Some people who are aware of the benefits of breastfeeding decide to bottle-feed anyway, because they find breastfeeding impractical. Here are some possible reasons for that. Follow the links and see if you change your mind. Perhaps you will. If you don't, go to the page on making the best of bottle-feeding. Perhaps you'll see that bottle-feeding isn't likely to be any more practical. If you decide that it is, the information on that page might help alleviate feelings of grief and guilt that you might have as a result of deciding to bottle-feed.

Practical reasons for not breastfeeding:

• You want to (or have to) return to work.
• You want someone else to be able to feed the baby.
• You want to be able to leave the baby with a baby sitter so you have some freedom.
• You've heard that bottle-fed babies sleep longer, and that sounds good.
• You have seen an ad for a "hands free" bottle-feeding system, and that sounds great.
• You want to be sure your baby is getting enough food, but you can't measure how much milk goes in.
• You have twins (or more).
• You already have an older child (or children), and don't want to be tied down by the baby.

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Reasons for not breastfeeding