Breastfeeding vs. Formula: A Judgement-Free Guide for New Moms

Let’s say this right from the start: it doesn’t matter if you plan to breastfeed or formula feed your baby.  Fed is best. And yet, there remains a stigma about nursing a newborn or giving your baby a bottle. With so many voices (along with an onslaught of information that isn’t always accurate), it can be hard to choose how you want to feed your baby.

That’s why it’s important to know the differences between breastfeeding and formula feeding, so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for both you and your baby. 

What Are the Benefits of Both Breastmilk and Formula? 

Breastmilk and formula both nourish babies, but how they do it varies. “After birth, breastmilk is the conduit that allows mom's body to continue directing the development of baby's organs (including the brain), setting baby's metabolism, forming the life-long gut microbiome (key for immune function, preventing obesity, promoting mental health), and training baby's immune system to detect friend vs foe,” says Dr. Rachel Freund, MD, a family medicine physician. 

And the benefits of breastmilk don’t end there. “Each ounce of breastmilk is a transfusion of thousands of live immune cells and antibodies from the mother's body, which give protection until baby's immune system is functional, which is around 6 months of age,” Freund adds. 

Formula feeding also has many benefits — and some are not found in breastfeeding. 

“Formula contains vitamin D, which is found in very low amounts in breastmilk,” Freund continues. Breastfeeding doesn’t always come easily to some moms, and it can be very stressful during those first few days and weeks to know if baby has fed long enough. With formula, you know how much baby has eaten, down to the ounce. 

Although no one wants their baby to vomit after a long feed, there’s something to be said for seeing your breastmilk being projectile vomited and worrying if you’ll have enough breastmilk for a follow-up feed. (You probably will.) With formula, another bottle can be warmed up, which is one less thing to stress about in the moment. 

“Formula makes it easier for other people besides mom to feed the baby,” adds Freund. Plus, when breastfeeding isn’t possible, sustainable (or you just don’t like it), formula can be an important option. 

Are There Disadvantages to Either Breastmilk or Formula?

Mindy Cockeram, IBCLC, LCCE, a lactation and childbirth educator, tells it like it is. “Yes, there are disadvantages to everything in life,” she says. 

Some moms — especially those who have had C-sections, gestational hypertension, or excessive weight gain may experience delays in milk production. “Without this knowledge, women can get stressed or depressed, blame themselves, and quit breastfeeding,” she adds. 

Breastfeeding (and its nemesis, pumping) isn’t always a pleasant experience. From engorged breasts to a newborn that doesn’t know how to be nice to your nipples, breastfeeding can take patience. Working with a lactation consultant can help resolve these issues, plus offer ways to boost your milk supply if it’s low. 

Formula can also be cost-prohibitive for some moms. But money matters aside, formula feeding comes with a risk of bacteria or other contaminants. “Formula does have a higher likelihood of chronobacter bacteria, botuline spores, or other toxins, leading to recalls,” says Cockeram. And formula doesn’t contain leptin, which, according to Cockeram, “is the hormone that activates energy expenditure mechanisms in infants and is crucial for establishing proper metabolic regulation.”

Can Newborns Have Allergic or Adverse Reactions to Breastmilk or Formula?

It’s uncommon for a baby to be allergic to breastmilk, but they can have sensitivities that make feeding more challenging. Some babies may develop an allergy to something from mom’s diet that comes through her breastmilk, such as cow’s milk protein, soy, grains, etc., Freund explains. Symptoms may be blood in baby's stools, fussiness, reflux, or difficulty with bowel movements. If symptoms are mild, nothing needs to be done, but if they increase, it's best to avoid the food altogether.

Rarely, babies can experience more serious allergic reactions. A life-threatening reaction — such as hives, trouble breathing, or repeated vomiting shortly after eating — requires immediate medical attention. There’s also a less common but concerning condition called Food-Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), which can cause severe vomiting, pale skin, and weakness about two hours after eating a triggering food. While FPIES is most often associated with formula or solid foods, it can also occur with breastmilk, but rarely. So if your baby has concerning symptoms, always contact your pediatrician to determine the next steps.

Formula-fed babies, on the other hand, may experience more gas or discomfort due to the higher casein content in bovine-based formulas. “If a formula-fed baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy, they may need to switch to a more finely processed (hydrolyzed) formula, which tends to be more expensive, or try a soy-based option,” says Freund.

How Can Moms Deal With the Stigma Around Formula Feeding?

It can seem like everyone has an opinion regarding how moms feed their babies, and it’s often a no-win situation. If you breastfeed your baby, society may shame you for doing it in public, and if you formula feed your baby, some people might reprimand you for not nursing. So how are you supposed to feed your child without unsolicited comments?

Well, you can’t. 

“Our society loves to shame and blame moms for anything and everything, and it doesn't stop once you leave the infant phase!” says Freund. If you’re breastfeeding, people might say that you’re too tied to your baby. But if you formula feed, you may be told that you’re not putting your baby’s health first.

Remember, you know your baby best — and outside opinions don’t get to outweigh your lived experience. Sure, it’s easier said than done, particularly if you’re a first-time mom who may already feel uncertain about caring for a newborn. But keep this in mind the next time someone gives you a disapproving stare: people’s opinions are a reflection of them, not you.

What Should Moms Do If They Decide Breastfeeding Isn’t for Them?

While you were expecting, you just knew that you wanted to breastfeed your baby. Yes, there’s a learning curve, because neither one of you knows what you’re doing in the beginning. You might decide after just a few nights of cracked nipples or letdown that soaks your shirts that nursing just isn’t something you want to continue. Or perhaps you stuck with it for a few weeks and decided that formula feeding was a better fit.

Regardless of your reason, one thing is crucial: don’t just stop nursing. “Talk to your lactation consultant or OB-GYN about safely reducing your supply so your breasts don’t get engorged,” Cockeram advises. An abrupt ending can lead to pain or mastitis, which is why easing off over several weeks is usually the safest option. 

Both breastfeeding and formula feeding come with benefits and challenges, but the right choice is the one that supports your baby’s health and your well-being. Because how you feed your baby is nutrition, but listening to your mom instinct will nourish your soul. 

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