New mothers have to make critical decisions regarding whether to breastfeed their babies or not. This personal choice will present the cons and pros to both the child and the mother. While many people support the benefits associated with breastfeeding, some might be against it due to various reasons. The purpose of this argumentative paper is to support the assertion that breastfeeding is better than formula feeding in many cases. In the first section, the discussion will present the strongest argument and defense for the subject. The next part will offer the opposing argument and the most appropriate premises. The third section will give a detailed analysis of the reasoning. Biases that might influence both sides will also be presented. The final part will be the conclusion.
Supporting Argument
Best Nutritional Choice for Babies
For all women, breastfeeding is the best choice for their children since it provides the required nutrients. Newborn babies are usually delicate and require instant vitamins and proteins that are available in breast milk. Such a practice equips these young individuals with germ-fighting antibodies, thereby strengthening their immunities. Some of the leading conditions breastfeeding prevents include asthma, meningitis, obesity, allergy, and diabetes (Brahm & Valdés, 2017).
The formula might be a better alternative to breastfeeding when some mothers are unable to breastfeed. However, its nutritional value or content does not compare with that of breastfeeding. This is true since the available contents might not be balanced, thereby exposing babies to different illnesses. Some of them might include obesity and allergy. This means that formula is not the best nutritional choice for newborn babies. To conclude, the convenience associated with breastfeeding makes it a good choice for mothers.
Defense for First Argument
In most of the cases, companies produce baby formula by mimicking the nutrients contained in breastfeeding. Unfortunately, this product is not comparable with breast milk since it might not provide all the vitamins, carbohydrates, and proteins babies require immediately after birth (Brahm & Valdés, 2017). Breastfeeding ensures that newborns have access to diverse nutrients.
New studies have indicated that breastfeeding is essential for mothers. For example, Brahm and Valdés (2017) indicate that the process helps women burn calories, thereby recording positive health outcomes. They will also reduce their chances of developing various conditions, such as hypertension, breast cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The uterus will also shrink within the shortest possible while at the same time meeting the nutritional demands of the baby. The naturalness of breast milk also explains why it is good for babies. This is true since the child will digest it with ease. This means that cases of indigestion and diarrhea will reduce significantly.
Personally, I believe that most of the nutrients associated with formula feeding do not match with the ones obtained from breast milk. Children who breastfed for more than six months after birth will record positive health outcomes (Brahm & Valdés, 2017). They will also not be at risk of these conditions: allergy, diabetes, obesity, and ear infections. Babies who rely on formula feeding have higher chances of developing these illnesses. Mothers can, therefore, breastfeed conveniently and with ease wherever they are since it is the best option for them.
Opposing Argument
Breastfeeding Changes Every Mother’s Diet
Although breastfeeding is a natural practice aimed at meeting the nutritional demands of newborn babies, mothers who select it must be worried about what they drink or eat. This is the case since different products can find their way into breast milk and affect children’s health outcomes, including caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Those who decide to feed their babies using baby formula will not have to worry about such issues.
This is one of the main reasons why many parents decide not to breastfeed their babies. Mothers should also consider the importance of eating healthy foods in order to meet their children’s dietary needs (Zhang et al., 2015). This is necessary since the food the mother consumes will dictate most of the nutrients available to the baby. With many diets containing poisonous materials and compounds, parents who consider formula feeding will not have to worry about their babies’ health outcomes.
Defense
Since breastfeeding is natural, mothers should be aware of different concerns that have the potential to affect their babies’ health outcomes. Mothers who are breastfeeding or planning to do so should have a clear understanding of what they drink and eat (Zhang et al., 2015). The reasoning behind this argument is that some compounds or chemicals consumed by an individual can be passed through breast milk to the child. This is something that worries many women since they can eat foods containing high levels of mercury and other dangerous chemicals.
Similarly, mothers who drink alcohol are at risk of passing it to their babies. Zhang et al. (2015) suggest that those who have taken beer should not breastfeed before two hours have passed. The same concern emerges when mothers take coffee. These compounds have the potential to trigger different problems in babies, such as irritability and restlessness. These issues can eventually have negative effects on the affected children and disorient their growth and developmental patterns.
The baby formula appears to address most of the problems associated with breast milk. For instance, parents who have small babies will not have to monitor the foods they consume. Using a bottle, caregivers and mothers can feed their babies whenever they are. Individuals who consume alcohol and other harmful products will not have to worry about the health or wellbeing of their children (Rigo et al., 2017). These insights explain why formula feeding can be better than breastfeeding in most of the cases.
Analysis of the Reasoning
The above arguments present key premises that many people in support or against breastfeeding take seriously. The ideas presented in the first section seek to explain why breastfeeding remains the best option in comparison with baby feeding. Some of the key premises include the provision of the required nutrients, convenience, the ability to minimize the risks of diseases, and the promotion of the baby’s health outcomes. Mothers who breastfeed continuously for at least six months after birth will reduce their chances of developing these conditions: breast cancer, hypertension, and obesity. The formula does not provide similar benefits to the baby or the mother (Rigo et al., 2017). These insights are meaningful, true, and acceptable. The conclusion presented in the section supports such premises.
The second section analyzes the issue of formula feeding from an evidence-based perspective. This means that the alternative addresses the unique challenges associated with breastfeeding. The consulted articles and theorists argue that formula feeding minimizes parents’ desire to monitor the foods they consume. The fallacy committed is that caretakers and working women will find excuses to support formula feeding (Zhang et al., 2015).
Individuals who are uncomfortable with breastfeeding will also remain biased and consider the importance of formula. Those who want to provide high-quality milk to their children should consume healthy foods. Such evidence-based premises can empower people who prefer formula feeding.
These opposing arguments present superior ideas that can guide people to make appropriate decisions regarding breastfeeding and baby formula. Personally, I believe that the first section makes a stronger case since breast milk is a good option for all newborns. Mothers should focus on every unique benefit associated with breastfeeding. Such a practice will benefit both the parent and the baby. Formula feeding will minimize most of the benefits associated with breastfeeding (Rigo et al., 2017).
In the second part, evidence-based insights are presented to identify the importance of baby feeding. Those who drink alcohol can benefit from it. This is also the same case for people who are not ready to monitor their diets. Such arguments explain why mothers should consider every opposing idea and make the most appropriate choices.
Conclusion
The above argumentative paper has presented several premises to support the power of breastfeeding over formula feeding. Mothers who provide breast milk to their children will record positive health outcomes and allow their babies to develop much faster. Formula feeding is also identified as useful practice for mothers who are unable to breastfeed due to their personal reasons. From such ideas, it would be appropriate for all researchers and critical thinkers to encourage more mothers to breastfeed for at least six months after birth. They should also guide those who drink coffee or alcohol to create adequate time for their children.
Educational opportunities will also equip more people with new ideas about breastfeeding and formula feeding, thereby empowering them to make superior decisions that can eventually empower their babies. Such a practice will ensure that all women and babies record positive health outcomes and eventually achieve their potential.
References
Brahm, P., & Valdés, V. (2017). Benefits of breastfeeding and risks associated with not breastfeeding. Revista Chilena de Pediatría, 88(1), 15-21.
Rigo, J., Hascoët, J., Billeaud, C., Picaud, J., Mosca, F., Rubio, A., … Spalinger, J. (2017). Growth and nutritional biomarkers of preterm infants fed a new powdered human milk fortifier: A randomized trial. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 65(4), e83-e93. Web.
Zhang, K., Tang, L., Wang, H., Qiu, L., Binns, C. W., & Lee, A. H. (2015). Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff. International Journal f Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 12(5), 4520-4532. Web.