Final answer:
Bottle-feeding using commercially prepared infant formulas increases the risk of allergies in infants, as they do not contain the protective immunoglobulins found in breast milk. Breastfeeding provides colostrum and mature milk suited to the infant's developmental needs and imparts passive immunity from the mother, aiding in the prevention of infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
To address your question, when comparing breastfeeding and bottle-feeding using commercially prepared infant formulas, the most accurate statement is that bottle-feeding increases the risk that the infant will develop allergies. This is due to the lack of immunoglobulins in formula compared to breast milk.
Commercially prepared formulas strive to mimic breast milk composition, but they cannot completely replicate the antibodies and unique components of a mother's milk that contribute to immune defense.
Breastfeeding provides numerous scientifically supported benefits, including the transfer of maternal antibodies through colostrum, which boosts the newborn's immune system. This initial milk is rich in immunoglobulins and passive immunity, protecting infants against infections.
Moreover, during lactation, the body produces milk tailored to the infant's developmental stage, from colostrum to mature milk, that adjusts nutrient composition dynamically, such as switching from foremilk that quenches thirst to hindmilk that satisfies hunger. Therefore, breastfeeding offers protective benefits that formula cannot replicate.
Regarding iron absorption, while formulas are fortified with iron, breast milk contains iron in a form that may be more readily absorbed and utilized by the infant's body due to its bioavailability and the presence of lactoferrin.
Multivitamin supplements are not typically necessary for breastfed infants in the first few months if maternal nutrition is adequate, unlike what may be required for formula-fed infants.