Breastfeeding

They always say that breastfeeding is best.
But…breastfeeding is not for everyone.
The FDA has approved formula to be the best for your baby and has all the vitamins and nutrients your baby needs.
You have to do what is best for you as well. Alot of us born in the 60′s and 70′s were not ****** fed babies….and we turned out just fine:)

Yes it is the BEST option. It didn’t appeal to me but, 11 weeks later and now it is pretty easy.

Be sure to give it the old college try… talk with a lactation consultant.

Ultimately… it is a decision you and your family with have to make though. Never beat yourself up or feel bad for whatever decision you make!

Breast feeding is the best option if you are able to do so, but formula is not poison as some like to think.

I would suggest researching it independently and then trying it. If it is very uncomfortable for you you can always stop and switch to formula. Your child will not suffer for it, but she may if you continue to do it when you really don’t want to. You should obviously do what is best for baby, but don’t forget about you as well.

I am prepared for thumbs down galore, lets get started.

My son was two months premature and the hospital told me that my ****** milk was vital for him. Since he was premature there was no milk that would even amount to my ****** milk, it was the right consistency for his premature little body. Although formula would not hurt him it was just better for me to ****** feed him. It contained stuff in it that helped his immune system build up. Plus it also helped me lose 40 ibs.

EDIT: You don’t have to ****** feed for a long time, you can choose to ****** feed for a couple of weeks or 6 months.

it is the best food for baby, formula can be an allergen, can contain bad things (bpa, heavy metals, etc)

it is up to you though… here are some links to pros & cons…

Yes, yes, yes. It is the best option.

Yes, yes, yes, there are MANY major benefits to your baby. (And to you.)

Short version: Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from a WIDE range of both short and long term health issues — ear infections, respiratory infections, diarrhea, meningitis, diabetes, allergies, crohn’s disease … and many more.

Breastfed babies are less likely to end up obese.

As a nursing mother, you greatly reduce your risk for both ****** and ovarian cancer.

Breastfed babies have, on average, slightly higher IQ’s.

Breastfeeding saves a LOT of money — both the cost of the formula/bottles themselves, and also things like reduced medical costs, laundry (spit up breastmilk doesn’t stink or stain), etc.

Babies are never allergic to breastmilk, so there isn’t the issue of having to try multiple formulas to find one that baby can tolerate.

Babies with reflux usually do much better when breastfed.

Breastfeeding is usually much more convenient. While the early ‘learning’ days can be difficult for mother and baby, once you both get the hang of it, it’s much easier. No bottles to wash or warm, no midnight trips to the store when you run out of formula, no trying to figure out how much formula to bring along, or how to keep it warm/cold in the diaper bag. You can nurse a baby anywhere, anytime. (And if you need to be away from baby for a while, you can pump milk for a bottle, or give an occassional bottle of formula.)

EVERY medical and nutritional organization recommends (strongly!) that mothers breastfeed, if at all possible. They wouldn’t do so if it didn’t matter.

(If you opt to not breastfeed, or try it and find that it’s too hard, you are NOT a bad mother, and formula is not poison — but you will be opting to give your baby an ‘adequate, but less than ideal food.’ )

(Even if you don’t lead a ‘perfectly healthy lifestyle’ breastmilk is STILL best. Unless you are taking illicit drugs, breastmilk is better for baby. You can smoke [if you must], drink alcohol in moderation, eat junk food, be a couch potato … and you will still make milk that is perfect for your baby. Most prescription meds are also compatable with breastfeeding.)

I didn’t breastfeed. Like you it didn’t appeal to me. But also, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with the healthier lifestyle that’s best for breastfeeding moms. I don’t eat properly and don’t take care of myself the way I should. So formula for my son was the best option in his case.

The best option is breastmilk because it contains the perfect nutrients for your baby. There is a protein that is only found in ****** milk that formula manufacturers can not duplicate. Also, you pass on immunities to help the baby’s developing immune system and allergy defenses. Although formula can be substituted when a mother can’t produce milk, it really is second best. Research has shown that ****** fed babies have a higher intelligence than formula fed babies and that they have a closer bond with their mother. Psychologist say that ****** feds feel more confident in their mother’s abilty to care for them.
I have ****** fed both my kids. It can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Don’t forget, that is what the ****** is truly for.

The overall idea doesn’t appeal to many moms….I think the best thing is to understand and be well versed and educated on both ends:

1. Yes, all here are right: breastmilk is best because its specific to human babies, as cow milk is specific to baby cows…The truth is the truth…

2. But, like others said, its not for everyone…Usually, many moms cannot breastfeed…Many of my clients are automatically not encouraged to BF: Those who have AIDS or are HIV+, have had masectomies and have no breasts, or women with metabolic diseases that affect breastmilk such as galactosemia…This all should be decided by a physician

3. I think for me as a nutritionist and BF educator/counselor, I am definitely for BF if you can but most of my work and efforts go towards making sure women have all the information, and that if they do have problems BF in the beginning, getting the proper support (all LC’s are not created equal and often give up too) in a timely manner…So many moms give up, then come see me after the baby has been on formula, and when I give them a little bit more info on BF troubleshooting, 99% of them said, “oh I didn’t know that, and I would not have given up had I known that.” Which ***** b/c they really do want to BF!

4. As for formula feeding, here is my beef…Please believe it is a distant second to breastmilk….There is a huge difference in the composition….No matter what people try to tell you…However, as long as its mixed well, babies can thrive off of formula if done properly….as far as the studies, much evidence is not HARD evidence, and many formula-fed babies have no problems, true indeed, but evidence is evidence, and the facts don’t lie, so don’t totally disregard the research….

But here we go….understand that even formula feeding isn’t always the “answer”…Just ask the many moms HERE who have had to switch their babies from milk-based, to soy-based, then back to some kind of hypoallergenic formula, then something else, and back again….These moms have it just as hard if not harder than a mom who has problems nursing (who usually can feed any formula because the baby’s intestine is protected by her milk)…..

Also-formula is expensive….I have moms calling who are over income for WIC who still cannot afford it, and thats a shame-as feeding your baby should not be so expensive!…The formula companies don’t mention that, and they are not going to give you free formula (well maybe a can or two or three) for being such a “dedicated customer”….. I have seen moms on Craigs List who are over-income for WIC begging for extra formula, and sending emails and writing blogs about how to get more formula because for SOME not all-its more than they really imagined….or they didn’t know their baby would be allergic Soy-based or Milk-based formulas—-who can ever know something like that….? But I am here to try and prepare moms-to be on both!

For Powder: Just go down the formula aisle:

For a basic milk or soy-based: it about 12.00/ (12-16 oz) can and you need about 10-12 a month (or more!)….So without taxes, its like 120-144.00/month or $1440-1728/year! Not to mention if the baby will stay on it for a month or so after age 1….For a hypoallergenic formula, its abouyt 25.00-30.00/can which is 250.00 to 300.00/month….or 3000-3600.00 a year….And don’t let the baby need something not found in the store like NeoCate for preemies for the first 4 months (90.00/can-not in stores) or Enfacare by Enfamil or Enfacare 22 or 24 cal) which is considerably more….Neosure or God forbid Elecare which is like 110.00 a can…..!

At the Walgreens where I live (in a college town, more affluent area), they have the formula behind glass because they have caught moms stealing it!!!!

We order this at WIC and its costing the state and Feds big $$$$….They are purchasing this at the cost I presented here…But Like I said if you are over income for WIC, you would have to purchase that….I am not trying to scare you but just like its often tough to breastfeed for many moms here, you need to know (not just the risks-which thankfully in the US are few-but long-term has yet to be fully understood) the TRUTH about formula feeding….And it affects the poor, and not-so poor too….I am sure many families can find A LOT to do with 1200 or more bucks…..But if you choose not to feed formula, as many do, its okay, but try out the free option, and see what you can come up with…..

PS. Even if you are eligible for WIC, we only are supplemental, so other than what we provide which usually lasts 15-20 days/month…..you will have to provide the rest…..

Either way, get the facts…all the facts….get the PROS and CONS, and make the best decision you can make….Whatever you decide to do, surround yourself with the best support for you and baby, and ignore the naysayers either way!