Mother's breast versus manufacturer's bottle - nature knows best, say doctors
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The benefits of breast-milk over artificial feeds are indisputable - and widely acknowledged by the manufacturers of infant formula:
Human breast-milk and formula feeds both contain essential nutrients in similar proportions. But breast-milk supplies these nutrients in a blend which is perfect for a human child.
Breast-milk contains important antibodies and white blood cells which protect an infant from infection, particularly while its own immune system is immature.
Doctors, midwives and health visitors advise against bottle-feeding except when the mother finds herself unable to breast-feed, or if she does not produce enough milk.
However, the medical profession reassures mothers that they should not regard themselves as failures if they do not breast-feed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments