Breast milk versus formula: which is better?

It is a frequently heard, but also a justified question from (beginning) parents. It is common knowledge that breast milk is better, but are there really so many benefits compared to formula? In this blog we would like to explain the differences and of course the influence of freeze-dried breast milk, so that you can make an informed choice.

Breast milk vs formula

It is important to start with the fact that your baby will grow from breast milk and/or formula and that a brand will play no role in this. Formulated food from Kruidvat is therefore just as nutritious as Nutrilon. It doesn't matter which brand of baby food you choose. The composition of bottle feeding must comply with the Commodities Act. It specifically says Annex I of the Commodities Act, what the exact composition of artificial food must be.

As far as the ingredients in bottle food and the levels are concerned, there will be little or no difference. The packaging may sometimes contain other ingredients, such as L-comfortis, ProComplex+, Pronutra, etc.

These names refer to ingredients such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) and/or fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), DHA AA, nucleotides or a combination thereof. These are ingredients that also appear in other brands, but the registered (brand) name is different.

A lot of research has been done into the improvement and development of formula, but it still doesn't come close to matching the health benefits that your breast milk provides.

Breast milk is very complex and there is still a large percentage of active substances that have not yet been identified. Breast milk consists of almost 10 percent of five hundred or more complex sugars, which are not found in formula, for example.

These complex sugars contribute in various ways to a healthy start for the baby. For example, it is known that some can prevent viral and bacterial infections and that others stimulate healthy intestinal flora.

It is more complex than the milk of other mammals because it builds our more complex brains and unique digestive and immune systems.

Practical advantages and disadvantages of: breast milk

Breastfeeding giving is usually cheaper. Families who exclusively breastfeed save an estimated 1000 to 1300 euros during the first year of their baby's life.

And while breastfeeding won't prevent your baby from waking during the night, it will save time during feedings and help you both fall back asleep faster, so you can expect an extra 40 to 45 minutes of rest each night.

In fact, breastfeeding saves you more time overall because you don't have to do as much washing up, disinfecting, boiling water, and making bottles of formula. Your milk is always ready and at the right temperature.

Freeze-dried breast milk

You are probably on our website because you want to preserve your breast milk, smart! But if you're reading this article, you're probably wondering about freeze-dried breast milk vs. formula and regular breast milk.

In a separate article on our blog, we describe research into freeze-drying breast milk. The results must be read within the conditions studied; they do not constitute clinical approval of the Milksy product.

Freeze-drying is a gentle preservation method that can largely preserve the nutrients and various bioactive components in breast milk. The extent of preservation varies by component and conditions. This does not establish a general ranking in which freeze-dried milk is always better than formula or donor milk. Discuss questions about your baby’s nutrition with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Conclusion

“Breastfeeding is significantly better than formula feeding, but formula feeding is certainly not bad.”

The conclusion is clear, but it is very important to mention again that there is no right or wrong in this. Parents have their own reasons for choosing formula or breast milk and that is completely fine.

Would you like to continue providing breast milk, but is this not always efficient for you? Or do you have an overflowing freezer with stored breast milk? Check out our online store and make it easy for yourself by having your breast milk freeze-dried at Milksy.