Pros and Cons - What are yours??

CantWait wrote: I was just wondering if you guys had any Pros and Cons to your decision to breastfeed. For those with first babies, would you do it all over again?

For me my Pros are:
healthier for baby
close bonding
Convienent, don't have to make bottles in the middle of the night

Cons:
am the only one that can feed him
Can't go anywhere for too long

I'm sure there's more on both ends but that's just a couple.

Elle replied: Well, I'm not breastfeeding right now, but I used to, so here are mine:

PROS
* Breast milk has more vitamins, proteins, etc. than formula.
* It tastes better too (I tried formula once, and it was quite disgusting).
* It's also cheaper.
* And requires less preparation.
* The look on the baby's face while you're nursing her/him... It's priceless.
* The special bond you create with your baby.
* The skin-to-skin contact feels so good.
* Less stuff to wash and maintain (bottles, breast pump, etc.)

CONS
* You have to carry the baby everywhere 'cause no one else can feed him/her.
* You can't be away for more than 2 hours or so.
* When the baby bites you... Oh, so painful!
* Sometimes you're so tired that breastfeeding feels like the baby is sucking the life out of you...

Overall, there aren't many important cons. So I'll do it again with the soon-to-be new babies, for as long as they want to.

A&A'smommy replied:
all the same pros I WILL do it next time, STUPID NURSES didn't give me the chance!

coasterqueen replied: My pros:

1. Breastmilk is free
2. The bond you have with your baby is stronger than any bond imaginable
3. Breastmilk is made for babies, I was given the ability as a woman to make milk for my child so that means I should feed her
4. It's the healthiest thing for her
5. She would be sick less.
6. Convienent, no trying to hurry to make bottles.
7. A baby's look at you while you are BF is just so priceless
8. Your baby relies on you, noone else but you


Cons:

1. I used to think not being able to go places by myself was a con, until I learned to NIP. Once I learned to NIP I could take baby everyone. Course it was nice when she got a bit older it was nice to be able to go out alone sometimes
2. All of the negative crud people say to you about breastfeeding.

paradisemommy replied: i think you guys pretty much covered them all..

pros:
just watching him grow so big and to know that i was directly responsible for his growth
to feel the skin on skin contact is just an unbelieveable experience..and to have him holding, carressing and loving you at the same time..
not having to worry about it being too hot or too cold and no bottles to mess with
definitely sick less
that awesome bond you establish with your child

cons:
the way people treat you when they find out you are extended bfing
the more active they get, the more difficult it gets (stretched and twisted and poked and pinched)
leaking at the cry of another baby or something that just triggers your let down (initially)

for me there is absolutely nothing that i would change. the pros just far outweigh the cons. everything has gone perfectly and i am so happy that i have stuck with it this long!! i just don't know how i'm gonna get him off..

jem0622 replied: ITA with all of the others so I won't get long winded. I would never do it any other way. I did supplement with Nathan b/c I had too...but he didn't have it for long.

Julie

coasterqueen replied:
LOL. I often wonder when Kylie will wean too. I'm going to *try* to let her self-wean, but since self-weaning does not typically happen til 18 months and on, I may have to gently help her along one day

amynicole21 replied: I'd say all the pros you all listed are right on...
Also, I lost all of the baby weight within 6 weeks after giving birth.

My only con is that I am having the hardest time night-weaning her. We were good for a while, then she got sick and is back to nursing every hour all night. She is sleeping TERRIBLY now I have to get back on track with night weaning.

I will definitely breastfeed any future babies.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Pros:
I absolutley love the look on my baby's face after he has finished his meal. He lays back, throws his arms back and lets out a sigh of relief. It is so cute.

He looks at me and usually holds my hand while he eats. If he isn't holding my hand he has a hold of my shirt.

There are obvious pros such as convenience, cost, and above all the benefits of bf'ing.


Cons:
Being so tired in the first week and the soreness of your arms, neck and shoulders. I just wasn't very comfortable in the first couple of weeks. Not enough to make me quit, though.

Well, I had a horrible experience with Maddie and here I am doing it again with much success...so I would have to say YES! I would do it again!

kit_kats_mom replied:
I actually heard 4 years recently. I don't remember where though. OMG I hope not.

paradisemommy replied:
well taven is 20 months and showing NO signs of giving it up..i said i was going until he was 2 but i don't want to take it away from him so i'm rethinking it..but 4 is definitely too old for me...

jcc64 replied: I actually heard 2.5 years is the average self weaning age. I think Corey will be on line to take her high school final exams and asking for a quick "num-num". LOL!
I admit, sometimes the raised eyebrows and pointed silences when Corey asks to nurse around others make me a little defensive. But I know I'm doing the right thing, and it's not my job to convince everyone around me.