I also found breastfeeding rewarding... relaxing, too. Being able to wipe down a vinyl bib after a feeding and drape it over the back of baby's highchair was the greatest! No washing, no fussing.

I wholeheartedly agree. When my oldest was born breastfeeding wasn't "in" and I was young so I think they just did that as a matter of protocol. I don't really know. But when I nursed my other two it was such a wonderful experience that I really regretted not nursing my oldest. I didn't think my youngest would ever wean :) We both loved it.

And isn't that the way it so often goes.

Like Zozee I had 3 kids in 4 years, and I breastfed all of them for between 1-2 years. The antibodies were terrific. My kids rarely ever got sick, and even as adults today are not sick often. Breastfeeding is so much easier... no formula, bottles, making sure the formula is just the right temp... none of that. And it's a special bonding time with each baby.

My kids went right to sippee cups and cow's milk after breast feeding. When mine were little (the 80's) they had dried baby food flakes for veggies and such, you just add water and mix it up. My kids liked the taste of that stuff way more than the ready-to-eat baby foods. But most baby foods were blended up from fresh food I had prepared for the rest of the family. To this day, my favorite new baby gift is a blender or mini food processor.

You bring up a lot of excellent points as to the breastfeeding side of things. I'm sure if I were to do it over again I'd definitely breastfeed more than I did, just knowing the health benefits attached.

I breast fed my first one for a few weeks. I was hurting so bad I had to stop. No breast pump then except the old silly hand one. My second I tried again but gave up after leaving the hospital. Back then moms were kept in the hospital for 3-4 days before being sent home. Came home rested and very little soreness. My Dr knew I had a toddler at home when I had my second so kept me for 8 days to get really rested before going home. Baby had a sleeping schedule by then, lots of nurses to see to that. Moms don't know what they are missing by being sent home 24 hours after delivery.

Formula has raised many healthy kids. I don't feel bad at all about using formula.

So true. I never felt guilty or bad over my kids being formula fed, either. We all do what's best, and that's what matters in the end. Love and care.

So true there, Endora. That's why I never feel like I'm a bad mom for using disposable diapers. I don't think my children will care, as long as mommy loves them:) We all need to live with what we are comfortable with. Depending where one shop (Sams Club for me) they aren't as costly as they used to be and much better quality too! And like you said, Love and Care is what counts.

I nursed all 3 boys until about a year when they went to a cup. I was too lazy to mess with bottles.
Mary