Formula Feeding

A Reading on
FORMULA FEEDING
In Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements in NCM 207 – RLE
SCHOOL NURSING ROTATION
Submitted to:
Prof. Rodelie Gulle, RN
Clinical Instructor
Submitted by:
Fhey Bernadette M. Beltran, St. N
BSN 2L – GROUP 2
November 26, 2021

Title: Women’s experiences of formula feeding their infants: an interpretative
phenomenological study
Bibliography:
Chan, Z.C., Chiang, V.C, & Sze, K.Y. (2018). Women’s experience of formula
feeding their infants: an interpretative phenomenological study. Retrieved November 23,
2021 from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324478862_Women%27s_experiences_of_for
mula_feeding_their_infants_an_interpretative_phenomenological_study
Summary:
It is not foreign to everyone, especially to the mothers, that breastfeeding is the

safest way to feed a baby by different nutrients present in the milk. For the first six months
of the baby, breastfeeding is encouraged. However, it is not always accessible, especially
to a mother who has inverted nipples, delay, or inadequate milk supply, babies can run
into trouble. This is not about arguing against encouraging breastfeeding initiation or
formula feeding; instead, try to assess at different angles why mothers tend to switch from
breastfeeding to formula feeding.
According to phenomenological research conducted by Pediatrician Journalists,

this goal is to assess and determine the different causative factors why most Chinese
mothers tend to discontinue breastfeeding later on. Regarding their participants, 16
mothers voluntarily participated in which 15 of them initiated breastfeeding, and the other
one initiated formula feeding at birth. They questioned each mother, "What experiences
do you have with formula feeding?" and "How do you make decisions to formula-fed?"
which paved the way to different answers clustered in themes. The first theme is self-
struggle with sub-themes, feeling like a milk cow and feeling trapped. In line with that,
mothers verbalized that it is not foreign to them that breastfeeding is given per demand
by the baby, but they felt trapped in their room doing breastfeeding all day like an old cow
being pumped with milk. The majority of the mothers also stated that they sacrificed their
job just for breastfeeding and were not happy. Despite the struggles they experienced
during breastfeeding, switching to formula feeding was a sigh to a heavy burden.
Currently, mothers feel more relaxed as they can get enough sleep, and most especially
babies can get enough milk and has helped a lot to build a good mother-baby bonding,
for it is less consuming than breastfeeding. Not to mention, reasons such as
embarrassment and starring from the crowd when breastfeeding is on-demand and the
mother's innocence from proper knowledge about correct feeding.
Mrs. Jade, a first-time mother, was encouraged by the doctors and nurses to
initiate breastfeeding as a way to feed her baby. Everything went smoothly; however, two
days had passed when she found out that her baby was suffering from dehydration due
to the mother's lack of supply of milk. So, Jade decided to beg to switch on formula
feeding, but no one granted her request. She felt trapped and hopeless, so she rejected
the medical advice and opted for formula feeding. This experience is an eye-opener that
nurses should not only base their actions on what they know is right. Instead, they need
to give what is due and suitable for their patient. The research concluded that
breastfeeding is not the choice of every mother, and when mothers opt for formula
feeding, that should be respected.
Reaction:
Choices are said to be an act of practicing human rights, but why do others say
breastfeeding is a must? Is it not that this should only be encouraged? I am not a mother
yet, but I know the pros and cons of breastfeeding or formula feeding. There are only a
few items that I can quickly grasp and understand, specific to why people switch to
formula feeding. Presumably, thorough orientation and discussion would be needed to
fully provide other individuals and me the correct information about formula feeding. In a
Philippine setting, based on the institution I am practicing with, we are trained not only on
how to apply nursing interventions but also on our personality to become patient-
centered. It is given that different countries practice different rules and health educations.
However, I think what nurses must have in common despite the differences is that we
must master the holistic trait.
Similarly, breastfeeding suppresses nutrients beneficial for the baby, but as

nurses, we should not be “breastfeeding centered” alone but “mother centered” also. In
connection to that, everyone knows that not all mothers are privileged to breastfeed their
babies due to health conditions like inverted nipples, breast cancer, mothers undergoing
chemotherapies, lack of milk supply, and even raped mothers. So, why do other health
professionals need to force something very inconvenient to both mother and child? There
are hundreds of ways and sources where nutrition is very much present.
I was raised in a big family with a simple lifestyle. I am very close with my cousins
and very affectionate towards my nephew. Some of my cousins got pregnant at an early
age but never attempted to engage in abortion despite having a financial crisis. Back then,
my family and I got to travel to South-bound cities to visit our relatives, and every time I
get to see my 5-months old nephew by that time, I am delighted. I saw my nephew being
fed by her father during lunch using formula milk instead of breastmilk. I was stupefied by
what I had witnessed, so I asked him questions and was only left by an answer that they
both needed to work and earn money and no longer have time to pump milk at night or
even breastfeed if per demand. Furthermore, she emphasizes words such as
inconvenience brought by work demand and time constriction, embarrassment on
breastfeeding in public areas, and self-struggles due to lack of sleep and sore nipples. I
was given a chance to have an in-depth conversation with her regarding this matter
because I believed that even though I am still becoming a nurse, I am on task to educate
my cousin. As a matter of fact, learning and understating must start within the family.
Furthermore, some content of this article might impose a negative perspective on

others, especially regarding forceful acts of health professionals to patients. People might
perceive misunderstandings of the thought that breastfeeding might cause inconvenience
and discomfort to mothers. Not being able to continue breastfeeding even without
completing the first six months of the baby does not entail that the baby lacks nutrients.
Instead, formula feeding is only an alternative way or what others call “back-up” if
breastfeeding is not advised by doctors or practiced by mothers. However, on a good
note, this article can serve as additional knowledge to everyone, most especially to
mothers that as much as possible, babies are encouraged to be fed using breastmilk for
the first six months for this protects infant is against allergies, obesity, diseases, and
infections and lowers risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Still, we must not
neglect mothers who opted for formula feeding but guide them instead. Moreover, this
article can broaden our knowledge about different precautions that need to be considered,
especially hygiene when going for formula feeding and emotionally and psychologically
understand mothers about motherhood.
Being a responsible nurse means dealing with various unexpected cases, allotting
most of your time to your patients, and being devoted to your profession's principle, which
is to offer optimum care to patients. It is easier said than done, but everything will go
lightweight for those who have a grip of their beliefs and passion in serving. In line with
that, being a nurse is and will never be easy, for there are skills to master and
personalities to shape. This article contains information that is widely studied in our
profession that can help nurses modify more effective interventions and health teachings
to mothers during infant feeding. These are educating them how to enjoy motherhood,
proper sanitation of utensils, pacifiers, bottles, etc., and exercising openness to the family
when felt unbothered about breastfeeding. Moreover, this article can serve as a source
for future researchers who studies behavior to fully understand why mothers switch to
formula feeding due to those presented reasons. Not only that, students and health care
professionals can use this to create a thorough study on how we can prevent infants from
developing diseases, infections, and allergies even when they are formula-fed. Lastly,
this is also vital for school nursing rotation to develop and exercise our mother- and infant-
centered personalities.

Formula Feeding

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Formula Feeding

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A Reading on

In Partial Fulfillment of the

SCHOOL NURSING ROTATION

November 26, 2021

It is not foreign to everyone, especially to the mothers, that breastfeeding is the

According to phenomenological research conducted by Pediatrician Journalists,

Similarly, breastfeeding suppresses nutrients beneficial for the baby, but as

Furthermore, some content of this article might impose a negative perspective on

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