I'm sure you have all seem either on the web or in a pregnancy or parenting book one the those standard lists of the pro and con of BF vs FF. I have often taken issue with those lists since I feel that they are never completely accurate or are only partially true in some cases. As such I attempted to create a more accurate list of the true pros and cons of breastfeeding vs formula feeding that does not include pros and cons that are either only sometimes true, partially true, unproven claims lacking sufficient evidence, long-held yet false myths and old-wives tales. So this means I have intentionally omitted from my list commonly claimed breastfeeding benefits regarding bonding, weight loss, and IQ that currently lack sufficient evidence to prove them. I've also omitted certain formula/bottle feeding benefits relating that apply only in a small number of circumstances or can obtained through EBM in a bottle or other methods, such as those relating fathers bonding with their child, mother being away from baby, and sharing feedings with others. Now I would appreciate feedback from the board regarding my list including any pro/con you feel I missed or any currently listed you feel I should leave out or any wording you feel should be changed. Note that this a just a rough draft which is why I have not yet gotten around to going into detail about the health benefits of BFing/risks of formula.
Benefits of BF to mom
For many moms it's easy and convenient, especially after the early weeks.: Unlike formula feeding, it can be done with little or nothing to buy or prepare so it gives the mother much more freedom. Breasts are always there and the milk is always warm and ready. Feeding can be as easy as lifting your shirt and placing baby to breast.
When combined with co-sleeping the mother can snooze during night feedings.
For many moms, there's less spitting up, no stains and the poop doesn't smell!
Helps protect against some breast and ovarian cancers: While breastfeeding, estrogen levels are very low. Research has shown that the longer you breastfeed, the risks for these cancers goes down
MAY delay menstrual period: Again, estrogen levels are low and many women think they're well protected from conceiving, but ovulation may still occur
It's an amazing confidence booster: Mothers are really able to use their natural ability
Nursing in public if often more convenient then bottle feeding. It's easy to nurse discreetly and modestly avoiding any reason to feel embarrassment.
Can be a very enjoyable experience.
Benefits of BF to Baby
Protects against ear infections, colds, and viruses: If the child does have any of the above, the severity will most likely be lessened because of the protection from the breastmilk
Helps brain to grow and develop
Less learning and behavior difficulties
Less diaper rash and other skin problems
Less colic, less crying
Easy to digest: It is almost impossible to have a constipated breastfed baby!
Less diarrhea
Helps protects against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, leukemia, some childhood cancers, and juvenile-onset diabetes
Less stuff to worry about taking with you when going out with baby such bottles and formula.
Breastmilk is always available since you never run out. Especially beneficial in an emergency where formula may be unavailable should you run out.
Breastmilk is always perfectly prepared. No risk of contamination or over/under-diluting.
Cons of breastfeeding
Nursing in the beginning can be somewhat more time consuming due to the faster digestibility of breastmilk vs. formula..
If someone else wants to feed the baby with a bottle of breast milk the mother would have to pump.
(Breastfeeding takes a lot of energy for your body to make milk, so the mother can often feel quite fatigued.)
There can be a certain amount of anxiety and frustration while a mother is learning the process.
Sometimes mothers have physical problems like mastitis, plugged milk ducts and engorgement if the baby is not feeding frequently or properly.
Working mothers can find it challenging to schedule nursings. It is necessary to pump at work and some jobs may not allow for such breaks not all states require them too.
Breastfeeding, prior to the introduction of solids, means feedings are all you, all the time unless you choose to pump (or supplement with formula) for some feedings and allow dad or others to take over one or more feedings.
Nursing a baby can make some women anxious and frustrated while they are learning.
Breastfeeding mom must choose their clothing carefully so they are not caught wearing a non-breastfeeding friendly dress or other outfit.
Pros of formula feeding
Can be away from baby for extended periods of time without having to pumping.
More convenient if someone other then mom will be doing most of the feedings since no pumping would be required.
Mom does not need to worry about the type of clothing she is wearing. She can wear dresses that would normally make breastfeeding difficult.
Feeding in public can be done with no risk of someone complaining about nursing in public or other issues sometimes associated with nursing in public.
Cons of formula feeding
Formula has various health risks associated with it.
Your baby may not tolerate formula well requiring you to switch formula constantly until you find one tolerated better, if any.
Cost ($2000 per year) to formula feed, assuming you don't need to use one of the specialty formula, in which case it will be even more expensive.
Many people find the smell of formula poop to stinkier compared with BF poop.
Formula spit-up is said to stain clothing more then BM spit-up.
A bottle of formula take time to prepare. Bottles must also be washed on a regular basis.
You can run out of formula, necessitating a trip to the store to get more. Can be a serious issue in case of an emergency or disaster that causes formula to become scarce or unavailable altogether.
Requires more careful preparation to avoid health risks associated with improper preparation.
When going out, mum does not have so much to prepare or take for baby, because her milk will be ready at the correct temperature whenever baby wants it.
When out, there is no need to worry if you are delayed that you will run out of milk - it is always there, ready at the right temperature.
The only thing I would add as a con to BF..which you did a bit..would be to say that BF can be VERY difficult in the beginning. A mother may have a lot of struggles at first but with support from LC and IBLC, LLL etc many mothers are able to overcome those struggles and grow to really enjoy BF.
The part about how hard it can be but that it mostly surmountable struggles was what surprised me so.
Edited to add....I also like how your worded the ear infection part and even the constipation part. My BF struggled with both..I know she is an odd ball ..but the way you worded it didn't make it seem impossible for those things to happen ...just less likely...I wouldn't feel mislead by your list when my BF went 8 days without pooping at 11 weeks old and had 12 ear infections by 17 months...all while EBF...I think some women give up when they feel mislead and wonder if the rest of the pros of BF are made up so why put myself through this struggle KWIM
I think it's really good. I have a few comments, and suggestions or ideas to consider.
Less learning and behavior difficulties
Hadn't heard this one. Maybe fodder for another debate?
Helps protects against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, leukemia, some childhood cancers, and juvenile-onset diabetes
I think the childhood cancer bf'ing has been shown to protect against IS leukemia.
(Breastfeeding takes a lot of energy for your body to make milk, so the mother can often feel quite fatigued.)
I would add that the hormones can also make mom feel happy and relaxed, or content, or whatever the literature says.
There can be a certain amount of anxiety and frustration while a mother is learning the process.
I like the analogy of riding a bike. If you give up you never learn, but there are many rewards to not giving up.
Formula has various health risks associated with it.
I would list them, it makes more of an impact. It doesn't have to be a long bulleted list with risk %s, just name the health risks.
Cost ($2000 per year) to formula feed, assuming you don't need to use one of the specialty formula, in which case it will be even more expensive.
I would add something somewhere that the costs of bf'ing might include a few hundred dollars for a LC consult or a good breastpump, compared to the $2,000 for formula, cost of bottles, replacement nipples, washing utensils, sterilizers, coolers, warmers, etc.
Requires more careful preparation to avoid health risks associated with improper preparation.
I like this but it seems it could be worded stronger. Like improper preparation is very common, and a potential contributor to the increase in disease and illness in infants.
I would also ad a con for formula that it can get wasted, if baby starts a bottle it cannot be saved for later due to risk of bacteria, and that formula powder is not sterile. I may have missed it but did you say something about how bmilk changes to meet the needs of a sick infant, and an older infant?
"The last of human freedoms - the ability to chose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances. " - Viktor Frankl.
<<I wouldn't feel mislead by your list when my BF went 8 days without pooping at 11 weeks old ..>>
Was she truly constipated or not though? as this can be a normal pattern for some BF children and they are not constipated.
My three children were all different when exclusively BF. DS 2 would go for over a week, sometimes 2 weeks between bowel movements, but he was never constipated. When it came, it was not hard.
