really depends on the circumstances... (The Breastfeeding Debate)

Member Name: gandie

Product:	The Breastfeeding Debate
Date:	01/02/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good for baby, cheap etc etc

Disadvantages: only mum can do it!

My history of b/feeding is as follows: tried very very hard for several weeks with my small for dates, prem twins, but was unable to carry on due to poor weight gain (their's, not mine!). With my third, I was lucky enough to be able to manage OK, and b/fed her until she was 10 months old.

Breastfeeding is, of course, best if it all goes perfectly for you, you have a perfectly healthy gaining weight baby, you yourself are healthy, and you have lots of support. And if this is the case, the benefits are good - bfeeding gives mum's antibodies to baby, uses up tonnes of calories, it's cheap, no faffing around with bottles, and milk there on demand.

But this is not a perfect world, and it is just not possible for so many different reasons, for everybody to b/feed. And it really is OK not to, formula milk really is very good, readily available, and anybody can feed baby then - not just mum!

This is such an evocative subject, it is so sad to see new mums beating themselves up about what to do and the decisions they have made. And the guilt is often made worse by people questioning your decision. As long as baby is being well looked after and well fed, that really does have to be the most important thing, doesn't it?

Summary: If you are lucky enough to be able to do it, go for it, if not, do not feel guilty!