Is bottle feeding over breast really bad?

[bunchie7]

Hi everyone, I know this a debate that has been going on for years, and really it's my decision at the end of the day but I'm 6 months pregnant with my first, and the thought of breast feeding is really freaking me out. I think I would like to try it and see how it goes, but I've read some real horror stories and I just wondered if bottle feeding with fomula would be ok to do from birth? I don't want people to think I'm not a very good mother for not breast feeding as obviously the health benefits are better. I feel really stressed out about this so I hope I don't silly but I'd appreaciate any advice you guys have on feeding baby. Thanks in advance!

[Sqad]

I'm a bloke, so have only fed a baby "off" the breast.

In a nutshell one can search the Medical Literature and find an extensive study to support and pronounce the benefits of all types of baby, milk feeding.
....
It matters not a jot,whether your baby is breast or bottle fed.

[Naomicorlett]

Be happy. Try it you might even enjoy it. I did . Loved feeding my babies . But hey ho as sqad says matters not a jot. But OOH I did enjoy it.

[craft1948]

I bottle fed my baby from the outset......she was very healthy and still is.....
Some mothers think it develops a mother/baby bond and if it suits them fine.....
All I would say is do what is best for you and don't be bullied either way....

[NoMercy]

bunchie... Breast feeding helps to establish an emotional bond between mother and child. Children have far fewer chest/ear/throat infections in their infancy when they are breast fed. Similarly, a natural birth surpasses a C Section, as the child will pick up valuable bacteria when it travels down the birth canal.

Children who are bottle fed invariably suffer more allergies throughout their lifetime. My two siblings were breast fed, and suffer no allergies. I was bottle fed and started developing allergies at the age of 14.

However, not every mother is able to feed naturally. I would say that you should try to give the baby your own milk, but if it doesn't work out, don't beat yourself up about it.

[craft1948]

NoM.....scientists have just published a paper which says that there are no health benefits in breast over bottle......

[cazzz1975]

I would agree with crafts response, as long as you and the baby are content then it does not matter

[ethandron]

oooh, bunchie, don't get stressed about this. enjoy your pregnancy and your new baby when he/she arrives and don't worry about what anyone thinks, just do what's right for you. it's such a shame that new mums can be made to feel guilty about not breast feeding. your baby with thrive on the bottle or breast and you'll be a lot happier if you do what's right for YOU.

[jackthehat]

bunchie7 - Please, please, please don't let yourself be bullied (even if it is by silent disapproval and pursed lips) into breast-feeding if you are not comfortable with it.
I presume this is your first baby ? There are sooooooo many other things for you to feel guilty about (it just comes with the territory, I'm afraid) the minute that your child comes into the world, don't let breast-feeding be one of them.

[smudge]

I breast fed our first daughter for 4 weeks & our second daughter for 2 weeks. They then went on to formula milk & thoroughly enjoyed their bottles whilst I/we cuddled, then burped them!

I'm sure that had I bottle fed both of them from the start, we would still have the same bonds we have now, many years later. We are all very close.

Do whatever suits you bunchie & as craft says, don't let anyone bully you, or make you feel guilty for not breastfeeding.

Good luck.

[sara3]

if it really freaks you out, just decide not to do it and chill :o)

you might change your mind and you might not, but it's not worth stressing over.

[NoMercy]

You guys are probably right... Whatever you read is soon contradicted by new findings....

As I say... if you don't manage to master the art of breast feeding, don't beat yourself up. My sister tried to breast feed with her son, and it didn't work out. She turned to the bottle and he is none the worse for it.

[karenmac60]

I breast fed my daughter till I went back to work when she was 6 months, and the one thing I can say for sure is that breast feeding is so much easier. All that faffing about with boiling kettles and sterilising - no matter how organised you are there are always times when you have a screaming hungry baby and the bottle is too hot or you drop the teat and have to re sterilise or something. It's so much more convenient just whipping one out and letting baby tuck in. If you're worried about feeding in front of people then don't. People are very understanding about letting you go to another room for privacy - I never once fed mine in front of anyone except my husband. But you do what you are happy with and don't stress about it.

[Mamyalynne]

See how you feel at the time and don`t stress out over it, Karen`s right its easier and cheaper amd an excuse to sit down too LOL I fed both mine for 5 months but if its not for you don`t worry.

Mamya

[bunchie7]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It makes a lot of sense what you all say so I will definitely stop stressing! It's great to hear other people's experiences and I really appreciate you taking the time to answer me.

[aggiela]

Hi Bunchie

I know you've had loads of answers already but, I feel that one issue hasn't been addressed...choice. I chose to breastfead my daughter due to all the propaganda that we are quite literally force fed from the second that we find ourselves pregnant, I thought it was best for her, but, You know what, it didn't work !! She latched on great and all but I didn't have enough milk for her, 3 weeks and a long story short bottles were the way to go for her and she thrived and we all slept! As for inteligence shes 18 months and can count to 10! Do what feels right hun.

[rabbitygirl]

Bonding with Dad hasn't had a mention here either. It can't happen with breast feeding! I breast fed for a few weeks with No.1 and for only 2-3 weeks with No.2. Bonding with Dad was noticably quicker and better with No.2 son. If I'd had a third, it would have been a strong influence on how long I breast fed. Also, I didn't personally find it as enjoyable and rewarding as I'd thought but I'd presumed, rightly it would seem, that formula milk is a more than acceptable alternative.

[k8bailey]

Don't be put off by thinking that formula is really difficult to get right and time consuming - it just becomes part of your routine! I felt that bottle feeding gave me more freedom.

I tried breast feeding and would've continued if it were possible but I had to go back into hospital without my daughter and TBH my she slept better after formula. If you are going to try breastfeeding make sure yu've got the hang of it before you leave hospital, as it's very stressful to be at home and struggling.

Or if you're going to bottle feed, I recommend buying a night and day feeding system, I had a Lindam one and it was brilliant - a cool box which keeps two bottles cold for up to 8 hours and a bottle warmer, leave it in the little ones bedroom and theres no need to go all the way down to the kitchen and switch the kettle on etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[bunchie7]

Hi guys, thank you so much again for your excellent advice. It was so refreshing to hear your comments aggiela, it just goes to show you think you're the only person worrying about these things but it's the same for everyone isn't it?!! All your points are so valid, I think it's true about bonding with dad, it'll be nice for my husband to feed baby too if we go for formula. And thank you k8bailey, I will look into that feeding system you mentioned, sounded really useful. I'm seeing midwife next week so I feel confident to discuss this with her now following advice on here. I think the other thing with breastfeeding is expressing milk sounds just horrific to me!! Oh I've so much to learn about motherhood don't I?!!

[airam]

You are making your decision based on fear. This is not the way to go because being a mother is about love, courage and trust. By breastfeeding your baby you will experience a wonderful feeling of love that will last a life time and your baby will have not just the physical benefits of breast milk, but also the emotional ones. What you need is education on breastfeeding and support! Yes, there are lots of horror stories about difficult breastfeeding but you will be missing something really special.
Take a breastfeeding course before the baby is born and look for a lactation consultant in your area that can teach you how to properly latch your baby on the breast at birth. It will be a lot easier.
I have nursed all my three children and I loved it. Such a wonderful feeling holding your baby in your harms. It also works well when they are unhappy , wake up at night and fall right back to sleep. I admit, with my first I had lots of problems, but that is because I did not have the right support right at the beginning. If you get informed, like you are doing now, you will not make the same mistake, right?
Learn more about the correct breastfeeding positions for nursing:
http://www.natural-he...eeding-positions.html