Question by *Robert & Kalika’s Momma*: What are the advantages and disadvantages of breast feeding?
I have a 18 month old and our daughter is due July 5th, how hard is it to breast feed when you have an older child? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of breast feeding?
Best answer:
Answer by IBCLC & Nurse JC
Breastfeeding is easier, cheaper, safer and more convienent. Listing the advantages of breastmilk would take to long so i will include some links.
http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/hazards_of_infant_formula
http://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/what_should_know_formula.html
Edit – I recommend a ‘special basket’ for the older child. This includes buying a basket and loading it with new toys – books, crayons, dollar store items work great, a few snacks. This basket is kept on the fridge or somewhere high and comes down when ever the baby has to eat but needs to be put away right after the baby is done nursing. When doing this the older child feels special as well. Also remeber to a have a full sippy cup ready for the older child when ever the baby nurses. It is funny how siblings become thristy the same time the baby does.
Add your own answer in the comments!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It takes some adjusting but in the end it was easier for me than washing bottles, making bottles and running to the store for formula. In the beginning when it took much longer to breastfeed I would find something for my older child to do, sometimes a quick show on TV, sometimes a book or special toy she didn’t get all day (coloring was great for this). As soon as the baby was done and tucked into her swing, seat, crib, etc. I turned all my focus on my older child for 10-20 minutes. As my baby grew older and took less time it became easier and easier. My husband was also gone for the first 10 months of the baby’s life, the baby had a fractured collar bone, acid reflux and was allergic to dairy, and my older child has a conduct disorder. It still wasn’t so bad.
I love breastfeeding! My son is almost 8 weeks old and I love the time we get to spend together while he is nursing. I mean, you feed your baby for 10 months and then suddenly that link is severed, breastfeeding keeps that link. It is wonderful bonding! Not to mention free! Also, there is no better food for your baby, your milk is made JUST for your child. Your baby not only gets full, but also your immunities. Breastfeeding also helps with mom’s weight loss, as well as getting your uterus back down to its normal size. I honestly can’t think of any disadvantages, all the leaks and engorgement is 100% worth the experience!
I breastfed my first child who is now 3, i am due again on 6th july and im planning on breastfeeding again. I found breastfeeding great because my partner wasnt fussed about doing night feeds etc, so it was easier for me to breastfeed. It saves time with not sterilising and making feeds but can also take 45 mins each feed so i think it depends on the child. My advise would be to try breastfeeding for the first couple of weeks, if its not working try bottle feeding! thats what i plan to do! good luck!
You can also mix breast and bottle feeding, maybe ask your midwife for advise?
Advantages:
Best for baby, good for you helps you get back into shape, convenient (no taking / worrying about bottles or heating formula), bonding experience, easier on baby’s tummy, it is hard to learn at first – but SO rewarding if you stick with it,
Disadvantages:
Only you can do it which means all the night time feedings, babies growth spurts – where you nurse constantly, biting (not that bad in my experiences), dealing with supply issues, weaning, learning how to breastfeed
Bottom line – I loved my nursing experiences and would do it all over again!!!! You’ll never regret the decision to breastfeed!
The advantage of rme for breastfeeding when I had a toddler was that it gave me more hands free time. Iwould highly recommend getting a ring sling or a wrap. I prefer a wrap for smaller babies. There are ways to tie the wrap so you canbe literally hands free while nursing & stay mobile with your toddler too. This probably wont’ wrok teh first couple of weeks as it takes some getting used to it to tie it so you feel secure, but even so, in those first few weeks I could tie it tight enough so I felt okay with it while using one arm to hold baby – which still left me one free arm while nursing. You never get that when bottlefeeding since you need one hand to feed & the other to hold the bottle. Toddlers are also germ factories, so it helps to give the new baby the protection of your antibodies to keep baby healthier. And of course all of the typical advantages of breastfeeding apply as well like it being the healthiest option & being free. If you haven’t nursed before then it can be a little bit of a rough adjustment in the beginning. Even if you have, there seems to be a certain learning curve for some babies. You do have to do all the feeding, so that can be hard when you feel bad for your older child, but you find ways around that – like special reading time, cuddling them while you nurse the sibling, etc. I found nursing my 2nd easier than nursing my first & I nursed my 1st for 3 yrs. My second was a very fast nurser too which helps. I love not packing or washing bottles. That is awesome at any age.
Congrats & GL!
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