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Thinking of bottle feeding-but have q's about breastfeeding?
Morning ladies,
Since we found out I was pregnant, I've been pretty set about bottle feeding. My reasons for this are numerous - I think breastfeeding (BF) will be quite tying - unless I express, my fiance can't get in on the act, it will be me getting up during the night, I'm quite a private person and would feel really unconfortable about BF in public, it means that I can't drink/eat certain foods, it's painful, and I hate the idea of having to express - pump milk out! Also, if you are out without the baby, your boobs still fill with milk, so you need to express? Your boobs leak, so constantly having to wear breast pads.....the list goes on!!!
However, recently, I have been thinking more and more about it. I am fully aware that there are supposed to be benefits for mother and baby of BF, but i'm coming round to the idea of being very natural, and what our boobs are there to do! I'm also completly on board with BF helping weightloss!!
I'm just wondering if there are any ladies who felt like I did - not completely convinced, and even though all of the issues I have about breastfeeding, still decided to do it? How did you manage with all the issues I put?
Did any go the other way, and are happy they bottle fed?
This is really just picking your brains.....but you ladies are the experts!!!
Thanks girls
Rucky 27&2
Since we found out I was pregnant, I've been pretty set about bottle feeding. My reasons for this are numerous - I think breastfeeding (BF) will be quite tying - unless I express, my fiance can't get in on the act, it will be me getting up during the night, I'm quite a private person and would feel really unconfortable about BF in public, it means that I can't drink/eat certain foods, it's painful, and I hate the idea of having to express - pump milk out! Also, if you are out without the baby, your boobs still fill with milk, so you need to express? Your boobs leak, so constantly having to wear breast pads.....the list goes on!!!
However, recently, I have been thinking more and more about it. I am fully aware that there are supposed to be benefits for mother and baby of BF, but i'm coming round to the idea of being very natural, and what our boobs are there to do! I'm also completly on board with BF helping weightloss!!
I'm just wondering if there are any ladies who felt like I did - not completely convinced, and even though all of the issues I have about breastfeeding, still decided to do it? How did you manage with all the issues I put?
Did any go the other way, and are happy they bottle fed?
This is really just picking your brains.....but you ladies are the experts!!!
Thanks girls
Rucky 27&2
0
Replies
Basically my lo is breast fed, BUT, for the first few weeks I would only go out for short periods as I didn't want to be caught short and have to breast feed in public. After 4 weeks I introduced a formula feed bottle as a night feed and since then it's been great as if I go out during the day bubba has a bottle and I don't have to worry so much? So she was ebf for 4 weeks and now has 2 bottles a day (both at night) unless we are going out in the day in which case she will have a bottle, in all honesty though I will always take a bottle out with me but if I can bf her when i'm out (not in public) I do, for example in the back of my car in the empty corner of mcdonalds the other day lol! You don't HAVE to do one or the other hun, you can do both?
As for leaking, I remember my friend telling me how milk used to virtually squirt out of her when she moved I, on the other hand have never had to use a breast pad other than when i dropped a night feed and replaced it with a bottle and then it was only at night for a few nights that i leaked, i definately have never leaked during the day or anything, I think its an individual thing?
Don't know if that helps?
As for leaking, it does vary I believe, but I only used breast pads for the first 2 weeks or so as I never leaked after that. And the pain subsides in the first week too, as long as you get a proper latch on established.
Oh, and if youre uncomfortable with bf in public, my friend was the same and she bought some nursing smocks from Mothercare - they have a few in their range: e.g.
http://www.mothercare.com/Bebe-Au-Lait-Nursing-Cover/dp/B002BEID7K/sr=1-29/qid=1276689511/ref=sr_1_29/279-4480245-9715411?_encoding=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n=42860041&mcb=core
HTH. x
As cornetto said really, i did just breast for 4 weeks to establish my supply, then you choose when to give bottles, i think its best to decide when you want to give bottles and stick to it, so say you want to do a 5pm bottle as cornetto says you will soon stop producing breast milk for that feed. When lo has the odd bottle during the day when i'm out it doesn't seem to affect my breast milk, although i imagine it would if you did it regularly, i don't have huge pammy boobs if she misses a breast feed, i've never needed to express
My reasons for this are numerous - I think breastfeeding (BF) will be quite tying - unless I express, my fiance can't get in on the act, it will be me getting up during the night, I'm quite a private person and would feel really unconfortable about BF in public, it means that I can't drink/eat certain foods, it's painful, and I hate the idea of having to express - pump milk out! Also, if you are out without the baby, your boobs still fill with milk, so you need to express? Your boobs leak, so constantly having to wear breast pads.....the list goes on!!!
Hi, i cant really comment on mix feeding as i havent tried it but just thought i'd answer someo f your initial concerns.
*It isn't painful, in fact its painless. The only time i've been sore is when my milk first came in and when i've had masititus.
*Eating should be no different to your normal diet, its not like your pregnant still and are restricted to eating foods such as soft cheese etc. Apparently the milk tastes different with certain foods but my milk never smells of curry!
*You are limited to 2 units of alcohol per day, but if theres any new mums that can physically find the time to drink more than 2 glasses of wine on an evening i salute you! Binge nights need to planned carefully so you can build up a stock of EBM and nannie can look after baby while you let your hair down!
*As for leaking, i do leak, especially when baby cries or when i'm thinking about feeding or when they're full and he hasn't wanted to feed. Breastpads are cheap (Asda ??1.50 for 50ish?) and i wouldnt go out without wearing them just in case.
*I dont bf in public, i take a bottle of expressed out with me if i knoww there arent any feeding rooms. You can always do it in the car when your parked up and just put a muslin over you.
*I hated the idea of expressing, i thought i'd feel like a cow on a dairy farm! But to be honest, it takes 10 minutes and you just read a magazine and put your feet up. Its not that bad, you get used to it.
I'm very pro-breastfeeding and would say to do it for as long as you can before you start introducing formula. That said, i understand its not everyones cup of tea and babies that are formula fed are no different from bf babies. You never know, once your doing it, you might really enjoy it and it really helps you and baby to bond along with all the immunity/health benefits that are an added bonus. Its great too when you want to hide from the MIL and you dont have to feel obliged to let everyone feed baby a bottle! ;\)
Good luck xxx
Good luck x
I am as pro breastfeeding as anyone, and wonder how this comment will convince Rucky to breastfeed? If anything it will put her off! Why not give some helpful, positive advice instead of being provocative?
For me, breastfeeding was easy and painless. It really doesn't have to be difficult, for some it's not. Hope you give it a go at least then see how you feel. You might like it! Also, I've never had to be careful with food - LO didn't seem affected.
The midwifes have given me a DVD to watch, which I think I will. It's a bit of a turn around for me - I've gone from compeltly just wanting to bottle feed, to now thinking about breast feeding.
It's so fantastic to have all you lovely ladies on here, passing on your wisdom!! It's really a god send! xxx
Not wishing to make anyone feel bad or anything, but even when it is hard, the feeling that you're powering through and feeding your baby yourself is just so overwhelming. I am amazed that my son grew to be 26 weeks old with just me feeding him and my body sustaining him. It's amazing, really really amazing. Please try it, you'll love it, and determination goes a long, long way.
The midwifes have given me a DVD to watch, which I think I will. It's a bit of a turn around for me - I've gone from compeltly just wanting to bottle feed, to now thinking about breast feeding.
It's so fantastic to have all you lovely ladies on here, passing on your wisdom!! It's really a god send! xxx
) Excellent news! Good luck whatever you end up doing.
then you think of the health benefits. when you meet your little one for the first time you will do ANYTHING to keep it healthy and happy. your fiance should understand that you want to give your baby the best start in life. my husband understood and was always there to make me tea, buy me magazines, tidy etc so i could relax with my baby and feed her whenever she wanted at the drop of a bra!
I must say though I found making bottles up a real faff!
Because of the problems I had, not seeking help and stopping bf suddenly without advice from any hv etc I ended up with an abcess in my breast that had to to be treated at hosital . So please discuss feeding after baby is born whatever you decide to do.
I have just had my second baby (2 weeks ago) and really wanted to try and breastfeed again but was really really nervous. I made my mw know this and she gave me extra visits to support my feeding. My dd feeds better than ds did and I'm more relaxed. It is going really well. Now it's easier I realise how much easier it is than bottle feeding!! As someone else said night feeds are much quicker and easier when bf. It's a real faff at night to make up a bottle!
I think my dh has found it harder to bond this time cos at this point he was helping to feed ds but he wants me to bf and knows it is important to me.
Whatever you decide I think plan to breastfeed for first day or two cos that's the really important stuff and you will have lots of support. Whatever you do, your milk will still come in - so you might as well give bf'ing a go?
If you do find bf'ing hard ask for help - it really does feel good once you get use to it! And I thought I would hate breast feeding in public but I have done it three times this week! If you think about what you wear and get them latched on quick you just look like you are cuddling your baby.
Good luck. X
Everyone told me how fantastic breast feeding was, how easy it was, how it helped them to bond with lo and it wasn't painful so I fully expected it to be easy. Give it a go but remember that it won't necessarily be easy. I wish someone had told me beforehand that the first few weeks can be hard going and painful. Once I had given up everyone turned around and said 'oh yeah, the first few weeks are really hard'. I think if they had told me this beforehand I wouldn't have not done it, but I would have been prepared and may even have carried on until I got to the good part. Because I didn't know that others had found it difficult I think I felt like I was doing it wrong and there was something wrong with me because I didn't love it. I sort of wish now that I'd stuck it out for a few more weeks, however bottle feeding is working out as well. Whatever you end up doing will be the right decision.... I would suggest trying breastfeeding, even if just for a few days as you are then able to switch to bottle feeding if it is not right for you.
And remember that happy mummy = happy baby - don't let anyone make you feel selfish for making a decision based on how you feel... your baby will be happy if you are, not because of how you feed him/her