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As a mother who attempted nursing my first born and then turned to formula once I wimped out after a week of trying, and then later successfully breastfed my second and third child, I am constantly amazed at the heated arguments on both sides. Since I've tried both methods I think I am a pretty unbiased person, so here are my thoughts on the matter.

Yes, breastfeeding is best. It is scientifically proven, and it is totally natural. For any woman who physically can nurse, I think it is a great benefit to both mother and child.

I was totally prepared to nurse my first born son when he was born. I thought I was totally prepared for the nursing experience. My sister-in-law had recently nursed her baby, I had read books, read magazines, and even visited a breast-feeding class. So I wondered "how hard could it be?"

Just hours after coming home from the hospital engorgement set in. My breasts became as large and hard as footballs yes, footballs (if not larger), and they also resembled the shape. Because of the hardness of my breast, my son couldn't latch on. And when he would actually begin to nurse I would actual cry (tears and all) in pain. I literally told the lactation consultant who I began visited that I would rather go through natural child birth again than nurse my son.

Deciding not to nurse was horribly hard. I felt like a failure, a cheater, and an utter disappointment to my family. But once we actually decided to choose formula I was freed. I no longer dreaded feeding my son, I no longer felt like a failure by not knowing how to properly care for him.

When I became pregnant again (just a few months later) I knew that I wanted to try breastfeeding again. The other motivating factor of really learning how to nurse was the fact that we wouldn't be able to afford the formula this time around.

So, after much consultations with lactation consultants (thank goodness for those blessed ladies who checked up on me in the hospital and called my home at least once a month for the first 9 months) I am now a successful breast-feeder. Yes, I still cried while learning how to nurse my daughter. Yes, I still got football-like breasts. Yes, I blistered, and cracked, and applied that bless Lanisol cream. But it was worth it. I learned how to push myself through something that I believed to be impossible, and I actually saved hundreds of dollars by not purchasing formula.

I still nurse my 13 month old son occasionally, but he is almost completely weaned now. Despite all the ups and downs I have had with nursing I would still recommend it to new moms-to-be. While nursing is best, feeling good about your decision, whatever it might be, is even better.

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