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breast feeding vs formula?
so I've had my mind set on formula for the past couple of months, I have heard recently that formula is extremely bad for the baby.. I really don't want to breast feed due to the tenderness it causes and time consuming but I want what's best for my baby...is formula really all that bad? Is their a certain type that is more recommended or should I just breast feed and suck it up??? Soooo confused
Oh man I'm with everyone else...breastfeed, breastfeed, breastfeed!!!
It's not for everyone, and sometimes unforeseen complications make it too difficult, but I think there's no reason not to try!!!
I was only able to breastfeed both of mine for a couple months each due to medical problems with the first and other issues with the 2nd...but I LOVED it, and stopping breastfeeding as as hard for me as anything I've ever done, and to this day I look back with bittersweet regret that I couldn't do it longer.
I'm not sure that this one will be any better - my breasts just aren't great for breastfeeding because they're too large and difficult to manipulate, but I'm planning to give this my 110% and try to make it to at least 6 months for once...the longest I've made it is 3 months and that broke my heart.
Breastmilk is best, no doubt about it! Yes, if you're wondering, formula is great and Gerber GoodStart is supposed to be the closest to breastmilk that is on the market - but "closest to" and "the same as" are not the same thing, so if you can breastfeed give it all you've got!!!
Now that I've said that...I know there are some women in the background lurking who have been unable or did not want to breastfeed and I want you to know that I am 100% supportive of you. We all do what we think is best for our baby, and for some of us that means that breastfeeding became too stressful or exhausting, and that's OK! You are still a fantastic mommy even if you formula feed from day 1!!! no one here is judging you, so don't feel bad!!!
But if you only decide to breastfeed for awhile at least try to get through the first 2 weeks when your breasts are still producing colostrum - this is the calorie- and vitamin-rich "foremilk" that gives baby a good start for nutrition and weight gain, and formula is not equipped to replace foremilk, only hindmilk.
It's not for everyone, and sometimes unforeseen complications make it too difficult, but I think there's no reason not to try!!!
I was only able to breastfeed both of mine for a couple months each due to medical problems with the first and other issues with the 2nd...but I LOVED it, and stopping breastfeeding as as hard for me as anything I've ever done, and to this day I look back with bittersweet regret that I couldn't do it longer.
I'm not sure that this one will be any better - my breasts just aren't great for breastfeeding because they're too large and difficult to manipulate, but I'm planning to give this my 110% and try to make it to at least 6 months for once...the longest I've made it is 3 months and that broke my heart.
Breastmilk is best, no doubt about it! Yes, if you're wondering, formula is great and Gerber GoodStart is supposed to be the closest to breastmilk that is on the market - but "closest to" and "the same as" are not the same thing, so if you can breastfeed give it all you've got!!!
Now that I've said that...I know there are some women in the background lurking who have been unable or did not want to breastfeed and I want you to know that I am 100% supportive of you. We all do what we think is best for our baby, and for some of us that means that breastfeeding became too stressful or exhausting, and that's OK! You are still a fantastic mommy even if you formula feed from day 1!!! no one here is judging you, so don't feel bad!!!
But if you only decide to breastfeed for awhile at least try to get through the first 2 weeks when your breasts are still producing colostrum - this is the calorie- and vitamin-rich "foremilk" that gives baby a good start for nutrition and weight gain, and formula is not equipped to replace foremilk, only hindmilk.
I would definately try and breatsfeed the baby if you can do it...I personally am dead set on breast feeding...I think formula is so much more inconvient than breastfeeding..I loved getting up in the middle of the night and just sitting in my glider and pulling out the boob to feed instead of getting up and having to get a bottle ready!
I was gonna go into a long prob boring story of my experience but i'll save everyone from that. Are there major plus's to nursing? Yes. All the ladies before mentioned lots of them. I did nurse & I strongly believe my son is healthier because if it. Try it. Nursing isn't for everyone. My best friend who is a penny pincher & pro natural just couldn't do it. Her son is healthy too!
An option would be to invest in a decent breast pump & that way baby gets nutrients thru you but is being "bottle fed".
An option would be to invest in a decent breast pump & that way baby gets nutrients thru you but is being "bottle fed".
Why would you want to trust in something so artificial with your baby if you can help it? I've heard it's not easy to breastfeed, granted, but give it a go, that's what boobs are there for :) And there are 2 major aspects of breastfeeding that formula won't be doing for you or your baby- transfer of mom's antibodies to baby, and bonding!
That said, I've never breastfed so watch, in April I'll be fed up and going to formula ;)
That said, I've never breastfed so watch, in April I'll be fed up and going to formula ;)
I would say you definatly want to try and breast feed. It is time consumming, but feeding a baby is time consumming, that is just how it is. You will have to spend a lot of time feeding/burping/cleaning bottles etc, wether you breastfeed or use formula. The other benefit of breastfeeding--its FREE!! and convenient, it is always with you. I breastfeed exclusively for 5 months and after that up to 11 months supplimenting with formula because my supply didnt want to increase. I was a full time working mom, and yes it was time consumming but you get use to it. If you really hate the feeling it you could always pump, that lets you do it when you want and for less time but still gets your baby all the benefits.
Time consuming -- making up bottles, boiling and cooling the water so it is sterile, cleaning the bottles properly so they are not a breeding ground for bacteria, going to the store because the formula is running out ...
Also, I've recently seen studies connecting higher IQs to breast-fed babies. Don't know why that would be, but it is sure a high-quality food.
As the above poster says, try it for a couple of weeks and see where you are. It's also possible to breastfeed for half of the baby's nutrition and supplement with formula, making the work of formula feeding not as onerous simply by reducing how much of it you do .
Also, I've recently seen studies connecting higher IQs to breast-fed babies. Don't know why that would be, but it is sure a high-quality food.
As the above poster says, try it for a couple of weeks and see where you are. It's also possible to breastfeed for half of the baby's nutrition and supplement with formula, making the work of formula feeding not as onerous simply by reducing how much of it you do .
i breast fed and after the first week its a breeze and i can tell you theres nothing more time consuming then making up bottles, its sooo much easier to breastfeed but the important thing is that you feel comfortable...
fomula milk is also fine for the baby you just have to make sure your sterilizing everything corectly :)
fomula milk is also fine for the baby you just have to make sure your sterilizing everything corectly :)
It is better to breastfeed, although it is possible to formula feed if the mother can't breast feed or if she simply hates it so so much that it makes her resent her baby. In your case, I would at least breastfeed as long as you have the colostrum, since it is extremely valuable in giving your baby important antibodies. I know someone who breastfed her first baby for months and months, her second baby for months, her third baby for weeks, and her final baby for about 20 days; it isn't like a baby won't survive formula. But overall, everything you'll find admits breastfeeding the baby is better than formula feeding, if you can. It's cheaper, more natural, better for your body (helps the uterus shrink down faster), more nutritious, better for the baby to digest, etc. etc. You have probably seen all the reasons. Formula tastes nasty compared to breast milk, too. Get the best quality formula you can afford, if you go that route.
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