The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Part of me wants to try breastfeeding just so I can at least say I tried it at the hospital. But sometimes when I really think about it, I tend to lean towards not BF'ing. Maybe I'll change my mind once the baby is born cuz sometimes you won't know how you feel until you try it, but as of right now the thought of BF'ing is not appealing and I am starting to feel really bad, like I would depriving my child of all the good benefits i've read about BF'ing.

Message edited 3/23/2006 12:02:12 PM.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I tried BF but it didn't work out for me. My milk never came in (I never leaked, not even a drop, never had pain from drying up) but I've since found out this happened to almost everyone in my mom's family. I didn't even think to ask anyone about it before hand.

Sarah's been on formula since the hospital. According to her doctor she's very healthy, she's only had one cold and she's 13 months old and perfectly proportioned (height and weight both 75th percentile) And my brother's girlfriend is a speech pathologist and said that she's a little advanced. But maybe she's saying that to get on my good side and get me to help her get a ring out of my brother.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

It's tough to make that decision until you've tried it. I was hesitantly leaning toward bf-ing before having the baby, but was sure it wasn't going to work out. I was sure I would have milk supply problems, latch problems, etc and would end up giving mostly formula.

Well the first few days of getting him to bf in the hospital WERE tough and I was ready to give up, but much to my surprise I'm really into it now. I nurse him almost exclusively-- just one 2 oz bottle of formula at night that Daddy gives. I never in a million years thought that I would end up being this comfortable with it.

Don't worry-- you have plenty of time to make the decision, and if you give bf-ing a shot and it doesn't work out, you can always just switch to bottles. It's harder to switch the other way around.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I chose to bottle feed and never tried BF. It just is not for me and I honestly just didnt feel comfortable doing it. If you choose to bottlefeed, don't feel guilty. In no way have I deprived my son of any nutrients. HE is a healthy, happy baby and thus far has had no issues with feedings. BF is not for everyone and no one should feel guilty for not doing it.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I felt really uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding before I gave birth, but at DH's urging, I promised myself I would at least try for a few days, and also promised myself that I wouldn't beat myself up if it didn't work out. Turns out that Alex latched on quite well, and it came fairly easy for me (that's not to say that some days it wasn't a struggle). Looking back, I'm really glad I made the attempt because in the end I really enjoyed my time BFing my daughter (and it helped with losing weight too!). If you're on the fence, I'd say read a book or go to a BFing class and when you deliver, try it out for a few days. If it's not you, no biggie, just move to formula. But, I know there are some mommies who never try and end up regretting it. At least this way if you try and decide it's not for you, you won't look back and think "what if"...

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

You should make the best decision for you, just make sure you make an informed decision.
IMO if you chose to BF then you should read about it, learn about it and tell yourself that "you WILL bf". Maybe trying for a day is hard...because when you BF you often need to push through some challenges. There are some challenges that you can overcome with professional help, medications or just setting your mind to it. Some can't be changed.
One day is hard to make a decision on. If in your heart you don't want to BF, then don't.
There are pros and cons to both formula and BF. And only you can decide which is best your family.

I will say that I am glad that I pumped for the year. I am proud of myself and what I accomplished, despite so many nay-sayers. The few days I was able to nurse Molly are very special to me and I still think about them and smile. But it is not the right chose for everyone.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Posted by dandr10199

Posted by bedda26
but as of right now the thought of BF'ing is not appealing and I am starting to feel really bad, like I would depriving my child of all the good benefits i've read about BF'ing.

Don't forget the benefits to you, mama! You will burn 500 calories a day BF'ing and your uterus will contract. Its like doing sit ups after you give birth. Plus, I think it lowers your risk of breast cancer, PPD, and some other diseases. I am all for the HUGE benefits to the baby, but I am excited to get my body back after giving birth as well. . When I was told how many calories BF'ing burns, I was like...SOLD! I am so hoping I can BF.
Just something to think about besides all of the benefits to baby.
It is a personal decision and what ever you decide, you baby will be healthy. As another poster stated, some people can't do it because their milk does not come in, latch problems, etc. I think you just have to go with the flow on it and figure it out once your little guy is here.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Posted by bedda26

Posted by dandr10199

Posted by bedda26
but as of right now the thought of BF'ing is not appealing and I am starting to feel really bad, like I would depriving my child of all the good benefits i've read about BF'ing.

Don't forget the benefits to you, mama! You will burn 500 calories a day BF'ing and your uterus will contract. Its like doing sit ups after you give birth. Plus, I think it lowers your risk of breast cancer, PPD, and some other diseases. I am all for the HUGE benefits to the baby, but I am excited to get my body back after giving birth as well. . When I was told how many calories BF'ing burns, I was like...SOLD! I am so hoping I can BF.
Just something to think about besides all of the benefits to baby.
It is a personal decision and what ever you decide, you baby will be healthy. As another poster stated, some people can't do it because their milk does not come in, latch problems, etc. I think you just have to go with the flow on it and figure it out once your little guy is here.

I've read about all the benefits and believe they do sound motivating. I just don't know if I can do it but I know you can't always say that until you try it. Even if I do it i'm going to end up weeing him eventually. I do not want to pump when I go back to work.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

If I worked for a bigger company I may not have as much problem with it. It's small and the fridge is even smaller not much room for anything cuz it it's already filled with crap. There is not much privacy here at work.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

This is totally a personal decision. You know how me and my sister are totally opposites on this subject

You try it, see how it goes, and do what you feel is best for you. You might totally melt and love it, and you might rather hold a bottle. Dont let anyone tell you that youre missing out on any bonding either if you dont.
I enjoyed the time that I did BF (3m or so with each), but I also enjoyed the bottles

I dont wanna sway you either way. You do what you feel in your heart.
A happy mommy makes for a healthy baby.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Posted by anna

This is totally a personal decision. You know how me and my sister are totally opposites on this subject

You try it, see how it goes, and do what you feel is best for you. You might totally melt and love it, and you might rather hold a bottle. Dont let anyone tell you that youre missing out on any bonding either if you dont.
I enjoyed the time that I did BF (3m or so with each), but I also enjoyed the bottles

I dont wanna sway you either way. You do what you feel in your heart.
A happy mommy makes for a healthy baby.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I understand how you feel. I am leaning more towards formula. My mother is a retired OB nurse. She would be the first to tell you, that you have to do what is best for you and not what everyone tells you, you should do. For years she told her patients that if you are at all uneasy or uncomfortable with it, it won't work and the baby will be no better off.

Do what you feel is best for you. That is what is best for the baby.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I am planning on breast feeding- but that is my choice. My mom didn't breast feed and my sister and I came out just fine and completely healthy. You have to do what is right for you and your lifestyle.

As one of my friends says, her girls are show girls, not working girls

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Im going to try BFing but I also plan to supplement with formula.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

What is making you uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding? Perhaps we can either confirm or deny your worries...

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I'm going to try breastfeeding only because its suppose to best and thats what I want for my child. if i dont like it i am going to try and pump and bottle feed or just swtich to formula. i at least want to try.

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

Re: The choice to breastfeed or bottle feed...

I will officially be BF'ing for one year on April 9.
I also pump 2x a day at work and at 2x at home to make enough for the next day . That has been kind of a pain lugging the bag into the city everyday and I don't have a huge milk supply so around 10 months I supplemented a little when I am at work.

I will tell you that it was very painful for the first few weeks. You also feel like you are doing it 24/7. The leaking is a pain in the beginning but eventually stops. After those first few weeks I swear I feel no pain at all. I feel no pain from pumping either. It helps to have people being supportive around you. My sister and close friend were all doing it so it made it alot easier. My DH has been so supportive.
I didn't really BF in public so I would either go in a woman's lounge of the bathroom or even in the backseat of our car. I will pump and bring a bottle if I was going to the mall.

In a few short weeks my little man will be solely on whole milk during the day and I will continue to BF and night or if we are home together. I have truley enjoyed the time that my little man and I have bonded and I will admit I am a little sad that it I will be stopping soon.
I feel the benefits outweighed the inconvieniences and if I have any more children I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Let us know if you need any support or info!
If you can get through the first few week it will get easier!