Infant Formula - An Alternative for Breast Milk

Infant formula is an artificial substitute for breast milk if the mother doesn't prefer breast feeding. The decision to breastfeed or formula feed babies should be based on the mother's comfort level with breastfeeding as well as their lifestyle. Some parents choose formula-feeding either because of personal preference or because medical conditions of either the mother or the infant make breastfeeding risky.

Besides breast milk, infant formula is the only other infant milk which the medical community considers nutritionally acceptable for infants under the age of one year. Cow's milk is not recommended because of its high protein and electrolyte (salt) content which may put a strain on an infant's immature kidneys. Evaporated milk, although perhaps easier to digest due to the processing of the protein, is still nutritionally inadequate.

The article Infant Formula Fortification Protocol advised that; soy milk, almond milk, or carrot juice are absolutely not acceptable substitutes for breast milk or even for formula. It is also advisable for breastfeeding moms to be much careful of what they eat because this can affect their baby and also their health. Breastfed mothers are advised to avoid foods that contain Trans fats and anything with hydrogenated or even partially hydrogenated oils.

Many scientists believe that non-breastfed infants suffer significantly from ear infection, intestinal and other bacterial infection. In addition, bottle feeding can be less successful than breastfeeding in promoting the natural bonding process of mother and child. Infant formulas, like other processed food products, are the subject of occasional reviews, usually due to bacterial or foreign object contamination. Since all infant formulas are regulated by Infant Formula Act, they are all nutritious, just make sure that you prepare the formula carefully and store them safely.

Keep in mind that there's no perfect substitute for breast milk, its nature's gift to mankind. Besides, research found that breastfed babies have lower rate of medical problems and most major medical and heath organizations recommend breastfeeding than formula feeding. Breastfeeding is particularly beneficial for premature babies and may also protect children against allergies, asthma, diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome. So still, breast milk is the perfect food for babies, but for mothers who are unable to breastfeed or who decide not to, infant formula is good enough as an alternative.

Read more about Infant Formula Fortification. You can also visit Dr. Mercola's Natural Health Information and Newsletter for more updated natural health news and alternative medicine.

Hot Topics In Health

    How To Treat Sleep Deprivation Using CPAP

    Treating sleep deprivation using CPAP is considered as an effective treatment strategy. Sleep derivation is the condition in which the patient cannot experience a continuous sleep. It is considered to...

    Plantar Warts Explained

    Warts (including plantar warts) are a viral (verruca vulgaris) infection of the skin. They are contracted by coming in direct contact with the virus.

    If you've ever stepped barefoot into a locker ro...

    Is Lasik Surgery Covered By Insurance?

    Lasik surgery is an eye vision correction method that has been growing in popularity. Lasik surgery can greatly improve eyesight, eliminating the use of eye glasses or contact lenses. It's a relativel...

    How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Typically Cost?

    The cost of laser eye surgery can vary greatly depending on the type of surgery to be performed, the patient's prescription, the equipment used, and the doctor or surgical provider in question. There ...

    Diet And Sperm Quality

    There comes a time in most committed relationships where couples decide that they want to bring a child into the world. Visions of chubby newborns dance in the heads of baby's mom and dad while hopes ...

    Anatomical Charts

    Anatomical Charts

    Human anatomical charts have been used since the 18th century for many purposes in the healthcare profession. Whether you're a surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, or masseus...

    Diet Soda; Is It Good Or Bad If You Are On A Diet?

    The debate over whether diet soda is a dieter's friend or a dieter's enemy seems to become more heated every day.

    One side is saying diet soda is a great beverage for people trying to lose weight an...

    Functional Food: Preventing Diseases and Promoting Pet Health

    Food and diet play an important role in health. Every day, research in fields such as epidemiology and nutritional biochemistry teach us more about this relationship. Through scientific investigation ...

    Mosquito Bites - Remedy And Repellents

    It's a nice summer day and you're relaxing in your yard. Suddenly, you feel something bite you. You may begin to itch, when another bite takes place, and then another. It's those pesky mosquitoes agai...

    A Brief History Of Hip Replacement Surgery

    Hip replacement is a medical procedure in which the hip joint is replaced by a synthetic implant. It is the most successful, cheapest and safest form of joint replacement surgery. The earliest recorde...

    A Practical 12-Month Organic Living Plan

    We can talk and think about something until cows fly!

    But it's what we actually DO, that matters; that creates results.

    If you've been thinking and talking about eating and using more organic prod...

    The True Cost Of Smoking, Literally.

    What would you and your partner do with 07,887.50? Spend it on cigarettes perhaps? Well, if you and your partner both smoke 60 cigarettes a day between you, and you both smoke for another 50 years, th...

Most Recent Health Supplements

Interesting Today:

Most Recent Health Blogs:

Releated to Health:

Health Links:

Health Health Rss feeds.