why did you choose to breastfeed or formula feed your baby?

My first, I breastfed for the whole first year. But the last eight months was solid pumping and bottles. She wouldn’t latch on after I started her on bottles (cause I went back to work). I liked breastfeeding and enjoyed knowing I was giving my daughter what was best for her growing body. I liked the bond it gave us, although no different from the one I got with my son (who was not breastfed). If I had to do it over, I would have stopped when I went back to work though. Pumping is not really so fun, it is kind of a hassle, and if I had known she was never going to go back to the breast, I might have stopped pumping earlier. But, now I don’t regret the decision.

My son, who was born 23 months after my daughter, was solely formula fed. He had some latching issues and I decided I did not have the energy to do the pumping and bottle feeding thing again. I knew I was going back to work around 6 weeks. So, he was only on formula. It was just as easy as breastfeeding to me. And easier than the pumping/freezing/thawing routine. It was expensive, I will say that was a big issue for a while. But my son liked it fine and it was giving him what he needed. I found both my kids had a good immune system, so I don’t buy that the breastmilk is better for that. They also were both attached well to me and are equally intelligent. There are plenty of benefits to breastfeeding, but I think it is really a personal choice about what works best for your family. I plan to solely nurse this baby, since I don’t have to go back to work and will be able to nurse without pumping much. But if my newer son has an issue with latching or any problems nursing, I have no issues with going back to formula.

I chose breastfeeding with both of my girls. With the fist I received no help with difficulties we encountered and quit. With the second I was determined and it paid off! after dealing with reflux, a broken collar bone, a dairy protein allergy and an overabundant milk supply I still say breast is 10x easier! No buying formula, or forgetting to and rushing out at 2am, no more bottle washing and mixing formula with a crying hungry baby in one arm. Breast is best, no matter what anyone says, but you have to do what makes you comfortable. My suggestion is to try breastfeeding, you can always switch!

Im a guy but…

Why they breastfeed:
-form a bond between mother and child
-antibodies from breastfeeding boosts babies immunity against future infections/problems(increases ability of child to fight future infections and many problems such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer just to name a few from thousands)
-milk from the mother is by far the best formula for babies, considered to be close to complete food

Why they use formulas:
-for convenience, inability to breastfeed due to infections of breasts, pus in breasts (not good to breastfeed while this is the case)
-brainwashed from false claims from companies about how their formula does this and or that for the baby, (no formula comes close to breastmilk, by the way most formulas out there are synthetic and they are just trying to make money by taking advantage of some women “not knowing”)
-lack of knowledge about the bad effects of these synthetic formula

Note: while there are formulas that can be good for babies, breastmilk is still by far the best, think about the the advantages of and disadvantages of breastfeeding and formula feeding (ratio is probably 99:1).

nature did not intend us humans to feed our babies sythetic stuff

as a mother would you take the risk of first exposing your child to formula feeding (unknown chemicals, not proven by scientific research) whilst theire immunity is still developing

beware of claims saying “scientifically proven” to do this or that bullcrap or tested by blah blah blah. Science is not always 100%, most tests are done on rats/animals anyway. Not on babies. and every baby is different. Your breastmilk provides the necessities specific to your babies needs.

I am aware that you only asked for why they choose breastfeeding or formula feeding, sorry for the extra bits. This is only a few of what i think about this topic.

BTW: if i was pregnant ( i will never be but just in case) i would breastfeed instead of formula feed. Otherwise its like letting someone else breastfeed my baby lol. peace

I always planned to breastfeed due to the benefits to the immune system and a lower chance of allergies (which both I and my husband have). Also I try to eat a very natural diet myself, without anything artificial, so it made sense to do the same with my baby.

I did have great difficulties in getting my baby to latch, and I pumped and bottle fed exclusively the first month. He was diagnosed with a tongue tie, and after we got it fixed, we were able to breastfeed with no problems. I definitely prefer it to the bottle feeding – more convenient, nothing to wash, nothing to prepare. Plus my baby seems far more content, doesn’t need to suck as much and is not so gassy. He was so fussy when he was on the bottle, to the point where I felt he needed a pacifier but I didn’t want to give it to him. Now that he is breastfeeding, he doesn’t need one at all.

Another benefit – breastfeed poop doesn’t smell and washes easily out of clothes. You can put the stained clothes in the sun and the stains disappear after half an hour or so.