Breast Verses Bottle Feeding

One big debate out there between moms and mommies to be is whether they should breastfeed or bottle feed. I chose to bottle feed my children. I weighed the pros and cons of both breast and bottle feeding, and really didn't see much of a difference. The one and only issue I had was being made to feel like a bad mother by the breastfeeding martyr patrol for my decision. No woman should be forced to do anything they don't want to do, especially when it come to their bodies.

My children, ages 5 and 18 months, turned out to be wonderfully healthy and well adjusted. The decision to breast or bottle feed should be left to the mother of the child not a group of women who think they know what is best for you. Below I have written the benefits of both the breast and the bottle. Only YOU can decide what is best, and whatever you choose will be fantastic... Bet on it.

Breastfeeding:

Pros:

• Mom gets to eat more food and lose weight faster. You can burn 500 calories each time you feed the baby.
• You don't have to prepare a bottle. Mother's milk is always ready and available.
• The baby spits up less, and the poop doesn't smell so bad.
• Breast milk is proven to help a baby's brain grown and develop.
• Its free.

Cons:

• Breastfeeding is very time consuming. Babies tend to eat more often, and mom still has to pump if others want to feed the baby.
• The new mommy can get very fatigued, since breastfeeding does take a lot of energy.
• Some breast problems may develop such as mastitis, engorgement, and plugged ducts.
• The new daddy may feel left out. Believe it or not, some fathers do want to bond with their new baby, and feeding is one major way to do it.

Bottle Feeding:

Pros:

• Gives mommy a chance to relax while someone else feeds the baby.
• There is more time in-between feedings.
• You know exactly how much a baby has eaten.
• Formula has all of the required nutrients a baby needs.
• Mommy can resume her normal life faster. When you breast feed, you have to watch what you eat, and wear certain types of clothing to support the breasts.

Cons:

• If the bottles and nipples are not properly cleaned, the baby may contract a bacterial infection.
• If you choose the powdered formula, you need to travel with water so you can mix it. If you choose the liquid formula, the container must be refrigerated after opening.
• Formula is expensive if you do not qualify for WIC (Women, Infants, and Childrens).
• Babies tend to have more gas, and get constipated more often.