Is Generic Brand Baby Formula Good or Bad?

Within: Trying to decide whether or not to utilise formula? While we firmly believe that fed is always best, there are definitely disadvantages to using formula. To know what y'all are getting yourself into, here are the top nine disadvantages of formula feeding – from a mom who used formula with both of her babies.

"Should I breastfeed or formula feed?" This is ane the many controversial questions expectant moms face up during pregnancy.

As if there aren't enough controversial decisions!

Breastfeeding moms revisit this question when they want to finish breastfeeding, but they're wondering only how much of a pain formula feeding really is.

Honestly, whatever feeding selection works the best for you lot and your baby is the right i.

Simply it can be a difficult decision to brand, since both feeding options have pros and cons. And you're hither because yous desire an honest conversation most the cons.

Please hear me: I formula fed both my babies for various lengths of time. In that location are definitely benefits to formula feeding.

But in the spirit of honesty…there are likewise several disadvantages to formula feeding.

Every bit a formula-feeding mama (times 2), I'1000 sharing from my own experiences. This is what I would have wanted to know earlier I started using formula, fifty-fifty if I was gear up on formula feeding from the start.

If you are thinking about formula feeding, here's what you should know earlier you make the decision, and if yous've already officially decided to formula feed, what to expect before you start.

Related: How to Ditch Formula Feeding Guilt for Proficient

9 Disadvantages of Formula Feeding

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1. Formula can be expensive.

1 of the biggest and most obvious disadvantages of using formula is the toll.

You lot accept probably heard breast milk referred to as "liquid gold." Formula could hands be chosen liquid gold for a different reason!

Unfortunately, it can be quite pricey. Move over diapers – formula beats you exist a long shot.

The corporeality of money you volition spend on formula volition vary, depending on which blazon your baby requires and which brand you choose to use.

If your baby doesn't have any tummy issues, yous can effort using a generic make of formula. Using a generic make versus a name brand can save yous a little flake of money.

If your infant does has a sensitive tummy or a protein allergy, she might need a specialized formula. Those tin can cost quite a bit more.

I would recommend budgeting at least $100 for formula each month (and more if your baby ends upward needing a specialized formula).

If cost is a business organization, to the point of wondering whether or not you will exist able to feed your infant (or yourself), see if you qualify for the WIC program, which tin assist encompass the cost of formula.

2. As if the price of formula wasn't enough, you'll also demand to buy bottles and other formula-feeding supplies.

Along with buying formula, you lot volition besides need a variety of supplies.

Start, you volition need bottles of various sizes—smaller bottles to start and larger bottles equally baby grows. Along with several bottles, you will need to have nipples with different flows (dull to start and medium to fast every bit babe grows).

You volition also need cleaning supplies for bottles and nipples. A bottle brush is a must.

Other items that brand cleaning much easier are a bottle drying rack, microwaveable sterilizing bags, and a nipple holder for the dishwasher.

Another item I would recommend is a smaller formula container for on-the-go feedings. Y'all won't want to lug around a regular size can of formula in your diaper handbag.

The cost of all of these supplies can add upwardly quickly!

Related: Bottle Feeding Equipment – What You Truly Need & What to Skip

iii. You volition exist washing viii+ bottles every single day. Need I say more than?

Babies, especially in the early months, become through several bottles each day. Once formula has been mixed up, it is recommended that any unused formula be thrown away. This means you will need to make a fresh bottle for each feeding.

New parents already have plenty on their plates. Honestly, having to wash bottles at the stop of a long mean solar day (or in the centre of the night) is the concluding matter yous volition feel like doing. Only infant's gotta swallow...

Bottles also have multiple pieces that must be taken autonomously before washing and then reassembled after.

Washing bottles every single day takes upwardly more time than you might think!

4. You also demand to pack and acquit around all of those supplies.

With breastfeeding, feeding your baby when you are abroad from your home is adequately simple. With formula feeding, yous must e'er program alee – Ever.

You will need to pack clean bottles, formula, and water (if no clean water will exist available).

When traveling long distances or staying at hotels, you will need to pack cleaning supplies as well, at the very least a bottle brush and make clean towels to dry everything on.

Extra formula is a must, too, in instance y'all are out longer than expected or a bottle is accidentally spilled.

Feeding your babe away from your home is more complicated with formula, compared to breastfeeding.

Related: five Essential Tips for Formula Feeding on the Get

5. Then there'southward the fourth dimension it takes to prepare a bottle.

While I'one thousand so thankful for formula, formula feeding takes more time. Menses.

With breastfeeding, you can literally accept your baby eating within seconds. This is especially handy when you have a crabby, hungry baby on your hands!

With formula feeding, it simply isn't as easy. You accept to mensurate each formula dose, add just the right amount of water, mix it thoroughly, etc.

There will always be these extra steps that volition need to be taken earlier each formula feeding.

Also, breastfeeding mamas don't have to worry about accidentally running out of milk, whereas formula feeding mamas need to recollect to have a supply of formula at all times.

There is aught similar the horrified feeling that comes over you lot when you take a very hungry, unhappy babe and realize there isn't another can of formula in the pantry or your diaper bag!

Related: Formula Feeding Tips and Tricks That'll Make Yous a PRO

half-dozen. Constantly adjusting formula requirements as your baby grows can be overwhelming.

Every bit long as they are properly gaining weight, breastfeeding mamas usually don't need to spend much time worrying about how much their baby is eating during each feeding.

The nutritional content of chest milk changes according to what babies need as they abound, and breastfed babies generally eat equally much as they demand to.

Formula feeding tin can be a little bit trickier.

While it is nice to know exactly how much your infant has eaten, it can be challenging to know how much formula should be given at each feeding. There are full general feeding guidelines for each age, but every babe has different, individualized needs.

Formula feeding moms need to constantly make adjustments as their babies grow, and constantly evaluate if more or less formula is needed (especially since you don't want to waste a drop!), and that can feel a little overwhelming.

Finding formula-feeding support can be challenging, too, depending on where you live.

At that place aren't as many resources or groups for formula-feeding moms as at that place are for breastfeeding moms. Formula feeding tin feel a little intimidating and isolating at times.

7. Middle of the nighttime feedings are a [bigger] hurting.

Breastfeeding mamas are able to start feeding their babies within seconds of picking them up. Formula feeding mamas have to mix upwardly a bottle before every feeding or heat up pre-made bottles of formula, which all takes fourth dimension.

There also isn't an option of doing side-lying feeding during night feedings.

Formula mamas demand to feed their babies sitting up, just every bit they normally would during the 24-hour interval. And after having to be upwards moving around for each feeding session, it can be harder for y'all to fall dorsum to slumber.

Thankfully, dad or other caregivers can share middle of the nighttime feedings.

eight. Formula diapers and spit-up smell HORRIBLE.

Equally probably any formula mama tin can tell you, the odor of formula is not all that appealing (and some types are way worse than others).

While breastfed babies typically take diapers that don't have much of an odor, diapers from formula-fed babies can be quite stinky.

Formula spit-upwards is near as bad.

While this isn't a deal breaker, but be prepared!

9. Y'all don't get the calorie-burning benefit of breastfeeding. Boo.

Breastfeeding tin can burn hundreds of calories a 24-hour interval. This can make losing any extra pregnancy weight a scrap (or a lot) easier.

While this isn't an effect for everyone, trying to get dorsum to a healthy weight subsequently having a baby can exist a struggle for some mamas.

Well-nigh doctors will recommend waiting until the 6-calendar week postpartum bank check up before resuming whatsoever exercise routines, so breastfeeding tin can aid bound start weight loss later on pregnancy.

And let's exist honest, it tin can be hard to find the time or energy to exercise with a new babe at abode, even after you lot have been given the clearance to exercise and then.

Related: 12 Legitimate Reasons to Stop Breastfeeding (and not experience guilty)

Just your mental wellness matters more than all of these formula-feeding disadvantages combined.

Then many factors will go into your determination on whether or not to formula feed. Truly, at that place is no one right reply!

(And if anyone tells you lot there is one correct answer, run – far, far abroad.)

Everyone'due south situation is dissimilar, and you should make a choice that is correct for you and your baby.

I will say that the one thing you can't put a price on, that deserves some actress weight in either the pro or the con cavalcade for this decision is YOUR mental wellness.

If y'all're constantly dreading breastfeeding or formula feeding, feeling guilty near 1 or the other, or just weighed downwards past your current feeding choice, pay attention to those feelings.

If y'all hate breastfeeding, or it'south causing you pain or mental distress in any mode, all of these disadvantages of formula feeding? They won't really matter if using formula makes you a happier mom.

Your mental health matters as much as – or more than – what you feed your infant. Happy moms are less decumbent to postpartum depression and a variety of other problems.

If you lot need to formula feed, you'll figure out how to come up with all of these disadvantages, merely like breastfeeding moms figure out how to bargain with the disadvantages of breastfeeding.

Whatever you decide to practise, always remember that whether you stop up formula feeding or breastfeeding, fed is All-time.

If your baby is loved and cared for, and that'southward what matters nigh.

Read Next: The Benefits of Formula Feeding for Mom I Wish I'd Known

Mary Ann Blair is a stay-at-abode mom living in the Pacific Northwest with her two petty gentlemen and hubs. She loves connecting with other parents who similar to keep it real!

Her writing has been published on Her View From Dwelling house, Perfection Pending, That's Inappropriate, Pregnant Chicken, Sammiches and Psych Meds, Cherry Tricycle and in Craven Soup For the Soul. She can be constitute at https://www.maryannblair.com

duncanprilloomply.blogspot.com

Source: https://theexperiencedmama.com/disadvantages-of-formula-feeding/

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