I'm planning on breastfeedin gmy baby, but i understand that it isn't for everyone and i'm fine with that, everyone has their own ideas of what is best for their children. The way i see it is we make it so that's what should be best for them, if it wasn't best for them then we wouldn't make it

i voted wrong.

i voted for bottles because that's what *i* use. i do know that breast is best!

i just was not comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding (i'd rather not go into it but i'm sure it has something to do with abuse as a child).

while i know breastmilk is best, i don't think there's a *huge* difference between breastmilk and formula. i feel my son is getting everything he needs from his formula and he's a smart, extremely happy, and healthy boy.

I agree .B, i don't think there is a huge difference at all, it's not like every breast fed baby is going to be top of the class and every bottle fed baby isn't going to be clever. My midwife said something that interested me yesterday and i wonder what you guys think of it, why is it not socially acceptable for grown humans to drink breastmilk when they drink milk that was intended for baby cows?

hmm good point. I think no one will argue that breast milk is healthier for the baby but im a huge supporter of formula as well. It does the job of getting the child everything he or she needs for proper development and while they do say breast milk can contribute to a slightly higher iq i think that just working with your child and providing a healthy educating enviorment will do the same thing. I think its much more important to have a healthy happy mother then one who is stressed out, tired and in pain from breastfeeding.

there should be a choice for .........neither is better than the other.

Agreed 100%

Breast is best, but if your a nursing mother who dreads it, or dislikes it, what's the point? They make great formula these days, and it gives daddy's a chance to have that special bonding time with their babies.

I think breast milk is definitely healthier, but I agree with the post above that if you dread the experience, then there really isn't much point in doing so. That's what formula is for. I think people should get over the stigma that moms who choose formula are "bad" moms. We all have reasons for choosing one or the other.

I think that if you are able to breastfeed and are willing to breastfeed then that is the better choice.. however when i had my son i chose not to breastfeed because i just felt uncomfortable doing so and i liked the idea that the baby's father could feed the baby as well as i could without me having to pump it out of my breasts first. But i think that if you are willing to breastfeed and the baby takes breast milk well and if you make enough to breastfeed then that should definitely be the choice to make. i give alot of credit to the mothers that do breastfeed but its just something i dont feel comfortable doing.

i just read this is in .parents magazine and thought it was interesting-

73- percentage of moms who try to breastfeed.

6- number of months the american academy of pediatrics recommends that women breastfeed. (are they saying 6 months minimum or to stop at 6 months? i don't see the point in switching to formula at 6 months, so i'm confused.)

17- percentage of moms who make it to the one-year mark. (i would have thought it was a lot more.)

29- percentage of women who said they'd be uncomfortable breastfeeding in public.

0- number of federal laws that protect the rights of breastfeeding mothers.

75- percentage of mothers the .u.s. government hopes will nurse at birth by 2010.

you know i feel like it is so rude to breastfeed in public.. i think it is sumthing that you should just not do; thats why they have breast pumps... but if you absolutely have to feed them go to a restroom or something... i seen this one lady whip out her boob in the middle of a 7th grade concert to feed her baby.. i was so disgusted i just think its something that should be done in private.

i was thinking of posting this but decided not to, but your response prompted me to go for it.

http://ehealthforum.com/health/viewtopic.p hp?p=600650#600650

Breastmilk is far better imo. I would have felt very guilty if I hadnt at least tried breastfeeding despite it being uncomfortable etc at first, he deserved the best and luckily I was able to give him it. Not all mothers have such an easy time getting used to it.

i definitely agree. it can be extremely hurtful to a mother who tried her hardest to breastfeed but couldn't for some reason.

yes, yes it can :'(

.b
they recommend you breastfeed at least until 6 months. I do not believe they suggest when to stop (or at least ive never read anything about when to stop, which is why i think there is such a huge debate over it)

i plan on trying to breastfeed until around 6 months or when she gets teeth.. whichever comes first

A lot of doctors say that the child will decide when they should wean, and when they are ready, they will let the parent know, and it's up to the parent to respect it and allow them to stop.

I continued breastfeeding Jay when he had teeth. It isnt how you fear it to be, of the baby chewing your nipple or not letting go or anything like that. You teach them not to, its simple and painfree if you do it right.

It just seems natural to feed a kid breast milk.

Unfortunately, when you get down to the compositions, breast milk is really better for the baby. it is easier to digest, it contains antibodies that cannot be found in formula, and vitamins that are hard to replicate.

Now, do I agree that formula is coming in a very, very close second? Definitely! I was raised on formula! But if I become pregnant, I will breast feed my child

There's nothing wrong with formula. But it's like answering essay questions on a test. Breast-milk is the more-complete answer. Formula gets an A, breastmilk gets an A lol.