My Mother and I can tell you that Bottle feeding does not make you have any less of a bond with your baby, when they are little, growing, or adults. We always have been closer than most Mothers and Children we know that breast fed. Not that it may not help some people but is in no way shape or form the way it has to be done in order to be close to your child. Other benefits are possibly true but again I'm healthier than most of my BF counterparts, and the exact same lines the are now feeding us about the benefits of Breast Milk over Formula was the exact same lines they were throwing at parents in relationship to using actual Formula and Carnation Milk. But just like my son who is/was allergic to my Milk, formula at that time was not for me, and I would have starved to death if my mom kept trying to feed it to me. So to my eyes, basically 27 years later they've just changed their target but are still using the exact same lines, even though formula has definitely come a long way since then.

I used formula with my 1st, then exclusively BF my 2nd. He is 26 months now & I am still nursing him occassionally. BF is WAAAAYYYY easier & much less of a hassle than both bottle & pumping. I spent entirely too much time washing bottles & clothes from all the spit up. The issue with the baby not wanting to have much to do with other people is not because of BF, just of how a baby is raised & their own personal temperment. BF becomes an excuse for just about anything, but it usually isn't the cause. You should give it a try & see how it works.

Cosleeping definitely helps out in the beginning. Nursing lying down was the greatest thing ever! I am going to try out a sling this time. I never tried one before. I might post a topic about that......

Quoting Bubba {Jalene's mommy}:“ A sling also helps for Bfing in public. You could just pull the top part up a bit to cover yourself. ... [snip!] ... if it weren't for the BFing class and them telling us that's what they were doing I never would've known they were doing that.”

I did that all the time too!

Quoting Bubba {Jalene's mommy}:“ I'm a BFing mama and love it! I would recommend it but if you don't want to then I'm not going to tell ... [snip!] ... to bottle, and it will be a lot harder to pump than just nurse. You will always get more milk out from nursing than pumping.”

The first few weeks to months is the mostimportant and the best for the baby too!

Try it.. it is what your boobs are made for..   good luck

I am going to breast feed and pump for whenever I go back to work. I just want my baby to have breast milk in any way she can get it. When Im at home Im going to breast feed for my days off and whatnot. But when I cant be there its gonna be a bottle of booby juice. lol

Quoting Heather_G:“ You can always introduce a bottle after a few weeks of bfing, so when you go out in public you can give the baby a bottle.”

yeah but what if i start breast feeding and then i later on choose to use the bottle and he refuses it?

Quoting BellaJewel (((18wkz))):“ yeah but what if i start breast feeding and then i later on choose to use the bottle and he refuses it?”

If you introduce the bottle within the first few weeks of bfing, he shouldn't then later refuse it.....but I suppose every baby is different. I exclusively BF for five weeks and he takes the bottle like a champ. He never seemed to even notice a difference.

Quoting BellaJewel (((18wkz))):“ yeah but what if i start breast feeding and then i later on choose to use the bottle and he refuses it?”

Its unlikely that would happen. Eating from a bottle is easier.

Quoting BellaJewel *19 Weeks*:“ SO!-- i personally do not want to breast feed. Some people say, you feel more of a connection with your ... [snip!] ... feed. So, I saw this breast pump thing at babies r us, which i just recently registered for hehe, and I think its a good idea.”

I dont want 2 breast feed....it wont feel right 2 me idk i might change my mind but as of now i do not want 2 do it. And plus i gotta go back 2 work after 6 weeks so 2 me it will be hard on me. but if u dont work go for it if u do work it will be hard 2 pump milk out and try 2 get yourelf ready and new baby ready 2 go.

is it also true that babies have a higher IQ when they are breast fed?

I breastfeed and will breastfeed this baby too. Being a mother changes you in so many ways and I think my children deserve the best start and I feel breastfeeding and the closeness/attachment we will share because of it is the best start for my kiddos.

Quoting sarahperez♥wiggles:“ Its unlikely that would happen. Eating from a bottle is easier.”

Jae hated the bottle. I exclusively BF for 4 months and started supplementing b/c I found out I was going to gradnite at disneyland. I decided to introduce the bottle to her once a day a month before I went on myclass trip. It was the hardest thing to do.

Quoting Bubba {Jalene's mommy}:“ Jae hated the bottle. I exclusively BF for 4 months and started supplementing b/c I found out I was ... [snip!] ... I decided to introduce the bottle to her once a day a month before I went on myclass trip. It was the hardest thing to do.”

my son pretty much hates bottles too.
he'll take them once in a while, but he refuses them for the most part

Im expecting my first baby in march and decided to BF. I think it will be alot cheaper than having to buy expensive formula. and you baby is aot healthier and wont be assusceptible to getting sick and it promotes healthy brain development. I think you should decide what makes you feel comfortable and whats comfortable for your baby. There are pro's and cons to both BF and bottle feeding.. But I think you should do whatever you feel is comfortable. And as far as other post s and the the whole breastfeeding in public you shouldnt feel embarassed or uncomfortable. Its a natural thing and you shouldnt feel persacuted for feeding your baby and their are alot of tricks to being discrete about it without having to hide.