Breastfeeding: Pro or Con? **Update Post #1**

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

FWIW (and if it means anything), I was formula fed and had frequent terrible ear infections all through my childhood. I can still distinctly remember the taste of the liquid antibiotics I was on all the time.

I was BF for 18 months and I had 2-3 ear infections a year from the time I was a baby til I was 18. I don't get them as often now but I still get one every year or so. In fact I had an ear infection in each ear when I gave birth and couldn't hear anything the doctor was telling me unless they got in my face and yelled at me.

Even as Pro BFing as I am, I highly doubt the formula caused your ear infections.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I didn't vote b/c none of the choices really 'fit' me...

I wanted to try BF DS1, but he was in the NICU for a week after he was born...and it was a struggle. I tried for 3 weeks, then gave up when it was just a battle of the wills, and I always ended up crying. I then pumped exclusively for 5 mos before switching to formula. I would have been MUCH happier if I had just given up and switched to formula at 3 weeks...my sanity suffered considerably. And DS1 was never sick...and still is never sick...and he is 9 1/2.

DS2 was BF in the hospital at 1 hr old...and it was much easier. I BF him til he was 2 due to his autism and developmental delays. Even though he was BF...he was sick all the time! But BF worked good for both of us that time around.

I am pg now and hope to BF again, but I know from experience if it doesn't work out...everything will still be okay.

I am very 'pro' BFing, but I would never criticize another mother for her feeding choices. That is just wrong!

 

[JoiseyMom]

I think it depends on the mom and the child. I have 4 kids and I did something different with all of them. Oldest, nursed until he was 3 months old (he got teeth, yes that early..OUCH!). Now it was hard to start...but I get trying till we both got it. DS#2, they were 1 year apart, and I felt that DS#1 needed me more, and was alreayd jealous of his baby brother, so I only bottled fed DS#2. DD, oy..I tried..and then I got sick..and I tried..then I just gave up. DS#3 and my last, I nursed him for 18 months!!

Same mom...all different things going on. All kids survived just fine on either bm or formula!!

It's personal preference.

 

[MaumeeMom]

Breastfeeding is for babies not for moms. How could anyone think it is a con? It is created to feed human babies to grow their brains and bodies perfectly since the beginning of time. All the stuff that is in there, is there for a reason.
Formula is adequate, but is seen as the norm since so few babies are breastfed. But bf babies are the normal standard for health and growth, not the other way around.

I wish more babies were given breastmilk. It would benefit nearly everyone. in so many ways.

Breastfeeding may be for babies and not moms but upset moms don't do a baby any good so, sometimes, it is better for everyone to bottle feed.

The above post is exactly the kind of thing that adds guilt to new moms. There are definitely cons to breastfeeding, I posted my list earlier in the thread.

Actually, I disagree with formula being the norm now, I know many more moms who have breast fed than not. Some, like me needed to supplement but most moms I know have breast fed or at least tried to.

I don't understand this statement: "It would benefit nearly everyone. in so many ways." Who all would benefit? Mom and baby maybe but who is the "everyone"?

I stand by my opinion that it is nobody's business except Mom's and Baby's (well, maybe Dr's too if the baby isn't gaining weight or there are medical concerns). New moms need all the support they can get so I would never tell a new mom she isn't doing the right thing if she decided not to BF.

 

[ccgirl]

Breastfeeding may be for babies and not moms but upset moms don't do a baby any good so, sometimes, it is better for everyone to bottle feed.

The above post is exactly the kind of thing that adds guilt to new moms. There are definitely cons to breastfeeding, I posted my list earlier in the thread.

Actually, I disagree with formula being the norm now, I know many more moms who have breast fed than not. Some, like me needed to supplement but most moms I know have breast fed or at least tried to.

I don't understand this statement: "It would benefit nearly everyone. in so many ways." Who all would benefit? Mom and baby maybe but who is the "everyone"?

I stand by my opinion that it is nobody's business except Mom's and Baby's (well, maybe Dr's too if the baby isn't gaining weight or there are medical concerns). New moms need all the support they can get so I would never tell a new mom she isn't doing the right thing if she decided not to BF.

Thank you for this post. Very well put. Lets not forget, there are also medical conditions that don't allow for breastfeeding. What about the women who have breast cancer and a mastectomy? My friend was like that and some people would give her grief for bottlefeeding when they didn't know her background. That is just downright cruel. Also, some meds are passed thru breastmilk. For some moms on certain medications they can't bf. I was made to feel guilty with my first child. With my second, I chose to formula feed right off the bat. I felt empowered as well because I made my own decision and I was still a mommy. My son would look up at me with his little eyes and coo as I was rocking him holding him close and giving him the bottle. He is a very loving child. Bottom line, they are both good (bottlefeeding and breasfeeding). I would not judge a woman for using either. I'm just happy the baby is getting fed.

OP - please tell your friend if she really want to breastfeed to keep trying but if it is becoming too stressful for her or she just doesn't want to; it's okay to bottlefeed as well. The baby will be okay. Lot of hugs to your friend. I still remember my first baby and how hard it was.

 

[kidshop]

Breastfeeding may be for babies and not moms but upset moms don't do a baby any good so, sometimes, it is better for everyone to bottle feed.

The above post is exactly the kind of thing that adds guilt to new moms. There are definitely cons to breastfeeding, I posted my list earlier in the thread.

Actually, I disagree with formula being the norm now, I know many more moms who have breast fed than not. Some, like me needed to supplement but most moms I know have breast fed or at least tried to.

I don't understand this statement: "It would benefit nearly everyone. in so many ways." Who all would benefit? Mom and baby maybe but who is the "everyone"?

I stand by my opinion that it is nobody's business except Mom's and Baby's (well, maybe Dr's too if the baby isn't gaining weight or there are medical concerns). New moms need all the support they can get so I would never tell a new mom she isn't doing the right thing if she decided not to BF.

There is nothing I wrote that should 'make' someone feel guilty. Own your guilt! If a fact (solid, non-emotional) makes one feel guilty, that is not the fact's fault.

There are financial as well as environmental impacts to formula feeding. Reducing formula use helps more than just the baby. Most babies are not breastfed very long or at all. That is a fact. There are many reasons why. It will probably never change.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I was BF for 18 months and I had 2-3 ear infections a year from the time I was a baby til I was 18. I don't get them as often now but I still get one every year or so. In fact I had an ear infection in each ear when I gave birth and couldn't hear anything the doctor was telling me unless they got in my face and yelled at me.

Even as Pro BFing as I am, I highly doubt the formula caused your ear infections.

That's why I put my own disclaimer on that. I have no idea what caused all my ear infections.... I just remember having one every month or two, from as early as I can remember until I was about 10. But there was some discussion about whether there is a correlation between formula fed vs. BF infants and illness, so I thought I'd throw it out there. Correlation doesn't equal causation, I know, but there it is.

 

[cm8]

I did pro- worked for me, it was not easy, but I stuck it out, sometimes you have to just do what works for you and the heck with the rest. If she has to pump to give her son her milk, then I would advocate pumping. Her baby will still get her honey and she would still be able to give him what she desires to.

 

[crispychicky]

I hear this a lot and I'm curious about this. This has not been my personal experience at all so I wonder if this is across the board.

I was able to breastfeed DD, and thankfully, it was true for us. DD seemed to get less sick than some of the other FF kids her age. I do agree that it probably has a lot more to do with them being in daycare or not.

Breastmilk does contain antibodies that the mother's immune system produces. So, whatever germs the mom is exposed to, she passes antibodies for them on to her baby.

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/how_breastmilk_protects_newborns.html

 

[MaumeeMom]

There is nothing I wrote that should 'make' someone feel guilty. Own your guilt! If a fact (solid, non-emotional) makes one feel guilty, that is not the fact's fault.

There are financial as well as environmental impacts to formula feeding. Reducing formula use helps more than just the baby. Most babies are not breastfed very long or at all. That is a fact. There are many reasons why. It will probably never change.

No guilt here. I shed that long ago.

Saying there are no cons to BFing and some of what you wrote could make a new mom feel guilty. I didn't see a whole lot of "facts" in your post.

I remember before my first DS was born I went to a BF class. I was the first of my generation to have a child and none of my friends had kids and I worked in a predominantly male field so I had no one to talk to about breast feeding. At the end of the class, the instructor asked if we had questions and I asked, "How do you stop?" For a first time mom that is a reasonable question as I knew I would be going back to work and there was no way to pump. The Instructor looked at me in horror and asked, "Why would you want to?" She didn't get it. I was left to find my answer on my own.

Once my DS was born, this lactation consultant came in to check on me. I definitely felt judged by her and that is not what a new mom needs.

As for having an economic impact - so did my having a job. I needed to work and there was no way to pump there so I had to rely on formula. It would have cost me a lot more to keep breast feeding and lose my job.

As for the environmental impact, if I'm struggling to BF and my baby is distressed because of it, screw the environment. The little bit of packing from formula cans is not going to make a difference to the world but the health and well being of my child will. If I were really worried about it I could have used the little glass bottles all the time (I used them for going out) and recycled them.

Breast Feeding is an intensely personal decision that should be made by the new mom. I respect women who make their own decisions, whether they choose to BF or not.

 

[Saphire]

Breast milk is superior in every way to formula, all studies ever done prove that. But it still is a personal decision. It worked really well for me, but I was completely devoted to making it work, as I believed it was the best choice for my babies.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I voted, "Con - I won't even try it".

I have ZERO desire to breastfeed when I have children.

A baby controls your life enough on its own, let alone to add your BREASTS controlling your life! I'm serious. I have no desire to sit there and breastfeed to "bond". I'd much rather cuddle and kiss to bond, and send the baby to dad for feedings if I choose.

I in NO WAY want to depend on a pump when dad is feeding, or when baby is away, or when I am leaking....

I REALLY have no desire to have leaking nipples.

Or chapped, cracked nipples.

I just don't want it. Sorry.

I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with a mom who chooses to do this. Hey, more power to you! I choose not to let my life revolve around my breasts. If a mom chooses to do that, fine! I get it, "breast is best". Okay, good. For me, "formula will be just as good". I was fed Similac and I am alive and well to tell you about it here! My baby will be the same.

 

[jodifla]

Breast milk is superior in every way to formula, all studies ever done prove that. But it still is a personal decision. It worked really well for me, but I was completely devoted to making it work, as I believed it was the best choice for my babies.

Yikes! Nothing subtle about this.

And this is why non breastfeeding moms always feel so guilty.

 

[jodifla]

I voted, "Con - I won't even try it".

I have ZERO desire to breastfeed when I have children.

A baby controls your life enough on its own, let alone to add your BREASTS controlling your life! I'm serious. I have no desire to sit there and breastfeed to "bond". I'd much rather cuddle and kiss to bond, and send the baby to dad for feedings if I choose.

I in NO WAY want to depend on a pump when dad is feeding, or when baby is away, or when I am leaking....

I REALLY have no desire to have leaking nipples.

Or chapped, cracked nipples.

I just don't want it. Sorry.

I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with a mom who chooses to do this. Hey, more power to you! I choose not to let my life revolve around my breasts. If a mom chooses to do that, fine! I get it, "breast is best". Okay, good. For me, "formula will be just as good". I was fed Similac and I am alive and well to tell you about it here! My baby will be the same.

I'm seriously impressed with your honesty!

The other thing moms gloss over is the incredible lack of sleep from breastfeeding. I had a friend who had to stop with her second at 4 months...she was literally walking into walls because he never stopped eating, and she never slept. Completely different from her first son, who she Bf for a year.

When you use formula, your DH can share in the feeding, and you can get many more hours of uninterrupted sleep.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

I voted, "Con - I won't even try it".

I have ZERO desire to breastfeed when I have children.

A baby controls your life enough on its own, let alone to add your BREASTS controlling your life! I'm serious. I have no desire to sit there and breastfeed to "bond". I'd much rather cuddle and kiss to bond, and send the baby to dad for feedings if I choose.

I in NO WAY want to depend on a pump when dad is feeding, or when baby is away, or when I am leaking....

I REALLY have no desire to have leaking nipples.

Or chapped, cracked nipples.

I just don't want it. Sorry.

I have ABSOLUTELY no problem with a mom who chooses to do this. Hey, more power to you! I choose not to let my life revolve around my breasts. If a mom chooses to do that, fine! I get it, "breast is best". Okay, good. For me, "formula will be just as good". I was fed Similac and I am alive and well to tell you about it here! My baby will be the same.

Right now, I feel the same way. My feelings may change when I become a mom. Then again, they may not.

 

[Saphire]

Yikes! Nothing subtle about this.

And this is why non breastfeeding moms always feel so guilty.

Why? I am talking about myself only. You can do what you choose to do. Just because I tried hard to make it work for me, doesn't mean I expect you to do the same.

 

[MaumeeMom]

Breast milk is superior in every way to formula, all studies ever done prove that. But it still is a personal decision. It worked really well for me, but I was completely devoted to making it work, as I believed it was the best choice for my babies.

Which implies that anyone who couldn't make it work wasn't trying hard enough. I hope that this is not what you meant.

Yikes! Nothing subtle about this.

And this is why non breastfeeding moms always feel so guilty.

Exactly!

 

[HelenePA]

Which implies that anyone who couldn't make it work wasn't trying hard enough. I hope that this is not what you meant.

Exactly!

She says I was completely devoted.. I dont know about anyone else who didn't make it work.. that was HER statement about HERSELF. Lordly can't anyone be proud they made breastfeeding work for them even though it didnt work out for everyone?!

 

[kidshop]

Yikes! Nothing subtle about this.

And this is why non breastfeeding moms always feel so guilty.

Guilt comes from inside the person, you can't blame others for it. You are not really saying they feel guilty b/c of other women who do bf and are successful at it? That is not a bfing mom's problem. And, bfing does require commitment, devotion, effort and time for it to work. Does that make a better mom? Nope, but that is what a lot of people hear. Most babies ARE formula fed so I don't really even see why there is all this guilt.

Oh and loss of sleep....I didn't have that. I co-slept (the horror) and never even had to sit up to feed the baby.

If I did choose formula or had to use it, you can bet I wouldn't feel guilty or even care what anyone thought, and I would still want other babies to get breastmilk b/c it is the best food for the majority.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I was able to breastfeed DD, and thankfully, it was true for us. DD seemed to get less sick than some of the other FF kids her age. I do agree that it probably has a lot more to do with them being in daycare or not.

Breastmilk does contain antibodies that the mother's immune system produces. So, whatever germs the mom is exposed to, she passes antibodies for them on to her baby.

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/how_breastmilk_protects_newborns.html

I don't know if I agree with this, although DD3 was semi-BF'ed until 3 months. She's had formula since day one, and was exclusively formula fed until 12 months, and never had a single ear infection and is the healthiest kid I know. However, she isn't in daycare.