For those people who haven't tried it, BREASTFEEDING HURTS!
Well, maybe not everyone but most people I've talked to. I only fed my son for 9 agonizing days. Feeding him in labour ward left me with bleeding nipples that just got worse as the week progressed. I even hired an electric pump for the first week but even that made me scream in agony. Yes, we obviously had attatchment issues, went to see a lactation consultant and still couldn't fix it! By day 9 I had mastitis, was in agony (yes agony.. would MUCH prefer labour anyday) everytime I fed my son, which was for almost a full hour every 2hrs (he was a 10lb baby), and was dreading him waking up because I knew that I would have to feed him again.
They say you should keep feeding when you have mastitis but I found it horrible to watch the pus (sorry for the imagery) coming out of my breasts with the milk and the thought that my child was supposed to drink that>????
So I bottle fed him. He is now a healthy 6 year old, best reader in his class and I don;t think formula has harmed him. And I don't think it is the same as second hand smoke. I'm not a negligent parent. Just one who wanted to enjoy time with her newborn without the pain.
I'm due for baby no 2 in Dec and keen to try breastfeeding again. So will see how it goes.

I am pregnant with my third and my first two were bottle fed and so will this baby. Don't ever let anyone talk you into breastfeeding because it's what "they" feel is right. It's a very personal decision. The colostrum in breast milk is what has all those extra nutrients. The colostrum disappears after a couple of days of giving birth so it's not something that is in breast milk the whole time a woman breast feeds. Both of my kids were very healthy.

I'm not incredibly thrilled with the idea of breastfeeding. I'm scared for my boobs, in all honesty. I was already large breasted before becoming pregnant and I seem to be getting mixed messages about how saggy my boobs are gonna be after all of this.

Ultimately, I decided that my baby deserves to have a mother who cares more for her child's health than she does about her boobs.

I understand other people have different issues with it.

I'm not thrilled about breastfeeding, but I am determined to do it because there is no other nutrition that is better for my son. And hell - that's what they are there for! If my breasts aren't going to be used to feed my son, then I might as well not have any.

On the contrary, I breast fed my older daughter and I am breatfeeding my four month old baby now. I personally love it. For me it is easy and natural. Having said that, it was hard for a month with my first and without the support of my mother I would have been virtually alone! I think it is so common to give babies bottles that I sometimes feel like the odd ball using what I have been given. I guess the main thing is that we have to do what makes us as women happy people and happy mommies! To each their own.

As far as telling your husband, maybe tell him that while you are in the hospital you will try both and see what works best for you. If you really don't like it or don't even want to try it, he can't blame you, its your body! Maybe he will feel different after you give birth and he realizes that he can help hold and feed that baby too if you bottle feed. Good luck.

My husband and I are having the same argument...we are not pregnant yet, but will be trying in the next couple months. I don't want to breastfeed...but the fact of the matter is, I can't breastfeed. I have inverted nipples and the only way for me to be able to is a very painful procedure to actually pull the nipple out and make it stay that way. So, no...I won't be breastfeeding. My husband thinks the inverted nipples don't matter, that I will be able to anyway or if not, I should have the procedure done. So, its a very touchy subject but I know I am not going to breastfeed.

And for the person who said formula was like second hand smoke...you are ridiculous! I was formula fed and I am a professional swimmer with absolutely NO health problems! I am a very healthy person and my immune system is great. I hardly ever catch colds. Also, my nephew was formula fed and he is in the top of his class and can already read at a 10th grade level, and he's in the 3rd grade! You really need to talk to more people before you make a horrid assumption like that.