I'll start with the positives because they're the most important! Please don't take this as an attack against formula feeding, I'm just sharing my experiences and facts about breastfeeding! We're all trying our best and feeding our babies at the end of the day and hats off to bottle feeding mums, I genuinely wouldn't make it out of the house if I had all of those extra jobs to do! This is a reasonably sensible and somewhat boring post, I hope it interests some of you!
Breast milk is packed full of cells which literally eat up germs. It also contains a substance which coats your baby's intestines which prevents germs from leaking through, it can also prevent allergic reactions from food.
2. It's free!
Clearly a massive positive, obviously you may be interested in buying bottles and a pump to express milk which I haven't done but that's still a lot cheaper than buying formula every week! Breast pads also are a must for some. I know some friends who don't need them, I on the other hand have to at all times and only Lansinoh are good enough for the job!
3. No bottles to carry!
Bottles are pretty bulky and you've got to make sure you take enough formula out with you if you don't want to be buying more when you're out. I can leave the house knowing I'm not going to have to worry about feeding.
4. No sterilising bottles.
Being a mum is hard enough work, any less labour is a positive!
5. Reduces risk of SIDS.
I don't even like typing this. For the first few months, I was petrified. Breast fed babies don't sleep as soundly as formula fed babies so the theory is that breast fed babies would awaken if they stopped breathing for a moment or two.
6. No preparation.
No mixing formula or warming bottles, just pull up/down your top and you're ready to go!
7. It builds an amazing bond with your baby.
I'm only talking from experience but I've genuinely loved mostly everything about breastfeeding. I feel a real comfort when feeding Bronte. Especially the first few weeks, it was the most unreal thing knowing I was keeping a little human alive with my boobs!
8. Breastfeeding on demand is easy!
I've never timed how long Bronte has fed for or thought about when she needs to feed next. She lets me know and my boobs are always there ready. I've found weaning her onto food quite simple in that respect too, I don't need to count bottles or do any "reducing" etc.
9. Lowers your risk of getting ovarian and breast cancer.
Pretty self explanatory!
10. Naturally burns up to 500 calories per day.
I don't know how quickly I would have lost weight if I'd bottle fed but from personal experience, I lost all of my baby weight in 2 months and I'm now half a stone below my pre pregnancy weight!
11. Hands free!
I'm able to have my hands free to use my phone or eat (not that I can eat as breastfeeding makes me feel queasy around food but that's another subject!)
12. Soothing!
Nothing stops Bronte crying like a quick whip out of my boob! Magic.
13. You can feed your baby lying down.
Anything's a positive if it's a lazier option.
1. Leaks.
I'm constantly leaking. I spent a good couple of weeks trying to find the right breast pads! Lansinoh win hands down if anybody has the same problem as me!
2. Difficulty knowing what to wear!
I don't wear dresses unless they're button up or pinafores. Everything has to be easy access and if you decide to wear something a bit fiddly one day, you'd better hope you have a rather simple day and don't end up wanting to rip them off in frustration! I do have days where I find it incredibly irritating constantly readjusting my clothes.
3. Being the only milk giver.
Unless you manage to combination feed or express milk, you'll be the only person who's able to feed your baby. That's the case with me. I've tried bottles in the past and it's really hit and miss with whether Bronte will accept them or not. I've since given up trying as I've only got a hand pump and I find it a bit of a faff if she's only going to reject it! One bottle that Bronte has accepted in the past is the Minbie bottle for anyone who's looking for a good one to try!
4. Mastitis.
I had mastitis when Bronte was 7 weeks old. I felt incredibly ill. Like I had the flu, everything was painful and achey. My boobs were solid hard, sore and red. Luckily antibiotics cleared it up within a few days but I wouldn't wish it upon any new mother!
5. The early weeks.
This could be a positive and a negative! You're constantly feeding your baby at the beginning. I very much felt like Bronte was always on my boobs but it rarely bothered me. It's just extra bonding in my eyes! It could be viewed as being extremely demanding and obviously leaves you with the problem of possibly not being able to let someone else take over with feeding on occasions so you can have a nap!
6. Biting.
Since Bronte has developed two little teeth, she's graced me with a loving nip on my nipples every now and then. It seems to have died down now but for a few days it was pretty painful!
7. Feeling sick.
This is very personal to me and apparently very unusual but every time I breast feed, I feel queasy. The feeling's died off slightly over the past few months but at the beginning I was almost completely off food. I struggled with eating anything and lived off of dippy eggs, nuts and pizza for the first few months! I'm still not back to normal with my eating and I generally eat a load of rubbish, I rarely can stomach the foods I used to enjoy.
8. Breastfeeding in public?
I don't find feeding in public a problem, again that's my personal experience and I can't speak for everyone. I don't have big boobs so maybe I find it easier being discreet so I don't feel on edge that people are looking! I do, however, worry that if Bronte comes off unexpectedly, I'm going to shoot a poor man in the eye with my tremendous let down. I did feel anxious about feeding in public to begin with but to anyone who's thinking of breast feeding but this factor is really putting them off... it gets A LOT easier with time!
9. Sleep.
Generally, bottle fed babies sleep more soundly than breastfed babies. This has a very slim chance of being a negative (referring to SIDS.) but thankfully, that's unlikely. Bronte still hasn't slept through the night and can often be up every hour in the night, I don't know how she'd sleep if she was formula fed so obviously I can't comment on whether breastfeeding has anything to do with this!
10. There are still idiots out there who think its disgusting or wrong!
These idiots were probably breastfed as a baby and don't realise that they wouldn't actually exist if it weren't for that. Breastfeeding is what has got our species to where we are today. If it wasn't for breastfeeding, none of us would exist! Unfortunately, breasts for a long time have been classed as "sexual objects" and although there's nothing wrong with finding breast attractive, that is NOT their purpose! They are and always will be a body part designed to feed babies. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a baby eating. I shouldn't really need to say more! As many people say, if you don't like it, don't look. Although I'm sure whilst somebody is disgusted by you breastfeeding in a cafe, they're probably sipping on a cup of tea made with cows milk from cows "boobies". How funny. I'd like to add that I've never had anyone approach me or make me feel uncomfortable for breastfeeding. I have, however, seen ridiculous comments from people regarding breastfeeding, on the internet. It's half laughable, half unbelievable.
Remember, If you're in two minds as to whether to breastfeed or not, you can always start off breastfeeding and then switch to formula or do a bit of both! However you choose to feed your baby, it will be the right decision for you. There are pros and cons to both. I've loved (mostly) every minute of breastfeeding and will breastfeed any other children I have if I'm still able to!
Photo by Georgina Hannay Photography of Bronte at 3 weeks old.
Maia, I've got SO much love for this! When it comes to the topic of breastfeeding it seems that there are so many judgmental bloggers out there so this is a refreshing read. As a nursery nurse and the daughter of a midwife, I am a strong supporter of breastfeeding but I can't stand it when so-called 'lacktivists' attack other Mamas for not feeding- they don't think about how it is not practical or even medically possible for some women who might desperately want to breastfeed. These women are often already battling with overwhelming (and totally unnecessary!) feelings of guilt without the cruel words of others making them feel worse.
ReplyDeleteLove that you've included negatives alongside the usual positives/benefits, as well as being mindful of those who aren't as fortunate as you. You're amazing, keep doing you! x