For the breastfeeding mommas.?

Question

Lets talk about the advantages of breastfeeding. What is your personal favorite advantage?
During your pregnancy what was your reason for deciding to breastfeed? Has your reasons changed now that you have your child/children?

I have already had my children. I am just wanting to discuss breastfeeding. No need to convince me to nurse :D

Answer 1

lower rates of many different forms of cancer

don't have to get out of bed to feed the baby.....just roll over!

nothing to pack when you go out and nothing to run out of

less illness for baby

Answer 2

It's hard for me to list just one of my favorite advantages! You can's beat the convenience of breastfeeding... no bottles to prepare, wash or take with on outings... just pop out your boob and you have the perfect food for your baby! How easy is that?!?!?

The fact that it's free is the other HUGE advantage. We're a single-income family (under 35K a year) so wherever I can cut expense is a MUST. Breastfeeding costs nothing but a healthy diet and lots of water, which is something I should be eating regardless. Plus, I figure humans are mammals, and you don't see other mammals bottle-feeding their babies... might as well use what we've got!!

Oh, and the final bonus to breastfeeding... that bond you feel as you see your baby sucking at your breast, knowing you are personally providing the best nutrition available to your baby. It's an extremely awesome ability!!!

Answer 3

I've done both and my favorite advantages are:

First of all - No making bottles. I hate making bottles.

but also....

its cheaper
I was always forgetting formula or bottles
no sterilizing bottles
no spit up
no stains
no getting up at 2 AM
no worrying about giving them the wrong type of formula or having to find something easier for their stomachs.
great excuse to go away for a few minutes when I get stressed.
much healtier kids

The reason I breastfed to begin with was I just thought that is what I should do. I had never even researched all the benefits when I had my first. Using formula had never even crossed my mind until I had problems with my twins. They were preemies and could not latch on. I pumped but eventually, at four months, I could not keep up. I never could get them to latch on, I wish now that I had tried harder. My last two have been exclusively breastfed.

Answer 4

Oh I love this discussion!

my favorite advantage of breast feeding was the bonding between my children and I (I have breastfed all my children, at least for one year, but some nearly 18 months). I loved the late nights!

I grew up oldest of 5 girls, my mom breast fed all of us, I saw it all my life (my youngest sister is 12 years younger than I am) so there was never a question about should I breast feed, I just always knew I would.

I have a little something for you all I got this at one of my trainings, I am a nutrition instructor.

The Best:

With all the gadgets and labor-saving devices
on the market for babies nowdays, I though
I'd try to find the best of each.
I was not surprised to find that:

The BEST infant seat is mother's arms,
The BEST baby swing is mother's lap in a rocking chair,
The BEST stroller is a mother's body.
The BEST nursery recor is a mother's own heart beat,
The BEST lullaby record is mother's singing, and of course
The BEST food, pacifier, electric warmer, and tranquilizer
can be found at the mother's breast.

Answer 5

There are many.

Not having to buy formula is very nice.
Knowing that I'm providing my baby with antibodies and the best protein for her body to break down is a big motivator.
The convenience of being able to breastfeed anywhere without having to bring bottles, water, formula, etc is great.
I was able to pump at work, so I didn't have to stop when she was barely 3 months old.

I had a breast abcess (and surgery for it) due to mastitis and I still think breastfeeding is the best way to go.

A drawback for me was that it was hard to get started. Everyone talks about how natural it is, and it was great for a day or so, but the rest of the time in the hospital, my nipples were bleeding and I cried every time I had to feed. At exactly a week after she was born thogh, I was out of the hsopital, thinking about giving up breastfeeding, when she just latched on and acted like she knew what she was doing the whole time! It was amazing and a relief. During the week I had trouble, my husband wanted to formula feed becuase she was jaundiced and the only way for her to get rid of bilirubin is to poop it out so he worried me to death about that. We did end up doing a combination of breast and formula in the hospital.

Answer 6

1. Breastmilk is free
2. No buying, washing, warming, anything with bottles
3. You lose your baby weight super fast
4. Feeling your baby that close, all warm and soft, is priceless
5. I had the ability to feed my baby anywhere, anytime. If something went wrong (stuck in traffic, long weight at restaurant, etc.) I could feed my baby on the spot. No worries about spilled bottles, cold formula, ran out of formula, etc.)

I knew as soon as I got pregnant, I wanted to breastfeed. I was very nervous at first, and didn't have very much support from my family, but with research and faith, I gave it a shot, and I was overwhelmed with happiness because I tried. I will definitely breastfeed all my children!

Answer 7

My husband and I researched and saw that breastfeeding is what is best for your baby. It even says that on the formula can. Formula feeding was never an option, I knew I was going to stay at home ( I was lareday a stay at home wife) My husband also wanted/wants whats best for our daughter so with his support the "tough" breastfeeding times were easier with him by my side (my milk took 5 days to come in, ouch!) I watch a few babies and they all got sick, with the same virus I beleive, my daughter as well as the other breastfed baby were pretty normal, a few stuffed up noses here and there. The other two formula fed babies were so sick, I felt so bad for them.

Whoever gave thumbs down to people who are praising breastfeeding is an idiot.

Answer 8

Well, it's been a while, but I breastfed both my sons. There's more than one personal favorite advantage for me. I love the natural immunities, the close relationship, and the ease of feeding. I think it's better for the child.

During pregnancy I wanted to do what I felt was best for my baby.

I wouldn't push a woman who doesn't feel it's right for her, but I think its the best way to go with a new baby.

Answer 9

I am probably only doing it because i am so stubborn. It was hard in the beginning but I did it cause I didn't see a reason not to. And her father standing over me with a bottle of formula ready trying to "help" me was enough to push me to continue breastfeeding.

Answer 10

I breastfed both my boys because it's the healthiest thing for them. Also you get more of a chance to bond with them during that time. I breastfed my first son for a year, I was only able to breastfeed my second one for 3 months b/c he was going to his fathers on the weekend and I lost milk supply. I have noticed such a difference. It saddens me that I wasn't able to carry on longer. You just get closer to the child when you have that time with them. And it makes me feel like a better mother to know that I was the one giving them EVERYTING they need, including extra nutrients and viatamins.

Answer 11

My favorite personal advantage? All of the benefits!

Every year they find out more reasons why breastmilk is best and another thing that formula lacks... at least my babies don't lack because of the shortcomings of formula.