Breastfeeding vs. formula-feeding pros/cons for Mom

It's interesting that some of the very pros of breastfeeding are the same as those for formula-feeding, but in different ways! Just goes to show you that either method may work beautifully for each individual mom. At the end of the day it's up to you and your baby to figure out which method to use.

I've compiled a list of some of the benefits and disadvantages for both sides of the debate, from the mother's point of view. I've actually enlisted the help of my mom friends who formula feed so I can get some accurate and useful information from them. Stay tuned because I'll keep adding as I think of more pros and cons!

BREASTFEEDING PROS:

• You can breastfeed almost anywhere, any time, etc. without worrying about leaving bottles and formula at home. 
• You get to sleep more (at least in the early days) because you don't have to go make bottles in the middle of the night, nor do you have to be so on top of burping during and after feedings.
• You lose your baby weight faster.
• You lower your risk for contracting certain diseases (ovarian and breast cancer, for example)
• Lactational amenorrhea can give you months and even years of no periods!
• If qualifying for WIC and nursing a baby, you may be eligible to receive food benefits for a full year (instead of 6 months if you formula-feed).
• No nasty odor on your baby or his clothes (from spit-up) or in his diaper! 
• Baby is protected from lots of illnesses and receives your immunity from even more illnesses so you don't have to tend to a sick child as often.
• Baby may take to solids easier since he is exposed to a variety of tastes from his mom's milk since birth.
• You can use your breastmilk for so many physical ailments (e.g. in ears for during infections, in the nostrils as a moisturizer, to heal bruises quicker, for conjunctivitis).

FORMULA-FEEDING PROS:

• You can give a bottle almost anywhere, any time, etc. You don't have to pull over during car rides.
• You can leave baby with a caregiver for extended periods of time. You're not tied down to the baby's schedule.
• You don't get any of the hormonal ups and downs associated with breastfeeding
• Anyone can feed the baby, like Dad! Especially handy in the middle of the night.
• Easy option for feeding a baby if a mother has a complicated delivery and is unable to nurse.
• You know exactly how much your baby drank in a feeding so no second-guessing there.
• Your figure doesn't change much so you can actually fit into clothing you used to (no automatic boob jobs for you).
• Bottle-feeding is more accepted in public situations so you don't have to leave the room to go nurse.

BREASTFEEDING CONS:

• Hormonal differences - your body might not behave the way it did pre-pregnancy. 
• Physical issues such as inverted nipples, nursing pain, latch issues, IGT (insufficient glandular tissue)
• Milk supply levels can be a concern at times
• You have to pump if you work out of the house and can't nurse your baby.
• Only you can feed your baby, nobody else! Unless, of course, you pump (ugh).
• Not all contraceptives are ok for a breastfeeding mom.
• Mother has to watch what she consumes: no alcohol, unsafe medications, foods causing an allergy in her baby etc.
• It may be impossible to switch to nursing if you haven't early on, or if a long while has elapsed since you last nursed.
• Nursing may make you feel like a "cow" (or like having one!)

FORMULA-FEEDING CONS:

• Formula has a nasty smell and is annoying to prepare the right way (following the guidelines).
• The nasty smell continues to spit-up, diapers, etc.
• Formula stains clothing.
• Formula is expensive! So is a full stock of baby bottles.
• You can't just decide to give your baby a bottle anywhere if you're not properly equipped.
• Washing out bottles isn't that fun.
• Baby may be allergic to some formulas