Breastfeeding or Formula?

[Youngling]

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.

I didnt try it. Its just not for me. I dont think people should feel bad for not trying it. Its just not for every1
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.

I didnt try it. Its just not for me. I dont think people should feel bad for not trying it. Its just not for every1
xx

Understood, I didn't mean to offend anyone by it. Obviously, it's every mother's individual choice, but I can't think of any reasons personally to not give it a go.

 

[Mellie1988]

Have to say I agree Dont knock it till you've tried it I always say....but hey ho, free choice and all that!

x

 

[Youngling]

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.

I didnt try it. Its just not for me. I dont think people should feel bad for not trying it. Its just not for every1
xx

Understood, I didn't mean to offend anyone by it. Obviously, it's every mother's individual choice, but I can't think of any reasons personally to not give it a go.

Oh no I wasnt offended. Just meant that some people do prefer to bottle feed over breastfeed as I know a lot of people who do bottlefeed.
I was going to try it once he was born just to give it a go but when it came to it I decided against it. I think its just a personal thing thats all
xx

 

[rubixcyoob.]

I breastfed Josh for the first 4 weeks of his life, then a breastfeedind expert talked to me about going back to uni and I now breastfeed him mornings and night as well as mostly during the day, apart from his after bath/before bed feed which he takes a bottle of either expressed milk or forumla.
I have no qualms doing this because he is still mostly being breastfed and unless I knew he could take a bottle and wouldn't go hungry I would not be going back to university.

At the end of the day I'd say give breastfeeding a go. It is by far the best for your child because it his nutrients which forumla cannot reporduce and also has sevral health benefits to the mother as well. Even if you only last a day or two atleast your LO will get the extremely good colostrum.

 

[LoisP]

I'm not 100% decided yet, but pretty sure i'm going to formula feed. Don't get me wrong, i'm going to try my hardest to breastfeed Shaun, however right at this moment in time, it makes me feel uncomfortable to think about it. But then again, you never know, i might have him, and just instictively decide to BF! Stocking up on formula though, just in case i don't change my mind when he's here.
- I was formula fed, along with my 3 other siblings. We all turned out just fine

 

[QuintinsMommy]

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

I agree , I didn't breast feed at all . I have a very strong bond with my son
another bonus is other people can feed him, Im a single mom but when he was a newborn i would go over my parents for a nap while they watched him for an hour or so.

 

[stephx]

I combi feed Ava Its personal choice at the end of the day but there are pro's and con's to both really...
Its much easier to FF when you go out if you dont feel comfortable getting your boobs out, and you know how much milk they've taken

So yeah, its up to you but I definatly dont agree with whoever said there are no downsides to BFing

xx

 

[AriannasMama]

I am going to breastfeed, I will have to go back to work and school though so she will need to either be formula fed or fed EBM, depending on how BF works for me, I am hoping to do it until 6 months at least.

 

[Embo]

I have breast fed Imogen from day one, it bloody hurt at first can't lie about that, but it got easier every day and it's normal for baby to lose some of there birth weight Imogen went from 7lbs 11oz to 7lbs 6oz in the first week but after that went back up to her birth weight and continued to gain steadly and it is amazing to see that just you alone is giving your baby the milk to live, Imogen now weighs a healthy 10lbs 3oz at 7 weeks old,
I'd say deffo give it a go, at least try you never know you might just be a natural and your baby might feed like a pro...

on the other hand if you've given it a go and you really don't get on with it there's no shame in formula feeding.

 

[amygwen]

I breastfeed my son only because I was able to in the beginning without any problems and am still able to do so him being three months old. Although somedays I don't produce enough milk so I do have to give him formula which I don't mind, I know some people are deadset against it, but in my opinion each to their own. I would at least try it and see if it's something you like doing and if it takes up too much time or you just can't get into the groove of doing it, stop! But don't feel bad because you can't or don't want to breastfeed, it's not for everyone. In my opinion though it's saving me a lot of money not having to buy formula!! So that's one of my favorite reasons to breastfeed!!

 

[StarBound]

Take it from a teen mum who is doing both

I breastfed from day one - throughout the first week with no help and no formula. This was the hardest week of my life , although the feeding didnt hurt at all and he latched on well it means you cannot have a break if you have a hungry baby like mine (he feeds every hour hes awake , sometimes every half hour). I dont like feeding in public which made shopping impossible and i was getting so tired and couldnt even have a 10 minute shower or bath. But i love breastfeeding and im still doing it 95% of the time. It is true its cheaper and best for baby.

I also formula feed for when im not here and when hes super hungry. He gets maybe 3-5 bottles a week , sometimes a few more depending on how hungry he is. It gives me the chance to pop out and see my horses, gives his daddy a chance to bond with him and im able to go back to college a few hours twice a week. Which enables me to get some more qualifications.

You can combo feed if wanted. In my opinion its best for mum and baby !
Mum can still have me time without feeling guilty, daddy can take more part and my LO loves formula and booby juice

Just bear in mind that some babies dont latch well after being introduced to a bottle , mine took well to both luckily as i wasnt mananging alone at all. It can be a lonely experiance.

 

[amygwen]

Take it from a teen mum who is doing both

I breastfed from day one - throughout the first week with no help and no formula. This was the hardest week of my life , although the feeding didnt hurt at all and he latched on well it means you cannot have a break if you have a hungry baby like mine (he feeds every hour hes awake , sometimes every half hour). I dont like feeding in public which made shopping impossible and i was getting so tired and couldnt even have a 10 minute shower or bath. But i love breastfeeding and im still doing it 95% of the time. It is true its cheaper and best for baby.

I also formula feed for when im not here and when hes super hungry. He gets maybe 3-5 bottles a week , sometimes a few more depending on how hungry he is. It gives me the chance to pop out and see my horses, gives his daddy a chance to bond with him and im able to go back to college a few hours twice a week. Which enables me to get some more qualifications.

You can combo feed if wanted. In my opinion its best for mum and baby !
Mum can still have me time without feeling guilty, daddy can take more part and my LO loves formula and booby juice

Just bear in mind that some babies dont latch well after being introduced to a bottle , mine took well to both luckily as i wasnt mananging alone at all. It can be a lonely experiance.

I definitely agree! I am able to pump so when I want to give bottles, I let others feed him, but for women who don't pump, formula can be a great way to involve other family members to be able to feed the baby! Like she said though, some babies do get nipple confusion if you give breast and bottle at the same time, but some don't.

 

[Pixxie]

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?

Breastfeeding will always be better for your baby nutritionally and it has the added bonus of being free. Its a very personal decision though and if you are not comfortable with breastfeeding your baby then formula feeding might be a better option for you. Its a decision only you can make, not your OH, not your family or friends YOU and no one has the right to question your choice. xxx

 

[rubixcyoob.]

Oh I forgot to add! Through exlusively BFing my son was born at 10lbs 8oz and was 11lbs 4oz 5 days later!

 

[dani_tinks]

BM is so vital in the first few months (so much goodness and antibodies!!), I couldnt get Jacob to latch and we had a few other problems but I managed to express my BM for the first month or so and it was the best thing I ever did for Jacob . But formula's great too. The best advice I could give really is to be open minded, do what feels comfortable and what you feel is right for the both of you... happy mummy = a happy baby!

 

[libbymarks198]

i am going to try BF but i dont think i will be able to do it, so i will have formula and bottles in the house just in case i give up or cant do it any more.

formula fed babies sleep better, it may not be in studies but i work with babies and all the ones who et fed formula sleep so much longer than the ones who get their mums expressed milk, also children who get BF are harder to get to sleep as they usually fall asleep on their mothers so when or if i do BF i will make sure the baby stays awake when on the boob so they are still awake when they are put in bed so they get used to it, i dont want to be rocking a one year old to sleep just because it was cute when they where little.

 

[aob1013]

i am going to try BF but i dont think i will be able to do it, so i will have formula and bottles in the house just in case i give up or cant do it any more.

formula fed babies sleep better, it may not be in studies but i work with babies and all the ones who et fed formula sleep so much longer than the ones who get their mums expressed milk, also children who get BF are harder to get to sleep as they usually fall asleep on their mothers so when or if i do BF i will make sure the baby stays awake when on the boob so they are still awake when they are put in bed so they get used to it, i dont want to be rocking a one year old to sleep just because it was cute when they where little.

Just wondering why you don't think you will be able to do it? With the right support and education you definately should be able to! There really is a tiny percentage of people that cannot do it.

How did you come to the conclusion that formula fed babies sleep longer and breastfed babies are harder to get to sleep? I know plenty of formula fed babies that don't sleep for long periods of time and need to fall asleep on their Mum's. Every child is an individual, so i don't think we can say for definate how a child will react by how they are fed.

My son sleeps a fab length of time, and as soon as he is finished on the boob, sleeps straight until his next feed .. i don't have to faff about with him at all.

I'm not meaning to offend, just genuinely curious as you haven't even had your baby yet.

 

[Burchy314]

i am going to try BF but i dont think i will be able to do it, so i will have formula and bottles in the house just in case i give up or cant do it any more.

formula fed babies sleep better, it may not be in studies but i work with babies and all the ones who et fed formula sleep so much longer than the ones who get their mums expressed milk, also children who get BF are harder to get to sleep as they usually fall asleep on their mothers so when or if i do BF i will make sure the baby stays awake when on the boob so they are still awake when they are put in bed so they get used to it, i dont want to be rocking a one year old to sleep just because it was cute when they where little.

Just wondering why you don't think you will be able to do it? With the right support and education you definately should be able to! There really is a tiny percentage of people that cannot do it.

How did you come to the conclusion that formula fed babies sleep longer and breastfed babies are harder to get to sleep? I know plenty of formula fed babies that don't sleep for long periods of time and need to fall asleep on their Mum's. Every child is an individual, so i don't think we can say for definate how a child will react by how they are fed.

My son sleeps a fab length of time, and as soon as he is finished on the boob, sleeps straight until his next feed .. i don't have to faff about with him at all.

I'm not meaning to offend, just genuinely curious as you haven't even had your baby yet.

She came to that conclusion on the babies she works with. She even said it wasn't in studies it was just with the kids there. And I can understnad that she might not be able to do it. It is just like how I am. I don't think I will be able to do it because of how uncomfortable it will make me, she is probably the same way.

 

[~RedLily~]

i am going to try BF but i dont think i will be able to do it, so i will have formula and bottles in the house just in case i give up or cant do it any more.

formula fed babies sleep better, it may not be in studies but i work with babies and all the ones who et fed formula sleep so much longer than the ones who get their mums expressed milk, also children who get BF are harder to get to sleep as they usually fall asleep on their mothers so when or if i do BF i will make sure the baby stays awake when on the boob so they are still awake when they are put in bed so they get used to it, i dont want to be rocking a one year old to sleep just because it was cute when they where little.

Good job I don't FF Ella then she would never wake up, she already sleeps all night with a long lie in lol.