Is Breast Always Best?

My mother could not breastfeed. She hated it and had strong opinions about it. But I chose not to be influenced by her negativity. God did make my body able to take care of my children. It is a bonding experience, healthy, AND economical. I have gone through two kids now and hope to do many more. I was even able to go over a year with my second and go straight from breast to regular milk. I think main stream america is against breastfeeding over a year and the doctors need to stop giving out advice that may or may NOT be the right thing to do.

I did not breastfeed either of my children. I think each family should choose what is best. I have been hurt and offended by judgmental breastfeeding mothers. It is really none of their business and to judge without information. Some mothers don't feel comfortable breastfeeding, some are unable, some are not birth mothers and some, like me, became very ill a few days after my child's birth. I was in the ICU on heavy medication for a week and therefore wouldn't have been able to even if I had wanted to. Those of you who look down at the rest of us need to concentrate on your children and lose the superior attitude.

It's taken a year to finally succeeding in breastfeed my son without pain or nipple trauma. I never used formula, but I would not hesitate to suggest switching to formula if I had a friend with the same problem. Yes, breast milk is superior, but breast feeding must fit the needs of the child AND the mother. A women who can breastfeed fine, but hates doing it is just as justified as a mother who cannot breastfeed in giving her baby formula.

I am breast feeding a 15 going on 16 month old This is My body My baby for how long I will breast feed is up to my child and my body there are ques that will indicate weather it is time to whine or not from both of us. This is a very personal choice. Again if someone says something when we are out This is My Body My Baby.

I had my seven yearold when I was just eighteen. The thought of breastfeeding was horrifying to me. I gave her formula and she turned out great. She was a perfect angel never gave me any problems. I'm now pregnant with my second and I'm thinking about trying the pump ONLY. I don't feel comfortable with the breast. With my first child I had so much milk and was in so much pain. I'm hopeful that this go around it will be better.

I, like many other women, do believe that the choice to breastfeed or not is a very personal choice that should not be judged by others. I was unable to breastfeed my son because of low milk production. I felt absolutely horrible and inadequate as a new mother because all I had been hearing for months was that to be a good mother you had to breastfeed. The article does challenge that concept, something that should be done for the benefit of mothers who don't breastfeed.

What's important is that you feed your child be it breast milk or formula. I had my daughter 5 months ago. Within the first week my nipples were - cracked, bleeding, scabbed, had thrush and I was in excrutiating pain. With the help from the lactation consultant, the support of my breastfeeding support group, support from my family and friends, we stuck it through. This meant 8 solid weeks of pumping and bottle feeding so that my nipples could heal and my daughter could get some jaw manipulation treatments. By the 8th week, it just worked, in the snap of a finger, she nursed perfectly. I was constantly hooked up to a pump - but I did not feel like a machine. I knew what I was doing was best for my daughter, which made it all worth it. I am so glad I stuck with it. There is no greater feeling than knowing that I provide my daughter's nourishment, nothing better than nursing her and her looking up at me - pausing and smiling.

I tried breastfeeding both of my children - but even with help from a pump, lactation consultant, herbal supplements, and more, my body did not produce enough milk. I felt horrible with my first child - I felt like everyone was judging me everytime I got out the formula. She is now a very healthy, smart and happy 4 year old. I still tried with my second but with the same result. Yeah - formula is expensive but it is a great option. It would be nice to not have to buy formula or prep bottles, etc. But it is also nice for my husband to experience feeding the children and for me to get a break in the middle of the night and not to have to pump. I feel every woman should get the choice. I would recommend trying to breastfeed - but if you can't or it isn't for you - then don't beat yourself up over it. A happy mom is a better mom :)

Research shows that breast milk is best. But I believe a good relationship with your baby is even better. I breastfed my three children, BUT I was so stressed with my first that I felt I missed some of the good times. I was always so worried whether or not she was getting enough, that I was inadequate for not producing enough...I was just worried all the time. I think in cases like this supplemental formula would be the better way to go, if it eases Moms mind and helps her develop a more relaxed relationship with the newborn.

I think breastfeeding should always be a personal choice. I stopped breastfeeding my first child after only 3 months. I was just overwhelmed with being a new mother and breastfeeding was very hard for me. I am planning on breastfeeding my 2nd child due later this year. I will definitly be purchasing a breastpump this time. I think I will need all the help I can get and I want it to work out this time. Although I am a SAHM and won't need a pump for working, I think it will help me to get through the early stage when I'm very sore and will also help for building a freezer supply.

I am currently breast feeding my first child (7 months old) and I have loved every moment of it and definitely plan to do the same with any other children I have. I think part of this issue goes back to the stigma we have in this country around breast feeding. It can be resistrictive if you don't feel comfortable breast feeding in public and many people make your feel uneasy about doing so. There is a cultural taboo about women's breasts that needs to change.

What a hot issue! It is propaganda at its most evil to suggest breast milk is not best for the baby in all but a very few instances. I do not think I can understand a mother who is not willing to sacrifice for the benefit of her children. She should have a pet; not a child. I am angered by women who want to "have it all" as if parenting was a hobby. I am angered when I hear news reports of infants dying due to dehydration from tainted water during disasters and sickened from tainted formula. A mother who truly cannot breastfeed should not feel guilty. A mother who will not do everything in her power for her child should.

I think breastfeeding is best, however I don't like the pressure that is given to women about it. I am breastfeeding my second child, and I use a pump as well and things are going great. However, with my first child I only breastfed for about 2 months. My doctor said that my birth control would not dry up my milk. But it did, and crushed me. As soon as I stopped breast feeding him he started getting ear infections. I believe that breastfeeding is definently more healthy.

I think the most important question to ask about this, that I feel so many ignore is this: is the child A). getting all the nutrients they need, and B). Is the child loved? I think every mom whether they breast feed or use formula is still giving thier child the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong, and they are also loving thier children. I think that most moms will agree that breast feeding/bottlefeeding isn't so much the act of feeding the baby as it is that they spend that special time loving thier child, and assuring it that it is loved and secure. No matter what the choice the child is what's most important and moms need to get off each others backs about it because quite frankly we have enough people trying to bring us down without bringing each other down.

I feel women should be able to do which ever they choose and be able to do so without other women condeming them for their choice. Or doctors condeming them for the choice they make. Everyone is different and choose different paths for different reasons. I know people who have done things and had others talk about them and make remarks to their face and the thing was there were personal things going on that everyone didn't know about.