Nutritionally, breastfeeding is the best option for babies, but it’s not right or possible for every mother. Bottle feeding commercially prepared infant formulas can be a nutritious adjunct to, or replacement for, breast milk. Manufactured under sterile conditions, commercial formulas are designed to duplicate breast milk using sophisticated combination of proteins, sugars, fats, and vitamins.

Although formula provides the basic nutrients an infant needs, it lacks the antibodies and many of the other components that only breast milk contains. Still, some individuals may feel more comfortable with formula feeding. It allows a mother to know exactly how much food the baby is getting, and there’s no need to worry about the mother’s diet or how medications might affect the breast milk. However, formula feeding can be expensive, and formulas should never be diluted to stretch out a supply. Anyone thinking of formula feeding an infant should check with a physician about selecting an appropriate formula.