Anticipating the arrival of a new baby is an exciting experience. There are a number of preparations to be made, and many decisions to make. One of the most important decisions that parents have to make – especially mothers – has to do with the nourishment of the child. A mother must determine whether she will breastfeed her child, or feed her child through the use of a bottle.

I know how difficult that this type of decision is. I have been there, and had to make the decision as well. Here, I will expound on some of the pros and cons related to breastfeeding. I feel that it is important to know and understand these so that you can make a better informed decision overall.

Pros

Now, when it comes to the advantages of breastfeeding, there are many different ones. These advantages affect both the mother and the child. Many medical professionals feel as if breastfeeding is the right choice of nutrition for newborns. This is because of the fact that milk that comes from the breasts contains a high level of nutrients, vitamins, and other essentials that are beneficial to the health. Refer to the list below for a more detailed description of some of the pros of breastfeeding:

1. One of the most common issues that women experience after giving birth is getting all of the weight off that they have acquired while carrying the child. By breastfeeding, the body will naturally burn calories. This will result in less weight, and the extra weight to burn off more quickly.

2. One of the main issues that new parents experience is the many new expenses that are encountered when a child arrives. By breastfeeding, you can save a lot of money annually. There is actually no need to purchase formula when you breastfeed.

3. The next advantage to feeding your child by this method is that there is a lot of flexibility. If you want to feed directly from the breast, you can. If you want to pump the breasts and then store the milk in bottles for later feedings, you can do this as well. This makes feeding extremely simple and convenient.

4. It has been discovered, through scientific studies and medical case studies, that women who feed their child in this manner are less susceptible to developing serious health complications like breast cancer and even ovarian cancer.

5. The next advantage to breastfeeding a newborn child is that this is part of the natural bonding process. It is important to bond as early as possible, and breastfeeding starts on day one of the child’s life!

Cons
Believe it or not, there are actually some cons when it comes to breastfeeding. While these disadvantages can be easily over powered with the advantages, in order to make a decision on whether or not this is the right choice for you and your family, it is only best to consider these things as well. The following list details the disadvantages many have found while breastfeeding:

1. The first disadvantage is that when a mother breastfeeds, it puts a lot of pressure on her. Ultimately, as a mother, you will be responsible for every single feeding that your child experiences. Sure, it is true that you can pump the breasts in order to store milk and/or allow others to feed the baby; this can also prove to be a large hassle.

2. While breastfeeding, you may notice that you feel more tired than usual. This is because this drains a lot of energy from the body. In addition to this, you may start to experience dryness in the nipple area, as well as other aches and pains. These symptoms are generally relieved by various over-the-counter pain medications, but many do feel this is one of the down sides to feeding in this manner.

3. Those that wish to work from home or go back into the workforce may find it difficult to find time to do the things that they need to do on a daily basis. The average newborn feeds approximately three to four hours a day, and for the busy woman, this may prove to be a burden on the schedule.

4. Many women find it uncomfortable to breastfeed in front of other people. This means that special care and consideration should be made when going somewhere because you do not want to have to feed the child while you are away.

5. Breastfeeding has often been deemed as a difficult task to accomplish. Learning how to perform this can be a bit challenging and you may find yourself becoming upset or anxious as a result of it.

Summary

Breastfeeding is a very important consideration when it comes to the overall nutrition of a child. If you are considering the possibility of providing this type of nutrition to your child, you should weigh the pros and cons associated with the decision.

by Jennifer Shakeel

As a mamma to be you have probably thought whether or not you should breastfeed your newborn. There isn’t a mom in the world that does not know that when it comes to providing the best for your baby, then you should consider breastfeeding your child. Breastfeeding is scientifically proven to have many benefits for both infants and mothers. It is estimated that breast milk contains one hundred ingredients not found in formula. Breast milk is so nutritious that virtually all a baby’s organs benefit from it. I know, there are some formulas that boost they are the next best thing to breast milk… but when it comes to the health of your baby, is the next best thing really all you want to give?

Firstly, breastfeeding an infant fortifies his immune system, which is still largely undeveloped. According to scientists who study breast-feeding, babies who have been breast-fed have fewer cases of diarrhea, constipation, ear infections, and allergies. Furthermore, the mysterious Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is less common among breast-fed babies.

Breastfeeding may also help stimulate brain development in babies. It is estimated that children who have been breastfed have higher IQs of at least eight points than formula-fed children. Breast milk also continually evolves as the infant matures, containing different amounts of different nutrients as the baby reaches newer developmental stages. Because breast milk is human milk, rather than artificial milk, it contains the exact amounts of amino acids, fats, water, and carbohydrates that best nurture a baby. It is also at a warm temperature, which often promotes better sleep.

Breast milk does not contain toxins and other environmentally harmful substances because it comes directly from the breast, rather than a bottle. In fact, dirty formula bottles and contaminated water account for many cases of infant infection.

No baby is ever allergic to its mother’s milk. Conversely, so many babies are allergic to formulas that parents often purchase various formulas until they find the right one. Even if a mother falls ill, her breast milk is unaffected—in fact, it contains antibodies for that same illness so the baby gains greater immunity.

Breastfeeding is also good for an infant’s oral development. The sucking motion required of breastfeeding promotes healthy dental and speech development. A breast-feeding baby learns to control the flow of milk. On the other hand, a formula-feeding baby must constantly and passively suck, often drinking too much and upsetting its stomach.

Babies gain deep emotional satisfaction from breastfeeding because they enjoy the close bond with their mothers. They feel warm and secure, and often sleep more soundly as a result. The cuddling during breast-feeding is also essential for their healthy emotional development, as babies suffer immensely if they do not physically touch other people.

The baby is not the only one who benefits from breastfeeding. His or her mother benefits in equal measure. When mothers breast-feed, they experience one of the deepest personal bonds between two people. Moreover, they can take heart that their breast milk is clean, nutritious, and soothing for their infant. They can also rest easy that they are paying no money to breast-feed their infants, rather than shelling out thousands of dollars per year for formula.

Breastfeeding also helps mothers regain their pre-pregnancy shape. Breast-feeding burns about 20 calories per ounce of milk produced, which means that a mother who feeds her baby 8 ounces of milk burns 160 calories. Furthermore, lactation prompts a mother’s uterus to shrink.

There are very few caveats to breastfeeding. Mothers, who have certain diseases, including AIDS, should not breastfeed their babies. Women who are small-breasted need not fear they cannot nurse their babies—breast size has little effect on breastfeeding capability except that a small-breasted woman may need to nurse her baby more often than a large-breasted woman. Or you could be like me, where I was able to breast feed my first two children and then due to a surgery I had to have in order to have feeling in my arms, I could not nurse our most recent baby. While breast feeding is the best option for any newborn, there are times… certain circumstances that make breast feeding impossible or not in the best interest of the baby, in those cases the best thing you can do is choose the best formula. 

Biography
Jennifer Shakeel is a writer and former nurse with over 12 years medical experience.  As a mother of two incredible children with one on the way, I am here to share with you what I have learned about parenting and the joys and changes that take place during pregnancy. Together we can laugh and cry and rejoice in the fact that we are moms!

No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the express permission of More4Kids Inc © 2009 All Rights Reserved 

A note from Julie: The decision to breastfeed should be made ahead of time. This article describes some of the benefits. I breastfed my first son and am now going on to breastfeed our most recent addition to our family. It can be physically and emotionally exhausting at times but feel it is well worth it. It is especially tough for woman that work as not all companies are as supportive as they can be, but that is another story. Comments are welcome and we would be interested in hearing why other people made the decision to breastfeed or not.

The benefits of breast feeding to babies whose mothers are able to nurse them are numerous. Babies receive essential nutrients as well as antibodies that have not been successfully reproduced in any formula from their mother’s breast milk. Babies also have the correct jaw development through the process of breast feeding, which benefits them throughout life.

Studies are being done currently on the psychological benefits of breast feeding for both mother and baby. Breast feeding demands that a baby be held close and warm while being fed, and the distance from a mother’s face to the nursing baby’s eyes is the exact distance they can see at birth. Nursing provides a crucial opportunity for mother and baby to bond. The mother who may suffer some baby blues must put aside her feelings in order to feed her baby, which is a fundamental instinct for most mothers, no matter how depressed they are. This helps to deter the onset of postpartum depression for a lot of mothers. Babies are comforted by their mother’s presence, and the mother is encouraged in her ability to care for her new baby.

A note from Kevin: Hello, this is a dads perspective. I am a proponent and supporter of breastfeeding. Dads can feel a bit isolated at times and may not feel they are bonding as closely with their baby as they should. That will change as they grow. Breastfeeding offers a child a lot of security and love and has a lot of health benefits as the article points out. I have asthma and allergies and wanted to give my children any advantage I could so they would not go through the health issues I have gone through. The ultimate decision was my wifes and I love her for it and support her wholehartedly. I hope some dads will read this article and be a part of this important decision. A decision of love.

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