Guest Post- Nisha from babyplanet.biz

Breast Feeding VS Bottle

If you are a new or soon-to-be parent, you have probably heard arguments for both sides of the breastfeeding or bottle feeding debate. It’s important to remember that how you choose to feed the baby is a decision only you can make and you shouldn’t allow yourself to be pressured one way or the other. There are several important factors to consider including nutrition, convenience and cost.

Nutrition

Obviously ensuring the baby’s nutritional needs are being met is a top priority. Breast milk is an ideal food for babies and provides a perfect balance of nutrients. It’s likely that your baby will find breast milk easy to digest ensuring that important nutrients are being absorbed. However, a good quality formula imitates breast milk. When using formula, nutritional content depends on proper preparation. Bottle feeding may involve some trial and error but with the assistance of a paediatrician you can ensure that baby is getting all the nutrition needed to thrive and grow strong and healthy.

Convenience

When the baby is ready to feed, breast feeding mothers enjoy being able to provide a meal any time and any place. Not only is there no preparation required but breast milk is always the right temperature. If convenience is important to you, this is certainly something to consider. Parents committed to bottle feeding however can have someone other than the mother feed the baby, or just had the bottle to baby whether it’s in pushchairs or in a cot bed mattress. This can be a positive bonding experience for other family members and possibly free up some valuable time for the new mother. Breast feeding mothers who choose to use a breast pump can experience the best of both worlds by still providing milk when they are absent. It’s important to note that mothers must still pump milk if a feeding is missed.

Cost

Many people assume that there are no costs associated with breast feeding which is untrue. However the costs are comparatively minimal as you will need to purchase things like nursing bras, nursing pads and a breast pump. Using formula is a much more expensive option with the costs ranging anywhere from $60 to $200 every month depending on brand. You will also have to factor in the cost of bottles, sterilizers and other equipment needed to prepare the formula. As you expected, adding to your family will definitely increase your monthly expenses. Choosing whether to breast feed or bottle feed will impact your overall costs.

Final Considerations

The decision to breast feed or bottle feed must be made based on your family’s needs and lifestyle. It’s important to consult with a doctor and a paediatrician to ensure the health and wellness of both mother and baby. Even if you want to breastfeed, it may not be appropriate for you. Certain medications taken by the mother can interrupt breastfeeding. It is also not uncommon for early breast feeding to be uncomfortable. Just as bottle feeding parents will develop skills to accurately prepare and warm formula, breast feeding mothers may also need to develop skills for feeding the baby. Welcoming a new member into your family is both an adventure and an education. The more information you have about your options, the easier it will be to make an informed decision that meets the unique needs of your family.

Hello my name is Nisha, I represent a site called babyplanet.biz. I love to write about parenting, children and give advice to mums.