Is breastfeeding a do or a don't?

Question

I have heard that breastfeeding is good for a baby's development, but then I have heard that it doesn't do a thing. So anybody have any information about whether or not that it is a good or bad thing? And if so, why or why not is it?

Answer 1

I have breastfed all of my kids, but not for long, I couldnt produce enough milk. Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies

The varying composition of breastmilk keeps pace with the infant's individual growth and changing nutritional needs

Have fewer incidences of vomiting and diarrhea in the US (20-35 million episodes of diarrhea occur in children under the age of 5, resulting in over 200,000 hospitalizations and 400-500 deaths in the U.S.)

Protection against gastroenteritis, necrotizing entercolitis

Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets

Reduced risk of childhood diabetes

Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning),

Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease

Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.

Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits

Decreased risk of tooth decay (cavities)

Nursing promotes facial structure development, enhanced speech, straighter teeth and enhances vision.

Breastfed infants develop higher IQ's, and have improved brain and nervous system development; IQ advantage of 10-12 points studied at ages 8, 12, and 18. (Breastfeeding is considered the 4th trimester in brain growth and development...there are specific proteins in human milk that promote brain development))

Reduced risk of heart disease later in life

Increased bone density

Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies

Breastfed babies enjoy a special warm bonding and emotional relationship with their mothers

Antibody response to vaccines are higher

Are hospitalized 10 times less than formula fed infants in the first year of life

The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood

Decreased risk for vitamin E and Iron deficiency anemia

Decreased risk for acute appendicitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inguinal hernia, pyloric stenosis

There are factors in human milk that destroy E coli, salmonella, shigella, streptococcus, pneumococcus....and many others

Less risk of childhood obesity


Health Benefits to Moms Who Breastfeed

Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers

Reduced risk of anemia

Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life

Reduced risk of mortality for women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with total time of lactation

Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day.

Helps delay return of fertility and to space subsequent pregnancies

Develops a special emotional relationship and bonding with her child

Breastmilk is free- reducing or eliminating the cost of formula (in the thousands of dollars/per year)

Breastfed babies are sick less thus reducing healthcare costs to family in Doctor office visits, prescriptions, over the counter medicine purchases, and hospitalizations

Moms miss less time off from work due to child related illnesses

Helps the uterus contract after birth to control postpartum bleeding

Other Benefits....


Breastfeeding makes you feel good, the hormones produced during nursing have an endorphin effect giving you a relaxed feeling.
You have a great excuse to sit down and relax.....
You can nurse while sleeping...nursing moms get more rest than formula feeding moms.
Breastfeeding saves moms about 7 hours a week off their feet.
No screaming baby in the middle of the night waiting on the formula to heat up.
It's the only time you can ever lose weight without dieting or exercise!
Breastfeeding is more convenient, when traveling, all you need is to take diapers, the milk is always available, sterile, and the right temperature.
During times of disaster, you don't have to worry about finding formula.
Breastfed babies smell great....spit ups don't stain, or smell, and poopie diapers are not offensive...(until solids are introduced)
Breastfed babies know their moms and will never confuse them with a sitter.
The strong bond developed with nursing is much more intense.
There is no feeling to describe the child suckling at your breast and letting go to give you a big smile; and knowing that the growth of your baby came from what your body produced! Wow! What a feeling!
The satisfaction of knowing you are giving your baby the best start in life!
Breast milk taste great! Sweet tasting! Variations in taste according to foods moms eats. Have you ever tasted formula? Ugh!
Breastfeeding requires the use of only one arm....you can do other things while breastfeeding, (except cooking and driving)
Many, many more benefits, too numerous to list!!!

Answer 2

If you google "breast feeding benefits" you will find tons on info on breastfeeding. One of the best things is the immunities that the baby gets from you through the breast milk...even if you only did it for a little while. Some is better than none. Its a wonderful thing to give your baby the best start in life. If you can do it I suggest you at least try. Set small goals for yourself for breastfeeding. First maybe a week, then tell yourself you're going to make it to a month and so on. It helped me get to where I am today. My son has only had 2 mild colds in almost a year, no ear infections, sleeps great etc.

I never though I'd be a breastfeeder, but there were just too many benefits to ignore.

I'm not going to lie the first 2 weeks of breastfeeding is TOUGH. It can hurt a lot and you are the only one who can feed the baby, so you can get exhausted, but I've been doing it for 11 mo now and I can't imagine doing it any other way. I love having that close time with my son where I'm providing all he needs to live and grow.

Just remember you can't go back to nursing once your milk dries up, but you can go to a bottle if nursing doesn't work out.

Answer 3

Breastfeeding is the best. Look it up online, you'll find many resources stating many many different reasons why breastfeeding is so beneficial. It is still being researched and they keep finding new benefits. So wherever you heard it does nothing is not a good source. It's an excellent thing for many reasons, and is the healthiest for the baby. You should always be able to produce enough milk, as long as you keep your fluids up and eat healthy, and in the beginning let the baby eat as often as it wants. That will increase your milk supply. It works every time. If the baby seems to want more than usual, give it to her, she's just increasing the supply and will slow back down once the milk supply is up. IF the baby has trouble latching on get help while in the hospital. There are people there to help you get it right, and even once you are home there are lactation nurses available who will come to your home to help you with any breastfeeding issue. Latch is an easy problem to fix. Breastfeeding is a definate do, the very best thing to give your new baby.

Answer 4

Where did you hear that it does not do a thing? That is a very incorrect statement, and I am assuming that it came from an ignorant person that did not breastfeed and did not want to feel bad for not doing so!

Breastfeeding has MANY benefits that even the formula companies admit they can not offer.

Breast milk is nature's intended way of baby's eating. Formula is prepared from cow's milk. Cow's milk is intended for baby cows, not baby humans.

Breast milk is always available and ready without having to worry about sterilizing the container, mixing the milk, etc.

Breastfeeding offers bonding time-you can not just put the baby down and prop it up (not that all bottle feeding parents do this).

Breast milk provides nutrients and other benefits, such as immunities, that formula is unable to provide.

Breast milk changes-what the baby gets during the first few days after birth is not the same as what they get when the milk comes in. What the baby gets at the beginning of a feeding is different than what they get at the end of the feeding. And as they grow, breast milk changes to provide for their needs.

Breastfed babies tend to be smarter, healthier, and happier.

There are also benefits for the mother, as well. Breastfeeding mothers are less likely to suffer from PPD (due to hormones released while breastfeeding). Breastfeeding women tend to lose more weight, faster. And women who breastfeed have a lower risk of breast cancer in future years.

These are just a FEW of the many benefits of breastfeeding, for mother and baby. Please consult your OB/GYN, your baby's pediatrician, and/or a lactation consultant for more information.

Answer 5

This is a hot topic and you will get several different views - everyone has an opinion about breast feeding.

I breast feed both of my kids. With my son I stopped at four months because he ate constantly and my then husband was completely against my doing it, so I had no support. But I loved every minute of it. And my son took to nursing immediately.

My daughter, on the other hand, was born into a very happy marriage and my husband was thrilled that I wanted to nurse her. He was so supportive, would get up in the middle of the night and bring her too me. It was perfect - except that for the first week of her life she refused to nurse. Just completely refused the breast! Fortunately I had nursed before so I had the patience and confidence to stick with it. My pediatrician also kept in close contact with me, supported me, and kept an eye on baby girl's weight. After 5 or 6 days, he told me I had one more day to try it and then she would have to be bottle fed - and thank goodness she started nursing that night. I breast fed her until her first tooth came in at 8 months.

Some babies are lazy nursers, some are great. You need to believe in yourself if you decide to do it.

Personally, I think mother's milk is best for baby. HOWEVER, if mother's milk won't come in then obviously baby needs a bottle. Also, if mom isn't really comfortable nursing, then it won't make you a bad mom. In this day and time there are some very good formula choices out there. I've had two girlfriends who weren't able to nurse and their babies are no worse for wear, other than it does appear they may have had a few more ear infections - but that could be a coincidence.

The best part of nursing is the bonding time with baby - but you can get that with a bottle as long as you hold the bottle for baby and don't prop it up with pillows.

Nursing is also extremely convenient and cheap - and nursing babies diapers don't smell nearly as bad as formula babies!! Nursing also help you loose your weight.

In the end you have to do what is best for you and your baby - and no one will know what's best for that baby better than you will know. Again, believe in yourself.

Good luck!

Answer 6

You should give it your best try. Because it is totally the best thing for the baby. Your body makes milk that is perfect for your baby. And you pass on antibodies that can protect the baby from many different illnesses and diseases. I breast fed all my 3 children for a year. The last baby I had, I went to visit some relatives where 2 other moms were nursing babies too. We all passed around a stomach virus (throwing up) and everyone got it EXCEPT the babies who were nursing. Pretty amazing! Nursing your baby can also keep them from getting allergies or asthma. when they are older and can just keep them more well and less sick now and when they are older. IT's totally worth it. Plus the bond you have with your baby is so sweet. If you try and have trouble, you can call the hospital where you had your baby and they can put you in touch with a lactation consultant. Most of the time your insurance pays for that.

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is good for baby's developement. I've never heard anything on the contrary except that formula isn't bad.. Or "just as good." I chose to breastfeed because it's not only healthier for the baby it's better for me and the price of formula did not fit into my budget... If you don't want to do it for a year. At the very least give it a try for 6 months. I did it for about a yr. with both of my children.. Both of whom are very, very healthy. My oldest is 3 and he's only been sick a handful of time and my 1 yr. old he's never been sick. I attribute that to them both being breastfed.. Besides, what else did God give you breasts for? Whatever you decide to do, good luck...

Answer 8

I don't think anyone will tell you that breastfeeding is a "don't". It's common knowledge that it's beneficial for your baby. I think the controversy lies in how much of a difference it really makes on developement. If you have a family history of food allergies, your baby may have allergies to some formulas, so breastfeeding is the natural choice. I happen to think it's beneficial to both mother and child, and you best of all, you don't have to share the baby at feeding time, you get to go off to a quiet room alone and just bond with him/her.

Answer 9

That's a complicated question; a good mom is more important to the baby's development than the feeding method.
Breastfeeding will enable moms to naturally nurture their infants, so it is a good thing, but bottle feeding mothers can do the same thing by holding their babies close and cuddling during bottle feeding.

Answer 10

Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Because of a nasty infection I got after my C-section, my daughter was too used to the bottle. I ended up pumping so she could get the breastmilk.

Either way, breast or bottle feeding, you're still giving her the nutrients you need, and no one can call you a bad mother for not breastfeeding.

Answer 11

Ive never heard that its a dont. Even people who support formula *AND* formula companies still recognize that breastfeeding is the best. If you look at a formula can it says something about breastmilk being the best but if you choose formula, choose theirs. lol


Theres tons of info on the web. I suggest breastfeeding even if its only for a few days. When a baby is born your body produces colostrum for a few days. Thats your baby's very first dose of antibodies and can protect their bodies and immune systems from the very beginning.