Breastfeeding Vs Formula

You are about to welcome your newborn baby into this world and the age old question arises. Are you going to breast feed or are you going to bottle feed? Here are some points to consider as you make your decision. Remember, you are the mother, and no one is to tell you the right way. It is your baby and you need to make the right decision that is best for you and your baby. No way is right or wrong.

Yes, there are studies that say that breast milk is better for your baby. But the formulas that are for sale today that are so comparable to breast milk that they get the same nutrients as they get in the breast milk. After you deliver your baby the hospital will try to lean you towards breast feeding, but like I said earlier, you need to decide what is best for you and your life. If you plan to work full time after having the baby you may not have time in your work day to pump breast milk. If you are working and breast feeding you will have to pump all the time at work to keep your milk coming to meet the feeding needs of your baby.

If money is real tight in your family, formula is definitely not a good choice. With breast feeding you will probably purchase a breast pump, but that will cost less than $100, which is less than a months worth of formula. Formula will cost you between $100 -$150 a month. I personally with my two kids alternated breast milk and formula. I was not comfortable with putting my baby to my breast so I pumped my milk. I wasn't producing enough milk for my baby so I supplemented formula. It actually worked quite well. I was able to work, save money, and was assured my children were getting all the nutrients they needed.

I have heard that children are less sick when they are breastfed, do not know if it is true but with my two kids I do believe it is true. My first daughter is two and she has only had one ear infection and maybe a couple of colds. That's pretty good considering kids seem to be sick all the time. If I did not have to work I think that I would breastfeed exclusively. But that is my opinion and I don't frown upon mothers who only formula feed. I think that formula is just as good as breast milk.

If you breast feed exclusively and do not pump, then you do not need any bottles. Let me tell you that no bottles are wonderful. They are such a pain to clean, sterilize, and having to carry them around is such a pain. I do wish that I did not have to carry them around because they are a big hassle. If you do your research properly, you will be able to make a decision that is best for your lifestyle and your children. Remember, no one can decide for you so don't let anyone make you think that you made the wrong choice.