I am 29 weeks pregnant with my first child and I am debating on whether to breast feed or formula feed my child. I have no desire to breast feed but everyone says it is sooo good for the baby.
Is formula just as good as breast feeding?
Please let me know your experience or opinion. Thank you.
2007-07-09 08:52:56 · 22 answers · asked by Meeshi 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
I'm not going to tell you what to do...I think it is up to each person to choose what is right for them....I just hope that you are prepared for all the "super moms" out there that demand that you breast feed our baby....Trust me there are on here and they will try to bully you.
Go with what you feel is right for you.
2007-07-09 08:58:41 · answer #1 · answered by yzerswoman 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For me, breastfeeding is easier.
I nursed our son for only 5 weeks and it was awful when I stopped- making formula each night is time consuming as is having to get up to warm a bottle.
Our daughter is still breastfed at 11 months and I plan to continue awhile longer yet. She has been sick only twice in 11 months- a virus once and a head cold with an ear infection the first time. That's it.
It's really a personal choice- but I would try it and see how you like it. It is not for everyone, and I am blessed because it is easy for me- I never needed any help. That is not the case for some mommies.
Good luck to you- do some reading and some research and then decide- you have time.
2007-07-09 13:24:08 · answer #2 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Formula is not just as good. It is ok though and plenty of people have had healthy babies who were formula fed. In my own personal experience, I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding my first child and was only able to breastfeed for about 7 weeks. My second child had no problems and I breastfed for 14 months. My youngest child is by far the healthier of the two. He rarely gets sick. My oldest though comes down with everything that is going around. I think it is your own decision to make, but if you want to go for what is best for the baby then you should at least give breastfeeding a try.
2007-07-09 09:17:06 · answer #3 · answered by kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a personal decision that you will have to make for yourself. Babies do quite well with both! I breast fed, and then went to formula when mine were 6 months old. It is better for baby to breast feed, but if you are not comfortable with the idea, the baby will have issues eating and your milk supply will suffer because of stress. The best advice is try it once the baby is here, and if you don't like it, go to formula. Either way congratulations on the little one and good luck!! :) :)
2007-07-09 09:10:22 · answer #4 · answered by omorris1978 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, more reports keep coming out all the time that prove breastmilk is much better than formula. Research has shown that breastfed babies are less likely to have ear infections, allergies and childhood obesity. It also boosts their immune systems. Even breastfeeding for as little as 2 months can really improve their immune system.
The formula's today are much better than ever, but they cannot replace nature. You need to do what you feel comfortable doing. You can pump your breastmilk and give it to your baby that way. You can also use a combination of both breastmilk and formula so you aren't pumping or breastfeeding all the time.
If you do decide to try breastfeeding, I recommend taking a class. I took one at the hospital where I delivered. It was a one day class that lasted about 2 hours. It was only $20, but worth every penny. You can always try breastfeeding and if it doesn't work, switch to formula. However, if you decide to use formula first, you can't go back to breastmilk.
I breastfed for 9 months, which is when my daughter lost interest in it. I continued to pump until she was a year. I did a combination of breastfeeding and pumping from the beginning so she would be use to both for when I went back to work. It was sometimes an inconvenience, but it was worth it to me.
Best wishes.
2007-07-09 09:06:11 · answer #5 · answered by Melissa B 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that breast feeding is the best way. However, Formula is not the devil food. Breast feeding is very difficult (and painful!) in the beginning, but it is such a selfless act for your child.
My daughter is 7m old and still nursing. It was very difficult in the beginning. (she was also a premie). If you can do it the first 2-3 wks during the "learning" part..you will be so happy! It is so easy to give up in the beginning because you are just getting to know your baby. Giving the bottle is easier at first..but nursing is easier than formula after that first month!
If you do have to give formula--just remember that your child needs to eat. It's not the end of the world. You have to do what is best for you and your child. Your mental and emotional state is just as important. Nursing is very demanding in many ways; but also very rewarding in the long run. Just hang in there that first month!
2007-07-09 15:27:44 · answer #6 · answered by Joanie 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
While of course there is nothing better than mother's milk, there are formulas that are pretty good as well. You need the ones with the same vitamins as breastmilk though. DHA &ARA.
Why don't you want to breast feed? Is it just the thought of it, because you could always express (pump into a bottle) the milk for the baby without him/her ever having to actually latch onto your breast.
There are great bebefits for the both of you. For you, it helps to shrink your uterus faster so you return to your prepregnany weight, and it has tons of anitbodies and vitamins and helps brain activity for you baby.
To be honest, this does require a great deal of effort and concentration. You have to be determined, relaxed and focused when you decide to do this. On top of that, it can be quite painful when the milk comes in, and is not expressed. You also have to still be mindful of what you eat and drink as though you were still pregnant, because what you put into your body comes out in the milk.
I plan on breast feeding again, because nothing is more healthier (or free) for my baby.
You can also breast and formula feed your little one too. I did from day one with my first, but this time I will try to exclusively breastfeed.
Also there is no set time on how long you should do it for. You can just choose to do it for 1, 3, or 6 months. It is up to you,
Good Luck
2007-07-09 09:25:36 · answer #7 · answered by beeslady115 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hi I do not have implants. I do however breast feed. I also went to classes and read a lot about breast feeding. I have a friend who has implants (who doesn't have a friend with implants) and she preferred to not breast feed saying that it would "screw up her implants that she paid good money for" Implants will not change the milk supply or quality, but breast feeding will change breast shape and size. Many women choose not to breast feed when all information directs them that it is the best choice for them and their baby. I recently answered a question about breastfeeding and provided lot's of information about why you should and how great it is in preventing lots of diseases and other health problems. You may want to look up the question/answer to read more.
2016-05-21 21:42:15 · answer #8 · answered by cherie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
experienced both. I would definately recommend breast feeding. it is healthier for the baby , it is easier for the mommy , the bond that you make with breast feed is something only you can do....anybody can give your baby a bottle but only you can breast feed your child. I breast fed for 18 mo and when he would get hungry in the middle of the night it reminded me of a little puppy he knew just where to go and it was the best experience. Don't forget about washing all those bottles and and getting up in the middle of the night to warm them. LOL
2007-07-13 08:20:25 · answer #9 · answered by seymoretowns 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do what is best for your baby and most convenient for you; a lot of people may find it more convenient lifting their shirt and breast pumping and then others may find it inconvenient; the pros of breast feeding is; its cheap better yet nearly free if you don't have to invest in bottles and breast pumps, there's no draggin butt outta bed at 2 am and then again at 6 am for feedings; i pulled my daughter in bed with me during feedings and even though i was awake; i was still resting and woke up in the morning like i'd never woke up 3 times during the night, the cons; babies that are breast fed feed more often (generally every 2 hours) and they take longer to feed; you never know exactly how much the baby is taking in and for best breast milk supply you need to invest in some sort of pump to completely drain what the baby was not able to eat; its messy!!! sometimes when you are over full (usually the first few days after your milk comes in) while you are feeding off one side it will actually leak out the other... um... rather spray... so have an extra bottle on that side just to catch it and avoid the mess.. but to be honest with you... i breast fed my first for 9 months and then she weaned herself from it; and i plan on breast feeding any more that i may be blessed to have... i found it more convenient than dealing with a constipated, gassy, formula fed baby. good luck and congrats!!! and choose whats best for you!!
2007-07-09 09:04:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
is there a reason why you dont want to breast feed? It is the best thing for your baby... you should at least give it a try and if you hate it you can switch. I breastfed my daughter until I found out that I was PG with her brother (14 months) and I now have an 8 month old that I am still breastfeeding. I love having that closeness with my babies, it really gives us a time to bond!
ps
If you feel uncomfortable or having problems there are lactation consultants availble to you at the hospital and even at home.
Good LUck!
2007-07-09 09:00:44 · answer #11 · answered by momoftwobeauties 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋