Why Breastfeeding is More Convenient for Stay-at-Home Moms

Breastfeeding is rapidly becoming more popular among stay-at-home moms again. Knowing where the milk comes from, the cost, and its convenience are all factors that help moms everywhere make the choice to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is usually the most healthy option for your baby's development, too. Many mothers today continue to make the choice to feed their baby formula because they don't have anyone close to them that has breastfed. They don't know what breastfeeding entails or how to go about getting started. Understanding that breastfeeding is just as convenient - and in my opinion, more so - as giving formula can help you make the decision that best fits your lifestyle.

Breast milk is always available. Unless you have supply issues, which can be corrected, breast milk is always there for your baby. One of the things that mothers wonder is whether or not they have enough milk. Breast milk is produced on demand. The more your baby drinks means the more milk your body will produce. You never have to worry about going to the store to get more milk because it will always be there when your baby needs it. One of the wonderful things that I noticed was that whenever my baby cried my milk would "come in."

Breast milk is always the right temperature. Though many mothers that formula-feed say they never heat a bottle, many mothers spend a considerable amount of time warming in the microwave or under running hot water. With breast milk, the milk is body temperature and is just right for baby and their digestion. Not having to spend time warming formula will save you countless hours over your baby's first year.

Scrubbing bottles? Unless you pump for "on the go feedings," you never have to wash bottles. Though I have breastfed one baby and am currently breastfeeding another, I did use formula for outings with my first child. I regret doing that now as I realize that it was actually less convenient for me to do. I probably could have saved myself a lot of time. Much of my choice to use formula during outings was due to pressure from my husband and mother not to breastfeed in public, which is a whole other topic. Anyway, I can't tell you how many nipples and bottles we lost and had to replace. I can't seem to keep up with them!

Breast milk tastes better. I don't blame you if you have never tasted breast milk. Who would want to do that? Well, when you begin breastfeeding (if you choose to), you will almost certainly try it for some reason or another. I tasted my own out of curiosity. It tastes like regular milk with more sugar added to it. Have you ever tasted formula? Formula varies in flavor from brand to brand, but it is pretty disgusting and doesn't smell too great, either. Taste is opinion-based, but if you took part in a blind taste test, I can almost guarantee that you would prefer the breast milk. A baby that has been bottle fed will almost certainly enjoy breast milk if it's offered to them. However, babies that have been breastfed for a time will usually grimace at the taste of formula. My second child will not drink it, but my first son didn't mind it so much.

When you breastfeed you never have to wake up and go to the refrigerator in the middle of the night. Perhaps the most exhausting task that my mother had to perform was getting up in the middle of the night to mix bottles. Many mothers that give formula keep it pre-mixed in large containers to eliminate that problem. However, you still have to spend time making formula unless you buy the very expensive ready-to-feed liquid. Who can afford that in today's economy and current recession? I have heard mothers that give formula say that it's not more convenient because you still have to get up, go get the baby, and breastfeed. I have found that the vast majority of women who breastfeed also co-sleep. I co-sleep and I never have to get out of bed to feed my son. I just roll over and feed him.

Leaving the house is much faster when you need not worry about bottles. You also never have to leave a store in the middle of a shopping trip because Jack Jr. is hungry and you've run out. I don't even need a diaper bag. I simply throw a few diapers in my purse and keep a change of clothing in the car. If Owen wants to nurse, I get a light blanket and throw it over my shoulder so that I'm not exposed to the world.

Breastfeeding can be far more convenient for stay-at-home moms. It is always available and there when you need it. It's perfectly prepared and there is no maintenance involved. All you need to do is make sure you are keeping yourself clean every day (I suppose that could be hard to do since it's often difficult to find the time to shower). The best part about breastfeeding is that it is free, so it is the best choice for mothers on a budget.