What are the Pros and cons to breastfeeding
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To add to the first comment, breastfeed babies usually recover from illnesses quicker. There’s no faffing with bottles and cooling the milk when baby is hungry and needs fed immediately. It’s a great way to soothe a baby that’s upset or uncomfortable. Cons for me were that it was very stressful getting in and keeping a good level of milk. Finding a latch can be difficult - we use nipple guards Most or all feeds are depending on you, and that can be very stressful. Very little free time and people will constantly say “think the baby is hungry” even when you know you just fed them! We have had all the cons but we are still breastfeeding at 10 months. I did introduce the bottle at 4 months because the regression was driving me crazy. So but if combi feeding in between.
Aside from the health benefits, pros for me are: not having to deal with bottles. Nothing needs to be prepped for baby to be able to eat, especially on the go. Very little cost with breastfeeding. Cons: the pain and stress of learning how to feed baby. Being the only one who can do feeds, unless you decide to do some bottles. For me currently biggest is that my baby won't take a bottle and will only nurse at home laying down. So while I don't need to prep bottles and what not to go out of the house. I need to be mindful of how long we are gone so he doesn't go too long without eating.
I have breastfed my son exclusively for the past 8 months. I have found it difficult but kept persevering with it as I know it’s good for him! I found it easier when you’re out and about, not having to carry bottles around or premake formula. If I needed a break I could express and ask my fiancée to bottle feed him. You can still drink alcohol but making sure you follow the NHS guidelines for this. I have researched it and found that breastfeeding gives your baby all the calories and nutrient they need. It also produces antibodies the baby needs if they’re poorly. It provides your baby with an immunity and keeps baby close to you building a really lovely bond (however I think formula fed babies still get this bond too). I had real issues latching with my son and was kept in hospital for extra days because of this. The nurse gave my son a dummy to help teach him how to suck properly and the lactation consultant helped show me the right ways to get baby latched.
If you’re in the UK you can ask the health visitors to get you in contact with the lactation consults and there are breastfeeding support groups you can attend xx
I was going to say everyone's saying about how hard it is getting baby to latch.. as Shannon said above a lactation consultant is a must.. you can even get help when you first give birth the hospital midwifes are there to help you too.. after you leave the hospital if your still struggling then you can get your midwife to send a lactation consultant out to your house.. I had mine come out 5 days in a row to make sure he was latched properly.. will be doing the same again... No cons from me Pros.. no cleaning bottles.. No price for bottles or formula.. When baby is unwell your breastmilk changes to what baby needs.. Breastmilk can be used on baby either over there bodies with skin conditions- eczema.. or even conjunctivitis! (And you can use it on yourself) So I breastfed until baby turned 3 he fully weaned off himself and I baby led weaned at 6 months.. no picky eater here ☺️ My first baby was formula fed and was constantly being sick and he's the most pickiest eater ever 🥴
The only cons for me were the labour intensity. There's a beautiful book called the food of love, written in a cartoon style that I highly recommend. It covers all different things including NICU feeding!
I am still exclusively BF my 9.5 month old and agree with all the pros and cons above. The only cons I will add is: 1) when they grow teeth… OHMYGOD 😂 maybe that’s just my baby. But wow… that can hurt. 2) trying to BF in public is really difficult for me. Baby hates her head being covered but constantly unlatches at the slightest distraction. So either get okay with the public seeing you and getting those judgey faces or find a solution that works (if that happens with your baby)
@Mia “just” personal struggles for the mother can sometimes be perfectly good reasons to not breastfeed. I don’t disagree with you that giving it a try and getting support is the best thing, but it’s not always as simple as 1-2 years. Mental health issues can have very long lasting effects. The health and well being of the mother matters, for both her and the baby. If my own mother would have struggled emotionally with breastfeeding I would much rather get formula and have a happy mom than be breasfed by someone in a dark place.
Breastmilk has probiotics and antibodies in it Breastmilk is free Breastfeeding lowers the mother's rate of breast cancer The nutritional composition of breastmilk changes in accordance with baby's needs as they age Babies aren't born knowing how to latch. They have to learn. The midwives should have taught you how to do it eg position baby correctly.