I do think its a personal choice on wheter or not to breast feed. Myself, its just not a fitting form of feeding. My siblings and myself were all bottle fed babies and we turned out just like any other "breast: child. My first born was bottle fed and she is a healthy and very smart little toddler! I think in your case, do what you feel most comfortable with. No way is a wrong way and there is plus and minus to everything in this world. Either way you chose, it will be the best way for your baby :)

Honestly, it just depends on the mom. Breastfeeding is not for everyone and the formulas they have out there are just as good. My sister breast fed for a year and the one thing she says is that is you want to succeed at it, you need to be 100% dedicated to accomplishing it. However, My son was 100% formula fed and he's a perfectly healthy and smart little boy. I am contemplating trying to breastfeed with this baby, but if it doesn't work out, I've alresdy started buying formula to supplement instead. Just don't let anyone make you feel guilty about whatever you decide to choose for you and your baby. Good luck!

It's your choice. I breast fed my daughter and I will be breastfeeding this one. Like the others said it is not for everyone. Studies says that breastfeeding make the babies smarter. I don't know if it's true or not. I breast fed my daughter and she is a smart 3 year old. Studies also show that they get sick a lot less, and ear infections, and they don't get constipated. It is up to you though. Some babies just don't like it and some do. Don't feel pressured to do it if you don't want too.

I think it's totally up to you! I breastfed both my sons for a time, but it wasn't easy, but I am glad I did it. You can always try it and switch if you don't like it, or do it part-time. Your baby will be fine either way.

I think it depends if you feel comfortable breast feeding yourself and wether it is ideal like if you already have a young child. I have decided i want to breastfeed as it has so many benefits for you and baby.But remember that the midwifes and the nurses at the hospital cant force you into breastfeeding. Its your decision at the end of the day.

I would recommend using a breast pump, here is a good buyers guide: http://www.allbreastpumps.com/breast-pump-buyers-guide/

Breast feeding is absolutely natures best way of providing the proper EVERYTHING for your baby. There are over 100 nutrients, vitamins etc found in breast milk that are not added to formula. It DOES take dedicatiaon, but that's not hard if you want the absolute best for your gold. I suggest you do research on breast milk verses formula and see for yourself instead of taking the facts I have just stated. Go to the le leche league.. consider also it is proven a stronger immune system is developed from breastmilk too..due to giving your baby immunities through your milk. It is what mother nature intended after all.

I breast fed for 6 months....it was so much work but worth it. It really wasn't for me..and my daughter was on the go at an early age. I can't image going longer than 6 months. I hated being tied down but I like to think my daughter is healthier because of it. She is hardly sick...and doing very well at almost 2 yrs old. I plan on another 6 months with baby 2, then doing formula the rest of the time. It worked the first time and I hope it does the second:) Good Luck to U

It is a personal choice and really a lifestyle choice.

I was surprised that I decided to beastfeed when I was pregnant...I really thought I was more of a forumla feeding mom. It does take dedication. I think it really depends on the child as to how easy it is. My little one is 16 weeks and still will bf every 1-2 hours. I'm back at work now so I have to pump 5 times a day (3 times at work...once before I got to sleep and once when I first wake up) and then I feed her in the evenings another 2-3 times. Then I bf pretty much all weekend. Some babies go 4 hours in between feedings--that would make a huge difference!
I do think there are some health benefits to breast feeding, but I don't think a baby is hurt in anyway by being exclusively formula fed. I think the antibodies in the breast milk do help against getting sick.
No matter which way you pick, your baby will fine!

There are a lot of positives to breastfeeding, but it's not for everyone. Even if you want to breastfeed it may not be possible. There could be something wrong with your milk supply or the baby may not latch on properly. Odds are though if you want to do it and you're dilligent about it, you should be able to do it successfully. Either way as long as the baby is fed frequently enough he/she should grow and develop normally.

Breastfeeding is the healthiest, most natural choice for your baby. One thing that no one has mentioned is the bonding that takes place when you breastfeed your baby. It is a time to be close and bond. It's such a sweet, sweet time. Also, it's important to breast feed right from the beginning. At first you provide lots of immunities in you colostrum. You continue to provide immunities to your baby, but it is especially important in the very beginning. I had a wonderful breastfeeding experience although it was not easy and required determination as it has been stated.

Le Leche Leage provides lots of resources such as books and even local breastfeeding support groups. I hope this helps. If you want to talk further or have specific questions just send me a message.

Here is the Le Leche website: http://www.llli.org/

Also, breastfeeding is great for your breast health. It is proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer!

I am unable to breastfeed but even if I could I would have chosen not to.

My 4 year old has obstructive sleep apnea caused by large tonsils. Other than that, he is healthy. Maybe one infection a year and it's usually strep throat. He was speaking in full sentences by the time he was one and hit all of his developmental milestones early. And I would fight the person who ever insinuated that my youngest son's SIDS death was caused by the fact that he wasn't breastfed. (Not to mention that I know dozens of women who did breastfeed and still lost their babies.)

I don't think I could have bonded with either one of my boys anymore if I hadn't used formula. With Toby, I had him almost 24 hours per day by myself because my husband worked two jobs and we hadn't figured out a schedule yet that would give me any relief. He would have started daycare the week he died so that would have taken me away from him a little but up until that point I did most of the feedings, cuddling, changing, etc. There are lots of other ways to bond besides breastfeeding, although that is certainly a good one. One thing that I did with both of my boys was to strip them down to their diapers and unbutton my shirt so that we could still get that skin to skin contact without actually breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a good choice, but formula is not a BAD choice. What about women who adopt infants? Those on medications after giving birth that might be transmitted through the milk to the infant? Those who have physical abnormalities that make it difficult (if not impossible) to breastfeed?

I know some women who breastfeed for 6 weeks or six months and then stop. That might be an alternative if you don't want to do it for the long term. But I would say to read all the information yourself, learn as much as you can about it, check out any support groups in your area and then make the decision that is right for YOU.

I never thought I'd want to breastfeed, but now that I'm pregnant, it's something that is very important to me and I really hope that my body will work with my baby to help everything run smoothly in that department for as long as possible.

I'll admit, though, I was turned by completely selfish reasons. For a long time, I had the attitude of "oh, the baby will be just fine if I use formula." Though, I knew very little about breastfeeding other than it required me to lose a bit of my modesty (and I am quite modest) and the whole thing was off-putting to me. Obviously, I see it completely different now as it's my own child and I've matured a lot in the past nine months when it comes to the topic of my body.

Anyway, what got me to change my mind was the benefits for the mother. Eventually, I realized how amazing it is for baby, too. But the thought of weight loss, not having a period for a while, not having to prepare and wash bottles day and night, having "friendlier" diapers to change, that's what made the decision for me. And I made that decision probably within weeks of finding out I was pregnant. It just made the most sense when faced with the choice head-on.

And now, I suddenly find myself being an advocate for breastfeeding and I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to do it. I do, however, understand not being able to for health reasons. That's different. And not that I'm against formula, I just think with all the benefits, why wouldn't you want to breastfeed?

I weaned my 22 month old DD about a month ago. She was the first of my 3 children that I was able to breastfed for as long (and longer) than I wanted to.
Its a very personal decision. It takes a lot of time and dedication. Not to mention a support system. The breastfeeding group on here can be helpful, but more often than not, they make moms who have decided to wean at an early age (less than a year) feel like crap for doing so.
Best of luck.