• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
She's Your Friend logo
  • Holiday
  • Mom Lifestyle
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Holiday
  • Mom Lifestyle
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Holiday
    • Mom Lifestyle
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    She's Your Friend » Pregnancy

    Breastfeeding vs Formula Feeding: What's best for you?

    by Joanna Stephens Published: Mar 26, 2020 · Updated: May 27, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

    396 shares
    • Share
    a breastfeeding mom and a formula feeding mom
    a mom breastfeeding her baby with text overlay that reads breastfeeding vs formula the good the bad and the ugly of both
    an infographic showing the disadvantages of formula feeding
    an infographic showing the benefits of formula feeding baby
    an infographic showing the disadvantages of breastfeeding
    an infographic showing the benefits of breastfeeding
    a breastfeeding mom and a formula feeding mom

    There is a long-standing debate over breastfeeding vs formula, and it will probably always be this way.

    The choice is up to you, but I wanted to give you a little more information about both in hopes that your decision-making will be a little less hard.

    Jump to:
    • Benefits of breastfeeding
    • Disadvantages of breastfeeding
    • Benefits of formula feeding
    • Disadvantages of formula feeding
    • FAQ moms have
    • Our stance on breastfeeding and formula feeding
    • Related New mom Articles

    Please be sure to read both parts because I am not going to sway you either way, but simply inform you.

    an infographic showing the benefits of breastfeeding

    Benefits of breastfeeding

    There are some awesome perks of breast milk including:

    • Breast milk has immunities
    • Gentler on Baby's Tummy
    • It's Free
    • Helps you bond with baby
    • helps mom lose weight fast!

    Breast milk has immunities

    Breast milk contains immunities that you, as a mom, have acquired over time.

    Not only that, breast milk has a lot of properties that can help with cradle cap, baby acne, rashes, teething, and even eye infections.

    Gentle on Baby's tummy

    Breast milk is also easier on sensitive tummies, and won’t cause your baby to have as much gas (depending on what you eat).

    Breast milk is Free

    Another perk of breastfeeding is that its free (well…almost-time is money)!

    Bond with Baby

    Breastfeeding also helps you bond with baby in a way no one else can.

    It sets you aside from all the other visitors or family members who hold your little one, because you provide nourishment.

    Lose Weight Fast

    Another perk specifically for mom would be that breastfeeding or even pumping can help you lose the baby weight a lot quicker.

    an infographic showing the disadvantages of breastfeeding

    Disadvantages of breastfeeding

    As with any comparison here are the disadvantages of breastfeeding and pumping:

    • baby eats what you eat
    • time-consuming
    • doesn't always come easy
    • you have to plan your trips wisely
    • engorgement
    • leaky boobs
    • losing your supply

    Baby Eats What you Eat

    Your baby eats what you eat or drink, in a manner of speaking.

    This means you have to watch certain foods that make your baby gassy, and alcohol isn't a good idea, unless you pump and dump.

    This isn’t necessarily a negative thing, but just something to remember.

    Breastfeeding is time-consuming

    While it is time you are bonding with your baby, it also takes up a lot of time.

    The breast is best people are going to hate me for saying it, but it is so easy to get tired of those late date nights with your Medela, and/or want to skip a feeding because you just want to sleep.

    Related: Guide to Pumping Breastmilk

    Breastfeeding doesn't always come easy

    There can be physiological limitations which can make breastfeeding a lot harder, including inverted nipples and flat nipples.

    There is hope though with the help of nipple shields. You can find out more about the breastfeeding must haves that make life easier.

    Plan your Trips Wisely

    You also have to plan out when you leave the house a lot more thoroughly.

    When it's feeding time or pumping time, you are going to want to do just that to prevent engorgement (ouch!).

    I can still remember the days of pain because we stayed later at a family member’s house and it began pushing into my time when I would pump.

    I was about ready to snap!

    Leaky Boobs

    This next one is a little bit TMI, but leaky boobs.

    When you are pumping or breastfeeding, you are going to have to remember to wear breast pads because leaky boobs are a real thing.

    There’s nothing more awful than being out in public and realizing that you forgot a pad and now your milk supply is going through your bra and onto your shirt for all to see *face palm*.

    Losing Your Supply

    Another potential problem is losing your supply before you were ready to stop.

    Or, maybe you haven't quite lost it, but your supply is starting to lessen.

    an infographic showing the benefits of formula feeding baby

    Benefits of formula feeding

    As with breastmilk, formula also has some benefits to consider including:

    • chemical breakdown is VERY close to breast milk
    • formula lasts longer in baby's tummy
    • you can easily have help with feedings
    • husband can bond with baby while he helps feed

    Chemical Breakdown of Formula

    One of the perks to consider is that nowadays, they have formula that is so close to the chemical breakdown of breast milk.

    This is awesome because you don’t have to sacrifice the nutrients and vitamins and such when you use formula!

    Formula lasts longer in baby's tummy

    Another perk, if you will, is that formula takes longer to digest than breastmilk.

    This results in baby feeling fuller longer, and can correlate to sleeping longer.

    I know with my two kids, when we switched to formula, they were sleeping longer through the night.

    Easily have help with feeding baby

    With formula, you can also have someone else help you with feedings.

    It can be a lot of pressure to know you are 100% responsible for your baby not starving.

    With formula, your husband can make a bottle too (but he certainly can’t breastfeed).

    Not only that, it can help him bond with baby too, because some men have a hard time bonding at first.

    You can read further on ways to help baby and dad bond here.

    an infographic showing the disadvantages of formula feeding

    Disadvantages of formula feeding

    Now it’s on to the bad and ugly of formula because this is, after all, a comparison.

    Here is a brief summary of the drawbacks to formula feeding:

    • expensive
    • formula stinks
    • formula makes babies gassy
    • requires you use a lot of bottles, and wash them
    • you will use a lot of purified water

    Formula is Expensive

    So here’s the deal: formula is expensive and when you need it, you need it.

    I do have an article here on how to save money on baby formula that is definitely worth checking out, but regardless formula is still expensive.

    Formula Stinks

    Formula literally stinks. In the canister, and also mixed with water.

    Don’t worry, your baby won’t mind, but you definitely have to prepare yourself for the smell.

    Formula Can Cause Gas Pains

    Formula makes babies gassy, and some babies can’t digest it as easily.

    Formula makers have combated this issue by making a gentler formula for babies who have a tendency to spit-up a lot.

    For the gas, I would suggest some gripe water and you can read more about how to help your baby with the gas pains here.

    Use a lot of bottles, so more dishes!

    Another thing about formula feeding a baby is that you are going to be washing a lot of bottles, and use a lot of purified water!

    I am picky when it comes to making formula in that I don’t use city water.

    Where I live, it’s not bad, but I’m not willing to take the risk.

    Also, even on well water, at our old house, my pediatrician advised us against using this and instead to opt for a purified water.

    FAQ moms have

    Are breastfed babies healthier?

    Breast milk has mom's immunities in it, but there is no guarantee your baby will be healthier than a formula fed baby.

    Does breast milk or formula affect intelligence?

    No. There are definitely correlations made, but how intelligent a person is has many factors that would be hard to determine if breast milk or formula played any part.

    Our stance on breastfeeding and formula feeding

    Everywhere you go, you will hear the term "breast is best".

    I will end the debate right here and right now in that fed is best.

    No matter which one you choose, the best thing for baby is that baby is getting fed.

    I had trouble breastfeeding and my daughter was starving, which is why I made the switch to formula with her.

    With my son, my supply ran out rather quickly because he was in the NICU.

    Related New mom Articles

    • 9 Postpartum Essentials (for mom & baby)
    • What to Pack in a Diaper Bag
    • First Week with your newborn (what's it like?)
    396 shares
    • Share

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    about me picture of the founder Joanna Stephens

    Hi, I'm Joanna! Wife, and mother of 2. Here you will find a mom friend to talk all things motherhood, beauty, home decor, and other helpful advice for life.

    More about me →

    a 2023 planner with text overlay that reads free printable and 24 pages

    Follow us

    • go to our pinterest account
    • go to our facebook page
    • go to our instagram account

    Easter

    • a pink background with easter eggs and bunnies
      17 Non Candy Easter Basket Ideas
    • six printable easter worksheets for kids
      11 Free Easter Printables for Kids
    • collage of different easter themed home decor with text overlay that reads affordable easter home decor
      Affordable Easter Home Decor
    • a girl focused on her STEM project with her computer
      13 Best STEM gifts for Kids
    • collage of thirteen kids books with text overlay that reads the best books for kids
      20 Best Books for Kids
    • a mom and son coloring in a coloring book with crayons
      5 Best coloring books for toddlers

    What's Popular

    • a-baby-who-is-crying
      Gassy newborn: a parents guide to help
    • a mom combing her baby's hair
      Complete guide to Cradle Cap and Baby
    • a 1 year old holding a sippy cup
      Transitioning from Formula to Milk
    • a pregnant woman holding a purple gift by her belly bump
      Awesome Baby and Pregnancy Freebies
    • a baby holding a box of zarbees baby cough medicine
      An Honest Review of Zarbee's Baby Cough Syrup
    • Geralt and Yennefer funko pop characters from the witcher
      31 baby names from The Witcher

    Features

    collage showing HuffPost Today parenting team, Verywell family, Newsweek Lifewire and Workest by Zenefits.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Connect

    • Contact
    • Sponsor

    About

    • About Us
    • Accessibility

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures

    She's Your Friend provides information for educational purposes only and is not to be taken as medical advice. See our privacy policy for more details. Posts within this website may or may not contain affiliate links. She's Your Friend is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

    Copyright © 2018-2023 She's Your Friend

    She's Your Friend
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.