Fortunately, medicine is not standing still, helping to dispel the misconceptions entrenched in society. We have selected some of the most common and perhaps most controversial claims that raise many questions for moms and dads.
Myth 1: Breastfed babies have a lower risk of allergies
If the mother decides to stop breastfeeding her baby, she needs to seek advice from her doctor, who will recommend a suitable baby formula. Using this formula will help ensure the healthy growth and development of the baby.
The main risk factors for developing allergies are heredity and environmental conditions. Allergies can occur in infancy or childhood, regardless of whether the baby was fed breast milk or formula.
Myth 2: Breast milk substitutes (formula) contain all the necessary components
We have all heard more than once that breast milk has the unique ability to adjust to a particular baby. It has a different composition depending on the baby’s age, the time of year, and even the time of day. It is impossible to create an artificial substitute that can adapt to a baby.
And yet life is such that not all mothers now have the opportunity or desire to breastfeed their babies. Therefore, formula feeding becomes the only possible alternative. It is necessary to choose the right one that will be well tolerated, quickly and fully digested, and be as close as possible to breast milk.
Myth 3: It is not necessary to feed your baby with formula on demand
Much has been said about feeding on demand in the context of breastfeeding. And almost always, if there are no contraindications, pediatricians recommend allowing your baby to eat when he or she wants to. It is logical that if a baby gets formula from a bottle, he or she may also want to eat at an “off-time.” This is especially true for babies in their first months of life, so if you see that the baby is showing signs of being hungry, be sure to offer him food. Do not worry that you’ll have to prepare a bottle: gradually, the feeding schedule will be worked out by itself, and you will be able to set meals by the hour.
Myth 4: Formula feeding can cause regurgitation
In general, regurgitation is quite normal in infants whose gastrointestinal tract has not yet fully matured functionally. However, regurgitation can be avoided or at least reduced. It is worth noting that in order to improve digestion, some formulas contain probiotics (live bacteria beneficial for the baby). In contrast, others are enriched with prebiotics (they are “food for bacteria” and are essential for developing gut microbiota). And only some formulas contain both of these components.
Myth 5: Constipation is common, mostly among formula-fed babies
The problem of constipation in babies is directly related to what they eat. The fact that the composition of breast milk varies depending on what the mother eats. If the baby gets formula milk, the presence or absence of constipation is just as related to the composition of the formula. Therefore, before choosing a particular milk formula, it is best to consult a specialist. Perhaps the doctor will recommend organic formula to provide your baby with digestive comforts, such as Holle. As a result, a baby gets a well-balanced diet including all necessary vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and protection against constipation.
