Layout:
Home > Not finance related: breast milk vs. formula!

Not finance related: breast milk vs. formula!

June 27th, 2010 at 04:56 pm

Ok, so I'm around 23 weeks right now and with each passing day I seem to get more and more questions about how I'm going to feed my baby when she gets here.

I know breastfeeing is said to be the ideal way, but to be honest, I don't think it's right for me. I'm taking off 2.5-3 months from work, so that means I'll probably have the baby with me for approx. 1.5-2 months of that time. (I can't see myself working to the bitter end and giving birth in the office; sorry, not my thing). To be honest I feel uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding and I would force myself to get comfortable with the idea if I was going to be home full-time, but I'm not. I would rather use a breastpump and mix with formula or just use exclusively formula. I like the idea of T being able to help with feedings so I'm almost certain breast feeding is out. To be honest I don't feel that guilty (even though others have been trying to make me feel that way) because I was formula fed as well many other people I know and we turned out to be healthy, functioning members of society! What's with all the new mommy guilt associated with formula feeding. Anybody else have similar experiences???

5 Responses to “Not finance related: breast milk vs. formula!”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1277654816

    Everyone always has an opinion on these things. I think the most important thing is to do what is right for you. I breastfeed for 5 weeks with my first and 8 with my second and then went to formula. It did get easier with the second...primarily because I had more time. Pumping just didn't seem like a good option for me because of work, so we went to formula.

    I'm not going to convince you one way or the other. You need to do what you feel is right. Good luck!!

  2. Looking Forward Says:
    1277655689

    You need to do what feels right to you. If I were you I wouldn't rule anything in or out right now. You can chose once baby comes.
    Breastfeeding is challenging for about the first 2-3 weeks. But gets much easier the more you do it. And can be a special time with baby. It is also very convienent, like in the middle of the night or traveling. I breastfed and have used supplemental bottles for both of my babies.

  3. MonkeyMama Says:
    1277737051

    I'd pretty much say screw everyone else - got to do what is right for you.

    That said, I wouldn't decide anything now. Any decisions made about a new baby will turn on their head when baby arrives. I honestly could not imagine bottle feeding as a working mom. I got so much more sleep not having to make bottles in the middle of the night, and had such a special bond with my child. I remember just rolling my eyes at the mommy wars around me. I had a very close bond with my babies. Moreso than my stay-at-home husband. IT doesn't have to be all or nothing, either. They took bottles while I worked and dh fed them bottles at night, sometimes. 100% breastfeeding is a huge commitment for a working mom - I give you that. I breastfed my first until he weaned at 9 months, but my youngest I could not breastfeed when I worked full time. My hormones were out of control and my doctor recommended to stop and settle my hormones. I had physical and mental ailments from the hormones and felt so much better when stopping. Hindsight 20/20, I never would have breastfed so long. So many women can't breastfeed, period. It's a personal decision that really doesn't need to be discussed with others.

  4. MonkeyMama Says:
    1277737111

    ...

  5. Jerry Says:
    1278065354

    My wife chose to breastfeed, and she simply pumped at work. The milk freezes well and is easy to prepare, so it would lead to no problems for me or the babysitter to feed our baby the breastmilk. It is a very personal decision, and people get all bent out of shape on both sides, but for our family breast has been best with both babies. With good formula you will have the insurance of nutritional standards (at least in the US), but you will miss out on the immunological protections and other benefits of breastmilk. It can be challenging to breastfeed for the working woman, though, so there are definitely trade-offs. Good luck to you, whatever you decide!
    Jerry

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]