is it healthier to breastfeed??

Question

My boyfriend told me when we have a child he wants me to breast feed because it makes a healthier and smarter baby!

Is this true??/ please all input needed

Answer 1

Very true. It's all natural. Breastfed babies absorb more nutrients for brain and digestive/respiratory development, they poop less often and it doesn't smell as bad as formula-fed infants, and they get sick less often usually and don't have to visit the doctor that much. Breastfeed definitely if you can, if you can't for any reason then your formula-fed baby will still be fine too!

Answer 2

You haven't heard? Breastfeeding is an awesome thing to do for your baby. It builds baby's whole body, but here's a little information on how breastfeeding affects intelligence:


We can't promise that breastfeeding will make your child a Nobel Prize winner, but research shows that babies who are breastfed are smarter when they get older.

Children who were breastfed have I.Q. scores averaging seven to ten points higher than formula-fed infants. It's important to remember that these numbers represent averages for hundreds of children, not the effect of breastfeeding on a specific individual. So, if you want to raise the intelligence level of an entire generation of children, breastfeeding would be a simple and cost-effective way to do it.
Studies have shown that children who are breastfed get higher grades in school, even after other influences on school performance are taken into account.
The intellectual advantage gained from breastfeeding is greater the longer the baby is breastfed.
Although intellectual differences between breastfed and formula-fed children used to be attributed to the increased holding and interaction associated with breastfeeding and to the fact that mothers who breastfed were better educated and/or more child-centered, new evidence shows that there are nutrients in breastmilk that enhance brain growth.

Answer 3

Breastfeeding is best for babies. The boxes of formula even have a notice on them saying that breastfeeding is best. However, I know several adults who were raised on formula, and are just as smart and healthy as babies who were breastfed (and they are adults now, think of how formula has improved since then).
I chose formula over breast because I hated breastfeeding. It wasn't painful or anything, I just hated it. I love the freedom of formula. I can feed him anywhere and anyone can feed him. While I was breastfeeding, I felt so miserable and depressed, I hated it. A lot of people are going to rant and rave about how horrible formula is, but if it were really that bad for the baby, anyone wouldn't be able to buy it unless they had a prescription from the doctor saying there is a medical reason they can't breast feed and need formula. Breastfeeding is better, it's free, healthier, and more, but it wasn't for me. It's ultimately up to you. I'd definately give it a try though.

Answer 4

Yes breastfeeding is better. When your baby is born it doesn't have it's own immune system, so when a babybreast feeds it's getting everything from your immunes system to fight off infections and stuff. Breast milk is alive, formula is not. I tried breastfeeding for about 3 weeks but it was just too much for me..the formula just worked out better But if I ever have another child, I will try again. And a little advice..get a breastpump! Good luck.

Answer 5

Breastfeeding in general is best. That doesn't mean that a formula baby can't be a genius and healthy but on average breastfed babies are better off.

I would also say that the first answer about breastfeeding being easy is somewhat deceptive. It isn't easy for everyone and a lot of women have trouble at first. I say that not to discourage you, but to inform so that when/if you do have trouble you don't think, "It is supposed to be easy. What's wrong with me?" and give up.

Answer 6

i've tried to feed 3 of my 4 sons. the latter two i managed for 3 months. breastfeeding is great if you can but don't let anyone make you feel guilty about formula. if it was that bad they wouldn't be allowed to sell it! even my hv said that just a few weeks of breast feeding can protect the gut for a lifetime. formula made no difference to boys 1, 3 and 4's intelligence, they all perform on the upper side of average. although 3 and 4 suffer with ezcema and asthmatic type coughs.... my 2nd son i didn't breast feed at all and he is by far the smartest. he has just started school and is already reading books for the year above, his other skills all follow the same level. he has no health problems at all and has seen in the doctor in the last 5 years a handful of times, he is hardly ever fazed by colds/tummy bugs either, he is a bit clingy though.........

just remember it is up to you and the most important thing is for you and and your (future) baby to be happy, calm and healthy!

Answer 7

Yes, it's very true. Breastmilk is the perfect food for babies, and is what they're meant to eat. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of several types of cancers in both mother and child, leads to less illness (ear infections, respiratory illness, allergies, etc) in the child, raises their IQ, and many other things.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/prepare/bf-benefits.html#articles
The many benefits of breastfeeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently reccomends exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months, and continuing to breastfeed for at least 1 year and as long thereafter as desired by mother and child. The World Health Organization reccomends breastfeeding for at least 2 years or more. The longer you breastfeed, the more benefits mother and child recieve.

Answer 8

Go to babycenter.com and read about breastfeeding vs. formula. Breastfeeding has many benefits and can lead to healthier and smart babies. Do some research. Also, it's easy to breastfeed because you don't have to worry about carrying around formula and water all the time.

Answer 9

Yes, everyone is in agreement over this, even formula manufactures which is why on every formula container it says breastmilk is best.

It can be tough at first, but once you get the hang of it it's really easy. I had a tough time the first 2 weeks because my nipples started to get really sore, but everyone told me to keep on doing it and they would toughen up, and they did. I breastfed my daughter for 12 months with no problems.

Good for your boyfriend for wanting the best for his baby!!

Answer 10

Check out www.kellymom.com for the top 100 reasons to breastfeed. Also check out www.drsears.com for lots of articles on why it's better to breastfeed and see the American Academy of Pediatrics website for their recommendations. It is true that breastfeeding is best. Even the formula companies say this right on the can!