Nursing vs. Formula Feeding

For centuries, women have nursed as it is the natural thing to do. No nourishment can quite compare to breast milk for babies. Breast milk is actually linked to smarter IQ scores than formula fed babies. That being said, is nursing the right way for you to go? I myself nursed my last born son and discovered what a wonderful experience it was. I did not nurse my other two sons because not only was I younger, but I had no support and didn't know how to go about any of it. I'm sure many of you can relate.

Formula feeding is convenient at times as nursing is too. But when you're out in a public area and a little nervous about public feeding, nursing is not so convenient anymore. Where can I sit, who will be watching, what if someone sees something? All questions that crossed my mind, but I did whatever I had to do because I had the best interest of my child at heart. However, think  about those late night feedings, and preparing a bottle and all the time it takes compared to how little time it takes to just nurse. Lets not forget latching on, I was blessed with a baby who latched right on. I didnt know what I was doing but he got right to it. I hear of many women who get frustrated when trying to latch baby on. Patience is a virtue and it takes practice. While as, bottle feeding, you just pop a bottle in babies mouth and let him do the rest.

Lets talk about engorgement just a little bit. I never new and was never told about the pain you feel when your milk first comes in. I have a high pain tolerance but this pain was a little bothersome. My boobs where swollen the size of small watermelons and my nipples were so sore I could scream. Want some advice? Lanolin, use it and use it often. Lanolin helped me a bunch with sore, cracked nipples. Do you have to deal with engorgement while formula feeding? Yes, at first but you bind yourself until your milk dries out and take Motrin for the pain. Engorgement is not temporary for nursing mothers, as we sometimes have to pump frequently if baby isn't eating very much. However, once your supply is established, engorgement should stop. I pumped often, and if you choose to exclusively pump, I would choose a good electric pump and plan on spending a little bit of money. Medela is good or you can go to the lower end of the price bracket and try a Lansinoh.

Many women put their babies on a feeding schedule. With nursing, you just feed on demand which helps your supply. Your baby might want to nurse for 20 minutes and then again in an hour for 30 minutes. Or he might nurse for an hour and then 2 hours later for 10 minutes. Breast milk is easiest to digest for babies. In turn, it only takes about 90 minutes for them to digest a meal. Like me, I felt I was nursing all the time. Formula takes about 2-3 hours for them to digest because of the complexity of the formula. It takes more for your babies little tummy to digest which keeps them fuller longer.

An estimate of 25 percent of babies have colic or some kind of digestive sensitivity. While formula feeding you can weed out which formula is best for your baby. Nursing, not so easy. If your baby is gassy, colicky, and fussy the problem lies in the mother. We can not eat just anything. As a matter of fact you should not eat citrus, broccoli, chocolate, caffeinated items, tomatoes and the list goes on. I don't know about you but I just listed some of my favorite items. I just happen to have one of the 25 percent of children who had a sensitive stomach. All the while I was editing my diet to make my baby feel better, I was miserable. Trying to find the right things to eat that didnt make him miserable was hard. I ended up not eating much at all. Which by the way is not good for your supply. You have to eat and stay hydrated or your milk supply will go down the drain. Oh and gas drops didn't  work. He became so fussy and constipated that I just felt like I was at the end of my rope. I eventually had to put him on formula.

Nursing is a beautiful thing. If I had to do it all over again, I would choose to nurse again. Its not for everyone, and I don't knock the women who choose not to do it. Nursing and formula feeding are just two different roads. However, the ends of those roads lead to the same place and that's the happiness of our babies. If you want to try it, or you just started, I say don't give up! It is an experience I will never forget.