pros and cons

[Abukasu]

can anyone tell me the pros and cons for breast milk

[Seb9]

For baby yhere are absolutely no cons with breast milk. It's tailor made for them and contains anti bodies that protect them from illness. It contains everything baby needs and more.

Pros for mums: it's free, it's there immediately for them no waiting for water to heat or cool, you never have to wash up bottles or sterilise any equipment, you never have to worry about running out in the middle of the night or about power cuts so you can't heat water. Or people grabbing everything of the shelves in pandemics.

It is another tool for settling baby, sleepy, unhappy, ill, hurt, unsettled all fixed by a bit of boob. Breast milk also helps minor cuts, burns, eye infections, nappy rashes. It's amazing stuff.

Cons for mum; it's hard sometimes, it hurts at first, sometimes babies struggle to latch and without support you can feel that you're not producing enough or that it's too painful. It can also feel like baby is on you a lot at first and that you constantly have a boob out.

I found the first 6 weeks the hardest but then we got into a groove and I have now breastfed my girl for 15 months, she now only boobs to sleep at night and I've no problem with going until she wants to stop and I love our snuggly time together.

[MissSaoPaulo]

All of the above - plus it's the best way to lose the baby weight after pregnancy, it burns a load of calories xxx

[amazed]

I second the comment from seb9, the evidence is overwhelming that babies who are breast fed are healthier and happier. It's a benefit that continues through their life, not just when they're little too. If you can breast feed then you should. It often feels like a challenge at first but the relationship that develops between you and your child after a few weeks will amaze you and it makes night time feeds so much easier, especially if you cosleep.

The La Leche League will be able to offer you more advice and support if you get in touch with them.

Good luck with your journey x

[Abukasu in reply to amazed]

ok thank you so much

[KTL80]

I certainly agree with everything that has already been said, however please do not worry if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you and/or your baby. I tried for weeks to breastfeed my baby boy. We had help from midwives, health visitors etc. but for whatever reason it just didn’t work. I had no choice but to move on to formula. My baby instantly became happier and I cried a lot less! The stress from worrying about not being able breastfeed was far more detrimental to me and baby than formula feeding him.

Please note that a formula fed baby is still a happy and healthy baby, and there are no long term ill effects.

Being able to breastfeed is a privilege, but having to formula feed should not be seen as an easy option, you should not be judged for it, and it is certainly not failing your baby in any way.

Xxx

[Gloria_B]

Hi there!

I strongly recommend you to take a look at La Leche League for further information. There are also a lot of virtual groups that you can join, please find it here: laleche.org.uk/find-lll-sup...

[Abukasu in reply to Gloria_B]

ok thank you.