Hanna's Mommie repliedsupplementing with formula would be my LAST resort its more a bad thing than good. Their are no benifits of it. I wouldnt give my child formula unless she HAD to have it for whatever reason. formula has god knows what in it! Its made in a factory.. no thanks

and by all means im not bashing formula feeding moms its just you either can breastfeed and you DO or you dont and you formula feed

threenorns repliednot "may" - "will" jeopardize your milk supply.

formula was invented about 100yrs ago so that infants who had been abandoned could be fed without having to find and pay for wet nurses (women who breastfeed babies not their own).

it's NOT healthy - the world health organization puts it fourth on the list of what to feed your baby, right behind breast milk donated by other women.

between 1982 and 1994, there were *twenty-two* recalls of formula, seven of them classified "life threatening", covering everything from pneumonia bacteria and salmonella to broken glass in the product.

most ercently, melamine was found in formula in the USA: http://www.wellsphere.com/health-educati... [but apparently it's okay since it was below the "safe" level....hunh!???]

furthermore, the stuff's not sterile - it's not physically possible to make it sterile, which is why you have to boil the water (not to treat the water, but to treat the formula). even better? formula companies are not required to even keep track from where they source their ingredients, which is why one formula company was getting its DHA and ARA from:

"The DHA is extracted from fermented microalgae and the ARA is extracted from soil fungus."

health risks to you: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/...

health risks to baby: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-cost-...

formula is fine if you honestly have no alternative but why pay so much money to jeopardize your baby's health?

April E repliedBreast is best hands down, it has been proven time and time again. Just google it and you will find tons of scientific proof that it is easier digested on a babys tummy, actually makes your children smarter, helps line the stomich with benefcial nutrients and proteins for better overall health, your child dosent overeat by thinking they will only be full when they finish the bottle, and when you baby gets sick breastmilk is sometimes all they will take and it help them get better faster. So if you can breast feed as long as you can. I made it 2 years with my daughter. But one year is a great.

Lady Aqua Moon repliedFormula is harder to digest, which is why they say it helps them sleep through the night. Not only that, but why would you want to do that? Can't you hand express or pump out the milk and feed it through the bottle. Formula is a last result according to WHO. Breastfeeding is first, then I think it is hand expressing, pumping, finding a milk bank then as a very last result when all else fails, go to formula. Most mothers don't know that.

Mary S repliedIf you can breast feed then it is better for baby. Your milk can not be fresher for a start and the fresher the milk the better.

It contains things that formula can not too. formula is good to keep babies alive but every possible test proves that they thrive on breast milk.

Sadly not every one can do it, if you can then it is something to be proud of as a mother.

It is better for the mother too, the body is supposed to work that way. I have heard it can prevent things like cancer and helps the womb get back to normal quicker. Prevents depression and helps with mother and child bonding. I am not sure if that is proved or even if it can be.

It is a decision you will have to make for yourself, certainly it will restrict you and after nine months of pregnancy another year of being tied to your baby can feel daunting. Some mothers enjoy the whole thing but if you do not it does not make you a bad mother.

A happy mum is a better mother than a grouchy mom!

serenity8 repliedIf you supplement with formula, weaning the baby off (breastfeeding) will be easier. On the down side in addition to jeopardizing your milk supply, there is the risk of allergic reactions or digestion problems from cow's milk.

Jackie G repliedformula just is not as good as breast milk.

Pauline B repliedI think this is a personal choice. I did both in the hospital and was told by one nurse its okay and chastized by another. I think we just have to do what we think is best... breast milk is better but if you want a break and decide to give a bottle thats your choice, they arent going to suffer .... you will though.... as your breasts will gorge themselves with milk.... some babies will refuse a bottle if they are breast fed and some will adapt, that is all part of whether or not it will work.. if they refuse a bottle then there isnt much you can do about it.... if they adapt well, then its okay... formulas today are packed with nutrients and taste better... Good Luck with this.

Jan M repliedbreast milk is the best food for babies and ideally should be the only food given before 6 months of age. Formula has it's place for mothers who need it - those who adopt or have medical issues like cancer or have had breast surgery that has prevented them from breast feeding. A lot of work has gone into making formulas that are easier for babies to digest and contain all the nutrition they need, however they are all much harder to digest and contain none of the living healthy antibodies, disease fighting and allergy preventing properties of breast milk. there are no benefits to supplementing formula in a healthy full term baby, and supplementing formula can reduce your milk supply and cause baby an upset stomach and increased risk of allergies.

icecreamroxx repliedBreastmilk is fresher and gives the baby health benefits.

WildTexan repliedWhen my babies were born I breastfed. They just wouldn't get their belly full at night to get a good nights sleep so I gave them a bottle of formula at night to give me a break and for them to sleep. Other than that they were on the boob at all other times until they were old enough to drink water or juice etc.

Randelle P repliedYes! If you can breastfeed, please do so. it's best for the baby and you. Formula is a man-made chemical product, why give that to your baby when you can give them natural and organic milk from you? Your body produces what your baby needs, and unless told to do so by a doctor, there is no need to supplement it. Formula is expensive, messy, and PS. it smells awful- would you drink it?

Here's what the Natural Resources Defense Counsel says:

Breast milk is a unique nutritional source that cannot adequately be replaced by any other food, including infant formula. Although pollutants can accumulate in breast milk, it remains superior to infant formula from the perspective of the overall health of both mother and child.

Infants are fragile and susceptible to disease, partly because their bodies are not fully developed. They must be treated with special care and given adequate nourishment. Infant formulas are able to mimic a few of the nutritional components of breast milk, but formula cannot hope to duplicate the vast and constantly changing array of essential nutrients in human milk. Nevertheless, breastfeeding is often devalued, both in the United States and abroad, and in many parts of the world it must compete with relentless advertising by infant-formula companies.

Studies have demonstrated a number of important health benefits to breastfeeding. Among them:

* Breast-fed children are more resistant to disease and infection early in life than formula-fed children

* Breast-fed children are less likely to contract a number of diseases later in life, including juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and cancer before the age of 15

* Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis later in life, are able to lose weight gained during pregnancy more easily and have a lower risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer

Breastfeeding also has economic advantages: it's cheaper than buying formula and helps avoid medical bills later because it helps equip the baby to fight off disease and infection. New parents are well advised to learn all they can about the pros and cons of breast milk and formula. See below for more information on the benefits of breastfeeding

Ramona repliedThe formula will slow your milk flow. Don't give the baby that nasty stuff. All of the nutrients in formula don't even get absorbed causing stinky diapers.

aljea repliedbreast milk is the best and the more the better.
If you have enough breast milk there is no reason at all to supplement.
The only time formula should be given when there is breastmil available is if the mother is HIV positive. If the mother is anemic, she should be taking iron and it should still be fine for the baby. If she is still concerned then she can supplement with breast milk and pump out as much breastmilk as she fed the baby and toss it so she doesn't ruin her supply.