The Ol' Breastfeed vs Bottle feed debate...or something

Feathah

Reading this thread makes me realize I am totally unprepared and have no clue what I am going to do!

Linzstyle

Feathah:

Reading this thread makes me realize I am totally unprepared and have no clue what I am going to do!

THIS!

Me either!  I've registered for breast pump things, thinking I'd like to BF/pump-leaning more towards EPumping.  It's very abnormal in my family for as long as I can remember to NOT BF.  No one, as far back as my great grandma has BF, so while it's a natural process, it seems unnatural to me.  I'm afraid of my short hospital stay feeling frustrated with nurses pushing me to BF, even if I'd like to eventually pump more than BF.

Kristinmo

med380:

I would also just like to add that breastfeeding did not really help me lose the baby weight like many people say. 

Yeah my hunger was out of control to take in the calories to make enough milk.  I basically maintained my weight after the first few weeks.  It is not uncommon to actually gain weight either.

ericnerica

Formula is not as good as BM, it says it right on their containers "Breastmilk is best for babies" so why would you choose to give your baby second best? Obviously if this is your only option, it is not a bad decision. But I would never buy a second rate car seat, and I would never choose to feed my child second rate food when breastmilk is free and readily available for most moms, IMO.

vermont7

I plan on breastfeeding again. It is a known medical fact that breastmilk is better for your baby. Yes, it is a lot of work but your baby is worth it. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't try to nurse their child. Yes, the first few weeks are difficult but it does get easier. 

December192009

All the responses to this post were really surprising to me at first - women supporting the free decisions of other women and sharing 1st hand experience stories. Kudos to those women- that's what this community is all about. 

I totally relate to the mother whose son became severely dehydrated - after bringing my son home and trying continuously to BF him we changed and auburn colored diaper and I panicked - we made a bottle and then my mom ran out to buy a pump with all the bells and whistles. It was only after pumping every three hours (by myself),  washing all the supplies, feeding, changing baby, and repeating that I realized being a mother was about bonding with my child- not about breast milk or feeling like a cow hooked up to a breast pump at all hours of the night.

To knock other women in any way at all by saying that their choice or lack of choice in feeding their child formula is both rude and ignorant.  Both of my children were breast fed during the first month - to receive some benefits before I returned to work. However, breastfeeding just wasn't a good long term option all around for my family.

I also think its funny when you consider the double standards we place on women - you should breastfeed, but if you're in certain lines of work you should spend all of your time and effort on your job. As a school teacher, I would be hard pressed to find a parent who is willing to have their child's education compromised by my desire to go pump for 30-45 minutes - and no, planning periods are not scheduled in a way that would allow for that type of break. Best wishes to all of the moms out there regardless of what you choose to do. Looking at the history of doctors' suggested preference for bottle vs. breast, it's very likely our daughters will be told the exact opposite, and our granddaughters another story.

greengirl0909

We will breastfeed again, primarily for the health benefits of everyone involved.  I became even more determined to give my baby breast milk once I returned to work as it felt like a connection for baby and I while I was away from him.

I will say this: I faced lots of struggled to breastfeed. My pediatrician told me my supply was too low and I'd never be successful.  The women in my La Leche group had lots of suggestions for me and helped me to make it work.  If you are hoping to breastfeed, it would be really wise to seek out this group in my opinion.  The women there had so many suggestions: I would not have made it if not for them! 

MesmrEwe

Both!  I plan to EP again with LO when he gets here.  OTOH, at some point we'll likely need to add in some formula to supplement, but it is what it is...

The reason, while I realize breast milk is the best option with price and such, I'm just creeped out by the whole latching concept.  It's just NOT me.  The other part I don't like about it is that it's as if there's an imaginary tether cord when it comes to 100% of all meals with latching.  I want to have the freedom to go when/where I want without having to worry about being home on the dot so that LO can eat.  This way I never need to worry about the baby rejecting a bottle, whomever wants/is available to feed the baby at any given moment can, it gets DH involved, etc. 

That said, there's a place for latching and a place for FF, it really comes down to the individual choice for your given situation.  If it's any idea, the comments I got from the peanut gallery this time were simply "Just FF so you don't stress yourself out so much and not enjoy your LO this time around!"...

bride2005!!

It's totally a personal choice.  I have no intentions of breastfeeding.  I can not be solely responsible for feeding this child with my work schedule and, quite honestly, I don't want to.  I know there are benefits but both my husband and I were bottle fed and things turned out ok.  I'm not tho worried.  Sometimes I wish I wanted to but it's just not for me.

Shmogan09

ericnerica:

Formula is not as good as BM, it says it right on their containers "Breastmilk is best for babies" so why would you choose to give your baby second best? Obviously if this is your only option, it is not a bad decision. But I would never buy a second rate car seat, and I would never choose to feed my child second rate food when breastmilk is free and readily available for most moms, IMO.

I think comparing formula to a second rate car seat is a little ridiculous.  My baby almost DIED because I tried so hard to force breast feeding on him... while breast milk is great for a baby getting the right amount of nutrients is what really matters.  It is not "second rate food".