Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

     This is the daunting question that many new mommies face. Will I breastfeed or formula feed? Let me say right off that whatever you choose is okay. Do not feel guilty by choosing one or the other. You should choose what is best for you and your baby.

 

     I personally really wanted to breastfeed. The decision was not hard for me. I did research and found that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and breastfeeding while introducing other foods for the first year of life. So this is what I did. It was a very neat experience for me. It was not always easy or convenient, but I am so glad I did it. However, my cousin hated the thought of breastfeeding and did not even try. Neither of us were right or wrong, just different.

 

     When deciding whether to breastfeed or formula feed, you need to look at the pros and cons of both for you and your baby. Take into account any health issue that you as a mommy may have that may not be compatible with breastfeeding. I decided to do some research and create a list of pros and cons for breastfeeding and formula feeding. I hope it helps you in making your decision. Remember, these are general pros and cons of most babies, but some may not be true with your baby. Every baby is different.

 

Breastfeeding Pros	Breastfeeding Cons
Breast milk helps your baby fight infections better because your antibodies are given to your baby	Time consuming
Breast milk helps your baby’s development	You are the only one who can feed the baby unless you pump
Breast milk is said to help your baby have less learning and behavior issues	Pumping can be a hassle, time consuming, and painful
Helps with skin problems	It takes a lot of energy and can make mom tired
Less colic	It can create anxiety or frustration for you and the baby if it is not going well
Easier to digest	Sometimes mommies can get mastitis or engorgement, and it can be painful
Helps protect against SIDS, cancer, and other illnesses/diseases/viruses, as well as asthma, obesity, and allergies	For working mommies, it can be difficult to find time/places to pump while at work
Helps your baby's heart	You have to be cautious of medications and food you put into your body because your baby will receive them through your milk
It has all the essential nutrients your baby needs in the perfect amounts	You often need a private place to feed your baby
It is FREE and always available!	It can be hard to determine how much milk your baby is receiving
It helps you lose your baby weight
Convenient, especially during the night
It creates a unique bond between mom and baby
Less spit-up
Helps protect mom against some cancers
It may delay your menstrual cycle from coming so quickly after birth
Your body compensates to produce the amount of milk your baby needs by how much they are eating

 

 

 

Formula Feeding Pros	Breastfeeding Cons
Formula has lots of good ingredients to help your baby	Formula does not have all the nutrients that breast milk does
Others can feed your baby at any time	More colic, gas, and spit-up
Mommies can eat and take whatever medications they want/need	It is expensive
More flexibility and easier for working mommies	Your baby will not receive your antibodies and have protection against some viruses/illnesses and diseases (SIDS, asthma, allergies, common colds, etc.)
You don’t have to have a private place to feed your baby	Late night feedings are more difficult because you have to prepare the bottle
You know how much milk your baby is receiving	Some babies are allergic to formulas and you have to switch between several different kinds to find the right one
	Not as easy to digest as breast milk
	Your baby will not get the bonus breast milk nutrients that help with heart development, learning and behavior development, skin issues, etc.

 

     You have to decide what the most important things are to you. Here are a few important things to consider: nutrients your baby receives, antibodies your baby receives, protection your baby receives, money, time, availability, ease, and how each will effect you and your baby. Again, neither choice is right or wrong. They are just different and they each offer something different to you and your baby. You decide which is better for you.

 

     If you are choosing to or have to formula feed, Enfamil is rated #1 among pediatricians. I would recommend speaking to your personal pediatrician as well to see what they recommend for your baby. Remember, you may have to try several kinds depending on your baby and their needs.

     If you choose to nurse, there are some awesome cover-ups out there! Check out the Nursing Cover Boutique! They have some great options. This one is my favorite one!

 

This is a nursing cover, changing pad, pillow, and wipes case all in one!

 

     If you try nursing and it just doesn't work for whatever reason, don't beat your self up about it. Sometimes that happens and you did the best you could! If you are not ready to give up yet, try setting up an appointment with a lactation consultant in your area to see if they can help in any way. If your production is low, there are things you can drink to enhance milk production. One that is coming out soon is Tia and Tamra's new product. It is natural and safe for you to use and taste great! Check it out on their website. It is called Milky!

 

     If I had to recommend one over the other I would recommend breastfeeding if you can. The benefits outweigh the cons. I also believe there are better benefits in breast milk versus formula. However, remember that this is your choice and that you have the right to do whichever you think is best for you and your baby. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise! Good luck!

 

Until next time,