In 2023, there were 3,745,361 babies born in the United States. Parents from coast to coast were given a beautiful blessing — along with the responsibility to protect these bundles of joy and nourish them as they grow into well-adjusted adults.

Parents have a myriad of choices to make for their children. It can become overwhelming at times wanting to make sure you choose the right thing that will make your baby the happiest. Choosing what they will eat in the first couple of months can be difficult. Will you breastfeed them or give them formula? When deciding, consider the respective benefits in terms of nutrients, bonding times, expenses and flexibility.

Nutrients

Babies grow a lot in the first year. In fact, it’s from six to 12 months of age that we need the most nutrients for energy. That’s why it is so important to look at the nutrient facts of both breast milk and formula.

Breast milk

The human body is amazing! Not only can it create a special little baby, but it also provides nutritious milk that is packed full of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes, hormones and immune cells. Although breast milk is a great source to support your young baby, it is important to note that it can sometimes lack vitamins D and K.

Formula

With advanced technology, we have been able to create innovative formulas that offer similar benefits as breast milk. Formulas are required to contain equivalent amounts of carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals as breast milk to ensure that each baby is receiving an adequate amount of nutrients. However, it’s crucial to mention that formula does not have the same hormones, antibodies and enzymes, and it may be harder for your baby to digest.

Bonding

Bonding with your young baby is a beautiful event. Breastfeeding mothers have a special one-on-one time with their babies, during which they are able to form a secure attachment through skin-to-skin contact and trust.

When a baby is formula-fed, this can also be the case, and it gives the opportunity to other loved ones to also form a unique bond. Be mindful of holding the baby close, making eye contact and talking to them to initiate the bonding process.

Expenses

Both giving formula and breastfeeding come with their own expenses. For those breastfeeding, they can expect to spend on extra equipment such as the following:

• Nipple shields.
• Nipple cream.
• Nursing pads.
• Breast pump.
• Breast pump cleaning supplies.
• Milk storage bags.
• Nursing clothing.

As you add up all of the necessities to your cart, you may be shocked to see a hefty price. This is the same for formula-fed babies, although formula is the main cost here, and you can expect to pay at least $20 a can. Additionally, you will need to purchase bottles if your baby is not solely breast fed.

Flexibility

When you become a parent, you quickly realize your world revolves around your child. As your baby is still young and incapable of feeding themselves, your schedule will need to change to ensure that their needs are met. Babies eat every two to four hours, which means if you are breastfeeding, you will need to be available to your child every couple of hours. If your baby is being fed via a bottle, you will need to set aside time to clean and sterilize bottles, prepare the milk and pump if necessary.

As you can see, there are positives and potential drawbacks for either option. When making your decision, consider all aspects of what works best for you and your baby, including nutrition, bonding experiences, expenses and overall flexibility.

Lindsey Certonio is a project manager at Fullcast, a Silicon Slopes-based, end-to-end RevOps platform that allows companies to design, manage and track the performance of their revenue-generating teams.

Newsletter