Breast Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding: What's the Right Choice?

You just had a baby and you couldn't be more elated, but now comes the choice that people near and far will loudly voice their opinion on . . . no matter what you decide.  How should you feed your baby – breast or bottle? Regardless of which decision you make, it might be helpful to know some reasons for choosing one or the other before actually making a decision. Keep reading for the pros and cons of breast vs. bottle . . .

Pros of Bottle Feeding

There are a lot of reasons people may choose to bottle feed:

1. Convenience

Freedom – you don't have to be there all the time to feed your child.
Anyone can feed the baby, not just mom – this has the added benefit of promoting bonding with people other than the mother.
Can be done anywhere without worry about people watching.
Easiest choice for working mothers as they won't have to pump.

2. Baby stays fuller longer.

3. The mother doesn't need to be concerned about how her diet affects the baby.

4. It is the best choice if the mother has an illness that could affect her baby through breast milk.

Cons of Bottle Feeding

However, there are also reasons that bottle feeding may not be the best choice for you:

1. Formula cannot mimic all types of milk (colostrum for example) 

2. Allergic reactions to formula are fairly common.

3. Cost: premixed formulas are the most convenient, but they are also the most expensive. 

4. It takes time to prepare even if premixed formula is used.

5. Bottle feeding requires carrying paraphernalia with you.

6. There is an increased chance of digestive issues.

7. Formula lacks antibodies and other things present in breast milk.

8. There is a fairly small window of opportunity to change your mind if you decide to try breastfeeding.

Pros of Breastfeeding

Just as there are reasons to bottle feed, there are also good reasons to choose the breast:

1. Convenience

Milk is always ready to serve as long as mom is there.
You do not need to carry supplies around.
No prep or clean-up work (mixing, warming, cleaning & sterilizing).

2. Breast milk contains everything your baby needs and can actually improve their health and resistance to developing allergies.

3. The act of nursing promotes bonding between mother and baby.

4. Breastfeeding helps the mother lose weight more quickly.

5. Breast milk is free.

6. There is a link between breastfeeding and a decreased risk of SIDS.

7. There is also a link between breastfeeding and a decreased risk of certain cancers.

8. If you decide it isn't right for you, you can switch to formula at any time.


Cons to Breastfeeding

Of course, just like bottle feeding, there are also things that make women find breastfeeding less desirable:

1. Time consuming: babies need to nurse approximately every three hours for many months.

2. Tiring: since it burns calories and makes your body work, breastfeeding can leave you exhausted.

3. Forces other people to find different ways to bond with baby.

4. Breast issues can arise (engorgement, mastitis, and plugged ducts are just a few).

5. It is not convenient if you want/need to return to work (however, many women have great success with pumping).

So what is the right answer?  Whatever works best for you and your baby.  If for some reason, you can't breastfeed or find that it isn't right for you, the main thing to remember is that it is your choice to make and no one else's. 

However, keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends nursing exclusively for the first six months.  The fact of the matter is that every day you can breastfeed benefits your child, so you may want to give it a try before deciding it isn't for you.