After reading all the information regarding the nutritional value of breast milk and formula, which do you believe is the best option for a baby? Please list 3 reasons why and explain. Then, respond to another student's post agreeing or disagreeing with his/her answer and tell why.

Nutrition for the Infant and Toddler Stage

Feeding a Newborn Long before he is born, a baby is receiving nutrients from his mother. The mother must prepare her body with proper nutrients and supplements. The first type of nutrition a newborn receives is milk. This milk can be from the mother or from formula. Breast Milk The preferred source of milk is breast milk. Breast milk is always accessible, maintains a suitable temperature, adapts to the baby's nutritional needs, is inexpensive, and it lowers the risks for certain illnesses and ear infections. One of the main advantages of breast milk is that it contains a certain factor called immunoglobulin A (IgA). This helps to protect against invaders to the baby's delicate immune system. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Breast milk is made up of 60% whey protein and 40% casein protein. This is important because whey protein is a more easily digested protein, whereas casein protein takes a little longer. Having this mix of whey and casein helps to balance hunger for the baby. Carbohydrates in milk help to balance the good bacteria in the stomach. There is a high amount of fat in breast milk, which is the main reason doctors encourage mothers to breastfeed. Since an infant's stomach is very small, it needs the most nutrient dense products available. About 50% of the calories in breast milk come from fat. Specifics About Breast Milk 1. Produced by the mother 2. Follows colostrum which is the first initial fluid 3. High fat content 4. Has a higher content of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Niacin, and Potassium than formula 5. Contains protective antibodies from the mother Breast Milk Preparation and Storage: Breast milk may be refrigerated for 5 days and frozen for up to 6 months. Breast milk must be stored in a sterilized container such as a sterilized breast milk freezer bag or a BPA free bottle. Formula Facts Advantages Formula fed babies need to eat less often than breastfed babies Other family members can help feed the baby The bottle of formula helps to measure how much they are drinking