Will occasional formula milk make my baby weak or sickly?

Christabel Wesonga, a nurse and director of maternal and child health programmes at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi advises mothers to breastfeed their babies because of the many benefits that the breastmilk has for the baby and for the mother, too. She says that breastfeeding gives the baby everything they need to grow strong and healthy. “Breastmilk is packed with antibodies that help fight off infections, support brain development, reduce the risk of allergies, and even lower the chances of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes later in life. For breastfeeding mothers, it helps shrink the uterus after delivery and create a beautiful bond with the baby.” Mothers who can’t or choose not to breastfeed may opt for formula feeding because of the nutrient content they contain. “A mother using formula can still protect her baby from infections by practising good hygiene and safe feeding practices. This includes washing hands before preparing feeds, sterilising bottles regularly, using clean boiled water, and following the correct formula mixing instructions,” she notes.