IS Breastfeeding "Easier" than FF? - Page 4

[alegna]

WAY easier to nurse. No bottles. No washing. No mixing. No taking crap with me.

Step one- pull up shirt
step two- nurse

-Angela

[riaketty]

I can definately see where people say FF is easier... I mean, especially during the first two weeks.
Luckily with me, I had prepared to be overblown by nipple pain, bad latch, etc... and hardly had any at all. DD latched perfect from day one, very little pain, and a good steady supply makes BF easier for us.
When she's at the ILs, though, she's formula fed because I can't seem to pump very good, even with a Medela PIS. And being able to hand over the baby with the bottle is nice. But if I could have pumped, I wouldn't have ever given formula.

A quick note, too, about bottle nipples... most have one hole where formula comes out. An average female's nipple has five. I can't... possibly... see how FF would be faster because they're getting more... I agree that it's because the crap in formula that doesn't digest and makes them feel full.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by dubfam

But if it isn't easier then why do women switch to formula when there aren't medical reasons?

Propaganda and brainwashing.

-Angela

[sunnysideup]

Originally Posted by alegna

Propaganda and brainwashing.

Yep. So many women formula feed because of the millions of dollars spent on marketing formula.

Breastfeeding might be difficult in the early weeks, but it's much easier in the long run. But, I don't know that it should matter. Being a parent isn't easy. If you want easy, get a goldfish.

[mamajama]

I don't think it's only propaganda and brainwashing for a lot of women. It's pretty much impossible to say which is easier really. Because different people have different situations and challenges to overcome. There are many deeply rooted emotional/psychological reasons why some women cannot breastfeed. For me, it was easier because I'm pretty spontaneous and disorganised and I'd never have to risk forgetting to bring the baby's food . Didn't have to worry about washing dishes. Could travel whenever I pleased and for as long as I pleased etc. Plus, for me it was essentially free except I probably ate and drank more.

I think that barring all other obstacles---taking two physically and emotionally balanced, healthy women and placing them in socially supportive environments---breastfeeding would be easier after the initial few weeks of adjustment.

[NewMama2007]

Originally Posted by alegna

Propaganda and brainwashing.

-Angela

:

I'm a full time WOHM, and I have to say it would be much, much easier to not bleed over a pump 2x a day and give ABM. BUT, I am taking into account the time and stress that will arise from a sick child later down the road. I am taking into account the fact that DD has a family history of breast cancer and colon/rectal cancer and bfing decreases the risk for both of those. I am taking into account my own decreasing risk for breast cancer by nursing. I am taking into account what is best for my baby, and for me, I will continue to bleed over that pump before I give in to ABM and potentially harm my baby. It would be easier now to give ABM, but I am doing what is best for DD for the future.

And to answer your question, "lift shirt, insert boob" is the simplest, quickest, easiest way to feed my baby. Pumping is not. But, for the long term, it's easier for me to be slightly inconvenienced and bleeding now and have a potentially healthier child later.

[goodheartedmama]

as a mom who's done both, BF is so much easier. I hated washing bottles, having to worry about taking enough with me places, spending all that money on formula, etc, etc, etc.

[katheek77]

Who are these people that religiously sterilize bottles and take 5 minutes to make up a new one?

I pump and supplement, and while pumping is a pain, the "bottle" part isn't very hard at all...

Holy cow. I think the only time I "sterlized" a bottle was when I first bought them, and that was just the ol' "sterlize before use". Otherwise, I toss the used ones in the sink and wash them when I do the rest of the dishes. Mixing up a bottle of formula (or getting a bottle of bm set)? Before bed I make one up and put it in the fridge...when DD wakes, we pop the bottle in her mouth...no warming, no stumbling around in the dark mixing random amounts of powder with water...

And, as for washing pump parts...I just put them in the fridge when I'm done and wash them every few days...if milk stays good for a week in the fridge, any pump part residue should be ok, I figure...haven't had any problems yet...

BF-ing is probably more convenient, but I don't think FF is any "harder" other than the foresight to make a bottle up if you're going somewhere.

[BetsyS]

Originally Posted by katheek77

Otherwise, I toss the used ones in the sink and wash them when I do the rest of the dishes.

Dishes must not be the hated chore at your house.

And, really, who are you people with fridges in your bedrooms? The only time I've seen that is on some crazy TV special about mansions. I'm jealous! To get to a fridge in my house, you have to go downstairs (we sleep upstairs).

[mama_lola]

It's totally different depending on the child.

My DD is EBF. She nurses for about 5-10 minutes and is done. Every once in a while she will want to comfort nurse or nurse to sleep. While she's nursing I can type away on my laptop, change channels on the TV or eat a meal. When she is hungry all I have to do is pop out a boob, no hassle. When she is done I tuck my boob away and we go on with our day.

I babysit a boy only weeks younger than her who is FF. He takes about 30-60 minutes to finish his bottle. When i feed him I have to have one head behind his head or he will turn to look at everything and then scream when the bottle comes out of his mouth. When I feed him I have to focus completely on him to make sure he nipple stays in his mouth. When he is hungry he screams the entire time I am making a bottle. My water takes a good minute to warm up and he won't take it cold, so I try to comfort him while I make his bottle and he screams. Assuming he's finished all of the formula I have to then wash the bottle so I have a clean one to use at the next feeding.

From my experience, BFing is much easier!

[studentmama]

Originally Posted by sunnysideup

Yep. So many women formula feed because of the millions of dollars spent on marketing formula.

Breastfeeding might be difficult in the early weeks, but it's much easier in the long run. But, I don't know that it should matter. Being a parent isn't easy. If you want easy, get a goldfish.

:

[dentmom3]

BF #1 for 6 months, switched to FF due to thrush issues
BF #2 for 10 months
BF #3 for 13 months.

Sensing a pattern here?

BF was way easier! Hated the bottles, the cleaning, the preparing. Loved that no one else could feed the baby - gave me much needed baby time when there were toddlers/preschoolers in the family as well. And, frankly, I am cheap. Pay for something I can do better myself? Not my style.

[grumpybear]

With regards to sterilizing, some areas/countries have conditions that make this very necessary. Even bottled water sometimes is contaminated and could cause parasitic/bacterial gastroenteritis in infants/babies.

[dflanag2]

Before I had my first child I did some math and set the expectation to myself that in the beginning, I would be spending at least 8 hours per day nursing my newborn. I told myself that was my full time job. I think a lot of mother's don't realize exactly how much time it takes to take care of a new baby.

If you are fortunate to have an easygoing non-fussy child, you are still spending hours a day establishing the nursing relationship, changing diapers, etc. and then you have your self care after childbirth: healing, drinking, eating, sleeping, bathing, etc. all while getting used to a huge life changing event (if it's your first child) AND doing all this with people all around you wanting to hold the baby and to give you bad advice, rather than doing all the cooking, laundry, and cleaning stuff that you as the new mother who just gave birth should NOT be doing!!!

The fact is, you have to learn to take care of your baby, and one of the things you have to learn to do is breastfeed. I agree that a lot of women switch to formula because they receive bad support/information from doctors and hospitals; I also think many women have expectations that breastfeeding is innate and doesn't have to be learned. It may seem 'difficult' when it takes some time to get set up, but once you learn, you know how to do it for the rest of your life.

I also think that so many women don't make the association between self-care and breastfeeding. I can think of several women I know who just wouldn't let themselves stop cooking, cleaning, and playing hostess to their houseful of guests, and it puts a strain on the nursing relationship, making formula all the more appealing...

-dflanag2
nursed DS until age 3 (mostly weaned now) and DD (12 months) still going strong.

[grumpybear]

Oh, another thing that would make BF easier for me...
My FF friends would often tell me that whenever their babies get sick, they pretty much will not take anything. Not solids, not milk. So oftentimes they get hospitalized for dehydration.
When my son gets sick, his appetite decreases but he will nurse more.
I'm not sure this applies to all FF'ers though.

[meggles]

I think so. But I didn't have any problems breastfeeding.

[ananas]

Originally Posted by dubfam

No the long term consequences are not worth it at all.

But that's one of our goals as parents, isn't it? To do things that will absolutely benefit our children in the long run, even if they seem a little bit harder right now? Parent's aren't done raising their kids when they're babies- those babies will turn into toddlers who turn into children who turn into teenagers who turn into adults, and our goal should be to raise happy, healthy people, who will be happy and healthy their whole life.

Originally Posted by dubfam

So if breastfeeding is so much easier, then why do people switch to expensive formulas?

Because they think there's medical reasons involved ("I didn't make enough milk", "He was allergic to my milk"). Because all of their friends formula feed and they feel funny being the one breastfeeding. Because they can formula feed in public without weird looks, without getting shunned, without being asked to leave restaurants. Because in the beginning, breastfeeding is hard and they weren't prepared for that, and had no idea how wearing it would be on their body and how painful the first few weeks. Because people invent products to cover-up a breastfeeding baby, giving people the idea that breastfeeding is dirty and shameful. Because our culture is ignorant about breastfeeding. Need I go on?

Originally Posted by ksera05

Actually, I think someone did a study awhile ago that showed that something like 80% of American parents cosleep at least a few times with their infants - it's just not talked about because it's "shameful".

Yup. My ex-sister-in-law, the most mainstream person I know (and dare I say it, but selfish also) brought her first child to bed because it was easier on her. She then brought her second child to bed with her. 4 and 6 years later, they're still in bed with her. But would she tell anyone this? No, because co-sleeping is "shameful". That's how people view it.

[ABand3]

Dubfam, I think part of the disconnect about FF seeming to be easier to 'mainstream' folks is how different people are going to define easy. It's all about your goals and values regarding your time. If you are eager to get a feeding done with so you can put baby down and go do something else, yes, 5 minutes of formula will seem easier than 30 minutes of breast. But if you're happy to sit with your children for hours at a time, then what does it matter if you nurse for 30 minutes or 5 minutes. I think there is an underlying reason that breastfeeding takes the time it does - perhaps we are meant to slow down, relax, be ok with sitting on the couch for 30 minutes. Maybe being still and quiet is important. Our society values multi-tasking, checking off a to do list, being busy, so if those are your values 5 minutes of formula will be easier. But if you value time to be still and quiet with your children, time to relax and enjoy the moment rather than stressing over what you're not doing then 30 minutes every two hours feels just right.

This is not to say that I've never felt anxious about getting on to the next thing while nursing, I have. But overall, I treasure the time I've spent learning to be still and quiet in body and mind, and everyone in my house has learned patience.

And some babies will take 30 minutes to nurse, some more, but 2 of my 3 were more efficient, 15-20 minutes.

I've nursed three children for two or more years each; still nursing my 27 m.o, and I've never had to use formula with any of them.

[Momily]

As a former FF mom (due to adoption) the "BF because it's easier" argument bothers me.

First of all I want to say that I'm a strong BF advocate, and I think there are many many very good reasons to BF. However, I think that if a mother is convinced to BF by the "easier" argument and then runs into complications (low supply, mastitis, poor latch, tongue tie, etc . . . ) in the first few weeks she's likely to question the "easier" argument and change her mind. On the other hand arguments that deal with the fact that BF is healthier are true in every case.

Also, some of the arguments people give about why FF is hard make no sense to me -- sterilizing the bottles -- um the dishwasher does that, you just rinse the stuff and stick it in, it's no more difficult than washing the glasses I use. Heating the formula -- my DS took it straight from the fridge by 4 weeks, but if your DC doesn't like it you can mix it with warm water. Getting up to go to the fridge -- I just kept it in a cooler with an ice pack. If your child likes it warm you just put the bottles with the powder by your bed and add some warm water from a thermos (also by your bed) It takes 15 seconds and doesn't require going anywhere.

I am sure that in an ideal situation (no pumping, no medical issues, baby has a good latch, mom has time to devote to BF) BF can be easier -- but why not use an argument that applies to all families, rather than a select few.

[MilkTrance]

Wow, you know, I can't even use the word "easy" as a GOOD thing unless we're talking about the night-feedings... if I'd never BF, I'd never know the absolute joy and pride a mother feels feeding her child with her own milk. Perhaps a better word would be "convenience" because from what I hear from most mothers (my friends) who switch from milk to formula, there is nothing "easy" about the decision or living with it afterwards. I guess looking at the (possible) convenience of FF would make that decision a bit easier.