Breastfeeding vs Formula

Infant Feeding Plans: Breastfeeding, Bottle-Feeding, or Both

Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP
Board-Certified Pediatrician

Choosing how to feed your baby is one of the first—and most emotionally loaded—decisions new parents face. Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or a combination of both can all be healthy choices. What matters most is not the method itself, but whether your feeding plan supports your baby’s growth and your family’s well-being.

This guide will walk you through the core principles pediatricians use when thinking about infant feeding, so you can start with clarity—not guilt—and build a plan that works in real life.

The Goal of an Infant Feeding Plan

No matter how you feed your baby, the goal is always the same:

-Provide adequate nutrition for healthy growth
-Support the physical and emotional health of parents
-Create a plan that is sustainable and flexible

There is no single “right” way to feed a baby. There is a right way for your baby and your family.

Breastfeeding: What Pediatricians Recommend

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months when possible.

Breast milk provides a complete source of nutrition, including:

-Protein, fats, and carbohydrates tailored to infant growth
-Vitamins and minerals
-Antibodies that help protect babies from infections

Breastfeeding may also benefit mothers by supporting postpartum recovery and lowering the risk of certain long-term health conditions.

That said, while about 80% of U.S. babies are breastfed at hospital discharge, far fewer are still exclusively breastfeeding by six months. This reflects real-world challenges—not failure.

Bottle-Feeding and Formula: A Valid, Healthy Option

Bottle-feeding—using formula, pumped breast milk, or both—is a healthy and common feeding choice.

Some advantages include:

-Greater flexibility for families and caregivers
-Easier tracking of intake, especially in the early weeks
-Shared feeding responsibilities, which can support parental rest and recovery

Most infant formulas are designed to closely mimic the nutritional profile of breast milk. Pediatricians typically recommend starting with an iron-fortified, milk-based formula, unless a baby has specific medical needs.

Your pediatrician can help guide formula selection if questions arise.

The Three Pillars of a Healthy Feeding Plan

When pediatricians think about infant feeding, we focus less on which method you choose and more on whether the plan works across three key areas.

1. Growth and Nutrition

In the early weeks, your baby’s weight and growth are monitored closely. Consistent, adequate nutrition is essential for rapid brain and body development.

This is always the top priority.

2. Sustainability (Physical, Emotional, and Financial)

Feeding a newborn takes time—often 8 to 10 feedings per day, totaling several hours daily. A good plan must be sustainable in real life.

That includes:

-Physical sustainability: Are you able to eat, sleep, and recover?
-Emotional sustainability: Feeding should not be a constant source of stress, guilt, or emotional strain.
-Financial sustainability: Formula, pumps, supplies, and time all carry costs. Your plan should be affordable long-term.

A feeding plan that looks ideal on paper but causes burnout or distress is not a healthy plan.

3. Flexibility

Babies change quickly. Feeding needs may shift due to:

-Growth patterns
-Sensitivities or reflux
-Oral or latch challenges
-Family circumstances

Flexibility matters more than perfection. It is normal—and healthy—to adjust your plan over time.

What to Buy (and What to Wait On)

Many parents feel pressure to buy everything before their baby arrives. In reality, it’s often best to start small.

Most pediatricians recommend:

-One or two bottles
-A basic idea of which pump you might use
-A small amount of formula “just in case”

Your baby—and your plan—will evolve quickly. You’ll have time to adjust.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed, or do both:

A good feeding plan supports your baby, supports you, and helps everyone grow.

Feeding is about more than milk. It’s about nourishment, connection, and care.

Watch the Full Pediatrician-Guided Video

This guide covers the framework pediatricians use—but it doesn’t replace hearing the full conversation, context, and reassurance that new parents often need.

In the full uplitMD video, Dr. Natasha Burgert walks through:

-How pediatricians think about feeding decisions in real families
-Common emotional traps parents fall into—and how to avoid them
-How to adjust your plan without guilt when things change
-What pediatricians actually care about when it comes to feeding

Watch the full segment and explore the entire “First 100 Days” series on uplitMD.
Because knowing more should mean worrying less.