Breastfeeding vs. bottle-fed...

Question

Which do you prefer and WHY?

I have been doing a lot of reading on the subject and I'm leaning towards breastfeeding (especially since that's what my mom pretty much did with all of us, as well as my grandmother).

Answer 1

I tried to breastfeed for weeks when both my children were born. neither of them latched on and I never got milk in. I even rented a breast pump to try and stimulate it and nothing worked. I formula fed and it was fine to. I still got to look into my babies eyes and have a connection with them and they are perfectly healthy (even on the upper end of the charts for development. They are smart, happy, and don't ever get sick. I think both choices are just fine.

Answer 2

breastfeeding is better for the baby and cheaper for the parents. although some mothers are not able to breastfeed. in my case, my kids couldn't. i wanted to breastfeed all 3 of my boys, but they all have ankyloglossia-also called tongue-tied (when the membrane under the tongue is too short) which makes it impossible for them to latch on properly.

Answer 3

Why doesn't it always have to be one VS. the other?

Breastfeeding is how babies were meant to be fed.  Take your class, but also go to a La Leche League meeting before your baby is born.  I think you may get more out of the LLL meeting.  You can see other babies being breastfed and network with other moms.  Also, you can get in touch with a Leader who can help you after your baby is born.

Answer 4

Even if you only do it for a month or two it is better if you go six months. But they receive a lot of good nutrition from this and it builds the immune system helps you loose your weight quicker and a lot of other good things. On the other hand it has its inconveniences specially if you are a working mother. But at least do it for the first month.

Answer 5

The best thing you could do for your child is to breastfeed. It is so powerful, no one has successfully created milk as nutritious as breast milk. It contains many nutrients that your baby needs and the fact that your body produces milk naturally for your baby, what else could be better?  That's the way it's meant to be. It might get a little painful for the first couple weeks but if you understand why it's so important, that will help you to not deviate from breastfeeding.

After 6 weeks I started producing less milk because I returned to work. The less you feed, the less milk you'll eventually have. That's when the breast pump comes in to play but I really hate it (I have manual).

One problem I had when my baby girl was just born was that she couldn't latch on properly. They gave me a nipple cover to put over my nipple and that worked wonders. Also seeing that I was a first time mom, I find I couldn't position her properly so the nurse showed me the football hold and that worked wonders as well (the baby goes under your arm on a pillow rather than on your lap)

What I do seeing that I don't have a lot of milk, is give her what I have first and then give her the formula to make up what she didn't get. I hope you decide to give her breast milk and I hope this helped : )

Answer 6

How anyone could actually do research on the subject and only "lean" towards breastfeeding is beyond me. Btreast is best, formula cannot even begin to compare. Breast milk is the perfect food for babies created by nature, it is how they were intended and made to be fed. Formula is a substandard substitute created for women who are physically unable to breastfeed.

I choose to breastfeed. Why?

- I have b*****s.

- They work.

- I want the best nutrition for my children.

- I have a history on breast cancer in my family, and breastfeeding significantly lowers my risk.

- I am lazy, making bottles would be way too much work.

- Breast milk is free... need I say more.

- the list really goes on and on...

http://promom.org/101/

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/i...

Answer 7

i hate when people say that breastfeeding is best! what's best is what you decide, and being confident with your decision!

i however have decided for my baby, that i will be breast feeding:

-there are known to be more and better nutrients for the baby to develop.

-the bonding experiance is important to me!

however, i do plan on pumping into bottles so that my husband can help with feeding, and so he can bond with her as well.....i feel it is very important for both parents to share in the tasks of a newborn, nor do i want my husband to feel "left out" or "useless".

again.....you need to decide what's best for you and your baby! no one can make that decision for you, nor should you let them!

Answer 8

MY baby, MY body, MY b***s, MY choice......Also for the record MYSTIC, my baby has never smelled bad from formula so that is absurd and not one time has had tummy problems, he's 7 months 22 lbs, has teeth and growing just like he's supposed to, we have the time and money for the formula and it's definitely worth it to us, hubby and I have both bonded with him like theres no tomorrow also..it's amazing...BUT kudos to you for wanting to bf and I hope it works out for you and just remember that it's a personal choice that only you can make for you and don't let anyone hinder that decision!!!

Answer 9

I say give it a try and be positive.  If you have problems, get help from anyone and everyone and demand the help if you feel you aren't getting it.

Answer 10

Well lets see formula increases the risks of death, SIDS, ear infections, asthma, diabetes, childhood cancers, adult cancers, obesity, etc, etc.

Breastfeeding reduces mom's risks of cancer, osteoporosis, etc, etc.

Breastfeeding is less work

Breastfeeding is free

Breastfed babies don't smell

Breastmilk is never recalled

Breastfed babies are less likely to get colic

Breastfeeding means never listening to a baby cry while you heat a bottle.

Breastfeeding means never worrying about having enough formula or formula going bad when you are out.

Formula is umm..... never the best choice for mom or baby.  Even if mom can not or chooses not to breastfeed banking breastmilk is less difficulty than banking human blood.  No one would use synthetic blood replacement unless they had to (like the arctic, space station) and yet babies are expected to make do with the 4th best option?

http://www.bobrow.net/kimberly/birth/BFL...

"The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior. These are difficult words, but they have an appropriate place in our vocabulary."

The lactation consultant says, "You have the best chance to provide your baby with the best possible start in life, through the special bond of breastfeeding. The wonderful advantages to you and your baby will last a lifetime." And then the mother bottlefeeds. Why?

In part because that sales pitch could just as easily have come from a commercial baby milk pamphlet. When our phrasing and that of the baby milk industry are interchangeable, one of us is going about it wrong...and it probably isn't the multinationals. Here is some of the language that I think subverts our good intentions every time we use it.

Best possible, ideal, optimal, perfect. Are you the best possible parent? Is your home life ideal? Do you provide optimal meals? Of course not. Those are admirable goals, not minimum standards. Let's rephrase. Is your parenting inadequate? Is your home life subnormal? Do you provide deficient meals? Now it hurts. You may not expect to be far above normal, but you certainly don't want to be below normal.

When we (and the artificial milk manufacturers) say that breastfeeding is the best possible way to feed babies because it provides their ideal food, perfectly balanced for optimal infant nutrition, the logical response is, "So what?" Our own experience tells us that optimal is not necessary. Normal is fine, and implied in this language is the absolute normalcy--and thus safety and adequacy--of artificial feeding. The truth is, breastfeeding is nothing more than normal. Artificial feeding, which is neither the same nor superior, is therefore deficient, incomplete, and inferior. Those are difficult words, but they have an appropriate place in our vocabulary.

Advantages. When we talk about the advantages of breastfeeding--the "lower rates" of cancer, the "reduced risk" of allergies, the "enhanced" bonding, the "stronger" immune system--we reinforce bottlefeeding yet again as the accepted, acceptable norm.

Health comparisons use a biological, not cultural, norm, whether the deviation is harmful or helpful. Smokers have higher rates of illness; increasing prenatal folic acid may reduce fetal defects. Because breastfeeding is the biological norm, breastfed babies are not "healthier;" artificially-fed babies are ill more often and more seriously. Breastfed babies do not "smell better;" artificial feeding results in an abnormal and unpleasant odor that reflects problems in an infant's gut. We cannot expect to create a breastfeeding culture if we do not insist on a breastfeeding model of health in both our language and our literature.  

Answer 11

breastfeeding is definitely the way ahead!  all the anti-bodies you have are passed onto your baby that way, so all the colds and sniffles you've ever had in your life, your baby won't get.  plus the feeling of connection is like nothing on earth.  when i was actually breastfeeding it was sometimes a little restrictive, but now i miss it a bit!

on top of that, you can take it anywhere, no extra bags etc, it's very nearly sterile, so no cumbersome boiling etc, and it's free!  formula can get expensive after a while...

have fun with your baby!

Answer 12

Obviously breastfeeding is the best thing for your baby (even the formula companies say that).  But, there have been several studies done on the long term effect of formula feeding and you can't tell a breastfed baby from a formula fed baby when they get to school.  You are going to get a lot of answers on here from moms who feel intensely that you should breastfeed only.  You have to make your choice based on your baby, your patience level, your work schedule etc.  No one else can definitively say that you have to do one or the other.  You're not a bad mom if you feed your child formula.  It shows that you love your baby.  I chose to breast feed for several reasons:  1)for the health benefits for my son 2) for the cost of it (it's free!) and  3) for the cuddle time.  You will make the right decision for your child.  Don't let yourself get caught up in the little things in life.  Your baby will be healthy and happy no matter what your choice in this!  Good Luck Sweetie!

Answer 13

I prefer bottle by a long shot. No sore nipples plus you can see how much the baby takes with a bottle. I met one mum who was so frustrateed with breast. her baby would latch ona fall asleep as if the nipple was a comforter. It would not feed. I told her to switch to bottle.

Answer 14

Breastfeeding. Its so easy. No warming or cleaning bottles. Also its a lot cheaper then formula. My baby and I have the greatest bond. She's two months and loves me. I love her to death, but when her daddy gets her she looks around for me. Its like your her security blanket. I love it!

Answer 15

With my first son I wanted to breastfeed but couldn't because of his birth defect. But did try pumping. But it didn't work. So I had to give him formula. He 6 year old and healthy. Then my youngest son I did get to breastfeed him. It was wonderful. But my breastmilk hardly didn't fill him up. So he was getting both of breastmilk and formula. He a happy and heathly four year old boy. I am pregnant again. My mind keep switching on me want to do. I do not prefer on anything. I would do want feel right for me and the baby. Breast milk is best.

Answer 16

C'mon, it is a common knowledge, mother's milk IS THE BEST

for the Baby.

Answer 17

I tried to breastfeed and found myself physically unable to do so.  I realized that it was better for my children so I tried as hard as I could and in the end failed.  I highly recommend at least trying it.  If your mom had sucess you probably will as well.  I believe it is a personal choice and no one should be forced to do it.  While it is better for baby many advancements have been made with formula and soon it will probably be just as healthy as breastmilk.  My oldest was breastfed for a matter of days, my youngest two weeks. Both are fairly healthy and hardly ever get sick.  

Answer 18

There's tons of health benefits for both Mom and Baby to breastfeeding, including bonding, fewer infections, and a lower risk of breast cancer for you. The class should help, I would also start attending La Leche League meetings as soon as you can. And it helps that your Mom breastfed, the more people you know who have made it work, the better off you will be.  

Answer 19

Of course the best one is breastfeeding..But sad to say i only did it for a few weeks ..It's hard ...So i'm now bottle feeding but not proud of it

Answer 20

The evidence is overwhelming in favor of breastfeeding.   It is beneficial for baby and mother in literally hundreds of ways.  So, if you want to breastfeed, then definitely do so.

If a woman doesn't want to breastfeed, or can't, then formula is an adequate alternative.

Answer 21

Breastfeeding is such a special mommy cuddle time.  I wanted to because I knew it was healthiest for my baby, but now I love it because it creates such a wonderful bond!

Answer 22

I personally prefer breastfeeding because I think the health benefits are greater then formula BUT I do not think formula is bad. Breastfeeding is just not for everyone. And formula fed babies do not smell. LOL I don't know where that thought even came from. Breastfeeding is a personal choice and any mother or person who tells you your baby is going to die by formula feeding is very mis-imformed not to mention rude. I took a breast feeding class at the hospital and found it very imformative but the best imformaation I got was from other women who breastfed like my mom. Good for you for wanting to try. It will most likely be hard at first. Don't give up and find a lactation consultant. They are a life saver. And if you find that you want to formula feed don't let any of these ladies guilt trip you. Good luck

Answer 23

I prefer bottlefeeding over breastfeeding and the main reason why is because i'm just put off by the idea of breastfeeding. I don't like the idea of my baby eating from my breast. Call me crazy, but it just grosses me out. I can't even handle watching other ppl breastfeed! I have to leave the room! Can't help it!

Answer 24

With both of my children, I breastfed and supplemented with formula.  Breastfeeding is better for your children and it will create quite a bond between you and your child, but ultimately the choice is yours.  I do prefer giving my child breastmilk based on all the research.  Plus it's free!

After you give birth, the people at the hospital may try to push you towards breastfeeding.  Lactation specialists will come in to see you and show you how to do it correctly.  It will hurt a little at first, but the pain goes away.

Answer 25

I started off breastfeeding. I solely breast fed for 3 straight weeks; however I ended up in the hospital to have surgery when she was only 3 weeks old so then I pumped and did formula to supplement. Unfortunately, my body was more interested in recovering from the surgery than to producing milk so I was struggling to produce enough, so continued to supplement. When she was 8 weeks old, I finally just switched to formula all together. She got breastmilk during the most important weeks of her life, and while I still miss breastfeeding her (she's 8.5 months now) I am happy and content with my decision. She's very smart and ahead of alot of children in her development. I am currently pregnant with my second child and Im looking forward to breastfeeding him or her for as long as possible. Hopefully surgery won't be a necessity this time around! lol  

Answer 26

I breastfeed. No matter how hard they try there is no way for man to make a perfect milk for baby the way our own bodies do. It's also free, always available, the perfect temperature, doesn't need special equipment....

I won't lie, it has it's down sides but the up side far outweighs that for me. The first couple months are hard but it does pass. It sounds like you might have good support in place which is extremely important.

Answer 27

Its good that you are getting all the information you can!

Other things to help get you ready is to practice with a doll some positions. Getting comfortable ahead of time helps. I would also watch many videos about latching on.

www.ameda.com has a "latch-on" video that's about 5 minutes that I think is great. Many mothers like it because it shows them what is going on inside the baby's mouth and what a correct latch looks like.

I would also get information about learning about the baby's cues....After watching many mothers exclusively breastfeed I learned that many will go ahead and feed the baby before the baby starts crying. I learned that by the time they start crying they have been wanting to be fed, changed, loved on for a least 5-10 minutes....After they cry they can be inconsolable. So learning about feeding cues and how to learn if the baby is getting enough milk can empower you to feel good that once you start breastfeeding, you are actually doing it right....

I am sure you don't have to be convinced anymore since all the posters here have provided great reasons to breastfeed (well except one poster), you just got to get comfortable and confident that you can do it, and you can do it well enough to nourish your baby sufficiently...Especially when it comes to determining "Am I feeding ENOUGH" which is why many quit...So kudos to you and congrats!

Answer 28

breast no one tells you it can be hard but its worth it in the end once you get past the 6 week mark its smooth sailing