I think most of the comments on this thread are useful, considering the OP is asking for thoughts/insight from posters who have breast fed, bottle fed or done a combination of the two. I generally appreciate the supportive tone of the parenting & education section and I think most people realize they should do their own research as well.

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"If you think you're too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito."

--Bette Reese

Breastfeeding is horrible the first couple of weeks which is why so many women stop. I was sleep deprived, terrified and it took almost a week for my milk to come in when my first son was born. It also hurt like hell every time he latched on. Then it got easy and I nursed him for close to two years.

With number two I didn't have the sleep deprivation, terror or problems with my milk coming in. It still hurt like hell every time he latched on for a couple of weeks but then the pain subsided and once again it was (and continues to be) easy.

If you can get through the first couple of weeks breastfeeding is fantastic. It's also a lot cheaper than formula and smells a lot better.

My advice is to make sure you have supports in place. Friends who have breastfed, the names and numbers of lactation consultants, La Leche League meeting times and locations, and new mom support groups are all things you'll want to know before the baby is born.

And pumping and dumping is a myth. You can have a couple of drinks and still feed your baby. I wouldn't recommend getting wasted, but an occasional drink is fine. Check out kellymom for more info.

I would agree with Jilly- not sure of why you are so hostile. There is always the obvious idiot like allessis but such is life
I feel that my breastfeeding experience is pretty thorough and i would always recommend getting the support/education you need. However personal anecdotes can be helful- there are some things that books do not cover and some negative experiences one can have with lactation conusultants. ( Personally I did not find them terribly helpful when I ran into issues when I got home). I also feel that one should not dictate your beliefs- ie breast feeding is the only way to go. It is the same with those who are condemned for not giving birth vaginally....

I breastfed my oldest son for 25 months, and am still nursing my second (29 months). I pumped for about a year for each of them. It was definitely the right decision for our family, and I found it far easier than trying to figure out formula. I also got much more sleep those first few

It does help to have a support system in place. The first few days nursing my oldest were really hard. For my second, the first few days were easy but a week or so in it got hard. I had my doula on speed dial and she helped a lot. The lactation consultants at Pennsy were good and my doula was excellent.

I think anecdotal evidence on health/intelligence/etc. for bottle vs. breastfeeding isn't particularly helpful.

Just a clarification: I did not mean anecdotal reports of higher intelligence are helpful
- I meant stuff like the first week can be difficult but if you stick it out it can be a positive experience- information like that

There is plenty of evidence that breastfeeding is better for the health and development of your baby. But, that said, it's a very individual decision, and many women in our culture struggle to get it right. Seems like it's worth a try and you can get help from a lactation consultant, if you run into problems. And, you know, not all women have pain or struggle.....I never had any pain from nursing, it worked pretty well for me......what I didn't do well with was pumping, couldn't seem to get much, so I stopped around 8 months with my daughter. But, just remember, everyone is different, there is no one right way.

Wow. Smug much?

There are a number of parents on here, with children of varying ages. It says something when you can raise one to young adulthood and they are intelligent, thoughtful, charming human beings.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY

"Censorship is free advertising by the government"--Federico Fellini

"Do you mind if I smoke while you eat?"

Sweetpea its gung ho.

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I have legalised robbery. Called it a belief
I have run with the money. And hid like a theif
I have re-written history. With my armies and my crooks
Invented memories. I did burn all the books
And I can still hear his laughter. And I can still hear his song
The mans too big. The mans too strong

I was just thinking to myself, is it gun ho or gung ho...whatevs, potato potatto...

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The Sweetest of ALL Peaks...

Its ok I called you sweetpea.

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___________________
I have legalised robbery. Called it a belief
I have run with the money. And hid like a theif
I have re-written history. With my armies and my crooks
Invented memories. I did burn all the books
And I can still hear his laughter. And I can still hear his song
The mans too big. The mans too strong