Breast vs. Formula

Tina - posted on 03/02/2011

Colleen, if part of you wants to breast feed and the other part is torn and you are not sure try this. Try just pumping Baby gets the same benefits as if you were breast feeding, and no one has to see your boobs. It may calm down some of the family since you can do it out of your home and just bring it with you where ever you go. You can also add in the formula part when you want. there is no harm in formula, For most babies. It will be cheaper in the long run. But the choice is all yours. ask your hospital about renting a pump to see if it's what you want to due. then if you decide that its for you buy one ( here in MN most insurances will reimburse you for buying a pump.)But again it is a personal choice and Dont be Swayed by what people say. Good Luck!!!

Rebecca - posted on 02/22/2011

i would say if you dont want to breast feed just put your breast milk in a bottle fort him or her b/c i know some who does that and it works good for them which imma put my breast ,milk in a bottle so my hubby can feed him at night while i get my sleep which i have to have to be healthy i have a ceizure did order so i need my sleep

Colleen - posted on 02/20/2011

I've decided to go with formula because it'll be easier since every one on both sides want to give us as much "grown-up" time as possible and it'd be near impossible to to with a breast fed baby. Yes I realize that breast is best but that's only for some mothers what's best is what works for everyone and baby

Amy - posted on 02/09/2011

Don't let them push you into anything that you don't want to do!!! If you aremore comfortable with formula feeding then do that!!! It is your choice and your choice alone!! There are some up and downs to both like I said you have to do what you are comfortable with!

Helen - posted on 02/09/2011

with DS I was adamant that I was going to breast feed, to the point that we didn't buy bottles or formula.

I saw several midwives, 2 or 3 GP's, a registrar and a consultant, and it wasn't until I was in labour that anyone picked up a potential problem with medication I was (and am) taking and I was told I couldn't breast feed. This sudden discovery meant there was a panic phone call to a friend to go get us bottles and formula there and then!

This time round I'm being a bit more prepared - we've done the research, and I've got an appointment with a paediatrician to discuss the potential problems so we can make an informed decision this time.

I am still not sure what I want to do - I know that using formula is more expensive, and that breast feeding has advantages for both baby and mother, but bottle feeding makes it so much easier for me to go out without baby, and it allows dad to be far more involved.

I also hate it when other people pressure me to do things I don't want to.

My take on the situation for both of us is to take time, think about all the pro's and con's so we can make informed decisions, and then when we have made that decision to tell people that even if they don't particularly agree with it that they are not to discuss it in front of us, and if they can't do this then they are to go away and leave us in peace to do what we know is best for both us as mothers and our babies!

Elizabeth - posted on 02/04/2011

There are a lot of good reasons to breastfeed, maybe check out one of the breastfeeding mom groups here on circle of moms or talk to someone from the la leche league.
They are probably only harassing you about it because they want what is best for the baby. Doesn't make it right but try to look at the intent behind it. I'm glad you have a healthy 3 year old :) but just because they don't have any health issues doesn't mean that formula is better than/or as good as breast milk. Breastfeeding reduces your chance of getting certain types of cancer (Breast, overy etc) by some big % and if you have a daughter it also reduces her chance of getting those same cancers as an adult..... So healthy as a baby/child doesn't always mean healthy as an adult. Anyways what I'm saying is don't choose to formula or breastfeed just because a formula company tells you its better or because a family member says you have to. Just look into some of the actual medical facts and decide for yourself. We can all give our oppinions/advice but when it comes down to it your the only one who knows what's best for YOUR family and YOUR baby :)
I won't tell you to do something your uncomfortable with but at the same time we sometimes have to do uncomforable things for our children because we love them right? What mom wants to take their teenage son shopping for a cup/jock strap? Or talk about sex, periods n all that with them? Heck childbirth is uncomforable right?
Good luck with your choice. And try not to get annoyed with people when they're all 'breastfeed! breastfeed!'
You'd get them same reaction if you told people you were going to buy a carseat second hand, yes it still works and is probably just as safe as a new one and many people use second hand carseats and they're kids are fine but......
Don't all parents want the best for their children? Not just fine?

Sharon - posted on 02/04/2011

It's totally up to you, don't let anyone push you into doing anything you aren't comfortable with.
I loved the idea of breastfeeding my son, it didn't work out, everyone ended up stressed & in tears, but I could express for awhile so I did that, before moving onto formula.
For this baby I will more than likely express, and not feed directly off the breast, then move to formula. I have been told countless times that it's too much work to express, but I feel much more comfortable knowing exactly what my baby is getting in food.

Jessica - posted on 02/04/2011

Personally I breastfed my daughter and it was a really great experience but I will be the first to agree that it is not easy to begin with. I think that if you arent comfortable with it then nobody should pressure you. They should be behind you in whatever you decide. There are pros and cons to each. You do save money breastfeeding but I def would not do it soley because on that or because of people pressuring you. And formula is convenient but after you get the hang of it breastfeeding is really convenient too, no heating bottles and all that. You have a never ending supply with you at all times lol. And I was the same way about worrying about people seeing boob but I figured out that if I wear a tank top under all my tee shirts and then of course take a blanket everywhere nobody was able to see anything or tell what I was doing other than holding a baby. Good Luck with Whatever you decide!!! :D

Jannelle - posted on 02/04/2011

I'm all for breastfeeding personally however if you going to use formula then just explain to them why. Just be willing to listen to why they think you should breastfeed. Breastfeeding can be nerve racking at first and takes time to master but I feel is well worth it. Did you try to breast feed at all? My suggestion would be to try it and then decide. If you honestly can't get past it then use formula. That way at least you can say you tried and it may not cause such a big fight.