One of the most important decisions a new mom to be has to make is how to feed their baby. Should they breastfeed or bottle feed their baby?  Experts have so many high praises for breastfeeding and there are also some great benefits to bottle feeding too. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways to feed your baby, it promotes good health and there is an additional bond that is created between mother and baby when they breastfeed.

Though children who are not breastfed are not less loved. Really the choice is strictly up to the new mom. Do they feel comfortable breastfeeding? Do they have time to wash bottles all day? These are just some of the questions that have to be answered when deciding whether or not to breast or bottlefeed. Let’s examine what the advantages and the disadvantages are of both feeding methods.

Should I Breastfeed?

There are some benefits to breastfeeding such as babies will receive the most amount of nutrients and antibodies that aren’t always found in concentrated or powdered formulas. It is said that babies who are breastfed have less diarrhea and less spit up. It also decreases the risk of chronic constipation and colic. Some of the other ways breastfeeding can benefit your child is that; breastfeeding can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome of SIDS.

As far as other developmental issues are concerned it is said that breastfeeding can increase the development of facial structures, better speech, better vision and even straighter teeth. It is said that babies who breastfed have higher IQ’s than babies who are bottle fed. But there are so many more factors that go into having a high IQ.

The disadvantages of breastfeeding is that it can be time consuming and a little less convenient. You will have to buy pumps because you can’t feed your baby all the time especially if you are going to be returning to work. If you choose to breastfeed you will have to keep up your own nutrition because the baby’s nutrition is going to come straight from you. Mothers who breastfeed tend to lose baby weight faster than bottle fed moms but that doesn’t really benefit they baby too much.

Should I Bottlefeed?

When it comes to bottle feeding there are a lot more choices available. You can choose from the Playtex Disposal Bottles, Dr. Brown’s Bottles or plain bottles. There are more choices of formula when you choose bottle feeding; you have Similac, Enfamil and Nestles. There are also store brands to choose from as well. But with more choices you have more decisions to make, should I use Enfamil or Similac, should I use powdered or concentrate.

Most new moms to be choose bottlefeeding because of the convenience of it all. Simply pour or mix the formula into the bottle and feed or place in the refrigerator for later use. Breastfeeding is embarrassing for some women who don’t mind it other women do it but don’t see themselves doing it. Most new moms who go back to work prefer the bottle because it is easier for the caretaker to feed their babies. Breastfeeders have to pump their milk first and then store it. Some moms already have other children and find they don’t have the time to breastfeed.

This decision is not something that you have to consult your doctor with, the way you feed your baby unless your baby was born with an abnormality such as cleft lip and palate, the decision is strictly up to the new mom. Everyone will offer you advice but the only person who knows what is good for your baby is you. If you want to get more information consult your doctor.

All first time moms will read everything and anything they can about feeding and baby care. So they will be armed and ready with information of their own. If you have breastfed or bottlefed, please leave us comments on why you prefer the method of feeding you chose. It could help a new mom make up her mind.