Which Is Right For You: Breast Or Bottle

There are many decisions to be made when a child is on the road. One of the most controversial issues is the ever-present “chest or bottle” debate. There are many people who have strong feelings on both sides of the issue, and many of them will try as an evangelist to get you on their side. I will not do that. I will give you the facts, and give you a personal understanding of the matter, hoping it will leave you feeling good, no matter what you choose. Scientifically speaking, bre∗st milk is the best. There are nutrients in bre∗st milk that help your baby's brain to grow, and to try as hard as possible, formulas cannot replicate these nutrients. Bre∗stfeeding protects your baby from infections because, as long as it is bre∗stfed, it is protected by your immune system, which is more developed than ever. Bre∗st milk is very well tolerated by babies, and will never cause stomach problems, and bre∗stfed babies are less likely to gain weight. But, in fact, scientific facts are not the only things to be considered. Women who do not want to bre∗stfeed will probably not be very successful. Even some women who want to bre∗stfeed will find it difficult, even frustrated, trying to do it. Some women will have difficulty making enough milk to satisfy their baby's hunger, while some women will experience greater pain by bre∗stfeeding than they can tolerate. If you fall into one of those categories, don't ignore it. Your child can do very well in formula, too. When my daughter was born, I was yearning for a baby. I had two boys, but one was for my husband from a previous marriage, and the other was found to be ten months old, so this was my only chance of getting pregnant and bre∗stfeeding. I read all the books I could find, and as a fool, I spent a lot of money on a bre∗st pump. It turned out, however, that my nipples were not exactly the same as the set, so my daughter completely rejected one nipple. So, I bre∗stfed on the side she was going to take until my nipples looked like minced beef. In addition, he weighed 20 pounds [8 kg] at birth, and no matter how long I cared for him, I could not satisfy his appetite. Even when she refused to bre∗stfeed, she was always hungry. I pretended to be crazy about it, worked with two different bre∗stfeeding consultants and tried all the tricks in the book, but still all the nursing efforts ended in tears. After two sad weeks, I agreed and put her o∗n a formula. We have never looked back. I was very happy because I was not always frustrated, and she was very happy because her stomach was full and because her Mom was more relaxed. Now that I have told you this story, I will tell you this. If I have ever had another child, I would try to bre∗stfeed it again. Every baby is different, and a mother's body is different with each pregnancy. I can also try to give my child the best out of a healthy diet. But, now I realize that sometimes it just doesn't work, or it's not right for you, and that doesn't mean you're not a good Mom. The chest or bottle is a personal decision. Measure your facts and choices, and make the right choice for you and your child. Whatever you decide, you do not owe anyone an explanation.