Breast feeding vs Bottle feeding??

Question

I'm 13 weeks pregnant but they say the breast vs bottle decision is one you need to make early. I had a dream the other day where I was breast feeding and it has made me really want to try but I know it doesn't work out for everyone. What does everyone else think??

Answer 1

I disagree that it's a decision you need to make early. If you think you'd like to try it, then read up on it, and see if you can attend a breastfeeding seminar before you deliver. La Leche league can give you lots of info. (lalecheleague.org)

But my advice is to be flexible and not to beat yourself up over any decision you make. You can rest assured that you will always take care of your baby to the best of your abilities, whether you breastfeed or whether you don't. Many people will give you their opinions, between now and when your baby is older. The decision is yours and don't let anyone browbeat you into doing anything else. Of course, your husband has input, but not the ladies at the supermarket, your mother's friends, etc.

When I was pregnant with twins, I dreamed of breastfeeding them. I was so excited! They were born at 34 weeks, slightly premature. Although they were excellent nursers, I did not have enough milk for them, despite repeated efforts to increase the supply. I finally gave up and gave my babies formula. Although I was disappointed, my babies did just fine and are healthy, active 7 year olds.

You do what you need to do, but if you have to change course, do it. The bottom line is having a healthy baby. If you breast feed -- fabulous. If you don't, that's fine too.

Answer 2

Well, if breastfeeding didn't work out for pretty much everyone, the human race would have died out a long, long time ago. Formula wasn't even invented until about a hundred years ago.

I was told I couldn't breastfeed before I even had my first baby, because my mom and my sister were unsuccessful. My mom, though, had her first baby in 1959, and the doctor took some of her milk, held it up to a light and said it was "too thin" so she'd have to use canned milk. This was just ignorance -- colostrum, the early milk, is very thin, but it doesn't mean the woman can't make good milk. And colostrum actually helps a baby's intestines get going.

My sister had chronically inverted nipples and NO help, so she just gave up. I had chronically inverted nipples too, but I reasoned that I'd inherited them, which mean my ancestors had them to, and they MUST have been able to breastfeed or our family line would have died out.

I got help. I used lactation consultants from the hospital who have seen everything. I tried a couple different methods and stuck with it. And eventually, we got it.

Breastfeeding ended up being really EASY after that first phase was over. No bottles and nipples to wash and sterilize. No measuring and shaking and heating and yadda yadda yadda. Plus not only does the baby get a lot of benefits (your immunization power, the right balance of nutrients, exposure to different flavors of food, maternal bonding), you get benefits too, including a decreased risk of breast cancer and all these lovely "calming" hormones that are released when you nurse, and faster post-partum weight loss ...not to mention the fact that breastfeed draws from the fat stores in your rear and legs so you wind up with the shapliest gams of your life!

I say give it a go. And if you have trouble, get some help and try again. Most women can do it successfully, and it's so easy. And CHEAP or FREE!

Answer 3

I don't think you have to decide early. I think that every woman should at least try to breastfeed for the first few weeks. It is just healthier for your child. Some women find it easy, but many find it difficult at first. I think you should go into it with an open mind. It may be difficult for you the first few days, but don't give up. Once you get the hang of it it really is easy and it is a great opportunity to bond with your child in this way. Plus the breast milk is free and you don't have to get up in the middle of the night to prepare it. But if it doesn't work out for you don't beat yourself up. It is still possible to bond and have a healthy child if you bottle feed. I think it is sad when women don't even give it a try. Why would you not want to do what is best for your child? I say give it a try. And if it is difficult at first talk to a lactation consultant before you just give up. You will really be glad that you did it. I breastfed both of my kids. One I was only able to breastfeed for 7 weeks (she had some problems) and the other I breastfed for 14 months.

Answer 4

I was 18 when I had my first baby. I never thought about breastfeeding until I got farther into my pregnancy. I took class at the hospital so I knew what I had in store for me. I told myself, the least I can do is try. If it doesn't work, then I tried. He latched on right away after birth and we had a few minor problems, but with any type of feeding your going to have problems. (Bottle-gas, spitting up from formula, changing formulas or Breast - cracked nipples, mastitis, etc.) Anyways, I say go for it and you'll know if you want to continue or go to bottle feeding. Even if you only do it for a couple of weeks, your still going to give your baby the best for a small amount of time. I've successfully breast fed all four of my children. However, my youngest is 3 months and I've had a lot of problems, if he was my first I would have given up about 6weeks ago. But I stick with it because I know that's what's best for him and the bonding experience is unexplainable. :)

Answer 5

It is a wonderful experience when you and the baby get the hang of it. It is so much better for them, and reduces the chance of ear infections, gas, less spit up, and helps your uterus contract back to normal size a lot quicker. Many, many benefits. It's also a great bonding time with the baby as well. If your baby is really fussy, you don't have to worry about rushing to make a bottle and warm it up. That really makes difference at night time feedings, and it's easy to lay the baby beside you in bed while they eat and you cat nap.
It does have some draw backs. In the beginning, you might experience tenderness/ sore nipples as you and the baby get adjusted. In time you might also feel like you don't have any free time or be able to get away without the baby and the only person in the world who can feed the baby. That's when you start pumping & storing. The good greatly out ways the bad, and I would suggest trying it. Like my husband said, ones cheaper and better, but can be a pain in the rear at times.
Good luck!

Answer 6

Victoria,

Congratulations on your pending arrival!! I remember before I had my 1st daughter I also didn't know very much about breastfeeding I was only 18 years old! I did allot of research like you seem to be doing and I relized it is the BEST thing I can do for my baby and myself. As a Mother when you see that you have the option between something that will allow your baby to survive vs something that gives your baby what they need to thrive the decision is easy!

Truth is Breastfeeding does take a commitment but so does being a good Mom, it is the first opportunity we have to think of our childrens needs first.. something you will be doing allot as a Mother.

As other Answers have suggested it is very unlikely that you won't be able to be successfull as long as you have the right attitude, the right information & the right support. It does take practice & patience and you have to be educated. Doctors, nurses other Moms etc.. will all tell you different things but it is up to you to do what is best for your baby.

I hear so many women say they didn't make enough milk and I just wonder how they determined that. When a baby is fed directly from the breast of course you can't see how much the consume but the best indiciation is the amount of wet & soiled diapers and the rate of weight gain.. but not at first! ALL Babies drop weight directly after birth and that is normal. Also some pepole think they are not making enough because after a feeding the baby seems hungry again and that is only because breast milk is a supply/demand thing. The baby wants to be put back to your breast to suckly more to indicate to your body to produce more... once your supply is up to their demand they will no longer act hunger after a feeding until they have a growth spurt.

Also I breastfed my 2nd daughter execulisly and went back to work full time so it can be done. I know you want want is best for your baby so the thing to do is make the best effort to provide them the BEST option which is to breast feed. Not to mention all the benefits it gives you & the ease of it all once you get going!!

Best of luck! Please feel free to email me if you need any other information. And check out these links they have allot of great information regarding breastfeeding & some info on the truth about formula.
http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html

http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/benefits.asp

http://www.promom.org/bf_info/myths.htm

http://www.corporations-suck.com/reports/nestle.shtml

Answer 7

There isn't a study out there that says out there that says formula and breast milk are even close to being the same...! I know "Breast is Best" has become a cliche, but there is a reason for that..,its true! It does offer amazing bonding opportunities. Plus its so much easier! No bottles to wash or formula to buy. Plus you don't have to worry about formula contamination or other issues. Right after I had my first son we found out we had ROCKET FUEL in our water!! I cant imagine how I would of felt if I had been giving my sons bottles of formula with rocket fuel in them!! I tell new moms to think of formula as a "medical intervention". Like medicine, would you give your baby tylenol if he didn't need it?... Then why give formula if he doesn't need it? Breastfeeding doesn't make them "deflate". Genetics, lack of exercise and poor bra fit will make you sag. And what's wrong with a B cup? Sounds like a good size to me. I am a petite 5'1 and a 38 F. I am in constant pain with back and shoulder issues... I even get migraines from them. And you wanna talk about sagging!?!

Answer 8

In order to sucessfully breastfeed you need lots of support and encouragement. If you have a supoort system in place, spouse, family, professionals (lactation consultant etc) then you can do it! It can be tough starting out and frustrating. That is why many women fail because it is so hard at the beginning. They think they don't have any milk or that the baby is too hungry so they resort to the bottle and formula. This is a problem many mom's face. Use this time to educate yourself. Get involved in you local la leche league, talk to your doctor or midwife about your decision to breastfeed, talk to other nursing moms about the committment so when the time comes you will be more confident in your choice to give your child the best start in life. Good luck

Answer 9

witch ever you feel comfortable and happy doing is best for you and baby i know from other friends who breastfed co slept there babies are a nightmare now to get into a cot half the time they wont or their own they breast every hour on the hour and also would let other people hold them they just want mum 24/7 its unhealthy for mum and baby i personally would do breastfeeds at night and bottle feeds during the day so other people can be involved and the baby wont be as clingy

Answer 10

I think you should at least try it. At least the first week or two. That first breast milk the baby gets is loaded with vitamins & everything he needs for his immune system. Have a back up bottle pack ready but at least try it. You also get such special bonding when you first breast feed. Its so great but hard to explain. You will understand when you do it. The nurses will help get you started & give you all the information to help you & answer all your questions. Really, this is best for baby...and you!! Congratulations!!

Answer 11

it's a very personal decision and many hospitals completely push the breast and treat you like a bad mom if you go to the bottle, but if you want to try it, try it....it takes some work, both you and the baby will need to learn how, it doesn't just magically work like you'd expect, but give it at least a week, and if it doesn't feel right don't feel bad about having to go to the bottle. Although breast milk is best, your baby will get most of what it needs from formula and what it needs most is you. If you're to stressed it's bad for both you.