I am having my first child in November. Do you recommend breast feeding or the bottle?

Answer 1

Absolutely breastfeeding! It is healthiest for BOTH mother and baby. Formula will also never be able to duplicate the ingredients in breastmilk. Breastmilk is a live substance that changes day to day, hour to hour, to match your specific needs. It also contains antibodies to anything you and baby are exposed to.

Breastfeeding is very relaxing, thanks to the hormones.

You never have to worry about packing food when you go out or running out. You don't have to get out of bed to warm things up. Baby's food is always ready and always the right temperature.

Breastfed baby poop is actually not offensive smelling while they are exclusively nursing. It has kind of a sweet smell.

Breastfeeding lowers BOTH mom and baby's risks of several forms of cancer.

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

http://www.kellymom.com/

http://www.lalecheleague.org

Answer 2

I recommend breast feeding. Breastfeeding is best for your child, and can give them nutrients and antibodies, that formula cannot. It can also help you loose your your pregnancy weight faster. Just producing milk can burn 500 calories per day. You shouldn't diet while breastfeeding, but by eating a normal healthy diet, 500 calories are gone by doing absolutely nothing except providing a nutitious meal for your child. It's less expensive. I would rather spend $200-300 on a good breast pump, than spend approx $1200 + on formula for a year. Breastfeeding can also reduce the chances of getting certain forms of cancer, such as breast cancer. I really only know of one down fall to breastfeeding, and that is you may need to feed more often because babies digest breastmilk faster and easier. At least try breastfeeding, and if it doesn't work out you can always switch to formula. If you start with formula, you can't change your mind later. Well, not until your next pregnancy. There's nothing wrong with either choice you make. Many mother's have their reasons to not breastfeed. I was not breastfed and I turned out just fine. I am choosing to breastfeed my first son due in August. It's all up to you.

Answer 3

I've noticed two interesting bits in the debate between breastfeeding and bottlefeeding.

First, have you ever heard someone say that they regret breastfeeding? Usually, if someone regrets their feeding choice, they regret bottlefeeding.

Secondly, how many people mention their baby's health and welfare as the number one (or number ten for that matter) reason for choosing formula? Go ahead, examine people's reasons for choosing breastfeeding and for choosing formula. It seems pretty simple to me. If your baby's health and well-being are at the top of your list of priorities, you're likely to try breastfeeding.

That being said, many women try breastfeeding and give up quite quickly only to move on to formula. If you are going to breastfeed your child, it has been often said that you only need two things (a breast and a baby), but in my experience you need four: a breast, a baby, education (about breastfeeding -- the benefits, what is normal, what to expect, etc), and support (someone on your side, such as your husband/partner or a friend, and someone who is trained to help you if you have a problem, such as a lactation consultant or La Leche League). Breastfeeding, like bottlefeeding, is not without its own problems. You are likely to encounter doubts, questions, and possibly even some pain (although it is a myth that breastfeeding is painful, even just in the beginning -- pain is an indication of a problem that should be fixed, not waited out). If you are armed with education and support, you will most likely make it through any troubles you have and the result will be a healthy, lasting (for as long as you wish) nursing relationship between you and your child. I put a couple of links below to help you should you choose to breastfeed. Mystic_eye already gave you all the links I normally list regarding the benefits of breastfeeding.

"While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby." -- Amy Spangler

Answer 4

I"m Due To Have My Baby October 13 ,2007 I Am Going To Breastfeed Its The Healthiest i would recommend it if this is your first child which this is my first child too they say it can bring you closer to your infant but just because your breast feeding dosent mean the baby not using a bottle you can pump your milk and you can feed it threw a bottle its natural and i think thats what i love about it and also it cheaper but i also read studies that state that over half of the children that have been breast feed are healther children so i would recommend breastfeeding i think its a beautiful thing hope everything goes great congradulations on your little one ~kala~

Answer 5

101 Reasons to Breastfeed: http://www.promom.org/101/

I highly recommend breastfeeding. I nursed my daughter for a year, and it was the best decision I have ever made. She never got sick once, and has always been a few months ahead in mental development. A MAJOR reason to breastfeed is that it reduces the risk of SIDS and also makes your baby all around healthier, more intelligent, and well-adjusted.

It can be difficult for the first month or so, but it is well worth it to have a healthy and ALIVE baby. There is lots of support out there. Your hospital should have a lactation nurse that can help you with any problems you may come across. Only a VERY small percentage of women are physically incapable of breastfeeding. Any other problems are solveable.

In this educated world there really is no excuse to not do what is best for your child. Even the cans of formula say right on them that breast milk is best. They cant come close to having all the benefits that your milk does.

Check out this yahoo group that is pro-breastfeeding. It is a great place to learn more and get support from women who have been there done that. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/milkdrunk/

Answer 6

Others have really covered all the benefits of breastfeeding. I want to add that the inability to produce enough milk is very, very rare. You'll probably never meet anyone who truly cannot produce milk (barring surgeries such as breast reduction and mastectomy). My sister has never breastfed her babies, and she has spent too many hours sitting in hospital waiting rooms with very sick children. She is tied down to the house because she has to dance the bottle ballet, and she cannot change her plans while she's out. My babies were totally portable, and they both loved nursing. My second is still nursing, and I'm enjoying it too. Start learning how to breastfeed now. Attend meetings (La Leche League is great) and classes now. You may still run into trouble after baby comes, but you can get through it with hard work, determination and patience. Lactation Consultants are angels! Visit them when you have trouble! Congratulations!

ETA: Here is a copy of Lela's answer: "I breastfed all three of my boys, and wouldn't trade it for the world." Who would thumbs down this? The people who call me a nazi?

Answer 7

I would recommend breastfeeding, especially for the first few months. I have breastfed for 3 months and am now switching to bottle-feeding, but the breastfeeding created great bonding between my daughter and I and was very relaxing like one of the others mentioned. It also provides great immunities that the little one surely benefits from greatly! I was also able to lose my pregnancy weight really fast! I also found it easier than having to prepare bottles, especially during the first month postpartum when I was so tired and worn out. It was nice to have baby's food ready at all times. But, in the end it is a personal decision. I'd recommend at least trying it out. You can always switch to bottles if you change your mind! :)

Answer 8

I think that breast feeding is best.

Most babies are better off being breast fed rather than bottle fed for the simple reason that human milk offers certain advantages over it’s animal counterpart.
Breast milk provides a more balanced nourishment for the baby and better protection against illness due to intestinal and respiratory infections.

Breast feeding also allows the mother do develop a close bond with her baby. It is extremely convenient, since it is a ‘built in system’, although it also means that feeding is solely dependent on the mother.

Answer 9

BREASTFEEDING! It burns 500 calories a day and the baby is getting the healthiest thing he/she can get. By 12 weeks post partum I was 10 pounds lighter than I was at my first OB appointment and I haven't worked out once (shame on me, I know)... Plus it's SO EASY!!! You don't need bottles, formula, nipples, or those little steam sanitizer things for the bottles. In the middle of the night, you just have to "whip it out" and you don't have to get up and warm up any bottles or any of that nonsense. But the best part is the BONDING that you get with your baby. It's so amazing to see the baby look up at you and start playing with your hair, necklace, or shirt. It's so amazing!!! I just cannot describe how amazing it is! Now, it does take a while for it to stop hurting. For me, it took about a week, but oh it's sooooooooo worth it and sooooo amazing!!! I love it so much that I'm planning on it for a year. My first goal was just six months, but now I just know that my heart will break when I must stop breastfeeding finally. Do me a favor and try it for two weeks. After that, if you're not happy you can always do formula, but I guarantee that you'll love it!!!
Oh... another great benefit to nursing: In those first weeks EVERYONE wants to hold your baby but you want to be the only one who touches her, but if you're nursing, then YOU are the ONLY one who can feed her, so you get to say, "OK, give her to me, I think she's hungry." or.... "Not right now, she'll be hungry soon." (It's great, trust me!!! When Anna was born I did not want my Mother in Law to constantly hold her like she wanted, so I got to use it as a bit of an excuse to have my baby all to myself hehehhehe!!!)

Answer 10

I have two girls and breastfed the oldest one until I got pregnant with the second not long after. My experience was that breastfeeding was not only better for the baby and me, but it was also a lot more convenient! No bottles to wash or keep track of; so easy to just pack up and go on short notice, and I didn't have to worry about milk souring on warm, all day excursions. I just love that time with my child, and to see them look up into my face is just so rewarding. I would always try to breastfeed first, and only fall back on a bottle if I didn't have enough milk to support them.

Answer 11

Congratulations on your first child!

I suggest Breast Feeding! Here are a few of my reasons.

Formula is expensive Depending on which brand you use, it could cost you between $1000 and $3000 dollars.

Why Breast feed?

It is good for Mom. Baby isn't as sick, so you spend less time in the doctors office, you are always ready to travel, no fussing with bottles. Much Less Expensive! Great Bonding experience! Your uterus shrinks down faster. You can lose your pregnancy weight faster. Baby's stools are as stinky! Stains come off clothes easily. Makes you feel like you are doing the best thing you can do for your baby.

Good for Baby. Breast Milk is easier to digest, it is nutritionally superior, iron is better absorbed, it is always fresh, bacteria free. Breast milk contains anti-infection factors and immune cells. Least allergenic of any infant feeding. Breast fed babies are less likely to be overfed, it promotes good jaw and tooth development. Less constipation. Breast milk promotes more brain cell growth, so breast fed babies may be smarter, and it promotes better hearing and vision.