Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding - What Are The Benefits and Drawbacks?

Whether breastfeeding is right for you, is totally a personal choice and this is where you can find information on the benefits and drawbacks of breastfeeding, to ultimately make the right decision for you and your baby. There are a lot of factors that can impact the decision you make. Today, women have choices and you can decide to breastfeed, bottle feed or even to do a combination of the two.

Here are some considerations to take when deciding to breastfeed. First we’ll look at the pro sides of breast feeding and then the cons. Then, we’ll look at both the pros and the cons of bottle feeding as well as look at a combination plan that can help you have the best of convenience and the best for your baby.

Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding doesn’t cost you any money. It is the best option for babies in terms of health and wellness and provides them with a strong immune system. Breastfed babies are less likely to have health problems and less likely to die from SIDS. Colostrum, the first fluid that comes after a baby is born is essential for protecting babies against illnesses and contains all the nutrition a newborn needs.

Breastfeeding doesn’t require preparation and sterilization of bottle feeding equipment and you can do it anywhere. You can save a vast amount of money while knowing you’re giving your baby the very best.

Breastfeeding Drawbacks

Some women are concerned with breastfeeding pain. While the pain is only short term and most women find that it becomes painless after they and their baby master getting the right latch, it is something that takes a lot of time and effort. It does hurt or it feels uncomfortable in the beginning.

Mothers who breastfeed need to be with their babies all the time and unlike bottle fed babies, you can’t see how much the baby has consumed so you need to feed on demand instead of at a 3-4 hour rotation. Some women feel it impacts their love life as well because the breasts become the baby’s and their partner can feel left out. Those who choose to nurse their babies and are proponents of breastfeeding find that this is something that is short term and for the benefit of the baby. Some women choose to breastfeed for a short time and then switch to a bottle.

It can also seem complicated to deal with issues such as discreet breastfeeding, breastfeeding clothes, nursing bras, working and breastfeeding, breastfeeding pillows and dealing with breastfeeding in public. Most women find a way to address these issues so that they’re comfortable.

Bottle Feeding Benefits

Breastfed babies often want to be fed constantly whereas bottle fed babies tend to eat every 3-4 hours. While many say that breastfeeding is better for the baby because it lets the baby dictate their own appetite, mothers who want convenience of a scheduled routine can find it convenient to bottle feed.

Bottle feeding doesn’t hurt. Breastfeeding pain is often the reason women switch early on to bottle feeding and the fear of pain stops some women from even attempting to nurse their babies.

Bottle Feeding Drawbacks

Infant formula is expensive. It is nutritionally inferior to breast milk and takes time to prepare. You need to purchase not only the formula itself but the bottles and possibly sterilization supplies, bottle warmers and baby bottle liners. If bottle fed babies’ supplies aren’t well sterilized, babies can get oral thrush.

Baby formula also has a relatively short shelf life and there have been instances of tainted baby milk that have made infants ill. Some children have allergies to it so the mother needs to purchase more expensive and specialized versions whereas breast milk is customized to your baby so they will not have allergic reactions.

Combination of Breast and Bottle Feeding

Some women pump their breast milk and feed their babies from a bottle which offers them the convenience of bottle feeding while providing the babies with the milk that’s customized just for them. Others do a combination of breastfeeding and bottle feeding which can work for some women who are back at work and having their baby bottle fed during working hours and then nursed at night time. Sometimes the baby won’t go back to the breast once its been sucking from a bottle either. They have to work a little harder on the breast.

It’s important that you research and go with your instinct on what option is best for you. Many women opt to try breastfeeding for at least six weeks which can mean that their baby gets the healthiest start and that the woman can then choose to either continue to breastfeed, switch to bottle feeding or choose a combination of both feeding methods.