by Michelle Ives

Created on: February 09, 2007   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

Breast versus Bottle the age old debate. Women have argued this for years. For a while the only option you had was cows milk and breast milk. Now we have choices of breast milk, soy formula, milk based, lactose free, added rice and many more. Oh so many choices! So why do women insist on everyone they come in contact doing it their way.

Many women fight that breast is best! Why? Because its free and the healthiest for your baby. Well it actually not free. You have to invest in nursing bras, shirts that work best with nursing and possibly even a pump. Well now that you need the pump you're going to need a place to pump the milk into, so time to run back to the store for bottles, and bags appropriate for storing milk in the freeze. By the time all this adds up you're looking a hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on how long you do it and what products you choose. So there goes the idea of free, right out the window. As far as the best nutrients for your baby, thats not always true. You are required to maintain a high calorie diet, many women care only to get back in the those pre-pregnancy clothes, so how many really eat all the needed calories. How many of these women are eating the much needed vegetables and fruits. And what about the iron. Very few women have enough iron in their breast milk for their child. By the time they hit that 4 month mark they are in need of cereal for the added iron to their diet. Many women become so attached to breast feeding that they want their child exclusively on the breast for 6-8 months. After the age of 1 when babies are to begin drinking full fat vitamin D milk, some of these mothers still insist on breast milk. These babies are not receiving the nutrient that they need!

Formula feeding is by far the most costly. If you are unable to receive wic checks you can be paying up to $75 in formula a month, even more if you have a healthy eater. There are of course cheaper store brand formulas. Walmart has "Parents Choice" at $10-$14 a can. This is a formula my daughter has used and has been wonderful! Some families insist that the more they spend the better the formula, its all personal opinion. Formula comes with many different options. From liquid to powder. You also have to choices of soy, lactose free, milk based, added rice, extra iron, dha and ara. Formula can be more difficult than just giving your child breast milk. It's always best to consult your pediatrician on what may be best for you child. It's nice that if one

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