As a new mom or dad, you are excited about the baby arriving. You make plans for a car seat, what the nursery will look like, if baby will have a head full of hair… but have you chosen which feeding style you will choose?

I wanted to breastfeed all three of my children. Actually… my first I had no idea what I wanted until it came time for latching at the hospital. I’ve written a post about my experiences and think you’d enjoy reading it. Enough about me, let’s jump in.

Are You Leaning Toward Breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding might seem like it will be the best choice. After all, you can provide natural nutrition, there are minimal supplies needed, and it’s the healthiest.

Reasons to breastfeed

• natural nutrition
• minimal supplies needed
• healthier than formula
• milk’s antibodies help protect baby from the cold and flu
• release oxytocin
• enhances babies cognitive development
• closer connection to your baby
• easier to digest than formula
• helps shrink mama’s uterus after childbirth
• cultural reasons

Benefits of breastfeeding

infants have reduced risks of:

• asthma
• obesity
• type 1 diabetes
• SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
• gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting)
• acute otitis media (ear infection)
• severe lower respiratory disease
• necrotizing enterocolitis for preterm infants

can help lower mother’s risk of

• postpartum depression
• type 2 diabetes
• ovarian cancer
• breast cancer

Milkology gave 101 reasons to breastfeed and some of the reasons will have you really wanting to breastfeed.

Concerns with breastfeeding

• improper latch causing pain while nursing
• frequency of feeding because breast milk digests faster than formula
• baby wants to cluster feed
• have to pump before leaving to travel or go anywhere without your baby
• not being able to throw back more than a few drinks
• certain medicines or medical conditions can make breastfeeding unsafe
• breast surgery could lower milk supply
• cultural reasons

Are You Leaning Toward formula feeding?

Formula can be beneficial for your baby if you do not have the desire to breastfeed or if you cannot breastfeed because of certain circumstances.

reasons to formula feed

• low milk supply
• convenience
• can travel, work, or leave the baby with someone
• medical conditions not allowing you to breastfeed
• during chemotherapy or certain treatments
• breastfeeding is too stressful for you
• pumping just isn’t cutting it for you
• your partner can help feed the baby
• you adopted a baby
• cause ya just want to

benefits of formula feeding

• not changing your diet
• can have more than a few drinks if ya want
• medications you take have no bearing on the formula given
• no need to pump
• no baby attached to you while out and about
• don’t have to find a place to sit and nurse
• no leaky boobs

concerns with formula feeding

• can’t match the needs baby has as they develop
• not the natural route
• heavier diaper bag
• having enough formula with you at all times
• did you bring that bottle of water or have clean water where you are going?
• formula shortages

Are You leaning toward exclusive pumping?

If in your heart you really want to breastfeed but think it would be uncomfortable, exclusive pumping (or EPing) may be for you.

reasons to exclusive pump

• a premature baby that cannot breastfeed
• twins, triplets, or more and the demand is too high
• need to return to work or school right away with no time to get a supply up beforehand
• baby who has a difficult time latching
• worried about milk supply and want to know how much you are producing
• have a baby that is tube fed
• cleft palate
• baby was in NICU and had difficulty establishing nursing
• want to breastfeed but aversion to nursing

benefits of exclusive pumping

• still giving baby breast milk
• cute bags to accessorize with
• if you produce too much, you can donate
• weaning baby is easier than weaning from the breast

concerns with exclusive pumping

• not having the right fitting flanges
• always needing to carry equipment around with you
• pumping and having to feed baby right after with no time in between feedings to relax (depending on your pumping schedule)
• pumping while working
• space for milk in the freezer – time for a deep freeze?
• using up all the milk in your deep freeze

Choosing Your feeding Style

Choosing which feeding style can be helpful for you to get ready for baby. You can decide what supplies to have in abundance or lack there of and find resources before your baby comes so they will be handy just incase the need arises. You never know if there will be a shortage of a certain formula your baby likes, if your breast pump won’t work one day, or your milk supply just runs out. Always have a back up plan!

Keep in mind, that you can breastfeed and formula feed, use donor milk and formula, use pumped milk and formula, or any other combination. This guide is to give you some confidence in going into feeding your new baby. It is not to panic you into thinking you have to have a pile of boxed pumps in the closet or go out and buy a deep freezer for milk.

Some Advice from Whip the Nip

Focus on your family and baby’s needs. Don’t scroll social media and let the cruel words of others seep into your new parent brain. You will know what your baby needs and wants when they get here. Other people’s opinions about your decisions are their own.