Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts a mother can give to her child.
Breastfeeding is 100% free and 100% safe (with the exception of mothers who partake in alcohol and substance abuse, as well as mothers who are taking certain medications). Breast milk provides all of a child’s nutritional requirements for the first year of life. Breastfeeding is very convenient, as while the mother should make sure she is available to provide on-demand feedings, the “preparation” of breastfeeding is no more than positioning baby and baring the breast for accessibility.
There are many disadvantages to formula. Boiling of the bottles and nipples. Warming the water. Mixing the proper amount of formula into the water. Purchasing formula all the time. Making sure it is not beyond its expiration date. Keeping up to date with periodic recalls on various formulas. And then there’s the added waste from the formula containers that will be going into the landfills.
There are also nutritional disadvantages to formula. Studies have found that formula fed babies are more likely to become ill more often and for longer periods, and can possibly be more likely to have diabetes and/or become obese.
There’s also one advantage that breastfeeding offers the breastfeeding mother: additional calories being burned off for milk production.
I urge all mothers-to-be to at least consider breastfeeding. While formula is an adequate source of nutrition in the absence of breast milk, breast milk will always be far superior to formula.
For more information on breastfeeding, check out the following websites:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/
http://www.lalecheleague.org/
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=home
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp
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My name is Jenn, and I'm 27 years old. I'm happily married to my best friend and soulmate, Daniel. Together we have a six year old daughter named 
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