Everyone has had it touted to them “breast is best,” to the point some mumma’s have severe anxiety before bub is even born regarding their ability to breastfeed and immediate skin to skin contact for fear bub won’t latch. But what about those mumma’s who can’t breastfeed, what about those that for whatever reason choose not to? I’m going to write this article with unbiased, non-judgemental pros and cons for each and let you decide.
So, why do they say breast is best? It’s the initial colostrum, known as “foremilk,” that contains antibodies from mum that will pass on and provide bub with early immunity protection. Why is this important? well, bub comes out with only the immunity provided from mum via the placenta. HOWEVER, for some women, breastfeeding just won’t happen, be it lip or tongue ties (see my blog on lip and tongue ties), baby refusing, milk drying up, bad latch, or other medical conditions. In these cases, it’s essential to remember that fed is best, and there are plenty of ways to ensure your baby receives the nutrition they need.
From the tiddies, tales from the milk bar:
Pros
What are the pro’s of breastfeeding? well, for one, it’s free! It’s portable, it doesn’t require sterilization, and is available wherever you are. It provides valuable bonding time for you and bub, not to mention it is said breastfeeding encourages weight-loss – this is actually factual, breastfeeding provides a feedback hormonal loop leading to contraction of the uterus, combine this with the calorie burn from breastfeeding itself (mumma make sure you’re eating enough calories and keeping your hydration up). Comfort!! how could we miss this one, breastfeeding is often a great way to settle bub when bub is being fussy or needy.
Cons
There are some bubs who continually struggle with latch, this can make breastfeeding uncomfortable or downright painful. Then there’s mastitis (blocked milk ducts). Something not often thought about is that dad misses out on this bonding time, it is widely spoken about mum bonding with bub, but what about dad, when is his bonding time (when it comes out the other end lol)? Next up, without carefully thought out expressing you can’t just have a night out with baby daddy cause bub can’t go all night without food (ok, let’s be honest you’re probably too tired anyway but still).
From the bottle, tales from the milk crate:
Pros
Dad is able to take part in feeding allowing not only for bonding time with bub, but the ability to feed bub while you get much-needed rest!! Pack everything up, hand it over, hand bub over and off you go to catch an hour or so to yourself knowing bub is still happily fed. Your boobs are free to be yours! No cracked, bruised, or bitten nipples! In modern times, there is a plethora of different types of formula for different needs and stages of bub. No need for daggy bras or stuffing them full of shields to protect from embarrassing leakages.
Cons
You have to be vigilant with sterilising bottles, making sure you have enough on hand that are clean and ready to roll. Making sure you NEVER run out of food! Formula can be expensive. “Different” bonding time, a lot of women will feel like they have missed out on something deeply important to them or their bonding time with bub.
Mixed feeding
Pros
See the above pros and cons list for breast and bottle feeding, similar points here but there are a few points to take away with mixed feeding. Bub will always have food, whether it is from mumma or from formula. Mixed feeding allows for bub to get natural immunity from mum but also allows the freedom of being able to bottle feed when necessary. Mixed feeding allows for dad to have bonding time. If mum is feeling tired and run down, bub isn’t left hungry. Mixed feeding doesn’t give mum the anxiety of milk supply as she knows bub will still have feed either way.
Cons
There aren’t too many cons with this one but once again, the hassle of cleaning and sterilising bottles for bub to always have on hand. Also, bub may become “lazy” and stop breastfeeding, this is probably the main concern with mixed feeding so perhaps if this is an option you are considering it may be worth stretching your breastfeeding time out until you are ready to quit anyway, this way if bub decides they only want the bottle you won’t be left feeling like you’ve missed out.
