For Lactation and Breast Feeding Support, Dionne Finnegan Perinatal Wellness Specialist

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.

PROS

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

PROS

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

PROS

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