Weaning From Breastfeeding to Bottle - Is Baby Ready For Formula

Weaning from breastfeeding can be an easy experience if done at your own pace and leisure. Weaning from breastfeeding to bottle on the other hand is on a case to case basis. Some babies accept the bottle without nary a cry, while others would rather starve than be given a bottle. The former can be weaned early; the latter will give their mommies a hard time in early weaning.

A lot of weaning words, huh? Don't get me wrong. I am an advocate of breastfeeding until baby is ready to wean from the breast. Even then, I am for expressing milk, putting it in a bottle and offering it to baby too if feeding from the breast is physically impossible (probably due to work).

Sometimes, there are reasons why mothers choose to wean from breast to bottle. Most of the time, mothers let go of breastfeeding because of medical reasons, like having breast cancer or an abscess right after giving birth. Others feel that the reason their baby is crying because he's not getting enough milk. A very minute group only stops breastfeeding due to vanity (like a friend who didn't want to breastfeed because her breasts were sagging), but that's just a few. Most of the reasons are pretty valid.

The problem sometimes lies in substituting breast milk to formula milk. Now, I won't decide for you, so I'm giving you the benefits and disadvantages of both breast milk and formula milk:

On Breast Milk


It has a perfect balance of nutrients that makes baby grow stronger, and helps keep sickness away.
This is easily digested and absorbed by the body.
The baby decides on how much milk he needs, there's no limit.
Breast milk always has the perfect temperature - not too hot, not too cold.
It is available anytime, anyplace (as long as mommy's with him).
And the best part of it is, it's free!
The mother always has to be with the baby. If she leaves the house and the baby gets hungry, well, baby gets hungry. So she always needs to express her milk and store it in a bottle, so that anyone who's left at home can always feed him once he cries.
And if mommy is taking medicine, then the baby can't have breast milk because the medicine would get passed to the baby through the milk.

On Formula Milk


Not all formula milk is created equal. So depending on how the mixture is made, not all nutrients can be utilized.
Plus you have to follow the recommended feeding times found on the package of the formula, or the advice of the doctor. If baby gets hungry after that, then he will have to wait for the next feeding time.
Some babies are lactose intolerant and cannot take cow's milk, so be sure to ask your pediatrician first before buying any formula milk.
The best thing about formula is that you just have to mix it, and anyone can give it to the baby. This also gives a chance for other members of the family to bond with him via his feeding.

Babies don't just see their mothers as sources of food; they are also sources of comfort and security. If you cannot breastfeed for any reason, you don't need to feel that you are betraying their trust by giving them formula. The most important thing is that you're doing everything in your power for them to be strong and healthy. And that is nothing to be ashamed of.

Undecided as to when to stop breastfeeding? Looking for safe methods to wean baby and learn how to stop breastfeeding gradually? Click on these links to access free information on safe weaning from breastfeeding tips.

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