is breast feeding better thean bottle feeding for my 4 month old baby???

Question

thanks to all who answer

Answer 1

This question is not simple to answer. There are many other factors to consider.
There are certain diseases that are passed through breast milk, thus making it not the best option if you ahve these diseases.
There are a small amount of women who do not produce enough or not nutritious enough breast milk. Also not the best choice then.
Consider and economic factor, if a women has to work at a job where she cannot pump, and needs this job to sustain her family, it's also not the best choice.
If breast feeding will cause harm to others, it is not the best choice. I had a patient who had a very lazy/slow eater baby, and she fed for 12-15 hours a day. This woman literally went crazy, ended up in a mental institution on suicide watch and was having psychotic episodes. The lack of sleep (only 30-60 minutes between feedings) sure didn't help. In this instance breast feeding was not best for her or the baby as there was no bonding for the baby. This baby would have been better off with a sane and loving mother who bottle fed.
Related, if the breast feeding will cause negative emotions between mother and baby, it is also not best.
There are other reasons as well not to beast feed, but my post is getting too lengthy.
BUT, if there are no reasons to not breast feed, then breastfeeding is the best for the baby and mom. There are many benefits for both of you.
Do not fret if you can't breastfeed, formula is a good second choice, but it is second. Oh, there are also breastmilk banks out there.

Answer 2

My 6 year old was breast fed until around 3months at which time I had to quit due to complications.He was bottle fed from then on.He is healthy smart and not malformed.I breast fed my 2 1/2 year old until around 16 months he is smart healthy and has no super powers.While breast feeding has long since been proved to be beneficial to your baby's health it is not a must. I can tell you though that Having done both I prefer to breast feed. It may have been a pain at times but so is bottle feeding. In my experience it was well worth it. How ever it is your choice to make.

Answer 3

May sound weird a guy giving advice, but when my kids were born we investigated this very subject. Apparently breast milk provides the nourishment the baby needs and provides protection by immunising against bugs. The downside is that (dependant on how much milk you can give) the baby may not get enough feed and also only the mother can feed him, thus you cannot share the chore with the father.

We wound up doing both to get the best of both worlds.

Answer 4

the best thing for a baby is breastfeeding. it's NATURAL.... and it promotes correct portion size for the baby. the reason at first why breast feeding is good for the baby is that when you very first breastfeed, there's a clearish liquid that contains things that will promote health for the baby, and most doctors will have you pump to be able to feed that to your baby if they don't breastfeed and must feed on a bottle. now, since your baby is 4 months old, i would assume that you've already been past that point.

it's a great bonding experience for both of you, but if the baby won't breastfeed (i didn't) then pumping or formula will be just fine too. good luck, honey!!

Answer 5

yes!! I have no experience yet, but I have read many books and talked to several doctors that specialize in lactation.

breastfeeding increases development of the baby's brain and it's learning and logic 80% faster than bottle feeding. With breastfeeding, the baby won't puke as much or get diarrhea or constipation. It is also good for you to bond, as well as helping you lose your baby weight and return your body to it's original shape. breastfeeding helps the baby grow faster but steadily, so you don't have to worry about overfeeding them or underfeeding, because when they are done with one breast and move to the other, they will let you know when they have had enough. breasfeeding also doesn't have any "air" in the milk like bottle feeding, which makes it easier for the baby to get the right nutrients instead of half air and half food.

Answer 6

Yes, breast feeding is better, at least under normal circumstances. This is a general consensus. The key points are:
- It gives antibodies to your child, making him stronger against diseases
- It's nutrionally more complete than bottle, except for one vitamin (vitamin D, doctors will prescribe it likely if needed). Even with the best research, the bottle milk is not as complete and adequate to your child
- It's easier to digest breast milk.
- It helps bonding between mother and child

Breast feeding is not easy, it takes time, effort, sometimes frustation, but the reward is great, for the child and mother. It's perfectly possible to breastfeed for two years, but one year is already great.

Answer 7

People have all given great answers, but also consider that a child who is not breastfed at least half of the time is being deprived of very important immune system benefits. Your baby has very few resources to help him or her fight disease, cope with vaccinations and build a strong healthy immune system. Breastmilk is the best way to do this, not to mention the fact that breastmilk (if taken from the breast and not pumped) can never be too old, too hot, too cold, or too anything - it is always just right.
If you are having breastfeeding difficulties (I had several - and we went through very trying times) call La Leche League, or go to a meeting or to their website. They were lifesavers to me and my baby and came to my house to help us.

Answer 8

It works GREAT for me!! I would say yes. I've nursed 3 children, the first two for 10+ months. They are now 15yrs and 9yrs, no medical problems to speak of. They had very few colds, no ear infections or allergies. Currently, I'm nursing my daughter who is 4months. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I do pump so when I'm at work her daddy can feed her. Stick with it as long as you can. You won't regret it! Good luck

Answer 9

breastfeeding is always better than bottle feeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should be EXCLUSIVELY on breastmilk for their 1st 6 months. My cans of formula even say that breastmilk is best. I highly recommend you checking out www.kellymom.com and www.lalecheleague.org for all your breastfeeding questions...The lacation consultants helped me immensely. I know that everyone's life circumstances are different and it may be very difficult to breastfeed, but if your life allows it, why not ?

Answer 10

Breast feeding is always preferable, but I discovered with my newest addition to the family, sometimes it's not always practical. If you can do it - yea you! But if not, don't beat yourself up...your baby will be fine with a bottle. :)