Birth - Breast-feeding
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 16.4.9
Bottle and Breast-Feeding
Breastfeeding a baby has many advantages and is recommended by healthcare professionals. However, some women may be unable to breastfeed or choose to bottle feed.
Breast-feeding advantages
- Breast milk contains antibodies that are good for the baby's immune system.
- It is free and always available.
- It is also easy for the baby to digest.
- It contains all the nutrients the baby needs.
Breast-feeding disadvantages
- Breast-feeding is sometimes difficult so that baby cannot get milk.
- If is often uncomfortable and sometimes very painful for the mother.
Bottle-feeding advantages
- Most bottle-feed mixtures have most of the nutrients that babies need.
- It allows other caregivers (not just the mother) to help feed the baby.
Bottle-feeding disadvantages
- Bottle-feed takes time to prepare and costs money.
Test yourself on Birth - Breast-feeding
What is a disadvantage of breastfeeding?