Need help deciding between breastfeeding or formula...?

Question

I am currently about 30 weeks pregnant and each time I visit the doctor she asks my if I have thought about attending breastfeeding classes. I know that there are many benefits to breastfeeding, however I personally don't know that I feel comfortable doing it. I was planning on formula feeding my baby. I feel like if I tell my doctor, she will think I'm being selfish. Did anyone else have a similar problem? What are your thoughts on breastfeeding vs. formula?

Answer 1

I don't know what your concerns about breastfeeding are that you don't feel comfortable with the idea. That is something that you should discuss with your doctor or even a lactation consultant. They should not judge you for seeking more information.

Answer 2

Hi there!
weeeeellllll, I am the mother of two the first only breastfed for 2 weeks and the second nursing exclusively for 7 months now. I think that while I have become a strong breastfeeding advocate, it is a very individual and personal choice. Breastfeeding has soooo, many nutritional, physical,and emotional benefits for your newborn, but if you are not comfortable with breastfeeding then I think that the quality of those benefits will be diminished ( just my personal opinion). The breastfeeding relationship/bond between a mother and her child is so intimate and strong ..I notice the difference this time around. It takes work and is not something that comes " naturally", but it is worth at least a try and then you can say that you tried it and THEN figure out if it is or is not for you. Either way I think that attending the breastfeeding course will only benefit you whatever your choice is. Better to be more informed on the topic I think. Formula feeding has it's challenges as well, and either way you go, it is more about your commitment and comfort level . Do not be afraid of what your practitioner thinks as their role is to support YOUR choices. I truly think that it is worth a try for at least 4 -6 weeks after birth then make an informed decision. I hope this helps and congrats on the new bundle of joy. I am sure that you will make the best choice for you and your family!

Answer 3

I breastfed my first baby and then adopted another baby and he was formula fed. The benefits of breastfeeding are indesputible. I don't really see it as something you have to decide so clearly on now though. You can really wait until the baby is born and then try breastfeeding and see how you feel about it. Even breastfeeding for a week is a great benefit to the baby for all the immunities he will get. You can try it in the hospital. You don't need to take a class -- it just isn't all that difficult. I never took a class, I never knew there was a class. It may take you a while to get comfortable with it so don't give up immediately if you think you might want to do it. Otherwise, you've got to be able to feel okay about formula feeding -- it's going to be obvious to a lot more people than just the doctor!! It is absolutely your choice and you will be making lots of them!!

Answer 4

I was lucky and never had any pressure from my doctors to breastfeed. I formula fed my son from day 1. I too felt that I was not comfortable with it. I am very happy with my decision. I have a very happy and healthy 20 lb. 6 month old. The most pressure I received for breastfeeding was actually on here. I find that formula feeding made life much easier, especially the first few weeks. My mom was able to take the baby for a few hours at a time so that my husband and I could catch up on sleep. I have friends that have sons the same age as mine, they breastfed and had such a harder time with getting the babies to sleep etc.
Nestle makes the new GoodStart with Natural Cultures, it has good bacteria which is one of the only things that breastmilk has that formula does not. Using that may make you feel better about the decision.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

I have both formula and breastfed both of my babies and there are good and bad things about each. I only breastfed my daughter for about 3 weeks and I supplemented with formula from the beginning because we had a tough labor/birth and she lost a lot of weight. I just stopped breastfeeding my son who is four months, I also supplemented with formula with him. I think that you should at least give the breast feeding a try so that you don't beat yourself up for not trying later, but totally don't feel bad about formula feeding. The formulas that are available today are great and your baby will be fine either way. I know how hard it is with all of the pressure to breastfeed-I feel guilty sometimes that I chose to stop but I never really enjoyed it or was comfortable with it. I think you should follow your heart and not worry about what your doc or anyone else thinks. When I told my doctor that I felt like everyone else was breastfeeding because of all the pressure that is out there she assured me that they aren't. What works for one person isn't always best for everyone. Best of luck!! You will be a great mom no matter how you choose to nourish your baby!

Answer 6

I would say do what you feel most comfortable with. You could try breastfeeding and if you don't like it you can always go to formula. They say breastfeeding is better. I breastfed my first child for a couple of months then switched to formula. My 2nd child I only used formula. My 3rd child I tried breastfeeding but he didn't take to it and my supply didn't come in good enough so he ended up having to use formula. There is a lot of controversy over this and some people and doctors make you feel like you are a horrible person if you don't breastfeed but bottom line is it is your choice do what you fell is best. Congratulations and Best Wishes.

Answer 7

I tried breastfeeding my daughter (now 3) and I lasted 10 days before I just couldn't go on, tired, sleep deprived and Neither of us could get it right, so I went to formula. My daughter had a couple of set backs with the formula but when we found the right one (she suffered form silent reflux) everything fell into place. I had a little boy about 8 months ago and I really wanted to try breastfeeding again and this time I got it. But I knew that if it didn't work there was always an excellent back up. Have a good think, you could try breastfeeding and if you don't like it or find it uncomfortable you can always go to formula. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

The benefits of breastfeeding are huge! The only reason one might not breastfeed is because it's time consuming, inconvenient, and difficult to go back to work and pumping. Even then you should still breastfeed for the first 2 weeks.

I breastfed, and I'll admit I had a little bit of depression. I didn't want to breastfeed after a couple weeks because I felt so overwhelmed. The last thing I wanted to do was whip my breast out every half an hour. I was feeling a lot of regrets about having the baby, and breastfeeding draining. I hadn't yet completely bonded with my baby though. But I continued, and 1 year later, just stopped breastfeeding a week ago! Woohoo for soy milk. She wouldn't drink regular milk.

Breast milk is the absolute best gift that you could ever give your child. Think of it this way.

It's free
I't mother/baby bonding
it's natural
It's safe
It's giving your baby all of those nutrients and vitamins that you can't get from formula
No ear infections
hardly any colds or colic
Breastfed babies are healthier. Please don't give formula another thought.

Answer 9

That's a tough one to decide, and unfortunetly only you are the one who is able to decide what is right for your family. I have three children and I started out by breastfeeding all of them. My oldest son would not latch on to me for anything, so he was bottle fed, my second son was breastfed for 8 weeks and then I was put on medication so I had to stop, my daughter is still breastfeeding and she is 11 months old. There are so many advantages and disadvantages to both, I mean with breastfeeding you get to have bonding time with your baby, they don't spit up as much, you don't have to worry about packing a bottle, and you burn an extra 500 calories a day, but there are downsides too. Like if you leave with baby, you will have to find somewere to feed baby in a place that isn't home, sometimes in a parked car on the side of the road which can be uncomfortable, and sometimes it can be hard to be babies only foodsource, I mean it does get overwhelming. And keep in mind, if you do decide to breastfeed, you can always supplement with formula (meaning if it's time for baby to eat, you can pass him/her off to somebody else to feed while you go nap or shower or whatever.) I know you will do what's right for you and your baby, and it's nobody else's business where you feed your baby from! But, if your on the fence about it, it wouldn't hurt to go to the breastfeeding classes, I mean just because you go to them doesn't mean that it will be set in stone that you must breastfeed your baby. You have up until you have the baby to decide. And whatever you decide to do, your baby won't care when they are an adult, I mean I wasn't breast fed and my mom is my best friend!!! Good luck!!

Answer 10

Without a doubt, you should try breastfeeding for at least the first six weeks. It's totally worth it. Yes, there are tons of benefits that I'm sure you've heard out there. The one you haven't heard and I can't possibly describe adequately here is the incredible bond you'll have with your baby. It's amazing. Formula feeding is very cold, in my opinion. You don't get the same bond. Breastfeeding is beneficial to both you and your baby. Here are some of the benefits as I have found them listed in various books, articles, and studies:
1. Breastfeeding protects mom and baby from breast cancer.
2. Breastfeeding helps burn the baby weight after you give birth.
3. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, and more recommend it.
4. Breast milk is more digestible than formula and will never be recalled due to "factory defects"
5. Breastfeeding helps shrink your uterus after birth.
6. Breastfeeding has been shown to increase IQ.
7. Breast milk helps your baby pass meconium.
8. Not breastfeeding increases your chances of developing ovarian cancer.

For more visit www.promom.org and read "101 reasons to breastfeed your child" before you decide against this incredible experience. Also check out www.askdrsears.com for lots of articles on the benefits for you and your baby if you breastfeed. Your baby deserves the chance to breastfeed. Take the time to really research it before you make a decision. Good luck! It's worth it!

Answer 11

I really thought breastfeeding would be weird and uncomfortable, but knowing it was the best thing for the baby I wanted to give it a try. Take the class anyway. Once the baby comes you can decide one way or the other but at least you will be educated. I ended up breastfeeding and it was not at all what I thought it would be. It was a wonderful experience and I intend to do it with my second.

At the end of the day, it's your decision. Don't let anyone tell you, you have to do it one way or the other!

Good Luck and Congratulations!