To breastfeed or bottlefeed? that is the question...
that is definitely not a question to be taken lightly, but it does make your decision a lot easier if your child will actually switch back and forth from bottle to breast. Mine refuses. I'm gonna get right into the pros and cons because I'm not one for small talk.
Pros of breastfeeding
a lot of down time with your baby. (up to 7 hours a day)
protects against infection/illness in mother baby
cost effective (there is also a con for this point as well).
you burn at least 500 calories a day, more if you have multiples.
helps the uterus contract faster after delivery.
their diapers don't stink as bad but you can definitely hear them when they happen.
no bottles to wash/formula to lug around
there is a delay in your period returning
protection against female cancers.
it tastes better than formula
Here's the best one yet -- FREE BOOB JOB!!!!!!
Cons of Breastfeeding
in the middle of the night, you're the only one that can feed your baby.
even though its cost effective you still have to buy clothing in which you can discreetly breastfeed, buy a nursing cover, buy breast pads, and a pump if you plan to go back to work.
you can rarely have a minute alone without your baby, unless they are willing to take a bottle filled with expressed breastmilk, once again, mine won't
people gawk at you in public
even though your spouse agrees with your decision, its a different ballgame in public, mine disowns me (or makes me go to the car)
you will constantly feel like you don't make enough milk - especially when they are going through their growth spurts at 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months (more or less).
breastfed babies eat more frequently than formula fed babies. Mine is 4 months old and still nurses every 2.5 hours at best.
Whatever you eat gets into the babies system too, like caffeine which hinders baby's sleeping patterns. Certain vegetables, like lettuce will give your baby terrible gas pains. Some babies even have sensitivity to dairy so you have to limit the foods you eat.
If you choose to breastfeed (even with all those horrible cons - I hope you do) be patient with your baby because it will definitely take time. even though its the most natural thing in the world it is still very stressful and demanding on the mother.
I would really appreciate it if those "prudes" out there would keep their "how undignified to talk about this in public" comments to themselves. if you want me to stop talking about breastfeeding or not breastfeed my child in public I will gladly accept donations of formula on your dime.
Also, breastfeed because it's in scritpture -
“Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” (Luke 11:27)
“I carried you nine months in my womb, and nursed you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up to this point in your life, and have taken care of you” (2 Macabees 7:27).
and many more
Don't forget ladies - World Breastfeeding Week is Aug 1-7 so let's do this thing!
