Breastfeeding Vs. Bottle-feeding?

Question

Please please please nobody get mad! This is just a question I want some different answers to, from both sides;

Bottle-feeders;

As much as you get on here and say you're so happy you chose to bottle-feed and your kid is just as healthy, smart, etc., why are you mostly the ones who get on here and say 'Why is breastfeeding so special?' It just seems like you're second-guessing yourselves and trying to feel better about it. You know the research, and as much as you can say 'My kid's just as healthy as someone's kid I know who's breastfed', studies look at millions of babies as a group, not your kid compared to your friend's.

Breastfeeders;

As secure as I'm sure you are with your decision, don't always answer those questions and get all defensive about it. Nobody condemns you for breastfeeding and no matter how much you tell someone who bottle-feeds that it's better for their baby, they obviously look past that and are stuck to their decision! It's a CHOICE!

And some women WANT to breastfeed and CAN'T, so tellign those poor women that they're hurtign their child by bottle-feeding makes them feel so much worse!

(I breastfeed, and yes I try to encourage women to at least try, but I know lots of women who HAVE to bottle-feed and I don't get mad at them or make them feel bad. I was bottle-fed and I'm perfectly healthy, but my borther was breastfed and has asthma and allergies. I don't use that as some sort of way of thinkign that bottle-feedign is just as good, genetics play a part too.)

mina222-

I getcha. I know a few girls my age that had babies recently, and they all say 'well my milk didn't come in' or 'I wasn't making enough'. My take on it is, you CAN'T successfully breastfeed if you're so quick to do what's convenient for YOU and give up so fast.

Answer 1

Very well said. It IS a personal choice. As a previous poster stated, if formula was bad for babies, it wouldn't be sold. Breastfeeding is better, but that doesn't mean that formula is 'bad'.

I try to encourage breastfeeding without being overbearing, but I do get angry when mothers don't even try. Within 4 days of applying the OrthoEvra patch, I noticed a change in my milk supply. My son began nursing for 2 straight hours, and then would be crying to nurse again 30-45 minutes later. I tried to pump between feedings, and noticed I was only getting half as much as I was before. I continued to nurse on demand and pump constantly, thinking that I was just needing to stimulate to increase my supply. 3 days of constant stimulation and my milk supply was steadily decreasing (based on my pumpings). I removed the OrthoEvra patch and kept at it for another week. My son was nursing for literally 18 hours a day. After noticing that he wasn't pooping or peeing NEARLY as much as he had been, and my milk supply was still steadily decreasing, I finally gave him formula. I cried and cried during that first bottle, although he seemed extremely happy to not have to strive so hard to fill his belly. It broke my heart, but I had to make sure my son was fed. THAT is why I get so upset with mothers who don't attempt breastfeeding for their own selfish reasons. I was determined to breastfeed for at least a year, and was only able to do so for 3 months. I now know that there are medications such as Reglan that can help improve milk production - my doctor never told me about it at the time.

I am 33 weeks with #2, and am determined to breastfeed again. I refuse to use OrthoEvra, or any other hormonal birth control method, for fear of supply issues. If I have problems again, I will go to my lactation consultant at the hospital where I gave birth before going to my doctor. I should have gone to her last time, but you live and learn.

Answer 2

When my now 3 year old and I started breastfeeding,we struggled So much..it was a 3 month battle of getting him latched on and staying that way long enough to get any food..he would get frusterated and then,I in turn would do the same.
I always knew I would breastfeed my babies and so when my son was born and I realized how difficult it was,I freaked out.
I nursed a good 6-8 hours out of my day (the rest was obviously filled up with diaper changes and housework etc...) and therefore I gave up a few months of 'me-time' to make sure my son had the best possible nutrition he could...I nursed him until he was 10 months and I will deffinently breastfeed my next baby..I can't imagine giving up all the beautiful bonding moments I shared with my son.

Bottle feeding works better I guess for some people...but alot of times I see 'excuses' instead of actual medical reasons..but it is a personal choice...
And no matter what method a parent uses to feed their baby it doesn't have anything to do with the love they have for their child.

Answer 3

Amen! My brother too was the one breastfed, and he is the one with Asthma and allergies as well. I do both, so I see both sides. My son was in the ICU for a while and started on bottles there. Fortunately I was able to get him to latch on, but he was still in the mindset that he had to have bottles too. So, in my case I am ridiculed for doing both by some people, I actually received an email from someone when I posted a question about formula. I say as long as baby is happy then I am happy. I kind deep down wish I could solely breastfeed, but I have tried so hard and don't know how to get him off the bottles. He b.f. in the morning, after his two naps, and before bed.

Answer 4

I'm not too sure what the question even is... you want different answers to what exactly?

I don't think anyone condemns anyone for breastfeeding, it's more looking at you and wondering why you would 'waste' your time, or think its 'strange' when the modern way to feed your child is via formula. Years of formula companies spouting formula is just as good (or better! lol) than breastmilk. And smoking wont cause cancer and there is no such thing as global warming....

If I answer breastfeeding questions it's to try to help people get past the loads of misinformation that is floating around there (given even by some so-called medical doctors who don't have a clue about breastfeeding), as I found it difficult to breastfeed my first child. I made it to 13mths with her though, and am very happy I did so, even if I wasnt supported or in fact criticized for doing so.

I'd say formula givers have to justify themselves, and their choice not to breastfeed, via putting down those of us who do/did. Lots of women get on and say, 'I tried but couldn't so don't dare talk down to formula givers'. I say we obviously need to educate more, as it is RARE that a woman can't breastfeed with the proper assistance and support. If you asked the general population (including women who have 'attempted' breastfeeding) you would think that approx. 30 - 40% of women are medically unable to breastfeed. I saw it in my aunt, and in my sister in law, who gave up early... they could have done it but were basically told they couldnt. I was told the same thing, but I was too educated about breastfeeding to listen.

Anyways, I'm going off about why I answer breastfeeding questions, but I'm still not sure what your question even is.

Answer 5

While it is nice that you & I were not condemned for breastfeeding. I know women who have been... so this really does go both ways.

And I agree w/ the first poster that for MANY women it is a choice equal to quitting smoking.

For MOST bottle feeding women I assume/hope it is a case similar to my sister's who started out breastfeeding, but didn't have the right info and ended up bottle feeding because she just didn't know despite her efforts. She won't be giving up so easily next time as hind sight is always 20/20, and she has my 18 month nursing experience and research to fall back on.

Answer 6

I seriously had no idea how much of a debate this was until I had my daughter. I guess in anything a person does, there is going to be someone who does things differently. My outlook is that as long as YOUR child is healthy and happy, then you are making the right choice for your child. I know, like most, that breastfeeding is better, especially for the antibodies it provides. And I also know, that formula is extremely safe, and a child is going to thrive on that as well.
Personally, I have never second-guessed myself one time when I decided to bottle feed. I can look at my daughter and see that she perfect in every way. I also usually ignore breast/bottle debates because if everyone would just be happy with their choices, then there would never be disagreements.
As for bonding, me and my daughter always take the most out of her feeding time. We always sit in her favorite rocker, I cuddle her to my chest. She holds my finger in one hand, and plays with my hair with the other. And when she is done, she turns her head into my body and closes her eyes.
Sorry this is so long, but I believe that most everyone, whether they breastfeed or bottlefeed, chose that decision based on what they felt would be better for their child and themselves. I say, wish everyone a healthy child because some people aren't lucky enough to even make it to the breast/bottle decision.

Answer 7

I am not entirely certain what your question is. I breastfeed my baby for the first 4 weeks, I was aiming for the first 6 mos but I just couldn't do it any longer. We had latching on problems, very painful, felt like she chewed, my nipples were raw but I kept trying bc I knew it was best for baby. Then we bottle feed--so much easier, but I did feel a twinge of guilt about it. Another reason breastfeeding was a struggle for me was modesty issues. Everyone wanted to see the new baby but then I would have to go to another room to feed her, every 2 hrs for close to an hour. I have seen other brestfeeding moms just cover up with a blanket but we still had problems latching on so I could not just cover up. Anyway, that's my story.

Answer 8

I actually think that the breast feeders are just trying to encourage other mothers to breastfeed (as you said that you also do) and I think that many do not realize that they come on very strong. But I breastfed all of my children and I understand the joy they feel. It just appears to be the best thing to do.

On the other hand...

It seems like a silly thing to debate. Just do whatever you feel is best for your baby and stand by it. It's no one else's decision.

Answer 9

For my first child I had extreme health issues my milk never fully came in but I gave her all the milk I made, however my doctor refused to let me continue after the 6 weeks due to how bad my health was.
For my second child I did not have health issues and my milk again did not fully come in, also I was running out of health coverage and had two clogged ducts. So I made 10 weeks with him but he was on me almost 12 hours day and night to get the amount of milk he needed, he was so happy when I switched him to bottle because he finally had a full belly.

for some women nursing is easier than others and for me being a size DDD it was very hard to get milk out of them and into my babies. I do believe that breast feeding is better although I would still have stopped at one year when the doctors recommend leaving formula for whole milk.
I do not understand women who nurse their babies after they are potty trained.

Answer 10

I breastfed my son until he sucked me dry. I never once considerd in that time period of bottle feeding. I would have not had it any other way. I am considering on breast feeding again with the next child I have. My mother breast fed me and now it is my turn to bond and breast feed my children. I see where you are getting they just chose that route because they may be scared of their breast hurting or just think it is sick when actually it is the most beautiful thing I had ever in my life seen. Hope I helped.