What are the pro's and con's of breastfeeding???

Question

How good is it for the baby??

Answer 1

Cons are that you are tied down by your baby's feeding schedule and it's sometimes really difficult to plan things because of it.

Pros are endless! BREASTFED BABIES BECOME HEALTHY ADULTS! Here are only some of the ways that breastfeeding builds a lifetime of good health:

1. Breastfeeding prevents obesity. Even in infancy, breastfed babies as a group are leaner than their formula-fed peers. Studies have shown that children who are breastfed are less likely to be obese during adolescence, and that longer periods of breastfeeding greatly reduce the risk of being overweight in adulthood. Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults. Since breastfed babies themselves control how much they eat (aided by the changes in fat levels during a feeding session), children who are breastfed learn to trust their bodies' signals about how much they need to eat and when. This builds healthy eating habits right from the start. Although parents might urge a formula-fed baby to finish up the last ounce or two of milk in the bottle, you can't do this to a breastfed baby. When she's done, she's done!

2. Better teeth. Breastfed babies have better jaw alignment and are less likely to need orthodontic work as they get older. A study of 10,000 children found that those who were breastfed for a year or more were 40 percent less likely to require orthodontic treatment. The sucking action used to breastfeed involves complex motions of the facial muscles and tongue. This improves the development of facial muscles and the shape of the palate. The better jaw alignment associated with breastfeeding can even mean less snoring and a lowered risk for a condition known as obstructive sleep apnea--the blockage of air flow during sleep, which can disturb sleep patterns and lead to other health problems.

3. Lowered risk of heart disease. All the evidence isn't in yet, but some researchers believe that breastfeeding during infancy may lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes in later life. This is due in part to the higher levels of cholesterol in human milk. Some heart researchers theorize that because of the cholesterol content of human milk, a breastfed baby's liver learns to metabolize cholesterol better than formula-fed infants. This leads to lower blood cholesterol levels as adults and thus a lower risk of heart disease. Though limited in number, some studies have shown that adults who were formula-fed as infants tend to have higher blood cholesterol and are more likely to have arterosclerotic plaques than those who were breastfed.

4. Lowered risk of juvenile diabetes. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to develop type 1 diabetes mellitus in childhood. Researchers have attributed this lowered risk of diabetes to the delayed introduction of cow milk in breastfed babies. In addition, researchers have shown a lower insulin release in breastfed infants compared to infants fed formula. This preventive effect is particularly important if you have a family history of diabetes.

5. Lowered risk of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis, a degenerative muscle disease that strikes adults, may be caused in part by myelin breakdown. However, multiple sclerosis is less common in countries where breastfeeding rates are high. Human milk's contribution to the myelin formation may help to prevent multiple sclerosis in later life.

6. Lowered risk of asthma and allergy. Studies have shown that breastfeeding lowers the chances of a child developing allergies and asthma symptoms. Breastmilk's immune components protect babies from allergens in the first months of life. Breastfeeding also delays the introduction of potentially allergenic foods, such as cow milk and soy protein, into the diet until the baby is older and the immune system is more mature.

7. Other diseases. Research suggests that breastfeeding may also play a role in preventing digestive diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as well as childhood cancers. This makes sense: nourish an infant's body with the unique food designed for it by nature and that body will function in a healthier way, perhaps for the child's entire life.

Breastmilk's influence on health is probably more far-reaching than researchers have even dared to imagine, but studies of factors that affect the development of disease in adults seldom ask their research subjects how they were fed as infants (and many adults would have trouble giving accurate answers to these kinds of questions). New studies of what breastmilk contains suggest that this living biological fluid carries substances that are critical to the optimal development of many systems in the body. This early development may very well affect the progress of many diseases throughout life.

And after all, babies love it so much!

Answer 2

It's all personal preference. A lot of women don't breastfeed because they think they will be uncomfortable doing it. I've even known people that wanted to resume their party lives after being pg so they didn't breastfeed because it would interfere with their drinking and partying. Some women just can't breastfeed; they don't produce enough milk or in my case, the baby just isn't getting enough nutrients from it so I had to supplement with formula for my 3rd daughter. Some women also might be overwhelmed with pumping while at work. Some women can do that but it's very hard and it usually doesn't last very long because you don't get as much pumped as the baby would get had you just nursed. Breastmilk is the best for the baby for as long as a mom can do it. It's also said that breastfeeding can help shrink your uterus down to it's regular size much faster than not breastfeeding. It's also easier because you don't have to prepare formula, you have food ready for your baby whenever they want it. I'm not really sure. It's really up to the mother what she wants to do.

Answer 3

The only cons are that it can sometimes be very difficult for a first time mom to learn how, and you can feel very tied down, but that is just new motherhood anyway and it is only for a season. IT DOES NOT come naturally.
Go to LaLeche League meetings. Yes they are militant, but you will learn everything and you can ignore the stuff that is weird and over the top! I did this and when it got hard I was able to press through the first few weeks and was glad I did. The second baby was natural for me!

My children both suffer from anxiety issues (hereditary) and a psychologist said if I thought they struggled now, it would have been worse had I not had that bond and security for them as infants. You just never know!

My oldest is now 15 and I can still remember fondly when I see a nursing mother and child!

One more note: Both of my sons are absolutely brilliant , score higher than 90% of kids their age, and read on college level and have since elementary school. It must be the breast feeding. I often tell my sons I'd be as smart as them if MY mom had BF me!!LOL

Answer 4

Ok, people have given you some great info on the benefits of breastfeeding. Do your research and you will find that nursing is WELL worth it. I nursed my daughter for a year and she never once got sick. Soon as she was weaned, she got the flu, go figure.

Also, keep in mind that there are benefits for you too! It decreases your chances of breast and ovarian cancer. Its cheaper (my friend spends nearly $200/month on formula). You never have to make a bottle with a screaming hungry baby, your milk is always ready. If you have problems nursing, the lactation nurse at your hospital can help you. Nursing naturally decreses cellulite. You lose the baby weight a LOT faster. You get to snuggle with baby all the time, and when they are bit bigger, you can even just lay them next to you and let them eat and you can go back to sleep, and they will too. The first couple weeks to a month can be really hard sometimes, but if you can get past that, its no big deal. Good luck!

Answer 5

What everyone answered about all the great health advantages breastfed babies have are absolutely true. Giving your newborn baby breastmilk is one of the best things you could do for him or her. Keep in mind that even if you have difficulties in breastfeeding your newborn, you can still give baby your milk by pumping and then feeding in a bottle (you can rent a pump if you can't afford to purchase one). Please see a lactation consultant and look for local Le Leche meetings. Make sure you have the nurse in the hospital help you with every feeding. Just after birth you'll have pre milk called collestrum for a few days before your milk comes in. This pre milk is extremely beneficial to your newborn. When your milk does come in you'll be engorged and it will be difficult for the baby to latch on, try expressing some milk before bringing the baby to the breast. You can do this by hand or pump, take a hot shower or put hot moist towels on your breast to help with engorgement.

Good Luck, and remember that your milk is the absolute best food for your baby.

Answer 6

Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for a baby, in the first breast milk that your baby drinks, is full of colostrum which is also called "liquid gold". it helps to build your baby's immune system and it keeps them very healthy. i personally don't think there are any con's to breastfeeding, but some people might find it inconvenient to have to expose their breast in public to feed the baby, when your not at home, there's always the option of using a breast pump and store it in bottles so when you go out the baby can still have its breast milk!!!! oh yea i think breast milk should not sit in the fridge for more than 2 or 3 days.

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is healthiest for both mom and baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months.

Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of breast cancer. Breastfeeding will actually lower both mom AND baby's chances of breast cancer if the child is a girl. Breastfeeding protects against several other forms of cancer, including ovarian cancer for mom.

Breastmilk is what baby's digestive system is designed to expect.

Mom is less likely to have trouble with post-partum hemmorhaging and her uterus returns to normal quicker. She also loses weight faster.

Breastfed babies have lower chances of developing allergies, asthma, diabetes, ear infections and obesity.

Breastfeeding means baby's food is always ready and always the right temperature. Nothing to prepare, warm up or remember to pack when you go out.

Breastfed baby diapers actually don't stink!

Breastfeeding means it will take longer for mom's periods to return, so less chance or becoming anemic, less money spent on menstrual supplies and no monthly bleeding to deal with for a while. (Some moms get their periods early on, some don't get their until solids are started, still others don't have cycles the entire time they nurse! Anything is normal.)

Breastfeeding is a relaxing and cuddly time for mom and baby. Those mothering hormones are AMAZING!

Answer 8

I breast fed all 6 kids, well, none have had cancer or any big issues. I love breastfeeding, first kid , I was 20 yrs., last was twins at 33 yrs.only got to nurse 4 and 1/2 mos. I got to skinny to fast and could not eat enough. It's great if you like to eat or pig out some. It's also good for body , gets it back to normal state faster. (vaginally)

Answer 9

Many many great answers here! If you need more hers a site that lists 101-

http://www.promom.org/101/

Cons- none. I was never tied down, its called a breast pump! The only real con I can think of is the ignorance of people that don't breastfeed and think its gross, but Ive never let that get to me. I know I'm doing whats best for my baby.

Answer 10

Its very good. A nursing mother is able to supply all of the nutrients that the baby needs. Also the milk is ready when the baby needs it. You do not ever have to worry about the temperature because its at a temperature that the baby needs. Its a really great feeling knowing that you are able to give milk to your child. A really great bonding time with your baby. In my opinion I dont think that there are any cons to breastfeeding.

Answer 11

Breast-milk is the very best thing for your baby. It not only makes a stronger connections between you and your baby but it also has stuff in the breast-milk that boosts the babies immunity. If you can do it and are willing, breast-milk all the way. The only con I have for breast-feeding is that it is hard to go somewhere without the baby because they have to feed every few hours. It is a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it.