To breastfeed or not to breastfeed?

Question

I can not decide whether to breastfeed or not. What have your experiences been? Pro's and Con's? Thanks!

Answer 1

I have watched my wife breast feed our 2nd baby here are some pros and cons:

pros:
1) no need to wait for the bottle to warm up while there is a screaming child
2) breast milk has natural immunizations that are passed from mommy to baby, lower chances for infections
3)saves you between 100-150 dollars a month

cons:
1) tender nipples, soreness
2) inconvenient hours, my wife had to get up hourly for the first week during the night, but you can expect about every 2-3 hours
3) this one is for the daddy's, daddy may lose a valuable toy

though there is a lot to consider when making this decision, most people will tell you that breast feeding is healthier and better for the baby. if cons such as the ones listed above concern you, you could always try expressed breast milk after you have adjusted into breastfeeding.

Answer 2

There are so so so many reasons to breastfeed. In reality, there are NO reasons to formula feed... no pros to it or anything unless there is something very very medically wrong with you, or you die (heaven forbid). Even then, there are ways to give your baby breastmilk.
My favorite pro to breastfeeding??
It is normal to breastfeed. Formula is sub-standard. Babies EXPECT to be breastfed. It is their perfect food.
That sealed the deal for me. Being a mom, I know that I will always want what is BEST for my baby.
Here are some cool pages to look at: It will help you make an informed choice. This will give you every reason to breastfeed your baby, and will also outline the dangers of formula feeding. It isn't such a small choice, such as, should I dress her in pink or purple today?? It is a huge decision, that has many consequences short- and long-term. If you'd like support, or to learn more, join the group MilkDrunk on Yahoo! groups :) We'd love to have ya!

Answer 3

OK three words:
Silicone
Aluminum
MSG

All things found in formula, not found or found in low levels in breastmilk.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0838/is_2000_May-June/ai_62141685

Then of course there is:
Breastmilk is free
Breastfed babies poop doesn't smell bad
Breastmilk is always the right temperature
It doesn't go bad (in the breast)
The store never runs out, and you never have to go the store at midnight
Breastmilk has never been recalled



And furthermore:
Formula increases the baby's risks of:
Ear Infections
All illness
Breast Cancer
Crohn's disease
Diabetes
Allergies
Asthma
SIDS
Diarrhea Infections
Constipation
Bacterial meningitis
Respiratory infections
Childhood leukemia
rheumatoid arthritis
Hodgkins disease
Night blindness as a child
osteoporosis
Anemia
cardiopulmonary distress while feeding
ulcerative colitis
hemophilus b. bacteria
necrotizing enterocolitis
Jaw deformities
Need for braces
Tooth decay
Speech problems
Eczema
multiple sclerosis
inguinal hernia
urinary tract infections
High blood pressure during childhood




Breastfeeding reduces the mom's risk of:
Breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
endometrial cancer
osteoporosis
Anemia



Not breastfeeding has also been shown to prevent the uterus from returning to it's pre-pregnancy size. And breastfeeding burns calories.


There is tonnes and tonnes more

Answer 4

I love breastfeeding. It's so easy. It really is the lazy way to feed a baby. I wouldn't wish washing, sterilizing, mixing, chilling, warming and all of that on anyone. There are numerous risks of formula feeding, and I can't think of a single advantage. Some people like to say "dad can help out and bond with baby." There are other ways for dad to get in on the action. Pregnancy makes your breasts saggy, but breastfeeding will fill them out until baby weans. Somebody mentioned that nursing bras are more expensive than regular bras. Are you serious? How about bottles, aren't they more expensive than something you already have? I'm sad and angry at all the lame reasons to bottlefeed that people are throwing around on here. I would never exchange the special bond I have with my girls. Sure, bottlefeeding moms bond with their babies, but breastfeeding pairs are special. Breastfeeding will make you more sensitive to your unique baby's needs. You'll never regret breastfeeding, but I often hear women say that they regret bottlefeeding. There really is no advantage to bottlefeeding. I watched my sister do it twice and it was a lose-lose arrangement. Best wishes to you! If you have a problem early on, see a lactation consultant. They can fix anything!

Answer 5

I have four children, two out of the four are twins. I breast fed all my children...I am a firm believer of it....but to each their own....
Pro's: Better nutrients for your child.
Your milk alone provides the best immunity for your baby, against colds, flu's, and such.
Bonding..
You do not have to make bottle after bottle every two hours...just plop it out and there you go.
It is free!!!
Those who are breast fed have a slightly higher IQ than those who were not..
never have to worry about the temp of milk..your body does it for you...
breast feeding shrinks your uterus faster and promotes faster healing after birth...
your baby will less likely be colic with breast milk and less gassy..
also breastfed babies have a lesser chance of obesity as adults..
(There is so much info on breast feeding and breast milk on the net...check it out...)

Con's
you leak..
mine did not, but some women's nipples get sore and crusted..
engorgement hurts like hell..
If you have to nurse in public, some peeps will look at you funny, but hell as long as you have a cover over your nursing child and your breasts, what do those peeps have to complain about...

(Not many con's on this matter, really)

But the choice is yours....
If you do decide to breast feed, make sure that you contact the la'leche (misspelled I think..it has been ages since I have breast fed) club...it is great support....
Congrats hon!!!! Kimmie

sheepiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..omg honey I have not seen you in ages...it is me kimmie from christian chat.....(sweetkimmie2u/prolilonezforever ) How have you been? Oh and lay off with the bad ratings with sheep's answer.....she is so right in her statement peeps!!!!!!

Answer 6

Breastfeed.
Pro's: You don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to make a bottle.
You don't have to pay for breastmilk.
It'll help you lose weight
It will boost your baby's immune system
It will decrease your baby's risk of having allergies.

Con's:
Sore Nipples (only at first)
Possible saggy breasts

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is the biological norm, its what your baby is built for. Babies have a right to breastmilk!

Anything else will be okay, but not as good. As soon as your baby gets anything other than breastmilk it changes their intestinal flora. Feeding babies artificial baby milk increases the risk of ear infections and illness, plus it costs money!

They are only babies for such a short time, if you can breastfeed, it is worth losing a bit of sleep. You will be glad you did.

Answer 8

You should at least TRY breastfeeding first. It is the best feeling in the world! It takes a bit to get the hang of but If you make sure your baby latches on properly you shouldnt have too much trouble.

I agree with everyone elses pro's so I wont write them all out again!

Answer 9

Breastfeeding is BEST!
All the info points to this, it's best for both mother and baby.
And for all the people out there that think it makes your boobs saggy WRONG! PREGNANCY makes your boobs grow and therefore sag...whether you breastfeed or not. Get fitted for a decent bra to minimise sagging!
P.S I breastfeed my son for 21/2 years and enjoyed every minute of it....the bond it creates is very special.

Answer 10

OMG breastfeeding is WONDERFUL.. it is not only healthy for your baby it's heathy for you. it decreases your risk of breast cancer. it helps you lose weight after the baby is born and many other things... it is great for your baby and give him/her immunities that you already have. it's wonderfuly for bonding. you will never feel as close to your baby as you do when you are breastfeeding. there are challenges with breastfeeding. it's a learning experience for both you and your baby... If you do breastfeed, stay in close contact with a lactation consultant. the first few weeks you will probably be sore.. i encourage you to fight through the pain it is best for your baby. your baby easily digests breastmilk so there is less of a risk for problems such as constipation and such. your baby won't be as gassy. and they say it helps with colic. as i said tho there are some challenges.. My baby is 3 months old and won't take a bottle so i am with her almost 24/7 they say that is unusual tho so i wouldn't worry about that. (we're trying a sippy cup, you oughta see a 3 month old taking a sippy cup ha ha its great:) ) feel free to e-mail me ANYTIME [e-mail]