Infant Nutrition What is best for your baby - breast milk...

You and your husband find out that you are expecting your first child. This new little person is going to change your life forever. Though your baby is not here yet, you already know that you want the best for your baby - the best opportunities, the best schools and the best education. Simply, you want your baby to have the best in life. The first and most important decision that you will make for your baby is whether to feed your baby breast milk or formula. Many women today are opting for formula, but what is the best choice? There are advantages and disadvantages to both breastfeeding and formula feeding. You need to carefully weigh the pros and cons before you make your decision. There are very distinct nutritional differences†¦show more content†¦Macrophages which are a type of white blood cells make lysozyme which will line the baby’s gastrointestinal tract. The main function of a lysozyme is to destroy harmful bacteria. Macrophages will also rally ly mphocytes, another type of white blood cell, into action against bacteria in the digestive tract. Milk lymphocytes found in breast milk make several chemicals that can help strengthen a baby’s immune system. Besides antibodies, breast milk is full of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. Interferon is a specific protein that has strong antiviral properties. The body will produce interferon when the presence of a virus or pathogen is detected. There is plenty of interferon found in colostrum which is the milk a mother produces during the first few days after giving birth. Breast milk also contains a protein called lactoferrin. Lactoferrin will tie up random iron atoms in the body which stops the growth of E. coli bacteria. E. coli bacteria are the most common source for diarrhea in babies. Lauric acid is so crucial to the baby’s immunity that by law it must be added to formula. In formula, the cholesterol content is very low, but in breast milk it is very high. Cholesterol provides the building blocks for hormones, vitamin D and intestinal bile. It is also necessary for the development of the brain and nervous system of your baby. Breast milk has more than 300 known ingredientsShow MoreRelatedBreastfeeding Vs. Formula Nutrition Essay1302 Words   |  6 PagesAs you get ready to welcome your baby and introduce her to this world, you are flooded with thoughts of how to take care of your little one in the best possible way. You find that motherhood is not only about loving and caring, it is also about making a few conscious decisions to help your child grow in a healthy manner. One such decision is whether to breastfeed your baby or to offer her formula nutrition. Deciding between breastfeeding and formula nutrition is purely a personal choice. But as aRead MoreBreastfeeding : Breastfeeding And Breastfeeding1309 Words   |  6 PagesWhat is breastfeeding? 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