I breast-fed my son until he was over a year old; to me, breast-feeding seems easier and more flexible, in addition to the health benefits to the baby. I didn't own a dishwasher at the time, and thought it would be troublesome and time-consuming (and expensive) messing with bottles and all the accoutrements. I rented an electric breast pump, and I did eventually start storing extra breast milk in bottles in the fridge, but I used the kind of bottles that have the disposable plastic bag inside, so the only thing you have to sanitize is the rubber nipple. But breast-feeding saves on the cost of formula, saves you from having to lug bags full of bottles around in public and then worry about the milk spoiling from being unrefrigerated...it just saves all kinds of hassles, and allows you to get a lot more sleep as well, because when the baby wakes up at night for a feeding you don't have to get up and fuss with bottles, you can just bring the baby into your bed and go back to sleep while the baby nurses. Of course everyone knows it's better for the baby, but I honestly think breast-feeding makes things easier on the mother as well, and I don't understand why people think it will be complicated. As far as I'm concerned, it's the simplest and most natural solution all around. I'd encourage any mother to at least try it before going with the artificial stuff. Best of luck to you and your baby! Sincerely, Sharon
