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Decide Whether You Will Breastfeed or Bottle Feed Your Baby

Last Updated: September 03, 2009

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Prenatal Tips for the Second Trimester

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Whether you choose breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, a close bond between parents and baby can develop if you hold and cuddle your baby during feeding. Your baby can thrive whichever method you use.

Contents

Breastfeeding Advantages

  • Human milk is made for human babies and has the needed nutrients in the proper amounts
  • Protects baby against infections, allergies, diarrhea
  • Easily digested, few digestive upsets
  • Convenient, always ready with no bottles to fool with
  • No storage or special preparation needed
  • Costs less than bottle feeding
  • Babies drink only what they need, no overeating
  • Helps mom lose weight
  • Feeding can be shared with dad and other caregivers if breast milk is expressed and bottled

Breastfeeding Concerns

  • Will there be enough milk?
  • Knowing how to nurse, but this can be easily learned
  • Can leave baby for only a short amount of time
  • Partner can’t share in feeding and may feel left out unless expressed breast milk is put in bottles.

Bottle Feeding Advantages

  • Can provide adequate nutrition in proper amounts if directions are followed
  • Feeding can be shared with dad and other caregivers
  • Can see how much formula baby is actually getting
  • Baby can be left with others for longer periods of time than a breastfed baby

Bottle Feeding Concerns

  • Does not have the protection against infection, allergies, diarrhea that breast milk has
  • Pressure to finish a bottle may lead to overfeeding
  • Not as easily digested; may lead to digestive upsets
  • Bottles and formula must be carefully prepared and refrigerated
  • Mom and baby may not develop as close a bond if baby is not held as much during feeding

Resources

  • La Leche League is a national group that promotes breastfeeding and assists women who want to breastfeed their babies. www.lalecheleague.org
  • WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a supplemental food assistance program for pregnant women and women with babies and young children. http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/


Learn more about Your Prenatal Baby: Second Trimester from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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