Is breast or bottle best?
by RachelTheWriterOne of the biggest decisions facing the mother of a newborn is whether to breastfeed or bottle feed. Asking other mums may lead to conflicting advice, and it can be hard to know where to turn to. Mum’s can feel nervous about breastfeeding, as there are many myths and stories surrounding the topic. So here is a guide to breast versus bottle, which debunks the myths and leaves you to make your own mind up.
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Myth: It’s difficult to breastfeed
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Fact: This is one myth that’s hard to dispel, because the experience of breastfeeding differs so widely between mothers. Some babies take to it very easily, while other babies find it more difficult to latch on. This can lead to sore nipples and a sense of failure in the new mum. In the vast majority of cases though, it simply needs a little time before your baby learns to breastfeed. Give it some time and patience, and the process will come naturally.
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Myth: Breast feeding means I can never go out
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Fact: Some new mums find it very embarrassing breastfeeding in public. Some people can be very intolerant of bare flesh, and it is a fact of life that to breastfeed her baby, a mum must expose her breast to a certain extent. Breastfeeding in public is certainly a personal choice, but it is not the only choice. A mum can make up bottles of her own expressed milk at home, or else make up formula milk. While expressing probably takes the most time, formula milk can be made up in advance very quickly.
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Myth: Formula milk provides my baby with the right nutrients
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Fact: It is true that formula milk is made with the correct balance of nutrients, so that your baby will not lack the vital things it needs to grow. But remember that breast milk contains the same nutrients, as well as important antibodies which build up your baby’s immune system. This does not mean that you are making your baby ill by feeding it formula milk, just that your baby could pick up more infections if it is not breastfed from the start.
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