Breastfeeding or Formula?

[Burchy314]

I am just wondering which one is best and if anyone has any advice about making the decision on which to do.

I am really wanting to Formula feed, but my OH thinks I should breastfeed since it is cheaper. I don't know if I should do what I want for my baby or if I should do what he wants since is the only income for our family right now inless my parents help, but that wont be much help.

Any advice?

 

[rainbows_x]

Breatfeeding does give the most benefits, both financially and health wise.

I breastfed Ava in hospital twice then decided it wasn't for me, but I was glad I at least gave her the colstrum.
It's up to you hun, and I am sure you can get benefits. x

 

[_laura]

I'm going for formula. Only cause there's a history in my family where the women have produced lots of the for milk but none of the after. Basically it means that the baby would have water with no food. And I don't want my little one under nourished.

 

[Tanara]

I breast fed my son for a year. And I will most defiantly breastfed my daughter for a year as well. I cant even begin to go into the reasons why breastfeeding imo is the best choice but this is a video that has alot of info on breastfeeding including the benefits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qC_FQBigvg

I also want to add I gained 65ish Lbs with my son, and breastfeeding defiantly helped me lose the weight, also my son never gets sick not even colds, maybe once or twice a year. He hasn't had any health issues his whole life either.

 

[aob1013]

Breastfeeding is undoubtedly the best, healthiest, cheapest and natural way to feed your baby. There are no negatives to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding gives your baby all it needs to grow and develop.

 

[aob1013]

I'm going for formula. Only cause there's a history in my family where the women have produced lots of the for milk but none of the after. Basically it means that the baby would have water with no food. And I don't want my little one under nourished.

Doesn't mean it will be the same for you hun, try and give it a go anyway .. you may be suprised! x

 

[_laura]

I'm going for formula. Only cause there's a history in my family where the women have produced lots of the for milk but none of the after. Basically it means that the baby would have water with no food. And I don't want my little one under nourished.

Doesn't mean it will be the same for you hun, try and give it a go anyway .. you may be suprised! x

Its something my gp said would probably be hereditary. So the same thing will happen to me. Its happened to the 4 generations before me so it's something I knew I had to accept.

 

[Burchy314]

Thanks to all of you! That video helped alot. I think as of now I will try breast feeding but I am also going to look up all the benifits and find ways to help pay for formula if I decide that breastfeeding is not for me like rainbows_x just to make sure I am prepared for when/if it happens.

 

[Tanara]

Glad the video helped, and breast feeding isn't for everyone, I'm totally committed to it for myself just because I loved breastfeeding my son.

And for _laura That isn't necessarily true just so you know, no one in my family, for more than 4 or 5 generations couldn't breastfeed My mom tried very hard for 2 weeks, and I screamed and screamed.. Yet I breastfed my son exclusively for 6 months and then p/t (because he was eating solids as well) for another 6 months. I could easily pump out 8oz in 10 minutes. You have to understand that not all your genetics come from your mothers side, you could have took after your fathers side of the family as i did.

 

[bump+me]

There are so many benefits of breastfeeding your baby
here they are

breastfeeding helps to protect baby from

• ear infections
• gastro-intestinal infections
• chest infections
• urine infections
• childhood diabetes
• eczema
• obesity
• asthma.

Breastfeeding helps protect mothers against:

• ovarian cancer
• breast cancer
• weak bones later in life.
  
  Plus women who breastfeed return to their pre-pregnancy figure faster.
  
  (www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=2)
  
  Breastfeeding helps you to bond with your baby too, it's such a lovely experience! knowing that you are providing your child the best start in life by breastfeeding them makes you feel so good and proud of yourself.
  
  You can also express milk once established breastfeeding has taken place probs best to express around 3/4 months as milk supply will be established by then. Although I was fine after about 8 weeks I think it just depends on the individual.
  This gives your husband or OH, Grandparents other family members to bond with your baby also and let you have a little rest.
  
  I breastfed my 1st babe till she was 10 months and my 2nd till she was 6 months as she wasn't as interested by that point. It is best to fully breastfeed baba until they are 6 months though at the least any longer is a bonus.
  I found it relatively easy breastfeeding as I could just pop them on and they would be finished in about 10 mins, then change their nappy and put them back down. oh and thats another thing there are so many diff ways u can feed baba such as lying on ur side in bed, the midwife will show u all the diff ways.
  and not having to prepare bottles which can take ages is great! as there are so many steps to follow sterliising ,heating water etc takes a fair bit of time.
  
  Plus as others have said it is free and not going to cost you £6 - £8 each week for formula milk.
  
  But obviously you have a choice and at the end of the day you will know whats right for you but personally and proven scientifically breast is best
  
  good luck hunni with whatever you choose
  
  x

 

[Mellie1988]

I think breastfeeding is the the best thing you can do for your baby, even if you just try it and it only lasts a week? Atleast you can say you tried and your baby got off to the best start in life.

I breast fed my daughter for 5 months and my son for 3 months

It is ALOT cheaper than formula and its sooo convenient, like the lady in the video said, the getting up in the night part is so hard work when you are formula feeding, I loved breastfeeding and just laying in bed next to each other feeding

Anyway won't go on about it, everyones experiences are different, I would def say try it out first and see how it all goes, at the end of the day, you can always send your bf or mum or something out when the baby is here to get formula for you if the breast feeding isnt working out?

x
x

 

[xprincessx]

I was going to formula feed but my OH suggested i at least try breastfeeding because he'd read all the benefits in a magazine. I reluctantly agreed and then decided to get more info on it and once i had read up about all the benefits to baby and mum and about the bond i couldn't wait to do it!! I will now be really disappointed if i can't breastfeed and i always said from the beginning i would never breastfeed but always give formula.

Maybe look through the breastfeeding section on this forum and see if you can get any advice from mums on there? x

 

[EmyDra]

It's a personal choice. I understand some people don't feel comfortable doing it and it's important that you feel comfortable and happy - most important thing.

Breastfeeding usually takes 3-4 weeks of perservance to get into the swing of things. It's fine for babies to lose weight for the first week or so, so no need for immediate concern unless advised by a doctor.

Certainly, in my family this has been the case but no one has bottlefed. Bottle feeding just sounds really alien to me and although it has visual appeal I wouldn't feel right doing it knowing I could be feeding my baby with the special milk I made just for him/her!

A close friend dual-fed both of hers because she just didnt feel like she was making enough milk, so that's an option too

But yeah, massive benefits to breastfeeding and there's always something dodgy being written about formula, just make an informed choice and feel comfortable with your decision.

I've been reading a bit about the aluminium stuff recently which has freaked me out enough to abandon any formula feeds.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/...times-aluminium-formula-milk-breast-milk.html

 

[Burchy314]

It's a personal choice. I understand some people don't feel comfortable doing it and it's important that you feel comfortable and happy - most important thing.

Breastfeeding usually takes 3-4 weeks of perservance to get into the swing of things. It's fine for babies to lose weight for the first week or so, so no need for immediate concern unless advised by a doctor.

Certainly, in my family this has been the case but no one has bottlefed. Bottle feeding just sounds really alien to me and although it has visual appeal I wouldn't feel right doing it knowing I could be feeding my baby with the special milk I made just for him/her!

A close friend dual-fed both of hers because she just didnt feel like she was making enough milk, so that's an option too

But yeah, massive benefits to breastfeeding and there's always something dodgy being written about formula, just make an informed choice and feel comfortable with your decision.

I've been reading a bit about the aluminium stuff recently which has freaked me out enough to abandon any formula feeds.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/...times-aluminium-formula-milk-breast-milk.html

That is thing thing, I just feel like it will be uncomfortable breastfeeding. I love all the benefits that breast feeding gives which is why I am willing to try it. I just can't see myself feeling comfortable and happy breast feeding, but we will see. And I will deffintally give the duel-feeding some thought. I might just talk to my doctor about it.

 

[EmyDra]

Sorry I threw that article in at the bottom! I am a wee bit biased but I do mean it when I say feel happy, comfortable and confident in the way you feed your baby.

There's nothing anyone can do or say to change a person's perception of breastfeeding if it just makes them uncomfortable.

eck 1am...need sleep! haha!

 

[lizardbreath]

I Formula Fed Jaymee and this baby will also be Formula Fed

It really isnt that expencive we used parents choice formula and she loved it took right to it had no problems with it. But its your choice No one elses

 

[Sophiiie]

That is thing thing, I just feel like it will be uncomfortable breastfeeding. I love all the benefits that breast feeding gives which is why I am willing to try it. I just can't see myself feeling comfortable and happy breast feeding, but we will see. And I will deffintally give the duel-feeding some thought. I might just talk to my doctor about it.

I always wanted to breastfeed, but had the concerns that you did.. that i'd feel uncomfortable with it, especially after my OH's family told me horror stories of how their babies had caused them so much pain with trying to breastfeed. my advice is give it a go, you really won't know until you try. I felt such a bond with Charlie straight away, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world if you try it, and decide it's not for you or if you have any problems, then at least your LO has benefited from the colostrum. I had a breastfeeding class a few weeks before Charlie was born, maybe talk to your doctor and see if they can offer anything like that for you? it'll hopefully help you with some of your concerns. at the end of the day it's your choice, you'll know what's best x

 

[KiansMummy]

im breastfeeding kian and i love it.

 

[Youngling]

Each to their own I guess but with bottle feeding ur baby is getting the same nutrients etc as breast feeding. I dont agree with breast is best and that breastfeeding helps u bond with baby. U can bond with baby bottlefeeding as well.
I think there is so much pressure these days to breastfeed but I think its best to do what u feel comfortable with, dont feel pressurised by any1 to do what they think is best. Its ur baby at the end of the day.
I am bottle feeding Jack and I have bonded with him just as much as I would have if i was breastfeeding. With breastfeeding u dont know how much LO is taking, thats the only downside I can think to breastfeeding but each to their own. U do what u feel is best
xx

 

[vinteenage]

I'll be breastfeeding. It's far cheaper and gives the baby added nutritional value which you truly won't get from formula feeding. Does formula have all the basic needs? Yes. Can it provide antibodies against any illness you may catch, greatly lessening the chance of the baby getting ill? Nope.

That in mind, breastfeeding doesn't always work out for women, and there's nothing that can be done about that! If I try to breastfeed and it doesn't work and I need to use formula, I'm okay, however I would really like to breastfeed and don't understand why anyone wouldn't try it.