Moms who chose formula over BF....

may I ask why you chose this option? If you don't want to publicly post, feel free to FM me.

Also, what formula are you feeding and are you using powder or ready to serve??

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I tried to BF but Nate wouldn't latch on. Even with help of an LC it just wasn't happening. So I started to pump, but then I had supply issues (Dr. thinks bc I had a breast reduction). I pumped for 5-6 weeks didn't get much but fed him 3-4oz of BM a day.

They used Enfamil w/iron at the hospital so that's what we used when we got home. I used the RTF formula. But soon changed to Enfamil AR bc Nate had spit up issues. That didn't work so we tried Similac Isomil Advance Soy and it's been great. At first we used RTF, but now we use powder. I find it easier bc I don't have to worry about refridgeration and it's cheaper.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Message edited 12/16/2011 5:33:33 PM.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I tried BF but my milk never came in, and then I stupidly waited too long to get help, thinking it would come in on it's own.

We use Similac Advance with Iron, it's what my drs office recommends.

If you sign up with Similac online, they send you coupons every month. My mom and MIL signed up too, so I get more coupons.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Sent you a fm

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I had to do both because I never made enought milk to meet Miranda's nutritional needs.
Finding a formula that works for your baby can be a challenge. I found that the days she got more formula she would be constipated or have diarrhea depending on the formula. NOT FUN!!
I love using the RTF but it is super expensive that way so if your baby will take the powder definitely go that route. When I go out I bring a bottle of water and some formula in a tuperware and she takes it no problem without warming it.

Has she still not latched?
I am not trying to sway you at all but a visit with an LC will be ALOT cheaper the full time formula feeding. The formula really adds up for us and we only use it to supplement.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I just chose not to. I wasn't crazy about the idea and felt more comfortable to give him formula. They say there's more of a connection between baby and mom when you do BF, but I think it's just the same with formula feeding. I know all the pros of BF but like everyone says, it's a personal choice. I may get burned but hey, this was my choice.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I BF for the first month...but pumped often...with the wrong kind of pump... I just didnt know enough about it and let my MIL make me feel badly for making that choice....

In the end.... I lost my supply...I couldve gone to see a LC..BUT I was exhausted...and again I had someone breathing down my neck telling me I was starving my child (because I choose to BF)

All in all... I wish I wouldve taken a class....

For my next children... I plan to take a class...and maybe see the LC right away..... (I think I have issues with flat nipple )

Im happy Ryan got the 1st month.... and felt horrible when I stopped... BUT he's doing just fine...and no longer feel badly about it...and you shouldnt either...

I was exhausted...and cranky...and got to the point where I was annoyed when he wanted to eat... (my nipples were just soo sore) To me.... I dont care how good BM is for your child... that kinda neg. energy is worse!

Its a personal decision...and your not slighting your child in anyway for choosing not to... You tried it...and that in itself is wonderful!

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I chose to use formula because that is what I was comfortable with. I did not want to BF. I started using Similac Advance with Iron as the hospital started with. After several weeks, my baby started having issues with it. Extreme constipation and other digestive issues. He also was colic and had mild reflux. So I sitched to Similac Alimentum. MUch more $$$ but my baby handled it much better. T Here was a transition period - it takes couple weeks to see the full effects of a new formula but it was worth it. Didn't change the colic or reflux but helped with the digestive issues. I only use the ready to feed and it is $8-9/bottle.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I tried to BF but I wouldn't even say I gave it a real big effort. He wouldn't latch on. I really didn't mind if BFing didn't work out because I already knew I was going to pump and wasn't all that into the idea of BFing though I did want my baby to get BM. So I pumped and supplemented with formula for 6 weeks. I was happy with the way that worked out and I would do it again if I had another baby.

I've been using Similac Advance RTF. I'm considering switching over to powder but I don't know if the inconvenience of powder is worth the savings to me yet.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Please don't flame.... It was b/c of a couple of reasons... First, with the bf I did not know how much milk she was getting... I felt like it was a luck of the draw.... Turned out she was starving and that made me feel like a bad mother... More important she puts on weight and gets proper nutrition.

Second, I was dieting and the food I was eating (lean cuisines and salads) made the baby very gassy and gave her stomach pains... I also am majorly addicted to coffee (even more so after giving birth) and could not give up the habit.... I did not want to expose her to the caffeine....

Lastly, I felt that I was bonding with her more when she was staring up at me when I was bottle feeding her.... I could be in the dark and her eyes would make contact with me as I fed her and I felt like it was an awesome connection....

I also felt that the bf for me was a little unsanitary as I was returning to the gym.... I did not want to sweat at the gym in class, come home and feed her.... The thought, makes my stomach turn.... JMO....

Just not for me, but power to others who do it!!!

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

From the start I thought I'd give it a try since in my opionion you are pressured to do so. Deep down I knew it was not for me and I never saw myself BF for more than a few months if even that. Jack had some trouble latching on when we got home from the hospital when my milk came it. I rented a pump to try ot get it under control, but I wasn't pumping enough to keep up with demand and a few days after he was born he lost 13 oz. So I started him on Similac Advance and never looked back.

If we have more children I will go straight to the bottle.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Posted by Stefanie

I just chose not to. I wasn't crazy about the idea and felt more comfortable to give him formula. They say there's more of a connection between baby and mom when you do BF, but I think it's just the same with formula feeding. I know all the pros of BF but like everyone says, it's a personal choice. I may get burned but hey, this was my choice.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Posted by Stefanie

I just chose not to. I wasn't crazy about the idea and felt more comfortable to give him formula. They say there's more of a connection between baby and mom when you do BF, but I think it's just the same with formula feeding. I know all the pros of BF but like everyone says, it's a personal choice. I may get burned but hey, this was my choice.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

I wanted to BF very badly, but Christopher wouldn't latch on. I think that in the long run, it made things easier for us anyway. He started sleeping through the night when he was only 1 month old and I know that wouldn't have been possible if I was BFing. You have to do what's best for you and your baby. They say that breastfeeding is best, but sometimes it's not possible or isn't the best option for you.

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Re: Moms who chose formula over BF....

Posted by Stefanie

I just chose not to. I wasn't crazy about the idea and felt more comfortable to give him formula. They say there's more of a connection between baby and mom when you do BF, but I think it's just the same with formula feeding. I know all the pros of BF but like everyone says, it's a personal choice. I may get burned but hey, this was my choice.