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.

Is Your Baby Getting Enough Breast Milk?

The ideal way to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to be sure that he’s well positioned, attached to the breast easily and feed him as often as he gets hungry. Some mothers that are breast feeding will stop before they want to, simply because they don’t think they have enough breast milk.

There are signs that might make you believe your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If your baby seems hungry or unsettled after feeding, or if he wants to feed often with short pauses between feedings, you may
think he isn’t getting enough milk. These signs are not only the reason for hunger.

There are however, two reliable signs that let you know your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If your baby has poor or really slow weight gain, or is passing small amounts of concentrated urine, he’s not getting enough milk.

All babies will lose weight within the first few days after birth. Babies are born with supplies of fat and fluids, which will help them keep going for the first several days.

Once your baby regains birth weight, he should begin putting on around 200g for the first four months or so. To get back to their birth weight, it normally takes a few weeks.

If the weight gain for your baby seems to be slow, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse to observe you breast feeding. This way, they can make sure that your technique is right and if they think your baby is breast feeding often enough.

To help you with your breast feeding, here are some ways that you can increase your supply of milk:

• Be sure that your baby is positioned correctly and attached to your breast.

• Let your baby feed for as long and often as he wants.

• If you feel that your baby isn’t breast feeding enough, offer him more breast feeds.

• During each breast feed, make sure you feed from both breasts.

• If your baby has been using a dummy  make sure you stop him.

• Some babies may be sleepy and reluctant to feed, which may be the cause of problems with milk supply.

By following the above tips, you’ll do your part in making sure you have enough milk when it comes time to breast feed. If you are uncertain or have other questions, be sure to ask your doctor, as he can answer any type of question you may have.

Breastfeeding Tips

Is Your Supply of Breast Milk Low?

Almost all mothers who breast feed go through a period of questioning whether or not their supply of milk is adequate. Some mothers simply aren’t able to produce enough milk to meet the needs of her baby. According to many experts, true insufficiencies of milk are very rare.

A lot of women think their milk supply is low when it actually isn’t. Thinking this can happen if you lose the feeling of fullness in your breasts or if the milk stops leaking from your nipples. Babies that go through growth spurts may want more milk than usual, and these more frequent feedings may leave your breasts less than full.

Causes of Low Breast Milk Supply

A mother’s milk supply may diminish for a brief period of time if she isn’t feeding her baby often enough due to nipple pain, or a poor latch on technique. Illnesses or estrogen containing birth control pills may also affect the production of milk.

What you should do

The best way to handle a low supply of breast milk is through a doctor’s care. You should make sure that your baby gets frequent feedings and that nothing is wrong with your nipples or your milk ducts. Doctors are the best ones to ask, as they can run tests to see if everything is fine within your body.

A low supply of breast milk can affect your baby, although it’s more of a mental condition than anything else. If your baby isn’t gaining any weight or if he is losing weight, you should call a doctor immediately. Improved techniques for breast feeding will normally help, although in some cases weight gain or weight loss will indicate a serious concern.

In most cases, you can still nurse with a temporary decrease in milk supply, although frequent breast feeding is the key to stimulating your production of milk.

Breast Feeding Your Baby For The First Six Weeks

Breast milk is the best food you can give to your baby. Breast milk is a complete food source, containing all the nutrients your baby need - at least 400 of them to be exact, including hormones and disease fighting compounds that aren’t found in formula.

The nutritional makeup in breast milk will adjust to your baby’s needs as he or she grows and develops. Aside from the brain building, infection fighting benefits of breast milk, which no formula can match, nursing will also help to build a special bond between you and your baby. When nursing, your child thrives on the contact, cuddling, and holding - which you will as well.

Since breast feedings can take up to 40 minutes or more, you should pick a cozy spot for nursing. The
atmosphere is very important, even more so in the early days of breast feeding when you’re still trying to get the hang of it. If you get easily distracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.

You should always hold your baby in a position that won’t leave your arms or back sore. It works
the best to support the back of your baby’s head with your hand, although which position you choose
depends on what’s more comfortable to you.

When supporting your baby, a nursing pillow can sometimes be a big help. You should never feed until both you and your baby are comfortable. Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on, as his mouth should cover most of the areola below the nipple, and the nipple should be far back into your baby’s mouth.

While some women adjust to breast feeding easily, other mothers find it hard to learn. If you feel discouraged, always know that you aren’t the only one. Everyone feels different when starting, it all depends on the mother and the situation.

Breast feeding will take practice. Therefore, you should give yourself as much time as you need to get it to become second nature. Always take it one feeding at a time. If you are having a bad day, tell yourself that it’ll get better. Keep in mind that any problems are temporary, as you’ll be nursing like a pro by your six week postpartum checkup.

The first six weeks will be both an adventure and training. You can’t expect to know everything when you begin, which is where training and practice will really help you excel. The more you breast feed, the more you’ll learn. You’ll also build a bond with your baby - which is something you’ll always have for the rest of your lives.