Should I breastfeed or bottle feed? If I breastfeed, how long should I do that? What about other people that want to feed my baby? What if I don’t like it?

These are all questions that many new moms have. Breastfeeding is by far the best choice. However, it isn’t the only choice. I tried to breastfeed both of my children.  After a few weeks of trying and not succeeding (even with help from the midwife, pediatrician, the ped-nurses, and lactation consultant…) I decided to throw in the towel.  I was staying up all night crying because my baby wasn’t eating “the way he was supposed to” It was very stressful! I tried to pump, only to find I wasn’t getting much there either and when I did, he would just spit it out anyways. I then found my new best friend! The bottle -  with formula in it!

The best choice a mom can make is to listen to her body and the reactions of her baby. Breast feeding is the best choice and is lots of hard work! If you stick with it, in the end it pays off! Yes, at first it will be painful. If that pain doesn’t go away, check with a consultant to see if your baby is latching on properly, that makes all the difference in the world! As far as other people feeding your baby, there are plenty of other baby bonding chores they can do! If you don’t like breastfeeding but your baby does, give it a chance, it will grow on you!

The benefits of breastfeeding are so great! You get to have that special bonding time. You gain that special closeness that no other person will have! The health benefits for both you and the baby are great too – not to mention you will be back to your pre-pregnant shape in no time! Did you know that nursing helps your uterus to contract and get back to normal size? Just think, in the middle of the night there’s no running to the kitchen to make a bottle (in the dark) – and hope you have everything clean and ready. I mean after all, you did just go to bed an hour ago when the little guy finally decided it was bed time! There are no bottles to wash. Breast milk is ALWAYS the right temperature and requires NO prep work at all!

However moms. . . If you have to go to formula, don’t feel defeated. Your baby can still be smart and healthy and strong! My kids were both formula fed and they are very healthy and strong  – and really smart too!

~Dee Stafford is a freelance writer and the content contained here is her opinion from research.  Check her resources page for background data.