How did you decide?

[babytime]

I'm not pregnant yet but I'm not sure if I am going to breastfeed or formula feed when the time comes. How did you make your decision?
Andy

[kristi]

to me it was an easy decision. The benefits of breastfeeding far outweighed the conveniences of bottle feeding.

benefits to breastfeeding for baby:
-boosters baby's immune system b/c you pass on enzymes, antibodies, and white blood cells in your milk that aren't in formula
-less likely to develop ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and certain types of spinal meningitis
-less chance of baby developing food allergies
-less chance of baby having eczema
-less chance of SIDS or other respiratory failure
-breastfed infants are less likely to be obese in later life
-breastfed girls less likely to develop breast cancer in later life
-less chance of baby becoming diabetic
-studies show that breastfed babies have higher IQs
-babies are less likely to need braces... better oral development

even if you breastfeed for just a week or a month, you pass on some of these benefits.

and for mom:

-moms lose more of the pregnancy weight when breastfeeding
-moms lose their pregnancy weight faster when breastfeeding
-moms have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer later in life when they breastfeed

also, I just enjoy the quiet time with my son. it's something that forces me to sit peacefully for 20 minutes and just enjoy his company in the middle of a hectic day.

The benefits of bottle feeding are the convenience of other people being able to feed your baby, that you don't have to be careful about things you eat that might upset your baby (only thing I have found I have to do is limit garlic and chocolate... not cut them out entirely). And others (grandparents, husband) aren't left out of feeding him because I have pumped milk stored in the freezer for when we go out, or when I go back to work, or so daddy can take some (nighttime!) feedings.

Most importantly: you can always start breastfeeding and switch to bottles if you decide it isn't right for you. Once you have started your baby on a bottle and your milk supply dries up, you can't decide to start breastfeeding. I have heard many people say they wish they had breastfed, or breastfed for longer. I have never heard anyone regret breastfeeding and wish they had done bottles instead.

It is wonderful that you are considering these issues so far in advance... I wish you luck in whatever you decide!

[babytime]

So much information. Thanks Kristi.

[kalynnsmom]

I agree with Kristi. I always knew I wanted to BF, so I read and attended BF;ing classes. I tried to educate myself as much as possible. And also, I had a lot of support from DH and from LC's.

[kristi]

I didn't attend any classes other than the one offered pre-discharge after DS was born. I had several friends who gave birth in the months prior to me who were BFing, so I had been hearing about their experiences and questions and issues for at least 6 months before I actually gave birth and was sort of familiar with the ins and outs of it just from listening. They were an invaluable resourse just for input, comparing notes, although all of our experiences were quite different. Even that was comforting... the fact that we all were going about it a little differently, and that was OK, that there was no hard and fast "right" or "wrong." DS and I are 5 months and still going strong, although things will be disrupted a bit when I go back to work in 2 weeks (really stressing about that...)

peace-
K

[squintz22]

It was better for them, and it was free. DH could give them EBM if I needed a break.

[Fluffy122]

My reasons were the same as squintz when I started. It was hard at first, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. Make sure you get as much support and education about it as you can. It's definitely worth it. Good luck!

[Mom24Girls]

It's funny... I didn't BF until my 4th child. :) I had no interest in even thinking about it! But for some reason, after #3, I felt I had missed out on something, and decided that if we ever had another, I was going to try to BF.

When we got pg with #4, I did a lot of reading and reasearch, and decided to give BFing a try. I was lucky and Andrea learned quickly and didn't have any problems latching on. I did however have some issues with sore nipples and feeling like a human binkie!! :lol: :rolleyes:

HOWEVER, IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!! I am SO glad that I did it, and after 14 months, was sorry that it had to end (she self weaned). I have a special bond with Andrea, that I don't have with my other girls, although, I love them all equally, no question there!

People have said to me that they felt bottle feeding was "easier"... well, as a mom who tried both ways, I felt that BFing was WAY easier! Once I got the hang of BFing in public, it was so easy to just grab a couple of diapers and go! I didn't have to worry about bottles and keeping forumula cool, and how I was going to warm it.

Sorry... I rambled on a bit there, but you aren't going to find anyone more pro-breastfeeding than me!! :biggrin: Definately at least consider "trying" it for a short while. Any amount of BFing will benefit your baby is SO many ways!! :)

Robin

[MomToMany]

I knew I would always BF. My mom BF 7 kids & cloth diapered all of us too. I wanted to be just like my mom. She's awesome!

[Cat]

I guess I knew I would BF, not only for the benefits to both baby and mommy, the ease of it appealed to me. I am too lazy to make formula, sterilise bottles, then during the night waiting for them to warm up.

Just pulling him into bed with me and feeding him there and then was so much easier!!

[finzel]

It was my older sister's kids who turned me away from formula feeding...the smell/odor was so bad...that I really wanted to try breastfeeding to get away from dealing with formula. With my little A-cups, I wasn't sure how I would do, but I was able to b-feed my older daughter for a year, and I'm currently b-feeding my newborn son. It's working out for the best for me, and I'm always encouraging anyone who wants to go for it.