Pros and Cons of Formula Feeding: Separating Facts from Fiction

This post was written in partnership with Kabrita Goat Milk-Based Infant Formula. All opinions are my own. If you are a healthcare provider, join Kabrita’s Medical Herd to get access to new research, free continued education to share with your patients and peers, and invites to events.

Formula feeding is a topic surrounded by many myths and misconceptions. As new parents navigating the world of infant nutrition, you want to be able to separate fact from fiction when deciding how to feed your baby. 

While the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age (and longer, if it is working for both mother and baby), breastfeeding can be challenging for many families. When breast milk is not an option (for whatever reason), infant formula is a good alternative. It's made to be similar to breast milk in terms of nutrition.  

In this post, we’ll address some common myths about infant formula and explore the pros and cons of formula feeding that will help provide the information and confidence you need to make the best feeding-related decisions for your family. Let’s get started!

Myth #1: Breast is Always Best

You may hear the phrase, "breast is best" often, but it’s important to remember that while there are many breast milk benefits, formula feeding is also a healthy and viable choice. Breast milk composition may be uniquely designed to provide optimal nutrition for infants and can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), but this doesn’t mean that formula feeding lacks benefits. 

There are instances when breast milk is not available, when breast milk alone cannot meet a baby’s needs, and when challenges make exclusive breastfeeding and/or exclusive pumping difficult (which both require a great deal of time and effort). 

Some mothers may struggle to produce enough breast milk or express enough milk using their breast pump, while others may encounter health issues or life circumstances that complicate their breastfeeding journey. 

Adoption, surrogacy, and the use of donor milk may also lead to circumstances under which breast milk is not available in adequate amounts for a growing baby. 

With that in mind, let’s review some of the pros and cons of formula feeding.

What to Know About Formula Feeding: Pros and Cons

Pros of Formula Feeding:

- Convenience: Formula can be prepared in advance, allowing for a more flexible feeding schedule

- Shared Responsibilities: Formula feeding enables other family members to help with feedings, providing mothers with more rest and support

- Support for Breastfeeding: Formula feeding can complement breastfeeding for mothers who need to return to work or have difficulty maintaining a breast milk supply

- Travel and Public Outings: Formula feeding can be more practical during travel or in public places where breastfeeding might be inconvenient or uncomfortable for the mother

- Peace of Mind: Formula provides a controlled and consistent nutrient profile for those worried about dietary restrictions, food allergies, or potential contaminants in breast milk

Cons of Formula Feeding:

- Preparation Time: Preparing bottles involves measuring, mixing, and often warming bottles multiple times a day, which can be time-consuming and requires careful attention to hygiene to prevent contamination.

- Cost: Formula can be expensive, particularly if your child is on specialized infant formula.

- Nutritional Differences: While formula is designed to closely mimic breast milk, it does not contain the same live antibodies and immune-supporting properties

- Waste and Packaging: The production and disposal of formula cans contribute to environmental waste, and formula feeding generally requires more packaging than breastfeeding

Myth #2: All Infant Formulas are the Same, and You Can Choose Any Off-the-Shelf

While infant formula is the most regulated food in the United States, it’s a myth that all infant formulas are interchangeable. Only infant formulas that have been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are allowed to be sold in the United States; however, formula types can vary significantly in their ingredients and nutritional content. 

All commercially prepared infant formula sold in the United States must follow strict safety regulations from the FDA due to the Infant Formula Act and must include the essential nutrients necessary for infant growth and development. However, depending on the formula type, different carbohydrate sources may be used, and the ingredients may vary.

For example, breast milk and the majority of infant formulas contain lactose as their main carbohydrate source. A lactose-free formula, such as a soy or hydrolyzed formula will use an alternate carbohydrate, such as maltodextrin or corn syrup solids. Other examples of carbohydrates used may include sucrose, brown rice syrup, corn syrup, and rice starch.

  Different formulas cater to different needs and medical conditions, such as hypoallergenic formulas for babies with allergies or special high-calorie formulas for preterm infants. Parents should carefully review formula labels and consult with a pediatrician or pediatric dietitian to choose the best option for their baby’s specific requirements.

Additionally, it is important to note that many European formulas, such as HiPP and Holle, meet the standards set in the European Union and are safe to consume when purchased in Europe. However, when obtained in the US, they are often obtained via third-party vendors, bypassing the safety regulations set by the European Union and FDA. 

Buying infant formula this way can make the formula vulnerable to the potential for improper storage, tampering, and extreme temperatures. If a can of formula is not stored or transported properly, there can easily be nutrient breakdown and chemical instability.

**DID YOU KNOW?** There is currently only one brand of European-made goat milk-based infant formula (Kabrita Goat Milk Infant Formula) that meets all requirements set by the FDA and is here to stay in the U.S. 

Myth #2: Goat Milk is Not an Approved or Supported Milk Base for Infant Formula

Of all milk options used as a base for infant formula, cow milk has long been considered the standard in the U.S. However, in recent years, emerging research has fueled a growing interest in goat milk-based infant formulas, which offer a variety of unique benefits.

Goat milk infant formula is naturally closer in nutritional profile to human breast milk. It provides infants with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth and brain development and provides an optimal balance of protein, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Because goat milk naturally mirrors breast milk, it is known for its easy digestibility and nutrient-rich composition. As a result, goat milk infant formula is commonly sought after for babies with sensitivities or intolerances to cow’s milk proteins. 

Additionally research supports that goat milk-based formula is not only safe and suitable for babies as a breast milk alternative, but it may be better tolerated by some babies and may provide distinct advantages over cow milk-based formulas, such as reducing symptoms of colic, baby gas, and constipation. 

**DID YOU KNOW?** Kabrita Goat Milk Infant Formula is the first and only goat milk-based infant formula to receive three strict certifications from the Clean Label Project, guaranteeing that Kabrita’s formula is Certified Pesticide-Free and doesn’t contain chemicals or contaminants.

Myth #3: Soy Formula and Soy-Based Ingredients Cause Hormone Imbalances and Are Not Safe Feeding Choices for Babies

Soy can be a bit of a lightning rod among consumers, and it seems that myths and misconceptions about it continue to circulate no matter how much evidence we have to the contrary.

Interestingly, utilization rates of soy formula are perhaps higher than you would expect. Soy formula makes up about 12% of the infant formula market, so it’s somewhat of a popular choice among families.

Soy formula is rich in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, or plant compound with a similar in structure to that of human estrogen. Concerns continue to circulate that soy formula causes reproductive and developmental abnormalities in babies, affects testosterone levels, and causes the development of breast tissue in males. 

The truth is that babies have been fed soy formulas for over 100 years, and these formulas continue to support proper growth and development. The majority of human research evidence hasn’t found any significant long-term negative effects with no significant reproductive, thyroid, brain, immune system development, or overall developmental differences in babies fed soy formula.

Soy formula can provide many benefits for certain babies. The AAP and ESPGHAN (European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition) recommend the use of soy formulas in limited circumstances:

• For babies with galactosemia (a rare condition where babies can’t digest galactose) and congenital lactase deficiency (a rare condition where babies are born without the enzyme needed to digest lactose)

• A safe and suitable choice for vegan babies and/or families seeking a plant-based option

• May be a good choice for babies with lactose sensitivity or IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy

• May be considered in non-IgE mediated cow’s milk allergy if other formulas are not possible due to economic or cultural reasons

**DID YOU KNOW?** Extensively hydrolyzed formula (rather than soy) is the first-line formula for babies with suspected or confirmed cow’s milk allergy.

It is also important to note that soy formula is higher in aluminum and phytates and is, therefore, NOT designed or recommended for preterm infants due to the higher risk of osteopenia compared with preterm infants fed milk-based formulas.

What about soybean oil or soy lecithin as ingredients in infant formula?

There is also sometimes concern from consumers about the addition of soy-

based ingredients in milk-based infant formulas. Oils are added to all infant formulas in the US to try and approximate the fatty acid profile of breast milk. These oils are essential for supporting normal growth and development and providing essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.

Soybean oil is sometimes used in fat blends in infant formula. Parents are often concerned that it might cause an allergic reaction or that it may contain estrogen-like compounds that could have negative effects.

While it is true that soy protein is 1 of the 9 top allergens in the U.S. that are responsible for over 90% of all food-allergic reactions, soybean oils do not contain proteins and are considered safe for people with soy allergies. Soy lecithin contains only trace amounts of soy protein and is also considered safe for those with soy allergies.

Additionally, phytoestrogens are not found in the fatty part of the soy plant either, so even if there were potential safety concerns regarding phytoestrogens, soybean oil does not contain them.

Myth #5: Homemade Infant Formula is a Safe and Viable Feeding Option

Some parents have considered making their own infant formula at home, especially during the formula shortage, but this practice is highly discouraged and very dangerous for a number of reasons.

Homemade formulas may lack essential nutrients or have incorrect proportions, leading to potential health risks. 

Further, ensuring proper sanitation and correct ingredient handling is challenging, which can pose additional risks. Homemade formula is usually not created in a sterile environment, which can lead to bacterial contamination and foodborne illness in nourishment that is meant for an already vulnerable population. 

As a result, homemade baby formula can cause infection, electrolyte imbalances, kidney damage, illnesses, and poor growth, among other issues. 

Final Thoughts…

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding a baby. Every baby is different, breast milk and formula are both viable, wonderful options, and understanding the facts about formula feeding helps parents make informed choices that best suit their family's needs. 

While choosing to breastfeed your baby offers numerous benefits, formula feeding is also a safe and effective alternative, and formula-fed babies thrive and grow when given an infant formula that meets their needs. Consult with a pediatrician, dietitian, or lactation consultant for further guidance if you have specific feeding-related questions about your baby.

* If you need additional support for specific nutritional concerns, reach out and schedule a virtual one-on-one consult in my pediatric nutrition practice.

* If you are a parent looking for high-quality feeding options for your baby that more closely resemble breast milk, learn more about Kabrita, the #1 goat milk infant formula brand worldwide.

* If you are a healthcare provider, join Kabrita’s Medical Herd to receive educational newsletters, research updates, and event invitations and stay up-to-date on the latest infant nutrition and product information.

Thanks for reading! 

XO ~ Malina