Is Breast Always Best?

iam going to breastfeed for a while....i think it is a good choice. but i will have the breast pump l0l

I tried to breastfeed my first daughter but she woudln't take to it at all, so I had to pump like 6 times a day. But for my second daugher I said to my husband she is either breastfeeding entirely or its going to be all formula. I can say, the formula is so much better for my family because I just remember being so irritated when I was pumping since I didn't have any time to myself. I just seem much happier and my second is only a couple weeks old. I think it is what just works for you and your family and don't let other people tell you whats right or wrong.

Many of the comments right here are perfect examples of women making other women feel guilty. IE: calling women who don't breastfeed selfish, saying formula feeding is unnatural & that you are supposed to breastfeed so that you can bond with your baby, that breastfed babies are healthier & more intelligent. Why do we have to keep tearing each other down? There are many reasons why women can't/don't breastfeed & it's not for anyone else to have a say in the matter except that particular family. Both of my children have been bottle-fed, and my extremely healthy 4 year old is reading at a second grade level...I'll be curious to see if my 1 year old follows a similar pattern. And FYI: Bottle-feeding allowed Daddy to have extra bonding time with both kids too, because believe me, you bond with that baby you're cradling & nourishing.

I breast fed 2 out of the 4 children that I had, the second and third were breast fed and the first and last were not, because of circumstances beyond my control. The two , my daughter and my second son, were breast fed for about 6 wks, only because I couln't produce enough milk, I had to supplement with formula. I was really sad to have had problems on the first one so I tried again and the same happened then too. I did cherish the closeness that I felt when I was nursing. I loved it while I could accomplish it. I guess I wasn't one that could accomplish this womanly feat. so I feel that if you can without having problems, go for it, if you can't, well then you souldn't be condemed for not doing it. People need not complain about those who choose not to breast feed. There might be a really good reason why they don't choose to do it. Each of us are different and we all need to respect that.

I breastfed my 21 month old son until he was 13 months old. At that point he was only nursing before bed and when he got up in the morning.I pumped at work upto 3 times a day until he was 10 months old. I still pumped some after that but by that point he was eating more food and not nursing as much and my freezer was so full I was still give him freezer milk after he was weaned. I can count on my hands the number of times he had formula. I actually found out I was pregnant 2 days after I stopped nursing and now have a newborn whom I plan to nurse until he decides to wean. Pumping at work wasn't very hard at all. And nursing seemed to be easier than preparing a bottle. I was pumping more than a 100 ounces a day and was still nursing at least 6 times on top of that. I dont know what I would have done without my pump. I did try hand expression and was able to get milk but a double electric was much easier and a back saver.

I, for one, would NEVER advocate bottle feeding. How impersonal, selfish, and vain can we get? Nursing is the all-natural and what Mother Nature intended. Why go against that?

I have no idea why a mother wouldn't breast feed. I think it's horrible. The comment about breast pumps making women feel like machines - that's ridiculous. Most of the comments against breast feeding are limited and don't provide good rebuttals.

I had to bottle feed my son. My breast didn't get enough milk in them and I couldn't breast feed. I feel everyone has the choice and a reason for what they do. I do not feel quilty for not breast feeding -- he is fine.

We should feel proud of whichever we choose. I for one tried to nurse but it did not go well so we formula fed. If we are blessed enough to have another one I would love to try and breastfeed again!

There are earth mothers and then there are the rest of us. In my case, B-feeding was unpleasant... The baby couldn't latch, and took 6 weeks to really get it. I had an overactive let-down that could never be tamed, even with block feeding. My milk was thin and my baby was never satisfied. I stayed so engorged and leaked all the time. After 3 months of hell I couldn't take anymore. Thank goodness for formula. I actually don't feel I missed any bonding, since b-feeding was so stressful for us.

I have breastfed all three of my sons. It's not always easy, esp. in the beginning but nothing about being a mother is really easy, ever! It is every woman's choice as to how they decide to feed their child and what is best for their family. I will always encourage other women to breastfeed, at least try it, but would never look down on another mother for deciding against it. Also, pumps can be wonderful! If I hadn't had a pump after the birth of my 3rd child, I wouldn't have been able to breastfeed. He was in the NICU for 2 weeks and couldn't be nursed during that time. The pump was a lifesaver!

I believe that this issue is personal and no one else's business but the mother's on whether she breast feeds or bottle feeds. I bottle fed my boys because I worked and it was just more convenient. They are now healthy 21 and 24 years old.

Breastfeeding is a choice! And you need a pump... Besides even if you do breastfeed your children, you will still find someting to feel guilty about, it's called Motherhood.

Breastfeeding is a choice and sometimes it always isn't an easy one. I agree that it should be up to the mother and what is best for her and the baby. When my daughter was born I tried to nurse, but even in the hospital was having a difficult time with it. Partly from having a medical "issues" (I actually have two working nipples on each breast) and partly from having a lactation consultant who was making me feel insecure and uncertain. After we left the hospital my daughter wasn't eating enough so I was forced to wake her up to eat. After being scared to death because I didn't know what to do being a first-time mother and having to supplement with formula, I just never produced enough milk. In less than 3 months she was fully on formula. She is now a very happy, healthy and a very smart 18 month old. I still have "guilty" feelings about not breastfeeding her. If we have another child I might try to just pump, but I know that if I can't my child will still turn out just fine.

I think that breastfeeding should be left up to the mother. I tried to breastfeed my son when he was born, but due to some complications during pregnancy, I had to have surgery 8 days later and my supply dried up. I just had a little girl 4 months ago and I breastfed her, but she was sent to the NICU the day after she was born for heart problems and it was so hard to get her used to breastfeeing again. Breast pumps are great to have if you do breastfeed though...it makes it easier I think