What's wrong with giving a baby formula?
How about if I don't want to breast feed what is the whole controversy?
2007-11-01 05:14:23 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If you knew the facts about breastmilk ...... who would NOT want to give that to their baby? Its made while your baby is growing ..... meaning, it's DESIGNED to your baby's exact needs. example: mom is allergic to cats .... her breastmilk will probably make an immunity to cat allergies.
Certain cancers run in the family .... moms breastmilk will make an immunity to it.
Breastmilk also finishes your baby's growth. brain, jaw development, etc ... Formuls doesnt do that.
Formula has changed so many times throughout the years. The FDA has approved every one .... then said "ooops! thats not safe after all!" ...... << that can NEVER happen w/ breastmilk.
2007-11-01 05:19:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 8⤋
There is nothing wrong with giving a baby formula. However, it is/was designed for babies that were unable to breastfeed. You just need to remember that formula that man made will never be as good as what God has designed for babies bodies. But it is the moms decision, do what you want. You need to do some research so you make the right decision for you and your baby.
Also, KZ is an idiot and has no idea what she is talking about. Because breast milk is the perfect food for your baby, their poop has hardly any smell at all, the only smell is sweet. A formula baby has very stinky rancid smelling poop that will stain clothes forever. I would research using medical websites instead of taking to opinion of a biased uninformed person who can't even spell correctly.
2007-11-01 13:18:05 · answer #2 · answered by howdesdoit 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
formula feeding is a fine alternative to breast feeding. Actually, it's the only alternative! Many women physically can't breast feed, and many women won't give breast feeding a chance, for whatever personal reason they have. Either way, babies who are formula fed can still be healthy.
Breastfeeding is so good for your baby because your body specifically makes the breast milk for your specific baby. It has natural antibodies in it to help with immune system. Breastfed babies tend to not get sick as often as formula fed babies.
Breastfed babies also don't have quite as stinky dirty diapers, as their digestive system can handle the breast milk easier than formula (remember, it's specifically made for the baby!)
You can't beat the price of breastfeeding - FREE! Formula is very expensive.
Downsides to breastfeeding is that it hurts at first, a lot! But if you choose to stick with it, it doesn't hurt for long and you and your baby get the hang of it quickly together.
There's nothing wrong with formula feeding your baby. You have to make the right decision for you. If you don't want to breastfeed, don't. But if it's something you're thinking about and struggling with, do some more research. Find answers to your questions. Talk to a lactation consultant at your hospital. Use your resources.
Good luck, and don't worry about the "controversy" do what's right for you!
2007-11-01 12:33:56 · answer #3 · answered by chrisa7584 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I don't think many people are saying formula is bad. More fanatical breast feeding advocates might tell you this. But many many children thrive on formula. Especially now a days when the formula is fortified and whatnot.
Breast milk is normally the "better" choice because it is what nature intended. But formula is just a good.
If you want to use formula go for it and don't let one person guilt you about it.
Good Luck
2007-11-01 13:07:30 · answer #4 · answered by moonshadow418 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I agree whole heartedly with Sarah M. Breastfeeding is supposed to be the best for both baby and mom. The nurses, doctors, and lactation consultants will all tell you to keep trying and how it is so much better for your baby, but it really comes down to what will your baby eat. My daughter and I fought for 3 weeks before I finally stopped trying to breastfeed and went with formula. It was a lot more expensive, but at least my daughter was eating. She is now 3.5 years and loves vegetables and fruits, has no known allergies, and is incredibly intelligent for her age. She is not overweight or undersized. She is very active and social. She speaks well and is able to communicate effectively to her friends and teachers, etc. She also is rarely sick.
My personal thought on the matter is to remember that YOU are the mom. Regardless of whether she starts out on breastmilk or formula, YOU decide if she eats peas or candy for dinner each night. YOU decide whether to make sure she washes her hands after using the restroom, or before eating, etc. YOU decide if she sits and watches tv all day or if she has to turn the tv off and play outside for a while.
If she's going to have allergies, she'll probably have them regardless of breastfeeding. If she's going to have ear infections, she's probably going to have them regardless of breastfeeding. Just explore all options in each situation and try to make the best decision for your child and your family. That's really all any good parent can do.
Also, just an FYI:
My daughter's best friend was breastfed for a full year and still needed tubes in her ears because of frequent ear infections. My daughter was formula fed and rarely has ear infections.
Good Luck and Enjoy Parenthood!
2007-11-01 12:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by pressure_works 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
It is not that it is wrong, but breastmilk is much healthier for the baby as well as mom. Breastmilk contains antibodies, enzymes, immunities and many other things that cannot be duplicated. Breastfeeding promotes an overall healthy lifestyle. Not to mention it has its benefits for mom as well, like stimulating weight loss, reducing chances of breast cancer etc. Research the internet and you can find much more info than I can give you. The best of luck to you whatever you decide.
2007-11-01 12:24:18 · answer #6 · answered by Jo Marie 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It isn't bad, it is just that the breast milk is naturally better for baby to start out with.
I am an adoptive mama so I formual fed both my babies, and they have done pretty well. Just becareful as formula fed babies can tend to get chubbier, and have constipation problems.
2007-11-01 13:06:39 · answer #7 · answered by AdoptiveMama 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all I would like to say to not let these people make you feel bad if you decided to give your baby formula. Yes, breast milk is better, but it's not like formula is not good either. People will make you feel bad and make you feel like you are not doing it right because you are bottle feeding your baby, don't listen to them, it is your child do what you think is right. I didn't breastfeed my baby because of my own reasons and she is beautiful and happy. Like I said, Yes breast milk is the better of the two but formula is also good and nutritious. I know that I am going to get a lot of thumbs down for this but I don't care. I'm sick of moms making other moms feel bad because they did not breastfeed. Your baby, Your decision!! Good Luck to you!!
2007-11-01 12:44:41 · answer #8 · answered by Amber B 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Formula is not necessarily bad,it's just that most people feel that breast milk is the best milk. Which is mostly because of the fact that ther is no measuring,no mixing,no heating,no clean-ups,no sterlizing,everything is exact and ready. Breastfeeding also gives you that time for the mother child bond(which is really special). If fornula is your choice make sure that you are giving your baby the right(best)formula for him/her. Breastfeeding is not for everybody so don't feel bad,and don't worry about it.
2007-11-01 12:35:23 · answer #9 · answered by sassy cowgirl 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Giving formula is not bad. Breastfeeding is just better for both mother and baby.
2007-11-01 12:19:14 · answer #10 · answered by punxy_girl 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 children and brestfed 2. My second daughter would NOT breast feed. It depressed me b/c I thought I was doing something wrong. I am in the posistion to say that I bonded just as well with her as my 1st and 3rd child. I held her close and we made that eye contact with each other and she played with my nose while we fed. So don't listen to the "your bond will be stronger" crap. My child is now 4 and she has fewer allergies than my 1st daughter. She is perfectly healthy and happy. Something that is kind of funny and ironic is when I am nursing my son she says "Ewe!!!" and my first daughter says, "Awww!". She is just not into it at all. Lol.
Do what YOU feel is best. Your baby will be just fine.
2007-11-01 12:24:15 · answer #11 · answered by Sarah 3 · 8⤊ 1⤋