rockergirrl responded July 23, 2008 at 6:44AM

  www.findbarefootbooks.com

100 percent breast is best. If you are able to I would choose breast milk over formula any day. Some people are not physically able to but if you are I don't know why one wouldn't. It is cheaper, easier, better for the baby and very very good for the mother as well. Humans can try to reproduce breast milk but there will never be a true substitute.
from the FDA website http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html

*The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.

*Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself.

*Breast-feeding is good for new mothers as well as for their babies. There are no bottles to sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. It may be easier for a nursing mother to lose the pounds of pregnancy as well, since nursing uses up extra calories. Lactation also stimulates the uterus to contract back to its original size.

*the list goes on and on

  Sticky_Mommy responded July 23, 2008 at 9:42AM

  I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

IMO - breastfeeding is more convenient (no heating anything up in the middle of the night), doesn't cost any $, and a great way to lose weight!

However, each person has their own reasons on why they choose one over the other. I did both b/c I couldn't make enough milk and that worked for me.

  benbaby responded July 23, 2008 at 12:40AM

  Goofing around with my babies - Big and Lil

I agree with sticky that more than the fact that breast best
is the best for the baby, its easy and convenient. No bottles to sterilize no need to make milk in the middle of the night and its always ready when your baby needs milk:)

  vtmomof2 responded July 24, 2008 at 8:33AM

  Life is crazy but wonderful.

I liked the bottle better myself. I tried breastfeeding my daughter and wasn't able to, and when my son was born I just did the bottle. I think it is nice to breastfeed, if it works for you. I wanted to try with my daughter but it didn't work, and when it didn't work I felt pressured by the hospital and my doctor to continue even though it really wasn't working. I think that it really is up to each person. While breast milk is definitely cheaper, I think there are some advantages to bottle feeding like my hubby would get up at night with our son and feed him. I didn't prepare milk in the middle of the night because I kept a bottle warmer in his room with prepared bottles in it for his night feedings. While I think bottle is nice, breast also has its benefits. The problem I always had was that I felt pressured to change my mind when I decided to bottle feed my son when I was pregnant. I didn't like that, I felt it was my decision and they should have respected that. Just make sure whatever you decide that you make that decision based on what works for you, and you don't allow others to pressure you either way.

  newby123 responded July 24, 2008 at 3:47PM

  

I agree that it should be a womans choice and you shouldn't have to feel shamed into it. I also breastfeed my son but I find it difficult at times. I work full time and I am constantly worried about keeping my production up since I can't breastfeed directly all day. Instead I pump which isn't the same or as good for production. I think the benefits later in life are with bottle feeding you tend to have more overweight children (don't ask me why I am sure it is documented somewhere). The majority of the benefits come early on, stronger immune systems etc...Also, it is a nice bond between Mother and Child. Honestly, I both love and dislike that sometimes I am the only one who can give him that comfort that comes from Mommy's breast..