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Baby Feeding Plan

When getting ready for your new baby’s arrival, one of the most important decisions you will make is what you will feed your baby. Whether you’ve already decided how to feed your baby or are still making up your mind, our goal is to give you the information you need.  This form can also help your healthcare team follow your wishes.

Breastmilk

Feeding a baby in the first few days can be difficult, no matter what you feed your baby. For many moms and babies, breastfeeding is a learned skill that takes practice for a few weeks. There are very few medical reasons why a woman should not breastfeed.

  • Normal way to feed baby
  • Baby is better able to fight infections
  • Tailored to your baby’s needs
  • Better weight normalization for mom
  • Less cost, more WIC benefits
  • Any breastmilk is a success!
  • In general, the longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits will be to you and your baby, and the longer these benefits will last.

Formula

  • Higher risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death)
  • Baby has higher risk of sickness such as diarrhea, ear infections, cold, flu, asthma and allergies
  • Baby also has higher lifetime risk of diabetes and obesity

Formula should only be given to a breastfed baby for a medical reason.

Even just one bottle of formula can cause:

  • Reduced breastmilk supply
  • Nipple and milk flow confusion
  • Problems breastfeeding
  • Stretching of the baby’s stomach
  • Allergies and illness for the baby
   

Breastmilk

Formula

Benefits "Pros" Baby
  • Mom’s body makes milk just for her baby’s specific needs. Breastmilk changes to meet your baby’s needs.
  • Breastmilk has benefits that formula does not such as: antibodies, hormones, anti-viruses, anti-allergies, anti-parisites, growth factors and enzymes.

Unknown

Mom
  • Quicker recovery from pregnancy and birth.
  • Burns 380-600 calories per day.
  • Exclusive breastfeeding can prevent ovulation leads to healthier pregnancy spacing.
  • Less chance of developing diabetes, postpartum depression, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
  • Helps both mom and baby with bonding.
  • Extra benefits if WIC

MYTH: My lifestyle and sleep will be easier if I formula feed.

FACT: Breastfeeding is easier after you learn. Research suggests sleep quality is better when you breastfeed.

MYTH: Babies learn to suck best from a bottle.

FACT: Learning to suck from a breast has more health benefits. The flow of milk from a bottle is typically too much, too fast.

Risks "Cons" Baby

Unknown

  • More “colic”/stomach upset and diarrhea
  • Overfeeding
  • Even one bottle of formula alters baby’s good gut bacteria and can stretch baby’s stomach
  • High exposure to sugar, GMO, synthetic vitamins
  • Mixing mistakes during preparation
  • 36% higher risk of SIDS
  • 23-77% higher risk of ear infections
  • 63-77% higher risk of respiratory infections
  • 74% higher risk of “RSV”
  • 26-40% higher risk of asthma
  • 27%-52% higher risk of allergies
  • Formula contamination and recalls - rare
  • As baby grows:
  • 30-40% higher risk of diabetes
  • 15-30% higher risk of teen and adult obesity
  • Higher risk of childhood leukemia
  • Less brain development, lower IQs
Mom
  • Normal discomforts when baby starts sucking – but these soon go away all together
  • Mastitis/plugged ducts - NOT common and can be prevented
  • Breast discomfort/engorgement when milk increases at 2-5 days after birth, but then goes away 
  • Commitment required by mom
  • Some (not all) moms or babies need time to learn
  • Slower recovery from birth and pregnancy, heavier blood loss after birth
  • Quicker return of periods, heavier periods
  • Quicker return of fertility, closer-spaced pregnancies
  • Cost of formula averages $1,500/year not including bottles and supplies
  • Must still buy formula every month if WIC
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Options to Request an Appointment

If your situation is an emergency, call 911.