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Indeed, breast milk is the best milk for babies. However, there are several conditions that require babies to consume formula milk alone. Often considered not good for health, this is a misguided myth about formula milk. The following is the explanation.
What is formula milk?
Formula milk is also known as formula milk which is usually an alternative to replacing breast milk (ASI). Even though breast milk is the best milk for babies, there are several medical conditions that make it impossible for your baby to get it.
One example is if the mother’s breast milk does not come out or is very little, or if the mother and baby are separated so they cannot breastfeed directly.
Reporting from the NHS, most formula milk is made from cow’s milk. Some ingredients in formula milk are deliberately designed to resemble breast milk and have the same benefits for a child’s growth and development.
- Carbohydrates in the form of milk sugar (lactose)
- Iron
- Proteins
- Minerals, such as calcium and zinc
- Vitamins, including A,B,C,D,E.
Apart from formula milk based on cow’s milk, there are also those made from soybeans and hydrolyzed protein. Both have different benefits.
Soy-based formula milk is given to children who are allergic to cow’s milk or other animal proteins. Meanwhile, hydrolyzed protein-based formula milk is an option for babies who also have cow’s milk allergies.
Various formula milk myths
There is a number of information about formula milk which is then believed even though it is a myth. So, so that you don’t just believe it easily, get to know a number of myths and also the facts behind them.
1. Formula milk does not form a bond between mother and baby
The first myth about formula milk is that it does not form a bond between mother and baby. Reporting from Fatherly, although it is true that babies who are given breast milk will spend more time bonding or direct skin contact with the mother.
This arises as a result of research that shows a decrease in emotional bonds if a child is not given breast milk in the first few hours of life.
However, this does not mean that formula-fed babies experience a lack of emotional bonding with their parents. In fact, there are many opportunities for moms and dads to bond with a bottle-fed baby.
There is no reason that skin-to-skin contact cannot occur during bottle feeding. Parents only need to be bare-chested and hold their baby when giving formula milk.
2. The myth that formula milk makes babies obese
This formula milk myth is very difficult to prove wrong. The reason is because there is some evidence linking formula milk to the risk of obesity in children.
But that’s not because of anything contained in formula milk. On the contrary, it is precisely children who are obese due to parenting problems. In fact, it turns out it could be because the parents gave them too much formula milk.
But you don’t need to worry, this won’t happen if you regularly monitor your child’s weight on the child’s growth and development chart. If the baby grows according to the growth curve, then it will be good for his health.
3. The nutrition of formula milk is lower than breast milk
There is a difference between breast milk and formula milk, but there is no difference in the content between the two, so it is still said to be good for the baby’s health. The protein, energy, vitamin and mineral content of the formula has been strictly regulated.
Any formula sold must meet the same nutritional requirements to meet the needs of a growing baby. Breast milk does provide immune support that cannot be replicated with formula.
That is why pediatricians say that breast milk is the best for babies. But that doesn’t mean that formula milk is a bad choice.
4. The myth of formula milk decreases immunity
Babies are indeed more susceptible to various kinds of diseases, this is because the baby’s immune system is still vulnerable compared to adults.
It is true, if a baby is exclusively breastfed, his immune system will be stronger against various diseases.
However, it is only a myth that formula milk can reduce immunity. Because there are no substances in formula milk that can make babies susceptible to illness.
5. Formula milk is easier than breast milk
Another formula milk myth that is very wrong in the eyes of mothers is that many people think that formula milk will be easier to give to babies. The reason is because it can be obtained easily. However, it is different from breast milk which must be obtained directly from the mother.
Of course, by giving formula milk, mothers don’t have to worry about sore breasts, little breast milk, or pumping breast milk. However, this thought turned out to be wrong, in fact giving formula milk is not that easy.
You must pay close attention to the storage, washing and sterilization of milk bottles or other media for giving formula milk.
Also make sure that the water used is clean and has a temperature that is in accordance with the rules for administering it. All things must not be ignored so that the formula milk given to babies is guaranteed to be hygienic and its nutritional content is not reduced in the slightest.
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