How to chose between bottle feeding & breast feeding?

Steffany - posted on 01/12/2010

I breastfeed my daughter for about a month but she made me bleed so badly that I went pumping. I felt that I still wanted to give her my milk but it hurt me too badly to take it from me so she still was able to get it from a bottle. I want to try again with my new baby when it comes in May so I am hoping that this time it will go better since I have an idea of what happens. Just try breastfeeding if thats what you choose and don't give up after the first week give it a few weeks and if you still don't like it you can always go to formula.

Nicole - posted on 01/12/2010

Breast is best, corny but true. it's not always easy at first. you gotta have a good support system and want to do it. one tip if you decide to do it tell the nurse ahead of time not to give baby any bottles. google the pros and cons of breakfeeding. it usually prevents a lot of allergies as well as diseases later in life. even if you only do it for the first few weeks. good luck. also set a limit to how often you feed them. every 2-3 hours. so if babys fussing before then they nor hungry. it's gas or something else. make sure you get some lanoseh nipple oitment. use it after every feeding, safe for the baby and you won't get raw.

Amber - posted on 01/12/2010

Take a breastfeeding class. It will set you up with great information. If you plan to pump, buy a good pump (I own a Medela- bought it barely used). I breastfed exclusively for 7 months and my daughter has not been sick at all (she's a year old!). Make sure you use the lactation consultants at the hospital as well.

Tiffany - posted on 01/12/2010

i had decided to breast feed although i had cracked nipples and i was very sore for like 3 weeks after i got past that ( trust me i wanted to give up) i found it is so easy to do in the middle of the night you dont have to get up and make bottles its just right there anytime the baby needs it... also the bonding is so worth it

Amanda - posted on 01/12/2010

I would recommend breastfeeding as it is free and provides your lil one with the best start in life. I give my son expressed breastmilk because he never took to nursing due to being 4.5 weeks early, but it isn't easy. I have thought about stopping many, many times because it takes so much out of my day, but I wouldn't trade what I've done so far for anything. He is now 5 months old and gets mostly breastmilk. However, chose what you feel is best for you. Breastmilk is obviously the best for baby, but formula has come a very long way since it's first introduction and is a good option as well. Good luck and best wishes! Being a mommy is a wonderful, new experience : )

Danielle - posted on 01/12/2010

i breastfed both of my children. i think that breastfeeding is best for you and the baby. its easier too cuz you dont have to worry about bottles to clean and carry around when you go places. it's really hard at first that's why most women opt to bottle feed but everything good in life is hard to do at first. i promise that it will get easier after the first month. and if you need anyone to talk to about it i'll be your coach if you need. dont worry about what anyone else says about what you do with your baby. Breastfeeding helps you loose the baby weight by 6 months you'll be back to your preprego weight and you and the baby have a bond that is so strong! plus it cuts your risk of cancer by 60 percent in unterin and breast cancers! there are too many good things to say about breastfeeding! I would tell any mother to breastfeed over bottle feeding! Remember its hard at first and you'll want to give up but you have to keep in mind that its good for you and most important of all its good for the baby!!

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

If you keep up with your baby's demand for breast milk, you will produce more breast milk. If you substitute with formula, you will not have as good of a supply. Also, supplementing the breast with a bottle causes something called nipple confusion. Melissa, it is a pity that you quit breastfeeding because it no longer satisfied you. Did you think that just maybe the needs of your baby were more important than your own selfish wants? Where did you get this term "cluster feeding"? This is a term invented by selfish mothers. "Cluster feeding" is an evolutionary adaptation that our species made to ensure that you would keep a steady supply of breastmilk. Newborns feed and sleep often because that's what their bodies need. I found that my baby was a night feeder so I just took him to bed with me. He could feed whenever he wanted without waking me. He fed just as often during the day so I carried him in a sling so that I could go about my daily duties and still have him at the breast. Because of our cultural conditioning we don't understand that babies are born knowing what's right for them. We think we need to train them, cage them (in cribs), and bottle feed them like orphaned animals. We women need to be more in touch with our motherly instincts and less selfish. Our true nature is one of abundance and bliss, the more you give the more rewarding your experience as a mother will be.

Melissa - posted on 01/12/2010

My daughter is now two months old and I was also not sure. When you are in the hospital there is a ton of pressure for you to breast feed. I found it to be a great bonding experience between us and she was a great latcher right away. However when we got home after about a week she started to "cluster feed" at night and wanted to eat every 45 minutes to an hour. I couldnt do it anymore because it was no longer making me satisfied. My suggestion is to try it but keep a small can of formula at home to have on reserve just incase!

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

"People need to understand that when they're deciding between breastmilk and

formula, they're not deciding between Coke and Pepsi...They're choosing between a

live, pure substance and a dead substance made with the cheapest oils available."

~ Lactation Consultant Chele Marmet.

Amy - posted on 01/12/2010

Both are great and have their negatives and positives to them. I would give breastfeeding a try first and see if it works out. You can always switch to formula if it doesn't! I started out breastfeeding my twins, but it was way to hard for me with two babies so I switched to formula after three weeks of trying to breastfeed. I like/liked doing both!

Jessica - posted on 01/12/2010

Sit down and make a list of all the positives and negatives about both options. No one in my family breastfed their kids. It was something that I decided to do on my own. It's a decision that made me feel more confident about myself and how I chose to raise my children. I personally feel that breastfeeding was the most rewarding experience I could have other than the actual birth. It is a decision that you really need to think about, because it is also hard work.

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

Breastfeeding is cheaper and all doctors will tell you it is healthier for your baby. He/she will get all of your immunities and it boosts brain development.

Anneke - posted on 01/12/2010

I thought I would look up that smarter thing through the NHS and they seem to think so.
http://www.library.nhs.uk/CHILDHEALTH/Vi...

interesting read.

Anneke - posted on 01/12/2010

I was first to breastfeed in my family to. Give breastfeeding a go anyway, it does hurt a bit at the start but it goes away. I am breastfeeding and my baby is 1 next month. Far handier if your lazy like me lol I dont have to mess around with making up bottles and sterilizers in the night and my baby is a better sleeper than me. I am glad I went bf way as I have formula for the ready as thats what I was told was better when I was pregnant by everyone! so glad I tried bf.

. - posted on 01/12/2010

In regards to children who were breastfeed being smarter then children who were formula feed is simply not true.

Lotta - posted on 01/12/2010

If you decide to breastfeed (wich I think you should) just don't give up too easy. It does hurt at first but after a few weeks it's so easy. And if you're not producing enough milk you just have to breastfeed more and your body will make more milk! The more you breastfeed the more milk you'll produce, nature is good at knowing what your baby needs. You might have an unhappy baby for a couple of days when more milk is needed, but as long as you know that this is normal it makes it easier to handle. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

I was reading some of the posts down this page, and i noticed someone said that
"formula is poisonous"
and
"it kills children"

Formula is NOT poisonous and it DOES NOT kill children. So long as your using sterile bottles, sterile water and making up the formula according to the directions formula is fine for your baby. It is definately not as good as breastmilk, breast is best, however it's incredibly irresponsible for anyone to call it poison or claim it kills.

Sarah - posted on 01/12/2010

definately give breastfeeding a go, you can always combine breast and bottle feeding (i know some people say you can't but you really can) even if you only breastfeed a few times your baby will get the benefits. Breastfeeding doesn't really come 'naturally' so i really encourage you to give it a few weeks. We had to combine breast and bottle feeding for medical reasons, and i was really upset to find out i wouldn't be able to solely breastfeed as that was what i had decided to do. However, we continued the combined breast and bottle feeding up until a couple of weeks ago (my baby is 4 months old now and starting solids shortly) i would've continued but going back on the contraceptive pill killed my already limited supply. It really is a great bonding time, it helps you just as much as it helps your baby, it helps your uterus contract back to its normal size, helps you lose the pregnancy weight and ensures your at least getting some rest during the day. For the baby- there really is nothing better than breastmilk, breastfed babies are never constipated, there less gassy, and it becomes a huge comfort to them, when baby got her first lot of immunisations my gp actually suggested sitting in a spare room and breastfeeding, which i did. By the time we left she was a happy baby again. Another big plus for us has been that she's never been sick, she's 4 months old and never had a cold or bug despite being born during the flu season here. Formula becomes very expensive as baby grows, we get through about a tin a week, plus you've got the set up cost of bottles, steriliser etc. It also takes me maybe 20 minutes a day to prepare bottles for the next day, plus theres the heating in the middle of the night. You may think it will be easier to bottle feed during the night, but actually it takes longer, getting up, going to the fridge, heating the bottle, then feeding. I always think its a good idea to get baby used to both, that way if need be someone else can feed baby, but breastfeeding ends up being better for you and baby and more time and cost effective.



I do feel that i should add this though, at the end of the day, no matter what you choose you will make the right decision, be it breast or bottle. Your not a bad mum or failing anyone if you choose to bottle feed. I felt horribly guilty having to supplement with a bottle even though i had no choice, looking back now i should have never felt guilty. You do what's best for you and your baby, as they say, happy mum happy baby.

Tamara - posted on 01/11/2010

i tried to breast feed my son but i didnt produce enough milk for him so i had to pump it out and oh man i was miserable i wanted that bond but it wouldnt happen. i ended up haveing to bottle feed. if he or she will breast feed and you have enough supply go for it.

Rabecca - posted on 01/11/2010

Hi, Sarah,



I'm a Mom of 4 beautiful kids and I've fed my kids both bottle and breast. Here's the deal....no one can say what is right for your baby. Frankly, that's what it comes down to. If your child is finding it difficult to nurse, try bottle. If you know breast milk is what you want for your baby than pump and bottle feed that. Seriously, it's not just the bonding, or the money, I REALLY loved nursing my kids. My youngest was born premature and wasn't gaining enough weight, so we were told to put her on special formula. We did, but I still nurse her. Nursing becomes the go to thing as babies grow up. I'm not kidding when I say nursing cures the pain of cuts, bruises, falls, jealousy, over tiredness, gas, almost anything. Even when my older daughter was sick at a year old and couldn't hold anything down, she wanted to nurse. Guess what? She kept that down!

Bottle feeding doesn't mean the end of nursing. Remember, some babies may need time to learn to latch properly, so you can bottle feed and occasionly try nursing until he/she is ready. Keep in mind that boys don't transition well. Girls are better about it, but don't expect anything.

Bottle feeding really does have more draw backs: financially, physically, and health wise. Your child's body learns to deal and prevent a wide range of health problems.

Do the research and follow your child's instincts. You'll learn that being a parent isn't about what we want, or always what they want, it is about what is best in the long run for our children. Welcome to Motherhood!



Good luck!

Rachel - posted on 01/11/2010

I would definetly try to breastfeed first and if it doesnt work out you can always bottle feed! There is so much more in breast milk than formula and it really helps with their immune system as well! My son did really well in the hospital but when we got home I was producing to much milk and it was too hard for him to latch on so I pumped for about a month but it was too hard to keep up with at the time! I hope I can breastfeed the whole time with my next child! You can also speak with the lactationist and they can give you a little more info on the subject! Good luck!

Stephanie - posted on 01/11/2010

I recommend breastfeeding, if you can, it's much more healthier. If you can do it even if you can only do it for a month or 2 it will help alot in the health and growth of your baby. Not all baby's will latch so some mothers are unable to breastfeed but if you can, do it. Then give formula when you can breastfeed anymore. You also have the option of breastfeeding and giving formula at the same time, but like i said before if you can only breastfeed as long as you can. I could only breastfeed my son till his was 3 months then i started giving him formula..... Good Luck and Congratulations!!

Stephanie - posted on 01/11/2010

I recommend breastfeeding, if you can, it's much more healthier. If you can do it even if you can only do it for a month or 2 it will help alot in the health and growth of your baby. Not all baby's will latch so some mothers are unable to breastfeed but if you can, do it. Then give formula when you can breastfeed anymore. You also have the option of breastfeeding and giving formula at the same time, but like i said before if you can only breastfeed as long as you can. I could only breastfeed my son till his was 3 months then i started giving him formula..... Good Luck and Congratulations!!

Stephanie - posted on 01/11/2010

I recommend breastfeeding, if you can, it's much more healthier. If you can do it even if you can only do it for a month or 2 it will help alot in the health and growth of your baby. Not all baby's will latch so some mothers are unable to breastfeed but if you can, do it. Then give formula when you can breastfeed anymore. You also have the option of breastfeeding and giving formula at the same time, but like i said before if you can only breastfeed as long as you can. I could only breastfeed my son till his was 3 months then i started giving him formula..... Good Luck and Congratulations!!

Paula - posted on 01/11/2010

Also, I suggest going to a breastfeeding class. It will help alot! You learn so much from it and could help you out even better with your decision.

Paula - posted on 01/11/2010

I had my first baby in October and I chose to breastfeed. The first couple of days in the hospital were the hardest. It was still a little tough the first week or two at home..getting use to the feeding scedule and my breast getting over the soreness. After being patient with the whole process, it got way easier with time and is so worth it! It is free and convientient! I gained between 35 and 40 pounds during my pregnacy and I dropped back down to my pre-pregnacy weight by 2 weeks after giving birth. There are so many pros to breastfeeding. It is great bonding time for you and the baby. I say at least give it a try to see if it's for you. Also if you do choose to breastfeed, buy a good pump so you can build up a supply to freeze so you can have someone watch the baby if needed. I highly recommend the Medela pump. The motors in cheap pumps wear out way too quick!

Kasey-Louise - posted on 01/11/2010

breastfeeding is the best option for your baby and was my only choice but it is up to you and what you want to do. i didnt think it would work for me or my son but i love it now

Jenna - posted on 01/11/2010

Well I think if you should at least attempt to breastfeed...the first couple weeks are the most important so your baby can get the colostrum!! You may find that you love it and don't want to stop.

Briana - posted on 01/11/2010

Breast feed! Or atleast give it a try. Ask any doctor or nurse and they will tell you that hands down it is the best thing for your baby. And its best for you too! It is difficult at first but then I found it be so much easier than the bottle. You don't have to worry about cleaning bottles and buying formula. And I really found that it was a great bonding experience.

Ellen - posted on 01/11/2010

Oh and lanolin lots and lots of lanolin!!!

Ellen - posted on 01/11/2010

I was the first in my family to ever try breastfeeding! I bottle fed my older two and then with my third I figured that I would give it a shot, I loved it I felt like i got more bonding time with him and it helped me get some of the baby weight off faster! Now I regret not breastfeeding my other two! I would personally suggest trying for a few weeks if its not for you then switch to the bottle! There is no harm in trying!

Sarah - posted on 01/11/2010

As they say Breast is Best. I have 2 children i breastfed them both they r both very healthy. People should only bottle feed if they physically cant breastfeed. Breast milk is so natural, everything in it is pure. U can even use it for conjuctavitis ( squirt some in there eyes) and it clears up. If they have a little cold, blocked nose put a drop in there nose it clears it up, I could go on...Most importantly it prevents them from getting sick coz breast milk has antibodies in it so they are protected against flu's and viral infections. My son goes to school and has had a viral infection and the flu and because my 9 month old is still breastfed she did not catch it.

Sara - posted on 01/11/2010

PS To the pumping....I had a harder time with that than with just nursing my daughter....it took just as long and I ended up with my nipples swelled up 5x their normal size....I eventually quit pumping and just nursed.

Sara - posted on 01/11/2010

Breastfeeding is better for baby and mommy! It's hard, the first 6-8 weeks(not 2) are the hardest. That's when the baby is trying to get your body to make the milk. Once you get past that it gets easier and easier. I would still be breastfeeding(7 month old, breastfed for 6 months) if it wasn't for the fact that she produced 6 teeth(within 2 months) and started biting me....that's when I decided to wean! Breastfeeding is different for everyone and for every baby....everyone has different experiences with it and choose to breastfeed or stop breastfeeding due to different reasons. I had a friend that had really bad cracking and bleeding she could only stand it for the first two weeks. But if you aren't weirded out by it then you should totally give it a try! Tell your nurse and doctor so that they will let you try when the baby is born(mine was searching for the breast the instant she was handed to me!). Also, the nurses will help give advice and you can ask to speak to a lactation consultant. They will help you get the baby to latch on(which can be difficult for the first 24 hours), show you different positions, and give you lots of other advice....they will also give you their card so that you can call them in the future. It is one of the most challenging and rewarding things that I have ever done. It was so hard, there were so many times that I got discouraged...if it weren't for friends, family, and my b/f I would've quit within the first week. I also had some people trying to discourage me...do not listen to those people....do what is best for you and your baby. If you have problems seek help! Lactation consultants will even come to your house! There are also a lot of breastfeeding sites with tips...a really good one is www.kellymom.com! I hope that you do give it a try and that it works out well for you! It is an AWESOME way to bond with your baby! And is the best thing that you could ever do for your child!!!! Goodluck!



P.S. If you need advice or just someone to talk to you can contact me, I'd be happy to help!

Karrissa - posted on 01/11/2010

I chose breast feeding because I thought there was more of a bond, and I wanted what the doctors said was best and I really enjoyed doing...it was a lot easier than making bottles every couple hours, and less mess...

Michele - posted on 01/11/2010

I think that you should atleast give it a shot and try it out. I formula fed my twin daughters, and my son I breastfed for the first 6 months. If I ever had another baby, I would definitely breastfeed again! It was so much easier (the first two weeks was kinda hard) and it was such a great bonding experience. There are so many pros to breastfeeding!

Chestina - posted on 01/11/2010

I did both for both of my girls.. For my 1st daughter I breast feed for a little longer than 5 months and then switched to bottle...For my 2nd daughter I breastfeed only for 3 months because she had bad acid reflux problems which turned into Gastro Intestinal problems. Breastfeeding as been known to help you loose your baby bump afterwards to just trying it out helps...Its not a gr8 feeling once you start but you will get used to it.

Raycheal - posted on 01/11/2010

When I was pregnant with my first child. I breastfed my daughter til she was 1.1/2. The way I put it was.. If I was on a long trip and there was no way of getting any water from anywhere u have no watrer at all. plus you have dirty bottles. When u breastfeed. Its always on hand. Its always warm. and its free and it reduce breast cancer for u and ur child. plus you lost weight must faster. and yes it can be very painful and u can be very tired. But its healthy for you and your child. If your family don't support you or anyone. Theres always breastfeeding support group right at the hospital. I went both times I had a baby.. It was nice meeting new moms and we get together and have playgroups with our kids

Leah - posted on 01/11/2010

These are things I love about breastfeeding: The special bond I create with my child when he stares up at me during a feed, stops and smiles at me. It has health benefits for myself and my baby. It is free! it is food on the go (no heating and cleaning bottles) and we were designed to breastfeed. I found it quite difficult at first but was determined and asked for lots of help. It can take a couple of weeks to get over the soreness and to get used to it but it's worth being patient for.

Bridget - posted on 01/11/2010

The way I was to feed my child was never a choice for me, I knew breastfeeding was the only way to go!..Initially it was painful and very tiresome, and feels like you are literally "on call". But my son is now 9 months and he has still never seen a bottle (he has refused on several occassions, he basically won't eat if I'm not there). The comfort I can give my son and the bond we have is something that can never be replaced! Not to mention the multittude of health benefits. My son was born around the same time as 2 other babies that I know and neither was breastfed, flu season came around and they both got very sick, my son did get a minor cold for about a week and it was gone without any medication! Breastmilk is gold!



And if you are worried about support from your family because none of them breastfed, consider why they chose not to. I;m not jumping to conclusions but most of the time it is for selfish reasons (that is unless they truly tried and failed).



Oh and if you are still unsure..I gained 52lbs while pregnant. After giving birth and 8 months later I lost ALL 52lbs plus an additional 8, i didn't diet or excercise.

Donna Marie - posted on 01/11/2010

breastfeeding is natural, bottle is artificial, simple.

Jessie - posted on 01/11/2010

I would not trade breastfeeding my son for anything in the world! I won't lie, it was very difficult in the begining. My son and I both got yeast infection when he was about 2 weeks old (me in my breast and him on his bottom) it was difficult to get rid of as the first couple of prescribed treatments did nothing. It is very time consuming at first. My son spent the 1st 6 weeks or so literally attached to my breasts. Without the support of my boyfriend and 2 best friends who breastfed I might not have made it this far ( 6 months). I did want to quit several times but I knew it was the best possible thing for myself and my baby. Despite my mother and family telling me just to give him formula, he would be fine I did not give up. My son was exclusively breast for the first 4 months, not a drop of formula. Then we began to experiment with rice cereal and at 5 months started other baby foods. Try it! But don't give up right away if you find it difficult. even the smallest amount of breast milk benefits your baby! Dont be stressed if your milk doesnt come in right away mine took 5 days. best of luck with your baby

Beth - posted on 01/11/2010

hi i am also having my fist in April. i am going to give breastfeeding ago because of a number of reason everyone else has told you about but in the long run if it doesn't work out i'm not worried to go to the bottle. My thought is that if you give it ago you won't have any regrets later on coz you can say 'but i tried'. A friend of mine insisted to breastfeed but her milk wouldn't come down the baby was grizzly allot and it made her real upset but once she rapped her mind around the bottle it made life allot easier,and both were happier so just go with the flow and do what you feel is wright.

Hope my view on things helped you out slightly. :)

Edna - posted on 01/11/2010

formula is about 14 dollars per can depending on which type you use and your baby will go through roughly 10 cans per month, that is an expense of $140 per month just for formula. Then you have to add in the cost of bottles, bottle brushes, new nipples and bottled water for the first few months.. If the health reasons aren't enough to help decide maybe this will..

Jennifer - posted on 01/11/2010

You have got a lot of great responces here. I'd like to add this. Remember that breastfeeding loweres your risk of getting breast cancer, and if you have a daughter, it lowers HER risk of getting breast cancer. Who wouldn't do everything they could for thier kids? Also, do your own research, make your own desicion. I know that nursing isn't always the eaisiest, but I garentee you it's easy for night feedings. Plus, less bottles to clean, less mess, and WAY less expensive. 6 months is considered the "gold standard" for a good head start from breastfeeding for your baby. It will also help you shed your pregnancy weight. Last I'd add that although most mothers are able to breastfeed, some can not. It is rare, but physiologicly, sometimes it just doesn't work, mom doesn't produce milk. Don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out, it doesn't make you a failure. I know two moms personally who were not able to, and they have health happy kids. Get help from your nurses after delivery, ask for help, and make sure your spouce supports your desicion either way. Hope you are enjoying your pregnancy!

Chalie - posted on 01/11/2010

hiya hun, i am breastfeeding peer worker, i am volunteer, i have been doin it for 3 years i have 3 children of my own which i have breastfed all of then, if u have any pacific questions or want any advice i wud be more than willing to help u, i hope u the best of luck with your future and the baby, x

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/11/2010

PERSONALLY i would feel like i failed my son if i didnt breastfeed and i am so happy i am I LOVE IT it is so rewarding and loving to feed your baby. i would HATE it if anyone else got the bonding that i have with him from feeding him. Yes babies attatch to mommy more then daddy for now but as they grow up they love playing with daddy more and more! Currently i am wondering if i am going to wean him at 1 like i had planned but as i read more into it i find that the benifits go on til 3 years of age! I dont know if i will be able to continue that long as i want to have another baby when Eric is 2 buti feel that if i dont do what i know is best for him then i have failed in that aspect of being his mom. *repeat* PERSONALLY i know the benifits and they are in the 100s and i know that formula fed babies are "just fine" but if they really are getting colds more and allergies and asthma and obese etc then are they really as "fine" as they could be? I think that if you are having a hard time deciding then you already know what you should do for your baby but you probably just need some support since your family wont be giving you much.

just PLEASE remember

if you chose to feed formula and your baby gets a cold etc will you feel that you might have prevented it by breastfeeding?

for me the answer was yes

goodluck Mommy!

ps you can message me with ANY questions or help regarding this :)

Amy - posted on 01/11/2010

Breast Feed. It is so good for your baby and so nutritious. Your body produces natural defenses against viruses and such. Your baby benefits so much from your breast milk. Believe me. My daughter has never been really sick. She didn't even have her first cold until she was about 8 months old. She is so healthy and I believe its from the breast milk. Those few first months of receiving the breast milk helped fight off anything that could make her ill. Its full of natural nutrients that not even vitamins and immunization shots can provide.

If you don't feel comfortable breast feeding or you baby won't latch on to your breast, you can pump. That is what I did. My daughter would not latch on, so I started pumping in the hospital. It was amazing pumping. I could pump and freeze the milk to use in the future. Not only is this the most nurtritious way of feeding your child but it will save you so much money and it is the most amazing feeling that you can feed your child from your own body. Your baby will love the breast milk, mine drank hers and did the long fulls sucks of the bottle and it put her to sleep amazingly. Also some formulas cause problems, gas, upsett stomach, crankiness. My daughter couldn't tolerate the normal formula once I switched over. She had to take only the soy. At first it was terrible for me. She vomitted up all that she ate from the formula until we found something that she could handle. And is the most amazing feeling knowing he or she is receiving the best milk possible, your breast milk. Go for it!!!! I believe its the best thing you can do for you baby. It takes some dedication but even if you breast feed for the first month it will do so much to help build your baby's immune system. The colostrum, the yellowish type milk that comes the first couple of weeks is the best. They refer to it as liquid gold. Its full of nutrients and natural defenses to build your babies immune system. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leonna - posted on 01/11/2010

I chose to breastfeed because of the health benefits for my child. It also has quite a few benefits for moms:) I had a difficult time learning how and so did my son, but the time and effort is well worth it in the end. Not to mention the money you will save.



You have to decide what you feel the most comfortable with and mnot let anyone pressure you. I would suggest trying it and asking for a lactation consult while you are in the hospital to make it go more smoothly. Then, if you decide it's not for you, you won't regret your decision of never giving it a try.



Best of luck, and congrats on your new little one!

Tiffany - posted on 01/11/2010

Hi Sarah. You choose what is right for you! I have heard horror stories of moms wanting to breastfeed and couldn't because of the pain or because their milk didn't come in. I personally wanted to try because I knew that it would be good for my baby and it is financially easier! My milk came in on the second day after he was born and it came in like crazy fast. The nurses were amazed at how much I had. Being my first born, I didn't know about how to pump or how to know what my baby was getting. He latched good and we seemed to be doing fine. On the day he was circumsized the nurses told me he wouldn't eat much that day because he would be so tired from the meds. They were right, but they failed to tell me that I should have been pumping since I had so much milk. Lucky for me I had a friend who was a nurse on that floor and knew she would be working that night..I had her come up and help me when she came in. My breasts hurt so bad and were so hard because I had a ton of milk and the baby wasn't eating. I didn't know what to do. When he cried...they leaked and hurt worse. Finally she brought me a pump and showed me how to pump...from that day on I couldn't pump quick enough..I had so much milk coming in that my breasts would get engorged and my son wouldn't latch then..so I would pump and then try and feed and he still wouldn't because my nipples were too big. I couldn't nurse from then on and went to bottle feeding, but he was getting breast milk..which I think was the important part. I continued to give breastmilk until I dried up..which was about 3 months later. Now he is on just formula, but he is doing great and growing well. The best part about the bottle feeding was he was still getting the breastmilk...his dad and grandparents could feed him, and I knew how much he was eating.



Remember, do as you need to do...I hope your delivery goes well and I am sure you will make the decision that suits you best!