infants in digestion because of the present enzymes in breastmilk hence abiding complications.
Besides breastmilk preventing allergies and containing healthy nutrients, it also aids in the prevention of other conditions. However, breastmilk protects infants from numerous threats and continues even in old age. The health of breastfed babies shows that they have a lower risk for sudden infant death syndrome than infants who are not breastfed or those who are used to formula feeding (Macchiaverni et al., 2021). Breastfeeding a baby subject to the condition of getting a lower risk of being asthmatic and skill problems that are associated with allergies. Infants not used to breast milk have a high chance of having milk allergies. Besides breastfed infants have fewer long-term health challenges as they grow, like obesity, leukemia, and diabetes (Macchiaverni et al., 2021). because breastmilk helps digestion, a breastfed infant has less risk of getting associated with digestive problems than formula feeding, which alters the healthy bacteria in the intestines.
Evidence that Supports the Main stance.
Following on the preference of breastfeeding an infant over formula feeding, it is evident that the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization support this stance. The United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans between 2020- 2025 recommend that infants should be breastfed exclusively for the first six months such that complementary food can be introduced for one year or longer (Macchiaverni et al., 2021). Regarding supporting and reinforcing breastfeeding among infants, it is evident that the Breastfeeding Report Card can justify how babies are breastfed. This is a report from the National Immunization Survey whereby the organ is accountable for monitoring the rate at which babies are breastfed throughout their growth (CDC, 2022). For example, statistical information from 2019 indicates that 83.2% of infants were receiving breastmilk, such that those who could be breastfed at one month were 78.6%, and 55.8 % received breast milk at six months. Besides the possible rates of infants who received breastmilk, the statistical data indicates that 24.9% could not access breastfeeding.
Summary of the Counterargument.
The argument of breastfeeding being preferred to formula feeding indicates that infants need to be associated with breastmilk as early as possible. This is because infants can be affected in their old age. Despite cultures having different understandings and perceptions about certain breastfeeding beliefs, mothers must understand why babies should be breastfed (Yi & Kim, 2021). Breastfeeding is believed to be a link or bond between the mother and the infant, but in some cultures, the perception of a child developing a bond with a mother is not recognized. For example, in Western European countries, there was the creation of wet nurses whereby the nurses could breastfeed a baby.
The statistics from the Breastfeeding Report Card show that the rate at which mothers breastfeed their infants is average. This can be evaluated from the total rate of breastfeeding, those infants who were breastfed at one month and those who received breastmilk at six months. Despite the statistical report indicating that most babies are being breastfed at early stages, there are challenges that families can face during breastfeeding (CDC, 2022). For example, there can be disparities in terms of race and ethnicity. The data shows that breastmilk is more beneficial to babies throughout the period of growth. It can reach a time when there is a steady decline in the breastfeeding rate, and such families should require support to achieve their breastfeeding goals (CDC, 2022). The consent can be in terms of offering supportive maternity care practices, education policies, and state-paid families. Therefore, families need support because their environmental conditions can subject mothers to challenges during breastfeeding. For instance, research shows that mothers living in urban areas breastfeed more than mothers in rural areas.
Response to the Counterargument.
Breastfeeding is the most effective method of ensuring that a toddler’s health is in good condition and the infant’s survival. The World Health Organization recommends that fewer infants under six months not receive breastmilk (Jiravisitkul et al., 2022). However, this is an affirmation from the Breastfeeding Report Card, which monitors infants’ breastfeeding annually or after two years. The recommendation from the World Heat Organization is also supported by the request of the United States Dietary Guidelines for Americans between 2020-2025, which states that every baby should be breastfed for the first six months. According to the preference for breastfeeding over formula feeding, breastmilk is ideal for young babies since it is clean, safe, and has antibodies that fight any illness (Boquien, 2018). Besides, breastfed babies are likely to overcome lifestyle diseases like obesity because the body is not used to pathogens.
Conclusion.
Based on the statistics on breastfeeding, it is crucial to educate and advise mothers to consider breastmilk as an ideal food for their infants. As such, if there is no awareness concerning the controversy of breastfeeding versus formula feeding, it will automatically undermine the efforts to accelerate breastfeeding rates and duration across the globe. It is challenging to neglect the disparities between breastfeeding and formula feeding. At this juncture, lactating mothers are accountable for evaluating the appropriate method when nursing their infants. To recap, breastfeeding will always be the most preferred and effective method because of its impact. For instance, being a link between the mother and the child improves the babies’ cognitive development and health outcomes.
References
Barta, K. R. (2022). Ethical Considerations for Hospital-Based Infant Feeding Support. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 51(3), 243–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2022.03.001
Boquien, C.-Y. (2018). Human Milk: An Ideal Food for Nutrition of Preterm Newborn. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00295
CDC. (2022). Breastfeeding Report Card. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/reportcard.htm
Järvinen, K. M., Martin, H., & Oyoshi, M. K. (2019). Immunomodulatory effects of breast milk on food allergy. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 123(2), 133–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2019.04.022
Jiravisitkul, P., Thonginnetra, S., Kasemlawan, N., & Suntharayuth, T. (2022). Supporting factors and structural barriers in the continuity of breastfeeding in the hospital workplace. International Breastfeeding Journal, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00533-1
Macchiaverni, P., Rekima, A., van den Elsen, L., Renz, H., & Verhasselt, V. (2021). Allergen shedding in human milk: Could it be key for immune system education and allergy prevention? Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 148(3), 679–688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2021.07.012
Snetselaar, L. G., de Jesus, J. M., DeSilva, D. M., & Stoody, E. E. (2021). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025. Nutrition Today, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.1097/nt.0000000000000512
Yi, D. Y., & Kim, S. Y. (2021). Human Breast Milk Composition and Function in Human Health: From Nutritional Components to Microbiome and MicroRNAs. Nutrients, 13(9), 3094. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093094
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