difference between breastfeeding and formula

hi ladies. i'm pregnant w. my first child. 17w5d. i know its still kinda early, but i was thinking about breastfeeding when the babys born. my boyfriend is totally behind that decision. he wants me to. some people ive talked to say breastfeeding is healthier and better for the baby, whereas formula isnt. then other people say breastfeeding does notohing for the baby, and formula is just easier. ive also heard that if you do choose to breastfeed, you need to watch what you eat and such. is any of this information true ? thanks for the help xo

[allmymarbles]

In the first place formula is not easier. Making it is easy, but when baby is hungry you have to warm the bottle to the correct temperature listening to him cry. This is particularly problematical when the baby feeds in the middle of the night. Then you get up out of a warm bed and go through the annoying warming routine routine. With breastfeeding, you pick your baby up out of its crib and tuck him in bed with you, still half awake. Often both you fall asleep that way..

As for which is better - there is no contest. Through breastfeeding the mother is passing on valuable immunities. This is especially true in the first feedings  when the mother produces colostrum. Also the milk itself is very different and easier to digest. Rarely did I have to burp my babies and they were much less prone to colic.

[mommyTobe_12]

Thank you!

[tiredbuthappy]

Some people have to watch what they eat, while others do not. I was able to eat anything with my first. My second had terrible reflux (still does at 2 1/2), so I had to avoid any and all products that had onion and garlic. However, I very often hear nightmare stories about babies with severe reflux that are on formula. Their parents often have to go through every formula on the market, and often have to go on special expensive rx formulas. In general, breastmilk is MUCH easier on baby's tummy, and if your baby is one with digestive issues, it is definitely worth the avoidance of certain foods than to see your baby suffer that process of finding the right formula. Some of those babies end up going on soy. Soy is a common solution for the formula issue, but studies are showing that there can be long-term effects of soy.

Breastmilk is amazing stuff. My first came home weighing 4 1/2 lbs, at 3rd %. By 2 months, on breastmilk alone, she was up to 75th%. Both my kids have amazing immune systems, and are exceptionally brilliant. Of course, I can't definitively attribute those things to breastmilk, but I like to think it made a difference :) I also dropped those baby pounds so quickly because of bf.

breastfeeding reduces your chances of certain cancers. It gives your baby natural immune benefits. It makes it less likely that your child will have severe allergies. Your child is less likely to be overweight as a child and adult.

[PetiteWonder]

i dont have time to read all the comments so i apologize....  I am also going to let you know that I am pro breastfeeding..

From what I have found in my research. .The benefits to formula feeding is for the parents.  Where as the benefits of BF are for the baby..

BFing is an amazing bonding experience.. It is like no other...  As well, once you get in the groove of things it is sooo easy..  and there is less mess to claen up afterwards.  Bm is way easier on the babies stomach and provides them with loads of antibodies that FF babies do not get...

Research has shown that the majority of people do not need to watch what they eat as there babies are not effected by the food.. if i eat something spicy, it has no effect on my baby..  but i do try to avoid those things to be safe...

Many people worry about the hassle of BFing in public. You can always pump and use bottles in public.. or like everything else once you do it a couple times Bfing in public is cake...  And the reality is with a baby, you are most likely at home alot more than you think or at families..  Plus once your baby is a couple months yu can easily plan outings around feedings..

Formula is good but it is not as good..  It is man made and fortified with vitamins, and minerals.. Nothing is naturally occuring......  Its like saying chicken nuggets and chicken breast are equivalent .... they are not..

Give BFing a shot at least to see if it is for you.. but do know if you are not fully commited to it, its really easy to quit because the first little bit can be rough as you and your baby learns..

[allmymarbles]

I see there is some talk of what you eat upsetting the baby. This may happen, but is relatively rare. On that subject let me tell you the dippy advice I received.

We were leaving for India with our infant daughter. I was warned not to eat the curry as it would upset the baby. So I asked what Indian women ate when they were breastfeeding.

[mature_enough]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! It’s going to be so great to hear future questions and concerns (and hopefully success stories) from you about breastfeeding!

I would like to start by telling you that you are a genuinely awesome mom for weighing out your options at such an early time. It sounds like you are setting yourself up for success.

You will also be happy to know the benefits of breastfeeding.

FOR BABY, By breastfeeding mothers are giving their baby a chance for up to 11 higher IQ points since it is filled w/ growth factors.

Breastfeeding causes straighter teeth promotes proper jaw alignment, and

better speech development.

Less diaper rash

Better nutrition

Sick less (antibodies, ant parasites, anti viruses, anti allergies…)

FOR MOM, Breastfeeding causes the uterus to contract so that there is less bleeding (and a flatter tummy)

Less smelly diapers to change (the breastfed infant has light smelling, yellow, watery, easy to wipe off stools, whereas a formula fed infant has green, sticky, hard to wipe off stools that STINK!)

Cry less (because it is easier to digest, has protecting factors, and more skin-to-skin)

Saves LOTS of money (formula is expensive, you end up saving on medical, and on clothing replacement since formula spit up stains, human milk doesn’t)

You end up losing weight since you burn around 500 calories/day just by breastfeeding.

Easier travel since it is always readily available

No midnight trips to the store (running out) or getting up to prepare, mix, sterilize, or warm.

Again, congratulations and welcome to the breastfeeding community sister!