Name: Priscilla Title: PRO'S AND CON'S OF BREASTFEEDING

Hi! I plan to breastfeed but I'm still not totally sure yet. I was wondering if there were some experienced mothers out there that can tell me some pro's and con's of breastfeeding. It will really mean a lot to me if so. Thanks.  ?

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Name: Tia • Date: 01/07/2006 04:47:57

PROs- It's natural, healthy, convient with no bottles to wash, over all great bonding experience. I know you can bond with formula but I think it's different knowing your body is producing the nutrients for your child. It's relaxing and gives you a chance to take a step back and really enjoy your little one. Breastfed babies have higher IQ's supposively. The milk is easier to digest so it reduces the chances of colic. The poop doesn't smell have as bad and you don't have to worry about constipation.

CONs-I had no problem nursing infront of others but most of the people I knew left the room because it made them uncomfortable. No one was supportive but I figured it was more of their issue not mine and enjoyed my time alone with my son. Breastfed babies also nurse in smaller quanities and more often then formula fed babies.  =

Name: 3 time nursing mom • Date: 01/10/2006 06:01:24

Priscilla,
(First off, I want to say, I love your name. It is very pretty)

Pros:
Breastfed babies have higher i.q.'s, like Tia mentioned because nutrients in your milk are specially designed for your baby to aid in his/her brain and nerve development.

Breastfed babies have a lower risk of acquiring allergies as children and into adulthood.

One of my favorite benefits is that your baby will receive all of your immunities for as long as you breastfeed. This means when everyone else in the family has that nasty cold, your baby will not get it if you get it first. So breastfeeding when you are ill is a good thing, for baby gets your immunities to resist the illness. How great is that! My 3 yr old, whom I still share a nursing relationship with, is rarely ill.

Also breastfed babies are proven to have less stranger anxiety, and toddlers who are breastfed are often very confident and outgoing.

But the baby isn't the only one getting benefits:
Studies have shown that nursing mothers reduce their risk of breast cancer.

You get more sleep because you do not have to get up in the middle of the night to heat that bottle.

The longer you breastfeed only, without introduction of formula or solids, ovulation is quite often delayed, natural child spacing. (This is called "Ecological Breastfeeding", do a google search for more info. My youngest was 2 before I started ovulating again).

Nursing increases your metabolism which aids in losing those 'pregnancy pounds'.

Nursing releases certain hormones which help in relieving postpartum depression, and aid in increasing maternal emotions.

Now for the Cons:
Hmmm, personally, I do not know of any. Though I think it is a personal choice, and some people may feel there are some. But whenever I looked down upon my nursing babe, I always felt nothing but bliss.

The only cons I felt there were was when I worked full time a few years back, the environment was not too friendly for expressing milk, and bathroom stalls were uncomfortable. But I never would have not breastfed, I felt the benefits too great.
Fortunately now, the work environment seems to be changing and more accomodating to employees who nurse.

Hope this helps.

Good luck and good for you for thinking this out thoroughly.
If you need support or have questions, google La Leche League, an international group. You should be able to find a number of a nearby group leader who would be delighted to talk to you over the phone.  =

Name: mammacass • Date: 01/20/2008 19:11:19

My name is Cassidy and I am all for breastfeeding! I nursed my son Kaden, now 2 1/2 for 14 months. Kaden is a very healthy, very active little boy and we are very close! I think that if you can produce the perfect food for your child, why waist it? There are so many pro's to breast feeding, from the cost, FREE!!!!! To the ammount of immunities your child gets from you!! breastfeeding is a beautiful thing, it's a great time for mother and child to bond, I honestly couldn't imagine giving my son anything else when he was born! I hope you do decide to breastfeed! Good luck and Congratulations!  =

Name: neomum • Date: 02/10/2008 12:52:15

WHAT! :O theres NO cons of breastfeeding!  =

Name: playmatex3x • Date: 02/10/2008 20:21:05

i breastfed. its great bonding time with ur baby but you have to be prepared to pump if ur not with your baby for about 2 hours lol. thats the only downside. i loved it!  =

Name: depressedrachel • Date: 02/11/2008 03:10:42

heyy im a mum and im just 15 and i hate breastfeeding i mean its great time with delilah my baby girl but it just leaves my tits aching afterwardss. but ive only just starting breastfeeding last week ( wen i had her :) ) so maybe it gets better but im not gonna find out coz ive started her on a bottle and its going well so far...?  =

Name: sagacious • Date: 02/11/2008 12:34:59

An Environmental health group has called for an immediate ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and other plastic food containers. This is because the BPA is considered as a synthetic hormone, having same action as estrogen. The chemical is mostly used to manufacture hard plastic bottles and food containers.

The study reveals that 95% of baby bottles sold in North America contain BPA. To know more click here:
http://medheadlines.com/2
008/02/07/baby-bottles-are-toxic
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