Breastfeeding benefits?

Question

Is breastfeeding better than formula? What are all the benefits and are there any downfalls?

Answer 1

I breastfed all of my children (I have 5) and I would definitely say that there are many benefits. First of all, breastfeeding help the mother get back into shape quicker and it help your uterus shrink back to it's normal size quicker. It is always the right temperature so no need to warm it or worry about your child being burned from formula that is too hot. Breast milk also contains anti-bodies that help the child fight off infections. It is also stated that breastfed babies are normally healthier (and slimmer) throughout life. Besides I always looked at it this way, human beings are the only mammals who use artificial means of feeding their newborns.

Answer 2

It is wonderful that you are asking this question! Doing research is the first step in deciding what is best for you and your baby. There are SO many benefits, and, as a breastfeeding mother, I haven't found any downfalls. Some people will say that you have to wake up more often, which is not completely true, most babies need to eat ever 2-3 hours at first whether they are breastfed or formula-fed. Breastmilk is more thouroughly and more easily digested, so the baby may become hungrier faster. Formula gets blocked up in your babies intestines because infants are not "made" for formula and it irritates their intestines.
Others will say, daddy can't help. But he can! He can change diapers, hold during burping, rock baby to sleep, keep baby company while you take a shower, or give baby a bath! Feeding is an important bond between mother and child, which is the way we are biologically programmed. Daddy's play a different, but no less important role! And if you co-sleep, you won't ever have to hear your baby crying in the next room for its mommy! He/she will be right there, next to you, where they are supposed to be :).
Some others might say, you can't breastfeed if you go back to work. They are completely wrong. Many mothers pump for their babies and can breastfeed them as long as they want! And with everything else your baby has to go through at this time (being away from mom for 4,6,8, or even 10 hours), this reconnection and bonding time that they get through nursing is just THAT more important. Plus, if they are in daycare, your antibodies will help keep them healthier. So less sick-days for you and your baby!
I can go on about the benefits of breastfeeding, but I'll leave it up to you to do the research. Here are some great websites I have found. Also, I am part of a yahoo!group called milkdrunk if you would like to join! We are justa bunch of mommy's who are helping each other out with any questions we may have about breastfeeding.
The bottom line is, babies are made for their momma's milk. Any thing else is grossly inferior to it, including formula.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The benefits of breastfeeding are incredible. Not only are you passing on vital antibodies which protect your child, there are decreased chances of asthma, diabetes, allergies and cancer. For yourself you uterus contracts quicker, you lose the weight quicker ( I put on 50lbs when I was pregnant and have lost 30lbs in 8 weeks) you also protect yourself against osteoporosis and breast cancer. Also it's so much easier just popping your child onto the breast rather than preparing a bottle as there's no chance of bacteria and the milk's at the right temperature. You can feed anywhere as well. There are laws protecting you so you can feed anywhere in public.
The downfall is that you do need to be very determined to do it. It's not so easy in the first couple of weeks. It can be physically and emotionally draining if you don't look after yourself. You need to eat well and drink lots of fluid to keep you going. Also unless you express it can mean you've got your baby 24/7 which is hard. If you're going to do it you need a breast pump. I don't know how I would have coped without one. The best benefit I can think of is you're giving your baby what nature intended and no formula can ever beat that.

Answer 4

Formula is inferior to breastmilk. Here's some of the benefits of breastfeeding, but I'm sure science will discover more down the road. ;) http://promom.org/101

I wanted to add- I have nursed three children and each has been different. I had one that nursed every hour or two and I've had two that nursed every 3-4 hours. Each baby is different.

Breastfeedling may require some extra work (I think it's easier than buying formula and mixing bottles myself), but babies are biologically meant to be fed and comforted at their mother's breast.

Answer 5

Breastfeeding is the best! Not the easiest though it does take work. You have to eat healthy too. Formula for me is a last resort because it is man made. When i couldn't breast feed my twins anymore I had to put them on formula and they had severe constipation issues and got sick after I quit nursing. Breastfeeding gives natural antibodies and your baby has less chance of developing allergies and other sicknesses. it is the best thing you can do for your baby!

Answer 6

From start, it releases oxytocin each and every time toddler suckles which needless to say cut back the uterus......a breastfeeding mom would not choose pitocin like the wellness facility mechanically supplies. It keeps freeing oxytocin which permits mom to be calmer in the final public of circumstances! Lowers opportunities of ovarian and breast cancer. places the calcium decrease back into the bone marrow, which you will locate that the final public of older elderly females now adays with osteoparosis did no longer breastfeed, which grow to be trouble-loose for their time! Burns energy (no longer consistently dropping weight as we talk, yet over an prolonged time). Brings your hips decrease back at the same time basically approximately to pre-being pregnant length in the previous baby's first birthday. much less complicated in the experience of no longer wanting to make bottles in the direction of the evening, or whilst out and out approximately to locate the final temperature! an impressive toddler soother, which makes mom much less under pressure. It has a tendency to make maximum mothers think again their diets and for this reason eating extra perfect! i do no longer undergo in concepts something!

Answer 7

I don't know of any downfalls of breastfeeding. Benefits are mother passes antibodies to baby through the milk, so baby is less sick. The motion of the jaw helps to have better speech earlier. The bonding process is great, have bonding with bottle feeding too. Less gassy and don't spit up as much, hence they get less air while feeding.I've done both and I prefer breastfeeding.

Answer 8

Definitely better than formula. It boosts your baby's immune system, lowers the risk of SIDS, reduces the chance of obesity, less ear infections and colds, no dealing with sterilizing bottles, mixing it up, no cost, and you never have to worry about forgetting the baby's milk. Also, you get to do all that bonding with your wee bundle, can't say I would ever do it differently.
The only downfall is you do not have the luxury of going anywhere without the baby for more than say 3 hours in the beginning and about 5 hours later on until you have weaned baby to morning and evening feedings.

Answer 9

Breastfeeding does have benifits. Some of those may be your uterus will shrink faster, it helps the babys development, some downfalls may be if you have to go back to work how will u breastfeed, sore and cracked nipples, etc. Good Luck.

Answer 10

Breast is best, so the experts say.

The advantages, baby eats what you eat, helps you to loose weight. No bottles to sterilize and make. No waiting for milk to get to the correct temperature.

Downfall, nights out are few and far between as you need to be there 24/7 to feed baby. (unless baby takes to bottle so you can express milk when you go out.)
Hubby can't help with the night feed, or during the day.