breastfeeding vs. formula feeding??

Question

I have been debating this for a while now. Should I Breastfeed or Formula feed? I've know women who do both and nothing is different between their children. I just needed some opinions. My husband doesn't want me to breastfeed, due to whatever I do(drinking more caffeine,not eating healthy)our baby will get the same thing. That's the only negative thing about breastfeeding to me and plus, I don't plan to breastfeed when I go back to work. Should I only do while I'm off? This is stressful. :) Formula feeding, I can do better with, I think.. because.. then my husband, mom, his mom, etc.. could help with the feedings. I just need some opinions. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Of course, nursing is better for your baby. Its also more convenient, since you don't have to buy formula and bottles, clean bottles, mix formula, etc. You might have to focus on eating healthy, but you should already be doing that anyway, since you are pregnant, right? if you are drinking too much caffeine while pregnant, your baby is ingesting caffeine anyway.

Breast feeding will also help you take off any pregnancy weight you've gained.

The following is from Fit Pregnancy magazine, the Dec./Jan 2007 issue:

"Hundreds of studies have proved the short-term and long-term benefits of nursing: it decreases the incidence not only of diarrhea and ear infections, but also of diabetes, obesity, asthma, leukemia, bacterial meningitis, some forms of lymphoma, and even sudden infant death syndrome."

"What's more, research has shown that premature babies who are fed breast milk do better on tests of mental development later in childhood than those given formula. These benefits likely apply to full-term babies as well."

Answer 2

This really is a very personal choice for you. I breast fed both of my children, for several reasons. It is actually way more convenient than formula as there is no preparation time, it's always there and always ready. If your family really wants to help with feedings you can always pump or suppliment with formula. I am going to breastfeed my baby when she comes as well. I will be going back to work and will pump as long as I can, but that really does take a toll. The longer you can breastfeed the better. It helps with bonding with your baby and it will help you lose all the post baby weight. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, just do your research. But, don't listen to the post about the "lactose Intolerant" mother. Being lactose intolerant has nothing to do with breast milk. That would be from cows milk. Mother's milk is always the best for your baby. Mother's milk does not contain the same thing as cows milk or even formula. Just get yourself well educated on both before you make any decisions. Also, this is your choice, not your husbands. Whatever decision you make, I'm sure it will be the right one for you. Also, part of the reason I breastfed is because I'm lazy and hate washing dishes. When you breastfeed there's no preparation of formula or bottles to wash or sterilize. You don't have to take the time to prepare a bottle and make sure it's the right temp while your baby is hungry. It also is wonderful for those late night feedings. Who wants to get up at 2 am while half awake and try and prepare a bottle. I would get my baby and put him in bed with me and nurse. It's soooo much easier.

Answer 3

Breastfeeding is best and, if possible, should be done for at least the first month or so. The stuff that is produced before milk (sorry can't remember what it is called) is full of antibodies and other good things for the baby's imune system.

If you want to get your husband involved, you could always purchase a pump to express milk with, put it in the fridge until feeding time (don't microwave to heat), then he could use the bottle.

The only downside is the American society as a whole has breast issues. Hearing of people being asked to leave movie theatres, restaurants, shopping malls (even heard of one mother being asked to leave a church) for breast feeding.

Personally, I think it is a wonderful thing that women can do that - just think of the time that you will get to bond with your new baby that no one else will get.

It is a personal decision that you will have to make, but please do some research and make an informed opinion that suits your lifestyle. Either way, just love the child. 20 years from now, he/she isn't going to know the difference.

Answer 4

This was my dilema as well!!! This is what I finally came up with -My two oldest, Jason 8, Kai-lee 6, did not breastfeed - I found it to be too much of a commitment at the time for me as I worked full time/schooled full time - Now I'm having my third and I am taking time off to be with the baby (not too long as I love to work- just enough so that I don't feel like I rushed back to work) Jason was such an incredible baby, very happy, easy- Grandma held him 1 day and she didn't know it but was days away from getting a cold... Jason's little immune system wasn't able to fight it off as he was only 3 or 4 weeks old, it quickly turned into pnemonia for him - I know now that if I had been breastfeeding he would have had a better chance to fight off that cold so this time around I will breastfeed for the first few months ~ pumping ahead of time for days that I get sick or want to have a glass of wine without having to worry about the baby having any negitive effects (or days that I want to eat freely!!! :) ). Plus my hubby will be able to connect with the baby during feedings when I pump. I hope this helps... It was a hard decision for me to make as well so I symphatize!!!

Answer 5

This is definitely a difficult, but personal choice. It has been proven time and time again that breastfeeding is the best for your child. Now adays, formula is trying its best to get as close as possible to being like breasmilk, but never will succeed 100%. Formula will never contain antibodies, or white blood cells, or the proper fat/ protien content (as in what baby really needs). Personally to me, I always felt like I was being selfish if I chose to give my daughter formula because I wanted to eat something she shouldn't have. So I just chose to not eat those things while breastfeeding. Think of it this way, how long will you be breastfeeding? Not too long if you plan to stop when you go back to work. So why would it be so bad to give up a few yummy things for a short period of time. After you are done, indulge yourself! And truthfully, with my second, I found I have to only not eat a few things because he is allergic. Otherwise, as long as I eat my treats early in the day I do not have to worry about his intake bothering him during the night. Also I want to add, that even only breastfeeding for the first month, is better than nothing! But again, only you can decide!

Answer 6

I do both and the baby seems to be doing fine. She's almost one and has had one cold (when teething) and she picked up Roseola somewhere. Other than that, she's been healthy as can be...no ear infections, no flu, etc. I wanted to breastfeed solely for many reasons: cheaper, easier, better for mom & baby. But I had tons of problems following my c-section and she just couldn't get the latch right. I compromised by pumping as much as possible and then supplimenting with formula where needed.

Don't let people bully or guilt you into one direction or another. You have to do what's best for you and the baby. As for your husband, clue him into the fact that if you are bottle feeding (breast milk or formula), he'll be expected to do those 3am feedings right along with you. ;-)

One of the biggest unexpected perks to feeding her expressed milk is that I could easily keep track of how much she was truly eating. I never questioned whether she was getting enough. Good luck!!!

Answer 7

Hello,
I work in a daycare with infants ages 6 weeks to 12 months. I can honestly say that there is a difference in the babies who are breastfed and the ones who are not. For example, one baby has never been breastfed (we'll call him John) and another is only breastfed (we'll call her Lily). When the babies get sick, they all usually get it at the same time. When Lily has a slight cold, John has a double ear infection and has to be on antibiotics for a couple weeks. When Lily has a cough, John has a virus that makes him have bad diarreha, congestion, and a cold. Also, John eats way more than a 4 month old should be eating and is a little on the heavy side for his age. These are just a few things that I've noticed from working in a daycare with infants. If I were you, I'd breastfeed.

Answer 8

I breastfed my son even after I went back to work. Invest in a good breast pump and your family will be able to bottle feed baby when you are working. The benefits of breastfeeding are huge. One of the best things is the way that it helps your body get back into shape, both inside and out.

Formula is SOOOOO expensive. Take a walk down the baby aisle the next time that you are at the store and that may help you decide. Breast milk is free, you can't do better than that! Eating a healthy diet isn't that hard, keep your caffeine consumption down and continue to take your prenatal vitamins and you'll be in good shape.

Answer 9

Breastfeeding is the BEST investment you give to your child, bec it will benefir him/her for the REST of his/her life! You can see the difference between breastfed and formula fed children. Breastfed children are more immune to illnesses, ear infection, etc. The longer you breastfeed him/her, the higher his/her IQ will be and the healthier he/she will be. If your husband is concerned abt your poor diet, then limit your caffeine intake or best of you switch to decaf! Sacrifice a little for the sake of your child. Parenting is all abt sacrificing after all. Good diet will benefit YOU anyway. When you're back to work, pump your breastmilk. If you skip feeding, your milk production will be lesser. So don't ever do that. It's not abt being practical if you formula feed him/her. But it's abt your child's GREAT benefit from the beginning to the rest of his/her life!

Here are some sites to help you consider:

http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/advantages.html

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBJulAug01p124.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020300.asp

http://www.drgreene.com/21_552.html

http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=227

http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babybreastfeed/8910.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_more.html

http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp

God designed mothers do breastfeed their babies.

Answer 10

I am in the opinion of breastfeeding. Skip the healthy stuff, it's just that I felt so connected with them while breastfeeding versus bottle feeding. When my youngest was done breastfeeding and onto the bottle, I really missed it and felt that the "connection" was gone.

And I have done both. Each woman is different and either way is OKAY to do. I would tell you from experience to at least try. Congratulations on your new baby!