Breastfeeding - How Much Better is it?

[Sasha at Parenting.com]

Hi all,

We just blogged about an articel from April's issue of The Atlantic. The writer delves into research on nursing and finds that it's not that much better than formula. She reasons that for some moms, the hardships of breastfeeding might not be worth it.

I wondered what you all thought, since you're in the middle of nursing now. Reply here, or post a comment to the blog post (http://forums.parenting.com/blogs/daily-fave/posts/breast-might-be-best).

Sasha

[JaylasMama]

I decided to breastfeed because I don't see how something manufactured and canned is better than what is naturally produced by my body.

I advocate for breastfeeding to others but it is really their choice.
And it's cheaper...
and it's easy for rolling over in the middle of the night instead of hitting the kitchen half tired.

[mysky0508]

i agree. it is cheaper and more convenient. the breast is always with you! no need to make it, heat, or keep cold. however, it can be a little overwhelming. when i first had my daughter (she's 10mos old now) i didn't want to leave the house because she was nursing every 2hrs and i didn't want to have to nurse in public. since then though i have found many ways to achieve this: nursing cover, fitting rooms, in the car.

[Bec caV]

Wow... her article made me feel less of a woman for breast feeding :(
It doesn't change the fact that breast feeding is better, even if marginally. As JaylasMama said, formula can never match the milk that's produced by me for my son.

I've read all the pros of breast feeding, I was a formula fed baby (I was adopted) and my husband was a breast fed baby, and yeah, he's overweight with diabetes, but that's genetics and lifestyle. I am overweight, even before pregnancy, but that's lifestyle too. When my husband was diagnosed with diabetes, I changed our eating habits and we both lost weight (if we actually got exercise, I can't imagine what wonderful shape we'd be in! :p ). However, if even there's a slim margin of breastfeeding our son to help against those two things, I'm for it. Any chance is better when our genetics are in play. And I still can't imagine that anything created in a lab is better for MY baby than my breast milk.
It's programed into babies to want the breast, it's why they root from the moment they are put on their mother's chest. It's nature saying "This is what's best for you... breast milk."

I was rather put off by the tone she took in the article that breast feeding tied a woman to the house pushing her back to repressed 1950's, thus giving the impression that a woman who breast feeds (and to some degree a SAHM from her tone) is less of a feminist than a formula feeding, working mom. I'm both breast feeding and a SAHM and you don't get much more of a feminist than me. I chose not to work because *I* want to raise my son, not have a daycare do it. It would be a bit different if I had family near by, my mother or MIL would care for him without hesitation, but I'd still want to be more at home than away not because of some antiquated ideal that a woman should be at home raising the children and taking care of the house, but because I want to be the biggest influence on my son until he's older.

[Twilightcraze]

Yes I feel breast milk is way better, but unfortunately I am on medication that made it unsafe to breastfeed. Some mothers have tried to make me feel ashamed, but it wasnt really my choice. My son is very healthy and happy so I know I did my best :)

[charliesmommy]

I remember when I found out that a mother could breast feed her baby. I was probably about 7 or 8. I remember thinking to myself "Why would anyone bottle feed if they have food for their baby right on them." At that point I knew I was going to nurse and I couldn't wait to do it. After growing up and finding out how good it would be for my baby I knew I was on the right track.

My views on breastfeeding are; if you and your baby can and you want to, do it! If not, you shouldn't feel like less of a mother for it and you certainly shouldn't let anyone make you feel that way.

[lismom2]

Breast Feeding is NOT best. It's NORMAL :)

http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz/documents/Diane_Wiessinger_article.pdf

[Amberk85]

well i breast feed my daughter mainly yeah i do admit cause her grandma and aunt kinda talked me into it i was young and as a mother i really didnt know what i was doing so when the nurse came in and asked if i wanted to breast feed her i did it and you know what i loved it it made me feel really good as a mother to give my daughter her feedings all the time now iam pregnant again and i plan on doing it again and look at the bright side breast feeding is cheaper

[RLTMommy]

I have been breastfeeding for 9 months. My son is very healthy. I am happy to be able to provide for him. I am going to start the weaning process over the next couple of months. But, I would definitely breastfeed again.

[freckles]

Not all BFing moms snub their noses at formula. Sadly, women stereotypically judge each other, yes, but why is Ms. Rosin turning the tables on BF moms? I support women either way and formula fed baby's thrive as any. I am sorry that she ran into such judgemental ppl.

Quote: "It is a serious time commitment that pretty much guarantees that you will not work in any meaningful way." (3rd page Par 8)

If am understanding this correctly, I would like to scream "commiting time to my baby IS MOST meaningful." Her definition of success is different than my definition of success. Commiting time to my baby is MY success. If her defintion of happiness is quote (pg 3 par 12) "working, or out with friends at night, he can have all the formula he wants." WHO AM I TO JUDGE?

BFing somewhat defines me as a mother because I am happy that I was, and am, able to nurse and commit all this time. Now I did not say a "better" mother that formula fed baby's. She is not less of a mother!

[brandie1127]

I had to stop at 6 weeks and that made me sad - we were having problem after problem. I miss it. Sure formula is fine BUT is the baby going to get MY immune system from Similac. No they'll get vitamins sure - but not MY antibodies to things circulating around.

Yes breastfeeding was hard. Especially in my situation a tongue tied child matched up with 1 regular nipple and one nipple that NEVER gets hard! And she LOVES to suckle! Right now shes chomping away on her hands I'm sure.

I don't think any less of formula fed babies - right now my daughter is formula fed but I take solace in the fact that I was able to do it for at least 6 weeks.