Pregnancy & Parenting

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy & Parenting

Posted by: Laurena

19th Mar 2015 09:14pm

What are the pros and cons of breastfeeding?

Comments 9

Anonymous
  • 9th Jun 2015 08:24pm

Apart from the obvious health benefits of baby getting all the right nutrients the biggest pro for me was the bonding with my child.

I've only got 1 child so far, and breastfed her until 11 months. We only stopped because she was ready to stop and not wanting it any more. I supplemented her feeds with formula from 7 months onward because she wasn't putting on weight, even after starting solids, so I think my milk was slowly becoming less and less anyway, so by 11 months it was just the right time for both of us.

One of the cons is that it is difficult in the beginning. Until you become a mother, no one really mentions that aspect to you, and it is a huge adjustment. In the beginning, I had the usual cracked nipples and everything and started dreading feed times as my lo was demand feeding a LOT. I got mastitis as well and it probably took a good couple of months before I felt comfortable with it and came to really love breastfeeding my baby. And it makes me so glad I persisted with it because we both enjoyed that time so much and I really feel it was a great bonding time. And I can honestly say that I really loved breastfeeding my child.

Having said all that, I know there are women who really can't (for whatever reason) breastfeed, and I think that in those instances formula is the best option. We shouldn't shame those women, because they are doing the absolute best they can to feed their baby in a way that keeps both mum and bub happy. And having a happy and confident mummy is definitely best for baby! And you can still bond with baby during bottle time with cuddles and holding them close to you.

In the end, I think you gave to do what's best for you and bub!

Anonymous
  • 11th Apr 2015 10:58am

I have had 3 children and they have all been different. I love breastfeeding it creates a great bond with your baby, helps with their immune system and its so much easier then bottles.
I breastfed my first for 12 months with no problems. My second I breastfed for 5 months until I could no longer keep up with her. She was 10 weeks premmie and struggled to put to weight, it wasn't until I put her on formula that she started packing on the weight. And my third is 13 weeks now and im having to mix feed as she wasn't getting enough from me. I would put her onto bottle only but I just love breastfeeding and want to have the same bond with her as I have with my first 2. Its also nice to know that if we go out and I run out of bottles I have back up.

Anonymous
  • 30th Mar 2015 01:45pm

Pro is convenient no bottles and less expensive con is baby is totally dependent on you

Wheelz
  • 29th Mar 2015 01:43pm

I personally found that it is best for the baby and it also helps more with bonding with your baby and is cheaper,,, the cons with it is you cant really go out for a night without your baby being feed unless expressing but i found that it hurts more expressing plus my nipples get really really sore red and cracked.

surveypirate137
  • 21st Mar 2015 03:03pm


They help strengthen your babys immune system, give them vitamins and things they need to grow. Etc.

Although, some people have trouble.

I couldn't breastfeed for longer than 4 weeks because it was too painful and I had to use a nipple shield because my girl wouldn't latch without it.
I even ended up with mastitis. I was in hospital for a few days because I had infection in my breasts. Not everyone can breastfeed and I hate how so many people push it. Formula fed babies get nutrition they need.

My little girl is healthy as and she gets formula and semi solid food. She's growing fine. The biggest reason that j think breastfeeding is so forced on you now is because it creates a bigger bond between mother and baby.
Although, I think formula was my best decision because then my partner could feed her and bond as well.

morph42
  • 6th Sep 2016 11:25am
I breast fed all my children . my milk dried up at 3 months and they went on to a bottle . I believe breastfeeding for the first 3 months created a special bond .

hi I was just woundering do breast feed your partner to

Becka jane
  • 31st Mar 2015 09:07pm

They help strengthen your babys immune system, give them vitamins and things they need to grow. Etc.

Although, some people have trouble.

I couldn't breastfeed for longer...

I agree it is one of the most painful things I have ever been thru I have had 4 children two natural births with no pain killers, and the first two weeks of breastfeeding hurt more, after the first two weeks it settled down and managed to feed all four kids for 11months,12 months, 13 months and the last for 14 months, mainly because of the convenience no matter where I was or how long I was out I had their dinner sorted, don't believe it holds a lot more vitamins or minerals after 6 months they should be getting most of what they need from everyday foods like fruit and vegetables meat cows milk etc

mo
  • 24th Mar 2015 04:52pm

They help strengthen your babys immune system, give them vitamins and things they need to grow. Etc.

Although, some people have trouble.

I couldn't breastfeed for longer...

I breast fed all my children . my milk dried up at 3 months and they went on to a bottle . I believe breastfeeding for the first 3 months created a special bond .

mo
  • 24th Mar 2015 04:52pm

They help strengthen your babys immune system, give them vitamins and things they need to grow. Etc.

Although, some people have trouble.

I couldn't breastfeed for longer...

I breast fed all my children . my milk dried up at 3 months and they went on to a bottle . I believe breastfeeding for the first 3 months created a special bond .

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