Curious about feeding styles?

Question

I'm curious, I am a biologist and mom and an avid breastfeeder. There are still a lot of moms who formula-feed their babies and I was wondering why? I am curious if the doctor and the hospital didn't tell you about the difference between formula and breastmilk or the dramatic deficits in formulas? Do you think its more work (which I can categorically dispel)? Is it too big a sacrifice not to drink etc? I don't want rants from other breastfeeders, we all know that breast is best. I just don't understand why anyone would choose to formula-feed and would like to. We should support each other as women and understanding is the first step to that.

Okay, I get that its your choice, I was asking about the why. I'm not the kind of mom who would assault you in the mall because you are giving the baby a bottle, I was just curious as to how you came to your decision.

Answer 1

A lot ofeople I have spoken to about formula feeding say that they tried to breastfeed but they didnt have any milk, ornot enough milk, or baby wasnt putting on enough weight.

I breastfed without any problems but I did recieve pressure from people, and health visitors about if baby was getting enough milk. I guess you have to have confidence in yourself that you CAN provide what your baby needs,
if you dont it is easy to get undermined by people telling you your baby isn't getting enough, or to worry unecessarily when baby doesnt put on a lot of weight.
If we lived in a country where there was no formula available, I guess most or all of these women I spoke to would be breastfeeding still with no problems.

Answer 2

I breastfeed my 4 month old. It was my choice. I'm lucky I could breastfeed as there are many who can't (contrary to what others like to say). In the beginning it was very hard work and I was ready to give up. I did have to supplement as my supply was low and there's nothing wrong with that.

After birth I believe (my experience) that formula is the easier of the two. But as time goes by breastfeeding is the easier one. Your milk is always ready there are no bottles etc.

I don't think people choose not to breastfeed just because they can't drink. That is a lie because if you're really in the mood for a drink while breastfeeding you can have one, there are ways around it.

In the end I think it's every womans personal choice. Although breastmilk is better, formula has come a long way and formula fed babies are healthy. I think that at the end of the day the only thing that matters is that the baby is healthy, happy, well fed (formula or breast), and most of all loved. I refuse to believe that people who formula feed their children love them any less.

It's not up to you to judge how others feed THEIR children. You should just worry about your children and let others raise theirs without judgement. Whether they breast or formula feed.

Answer 3

To be honest, I was asked by my OBGYN if i was planning on breast feeding or formula feeding, and after I said, "breast" nothing else was ever mentioned to me about it. Of course, I knew the benefits because I did plenty of my own research but I find it a little odd that no one really talked to me about it. My son is now four months old and has had a voracious appetite since birth, so I have to give him a formula bottle to give my nipples a break from time to time. I can't even pump for his big appetite! But I'm also a little shy about pulling out my breast in public, even if I cover up, so he gets formula then too. I look at it this way though, I was a formula fed baby and I like to think I turned out just fine.. I graduated from high school second in my class with a full ride to a major university and will graduate from college soon with a 3.7 GPA.

Answer 4

I so was looking forward to breastfeeding my daughter 100%... I ended up getting a sinus infection so bad I could hardly breath.. nothing to do with feeding, but the sickness was causing me not to get sleep and my health deteriorated. They finally put me on antibiotics, they told me it should have no effect on the baby. Well come to find out we were both very allergic to the antibiotic and I spent 2 days in the hospital and her 6 hours in the Emergency Room. I had to switch to a pump which decreased my Milk supply. I have not recovered. She is 2 months old now and I can not supply her enough milk to satisfy her and my breasts are large and saggy we dont find a good position that she is comfortable in. Thankfully, she drinks both my milk and the formula. She doesnt have problems switching out during the day and takes both quite well. She prefers to nurse though and sometimes gets a little cranky if she cant nurse. Also my day care that I am looking at in my price range and hours, says they will not take a breastfed baby, cause its too much hassle and too hard if they ran out of milk. They said to me its a possible bio-hazard which I think is totally bogus and latin for "Im a lazy *** day care provider" I dont think I am going to go with them but I have to get back to work as soon as possible and to be honest they are the only ones.

Answer 5

The way a mom chooses to feed there baby is a personal decision based. I started out breast feeding but after a month I went to formula. My baby had acid reflux and was losing weight everytime we went to the dr. And I wasn't enjoying breastfeeding. My nipples hurt so bad and I was tired. Once we went to formula my babies relux got almost 100% better. Its not fair to judge formula feeding moms. I don't judge breast feeding moms.

Answer 6

I formula feed my daughter and that is MY choice just as breastfeeding is your choice. Some children are not breast fed for reasons other than a parents choice. Some mothers can't produce milk or their babies don't take to the breast etc. However it's their choice!! I understand where your coming from and I respect your opinion as you should respect my decision to formula feed.........

Answer 7

I chose to formula feed, and to tell you the truth i don't see why anyone should care. My babies have not been sick anymore has my friends who is breastfed actually her baby has been sick 2x has much.
I use enfamil lipil which is pretty much up there with breast milk now.I did breastfeed for the first 8 weeks, cause i know that they need all that good stuff at the beginning. but chose to switch because it is just what i decided to do. i care alot about my kids and i think it is so rediculous people think they are so much better cause they breastfeed or vice versa.

This whole arguement is pointless.
just like what you dress your kids in, and what you let them watch on tv or what you let them play with is none of my business, what i feed my kids is none of yours.

You take formula for a year, you take breastmilk for a year(some longer) then they are all on the same foods.
you don't have to understand why people formula feed, just like i don't have to understand why someone would breastfeed.
i
don't think understanding is the first step at all i think acceptance of what the other chooses is the first step.

Answer 8

Well, I did both with my first. I mostly breastfeed as long as was able. However, I had to give my baby similac with the iron in it. This was because she was a little jaundice and the doctor said it would help, and it did.

Answer 9

ITS A CHOICE! some women cant breastfeed for various reasons and some just don't want to! Don't try to force your opinions on others.