Breast or Bottle?
We believe that EVERY family is unique and has the right to make 'Fully Informed' decisions!
- We at Butterfly Beginnings are by no means, 'Breastfeeding Nazis'.
- We do however encourage confident breastfeeding habits.
- We can help you with feelings of unease with feeding in public.
- We can work with you until you feel confident and give you unbias and realistic information on how formula feeding and breast feeding impacts your baby and your family and you, in the short term and long term.
- We will help you with transition from breast to bottle if that's what you really want.
The Pros & Cons
Breast Feeding
PROS
CONS
- It's Free
- It's ready to serve anytime anywhere
- Can be easy
- Breast milk has natural healing properties which is great to use for cuts and rashes
- Promotes mothers body returning to pre-baby weight and shape
- Flexible and mobile. It's easy to stop and start in between trips
- Following a natural delivery, your body produces what your baby needs when your baby needs it.
- A baby’s saliva enters through your body and signals any antibodies during illness for your body to make specific antibodies in relation to that symptom of illness and is fed back to the baby via the milk ducts.
- Can be expressed and bottle fed if required – allowing for the same help from others as formula feeding
- Cleaning but not needing to sterilise bottles/feeding equipment
- Has been linked to the decrease risk in breast and ovarian cancer
- Increased bonding with your baby
- Forced resting time for you
- Your baby’s gut balance stays maintained for longer and reduces the risk of obesity and allergies.
- Increase motor and neurological development in your baby
- Breast milk poo doesn’t smell so bad and can go up to a week without a poo as babies can absorb all the nutrients from the breast milk.
- Keeps the newborn smell coming through
- Vomit rarely smells.
- You don’t need to wake up fully to feed in the middle of the night.
- If feeding on demand, it is the best reason to have your baby with you.
- You can start solids later rather than sooner.
- Babies instinctively know how to attach to feed.
CONS
- Breastfeeding is learned by watching other mothers feed and it can take practice. Surround yourself with other feeding mothers, especially successfully feeding mothers.
- Might get cracked nipples
- Might be painful to begin if not established correctly or bub has a tongue tie or other suckling problem (This can often be corrected)
- Can be awkward if you feel uncomfortable feeding in public
- If expressing and bottle feeding it can be time consuming
- Can be time consuming
- Might get mastitis or engorgement of breasts to then manage
- You might get worried that they are not getting enough milk
- If feeding on demand, you are pretty much tied to your baby all the time
Formula feeding
If you can, breast feeding or express feeding your baby for the first week and allow them the colostrum can hugely benefit your baby in the long term for life!
PROS
CONS
- You know exactly how much formula your baby is having
- You can buy it at many different places
- There are many different types to choose from
- If you can’t or don’t want to feed your baby human milk, then this is a specially formulated substitute
- Anyone can feed the baby
- Easy partner involvement
- Don’t need to worry about mastitis or leaking milk after stopping
- Regular routine required for formula feeding
- You are free of your baby whenever you like for someone else to look after
- If you are excited about giving your baby solids, then it is recommended to start sooner rather than later with formula fed babies
CONS
- It's expensive.
- There are many types to choose from.
- You baby's tummy is pushed to grow bigger and faster than is natural and can cause stomach aches.
- Your baby’s gut needs to adjust to a completely foreign substance
- You need to find places to warm bottles when out
- You cannot snack, stop, start and reheat formula in a bottle.
- Increase chances of food poisoning if not sterilised properly
- Has increased allergy risk factors
- Can cause constipation
- There are many different types to choose from
- Increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart problems, intestinal issues and other adult illnesses including cancer.
- May increase chances of autism
- Formula poo smells like poo and it is essential that your baby poos everyday to release formula toxins
- The formula smell can leak through the baby’s pores
- Smells like adult vomit
- Takes time to prepare in the middle of the night
- You may need to add in other ways to bond more with your baby
- More expense in starting solids earlier. Its a necessity which is linked in preventing childhood leukemia
- The is a myth that formula fed babies sleep through the night, most parents find this disappointing once they discover through experience this is not true.
- Babies are more likely to get snotty and sick within the first 6 months
Human Milk Donation
If you can, even breastfeeding or express feeding your baby for the first week and allow them the colostrum can hugely benefit your baby in the long term for life!
PROS
CONS
- You can feed your baby milk made naturally and specifically for the human infant digestive system.
- Easiest for your baby to digest
- Plenty of antibodies
- Less likely to get sick
- Can be used to top up bub, if you lack supply yourself
- Already made up
CONS
- You might need to travel great distances
- If you do not know the person personally, then you might need to do extensive background checks into health, medications, vitamins and diet being taken by the donating mother.
- Need to clean bottles
- Make sure you have enough freezer space to store enough milk for a longer time.
Resources and links
Human Milk
Human Milk 4 Human Babies
Mercy Health Breast Milk Bank
Breastfeeding
The Australian Breastfeeding Association
Butterfly Beginnings Breastfeeding & Infant Settling
Formula Feeding
Care with formula feeding
Formula guide
Human Milk
Human Milk 4 Human Babies
Mercy Health Breast Milk Bank
Breastfeeding
The Australian Breastfeeding Association
Butterfly Beginnings Breastfeeding & Infant Settling
Formula Feeding
Care with formula feeding
Formula guide