By nature, mothers feed their newborns with breast milk. In the past, they even had to ask their neighbors if they didn't have enough milk. Later, with the development of science, infant formula was invented to do the same job as breast milk. However, because of its excellent nutritional and health benefits, nutritionists strongly encourage mothers to breastfeed their babies unless there is a medical reason not to do so. These typical causes can be HIV or tuberculosis, which can spread to infants. If a woman is not able to produce enough milk, she can feed as much as she can produce and then supplement with formula. Because a small volume of breast milk can be extremely constructive for the baby. Yet, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among infants born in 2015 in the United States, 24.9% were exclusively breastfed for 6 months. The growing number of mothers choosing bottle feeding for convenience in the 21st century raises a red flag for society. Before making the decision to breastfeed, bottle feed with baby formula, or combine the two, parents should consider the benefits between the two for the sake of the newborn. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay It is known that breast milk is a unique mixture whose composition changes over time, providing vital nutrition for the infant. Likewise, breastfeeding provides the balance of fats and proteins, which is ideal for a rapidly myelinating nervous system. During the first year, the baby needs exceptional care for healthy development and brain growth. The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and the inclusion of breast milk in the infant's diet until at least 1 year of age. Breast milk, which also contains many necessary vitamins and minerals, is naturally intended to nourish an infant, so it is easy to absorb and digest. Breastfed babies are protected against many diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, ear infections/respiratory infections, and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), which is unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a healthy baby less than one year old. Indeed, breastfeeding helps to passively improve the functioning of the immune system. Obviously, a baby's immune system is underdeveloped and only one percent of that of an adult. Parts of the immune system's response, called immunoglobulins (Ig), are passed by the mother's immune system to the baby and provide short-term immunity against things to which the mother has become sensitized. Lactoferrin found in breast milk helps destroy bacteria, viruses (such as rotavirus), fungi and cancer cells. This explains why breastfed babies are generally healthier and tend to have fewer digestive problems than bottle-fed babies. Breast milk contains infection-fighting antibodies that infant formula manufacturers have no way to accurately mimic the contents of breast milk. Breastfeeding is actually an investment in health, not just a lifestyle decision. Breastfeeding not only benefits the newborn, but also benefits the.