B: Bottle or Breast

Ahh, the age old dispute.  Do I breastfeed or do I bottle-feed?

There are advantages to both.  However, it seems that women who choose to forego breastfeeding occasionally have to deal with some flack, and those who choose to forego bottle-feeding occasionally have to deal with some embarrassment and discomfort.

Knowing all the health benefits of breast milk, I was all for it.  However, when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I have to admit I was kind of grossed out by the idea of someone sucking on my boob.  Of course I realized our breasts were created with the sole purpose of providing nourishment for our young, but it still seemed odd to me.  However, once my darling daughter entered this world, it just felt natural.  Knowing that I was providing my sweetheart with one of life's necessities... nourishment, it just felt right.  And the closeness you feel between you and your little one is certainly an added bonus.

Bottle-feeding has it's advantages too.  It takes less time (except when it comes to heating it up, breast milk is always ready to go and it's always the perfect temperature).  You never have to worry about having enough.  (There's always more at the store).  Sore nipples are not a concern.  And those awkward, uncomfortable predicaments of breastfeeding in public and accidentally flashing someone a sneak peek of your boob, are of no concern since you already have a bottle with you for just in case purposes.

With my first daughter I both breastfed and bottle-fed her.  This allowed her Dad to partake in some of the feedings and made the transition from breast to bottle much easier.

My second daughter was breastfed only which meant the sole responsibility of feeding fell on my shoulders.  And introducing a bottle most certainly wasn't as easy as 1-2-3.  As for my boobs... they took a beating, and it was more than a little painful in the beginning, but they healed.  Although... they're no longer perky or bouncy, and they will never be the same again, but that doesn't matter because now that I have kids, I live for them, not me.

At the end of the day, each parent has to make their choice based on what feels right for them and not on the opinions of others.  They should never have to feel embarrassed, guilty, or uncomfortable.  Sure breastmilk is the healthiest thing for a baby, but formulas nowadays are so close to the real thing, I'm sure they're just as good.  As long as you do what feels right for you, and your babies are fed and content, it shouldn't matter what mode of transportation their meal reached them through.