Breast Milk Vs. Formula?

Question

i don't currently have a baby, but plan to. And I wanted to know what the pro's and con's are for best milk and formula. Is one really better than the other? Is it hard on the mom to breast feed? Can you pump from day one? Is there a formula that's better than the others?Does it depend on the baby?

Advice? Experience? Knowledge?

Answer 1

It's all a personal choice.
I breast feed.. actually i pump every day.. because my son wouldn't latch on.
Breast milk is free..always there... better for the baby because they get antibodies...

Formula is more convenient... expensive.. anyone can feed the baby... you dont gotta pump...

Dont let people tell you one way or another. Both nourish the child...

Answer 2

I believe breast milk is the best for your baby. I breastfed only for a short time and I regret not sticking with it longer. My son was almost 4 weeks premature and I was so worried about weight gain, so I supplemented and that was the beginning of the end. Also his sucking reflex was kind of poor so I was pumping as well. I would try breast feeding. Just make sure you get some really good support. I read books, took a class but then you get home and I don't live in a city (about 40 minutes from my hospital) and I felt like I didn't have a clue! Surround yourself with some good friends that can help you out. Also, some of the women on here have excellent resources, I wish I would have been on here then! I would try very hard to not give your baby a bottle (even of breast milk) for at least 6 wks. I honestly felt like formula feeding was easier because I felt like I at least knew what I was doing and how much my son was eating. But if you can stick to bfing at least for as long as you want to, it will be worth it! Also, take others advice and use what you want, but don't let other people pressure you into doing things that aren't right for you. You aren't a bad mom if you formula feed.

Answer 3

Even if you eat crap and breastfed your body would take out all your nutrients and goodness from your body to go through your milk (like in pregnancy through the placenta) Obviusly drinking and smoking are not a good idea when looking after a baby BF or not. At the end of the day breastmilk is better than formula as its naturally designed for a baby not artificially created.. But I'm not one of those crazy people who are 'breast is best' it's just a well known fact I breastfeed my son and he's never been sick or wingy and doesn't suffer from comic (which is one of the top reasons I'm doing it as I've seen so many poor babies suffer and it's horrible!) but I am going to be stopping after 6 months as I think that's about as long as I can put up with and will switch to formula probably aptamil. The end of the day if the baby is fed and growing any milk is good just breastmilk is better because of all of the anti bodies that formula doesn't provide and the added benefits to the mother you just have to google them there's loads! Formula hasn't been scientifically proven to be better thats why they have to say 'follow on milk' and 'next best thing compared to breastmilk' because that's what it is, the next best thing!

Answer 4

Breast is BEST. I breast feed all three of my boys for their entire first year of life. All this while working full time too. Yes it was hard. Breast feed babies receive added antibodies that you pass through the breast milk. I can attest to this, my oldest boy did not have his first infection until he was over a year old.
Think too about the money you will save. A can of formula costs about $25. I'm guess you would buy about a can a week so just think how much money you will save. I know I did.

Breast feeding is difficult at first but with practice and patience it becomes second nature.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Breast is best for baby and for mom...if it's an option for you I would recommend at least trying it. It gives you an opportunity to bond with baby and provide something for them that no one else can. Also, it will boost the baby's immune system.

However, it's not always practical. Some babies don't latch on well. There are also work situations to consider and life changes that definitely have to be considered. I was never able to pump so that made long term breast feeding difficult.

Either way you go is fine. It is a personal decision that has to be made between mommy, daddy, and pediatrician.

Answer 6

You will need to wait and see what happens when your baby is born. I had my heart set on breastfeeding and was totally unprepared when my son wouldn't latch. I went to 2 breastfeeding classes and saw 2 lact. consultants and still couldn't do it. I pumped from day 2 until about the 5th week. It broke my heart at first to give him formula, but now he is thriving and happy and I see it really makes no difference what you feed him, as long as you feed him enough and give him lots of love.

Breastfeeding can be very emotionally rewarding, and I am sad I missed this with my son. If I have another baby I will try breastfeeding again.

Answer 7

I found breastfeeding to be MUCH easier than bottle feeding. You always have a supply of milk with you, you don't have to lug around a bag full of bottles and formula wherever you go, at night you don't have to get up every couple of hours to make a bottle (you can just latch the baby on and drift back to sleep), you don't have to rush out to the store at inconvenient times because you've run out of formula, etc. Breast milk is also free - formula is expensive! Not to mention, breastfeeding is so much healthier for both mom and baby.

The only con to breastfeeding is that in this culture, there is a ridiculous lack of support for breastfeeding, and tons of misinformation, even from the 'experts'. Most new mothers have never even seen a mother nursing her child, so they don't regard is as normal or even doable. Many mothers who try don't receive competent support, have a hard time getting started, and give up out of frustration. It really doesn't have to be that way.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp
http://llli.org/nb.html

Answer 8

Breastmilk is without a doubt better than formula.

Formula is replica breastmilk, originally designed for those babies & mothers who were medically unable to either receive or produce breastmilk. For these women & children, formula is a godsend; for healthy mothers and children, it simply gets in the way of proper nutrition.

In 90% of children, breastmilk increases the child's IQ. In ALL children, breastmilk helps the mother-baby bond, transfers vital antibodies, protects against illnesses, allergies & even cancers. Breastfed babies are less likely to be obese in the future.

It's not hard on the mother to breastfeed provided she is committed to it, and has the right support. I was lucky enough to have my son latch on within 30 seconds of his birth, and had no difficulty other than the initial sore & blistered nipples. You can ensure your success by making sure your partner knows how important breastfeeding is, attending a breastfeeding class (see La Leche League for contacts), and reading as much as you can about potential problems & how to fix them.

Even if you do have some initial problems breastfeeding, remember that it helps your body get back to normal after the birth, helps you to lose weight, guards against postnatal depression, and lessens your risk of certain cancers. It's definitely worth it from your point of view!

You can pump your breastmilk from the start, but this really isn't a good idea. There's no reason to express your milk - it's ready to go straight from the boob! Pumping doesn't empty the breast as efficiently as an infant suckling, and therefore can affect supply. Also, once you bottle feed a child, there's a risk that they'll never be happy to take the breast. Unless you have a really compelling reason to need to bottlefeed your child, don't do it. Note here that dad being able to feed the baby isn't really a good reason - he can bond in many other ways, and the best way to help you out is to make sure you're fed & rested, to help you out with the housework & to wait on you while you breastfeed.

It's best to breastfeed your baby for at least 1 year, and breastmilk should be your baby's only source of food for the first 6 months. The WHO ultimately advises breastfeeding your child to the age of 2 years and beyond.

Answer 9

breast milk is better for baby and free. I found breastfeeding very difficult but not everyone does and it gets easier with time. you can't pump from day one because your milk doesn't really come in until about 4 days after you deliver, you can pump then. If using formula go with what your doctor recommends and yes it can depend on the baby. i think you should at least try breastfeeding and if it doesn't work for you than try other options. good luck.

don't listen to jessica s. she's a troll!

Answer 10

Well, you could give your baby formula, but in my honest opinion, I personally believe that breast milk is the best option. It may pain you in the beginning, but trust me, its worth it later on. Children are worth anything. I love my two little rascals. In breast milk, their are more nutrients, and your baby grows more healthily, because it is drinking natural products, not a chemical formula. After a while, you get used to the pain. You can pump if your baby doesn't latch on, but I recommend direct contact. I bet you can't wait for your angel!

Answer 11

I PERSONALLY FORMULA FED MY CHILDREN, BUT BREAST MILK IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST THING FOR A BABY. IT HAS ALL THE NUTRIENTS THAT THE BABY NEEDS. FORMULA ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT THE BABY CAN HANDLE. WHEN YOU DO HAVE A BABY DO TRY BREAST FEEDING. THAT WILL BE ABSOLUTELY THE BEST THING.