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feeding
is it necessary to breast feed? like does it HAVE to be done or will the formula stuff work just as well ?
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alot of mother breast feed but my niece and nephew were both on formula and their just fine!
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formula will work it's just breast feeding i think is better because it helps the baby's imune system when they get sick to process faster.
-KikiJ
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Simple answer from a former OB nurse: No it is not necessary to breast feed. Formula will work just fine.
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I think everyone else pretty well went into the benefits to the baby in terms of getting antibodies and the exact nourishment it needs from breast milk versus formula.
The part I like to sell to new moms, though, is that breast feeding is the best way to lose the weigh put on during pregnancy.
The body puts on extra fat to sustain the mother so that she CAN breastfeed, after all there was no such thing as formula until very recently.
If a mom doesn't breastfeed, that fat just stays around for the most part.
So, in other words, it's not just good for the baby, it's good for Mom too!
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No, it isn't necessary. If it was necessary, formula wouldn't exist.
A lot of research says that breastfeeding helps with the child's health and even intelligence.
Looking at my child, I would agree. I breastfed for a while. He is incredibly bright and couldn't be healthier.
Of course, I don't know how he would have been if I hadn't breastfed. Perhaps he would still be just the same. But here are some things to consider:
Breastfeeding is supposed to lower the mother's risk of breast cancer.
It is a good time to enjoy your baby. You are just quiet and cuddling. It is like an enforced break.
When you breastfeed, a chemical is released into your body that relaxes you.
Breastfeeding doesn't cost anything. Formula does.
Your breasts go with you everywhere and the milk doesn't get sour in the heat. Milk in bottles has to be put in a bag with ice, then rewarmed at feeding time, and it can go bad.
Bigger boobs. I weaned my son many years ago and I am still two cup sizes bigger than before.
Your periods take longer to come back.
On the other hand:
The father (or anyone else) can give the baby formula. Only you have the breasts.
Leaky breasts are seriously awkward to deal with.
Engorged breasts are painful (if you don't breastfeed, you will still deal with this for a while though).
One word: Mastitis. It is a breast infection. Bacteria get in and cause all kinds of pain. This mainly happens if the nipples get cracked enough to let the bacteria in, so it can be avoided.
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It isn't necessary to breast-feed. Some mothers do, while others don't. I guess it just depends on the person and what they're most comfortable with.
However, most mothers that do breast-feed their babies help out their kids. Breast milk is the ideal form of nutrition for newborns. It provides ideal nourishment and a special bonding experience between the mother and her newborn. It also helps protect the baby from infection. You save a TON of money if you breast feed, too. Which would be a huge help, since the formal is rather expensive.
Whichever way you choose, make sure it suits you and you're comfortable with it. ♥
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No it's not neccessary, you don't have to do it.
Although, I've heard people say that children who are breastfed are smarter and healither than children who weren't.
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I didn't breast feed either of my kids.
So while I wouldn't tell you not to. Because it is
good for the child and least expensive way to go...It doesn't HAVE to be done. Personal choice. :)
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It's isn't absolutely necessary to breastfeed, but most doctors will agree that if it's possible for the mother to breastfeed it is better for the baby then formula.
Breast milk is the perfect baby food, easy to digest, completely free, and good for the mother too as it seems to speed up the healing and help her loose weight. The biggest advantage of breast milk over formula though is the antibodies passed from mom to her baby, they help to fight infections and boost the baby's immune system a good deal
This is a great website, a bit much to read, but it discusses the pros and cons about breastfeeding and formula feeding: [Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
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Hey just to add a point to the first advice left- most of those antibodies are passed on during the first couple of feeds after you've given birth so if you're planning on formula feeding generally, if you at least breast feeding for the first couple of times will pass on a lot of the stuff they need.
There's lots of "research" on the subject such as whether breast fed or bottle fed babies are more intelligent blah blah blah but most of it's very flimsy if not quite a lot of crap, be careful which studies you take as gospel. The reality is lots of mothers do a combination of the two depending on what's more convenient.
Also there are cases, especially in older or stressed mothers, where breast milk is simply not enough to keep a baby going and where formula milk actually gives the baby more nutrients so it's all relative and what's best for a baby will vary a lot.
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