Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Considering that the vast majority of babies are formula fed, I always find posts like these strange. Believe me, you will not feel like the odd one out for formula feeding -- most of the moms/babies I meet are formula feeding.


Just to clear up any misconceptions though -- you definately can drink alcohol while breastfeeding -- take your drink right after you feed your baby it will be out of your system in a few hours -- very little alcohol actually makes it into breastmilk anyway. I breastfeed and am very pro-breastfeeding for people who are receptive to it, but if that's not you that's OK, don't sweat it.

Believe me, this is just the beginning of the judgemental questions you'll get ("you let him sleep with you???" "you let him cry it out???" "you're not feeding him enough" "you're feeding him too much!!!"). I suggest you make the decision now to only discuss your choices with people your comfortable and blow off everyone else. You'll be a much happier mother that way,

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Dragonfly75

Believe me, this is just the beginning of the judgemental questions you'll get ("you let him sleep with you???" "you let him cry it out???" "you're not feeding him enough" "you're feeding him too much!!!"). I suggest you make the decision now to only discuss your choices with people your comfortable and blow off everyone else. You'll be a much happier mother that way,

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

They only asked once in the hospital if I planned to breastfeed. Aren't the antibodies only good while you are breastfeeding. For example if you breastfeed for 6 weeks and stop the baby can still get sick when it is 7 weeks.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

I bf for 3 months and then had to stop due to being hospitalized. I loved it but it was very difficult for me in the beginning. It's a personal choice and something that shouldn't be forced on anyone. However, I do think everyone should give it a try because so many things can actually change right after your baby is born and your feelings for it might change. Also, colostrum is so very important for a newborn to help flush out their system and formula has no way to replicating that.

I did want to say that there are some misconceptions. FF babies don't always sleep longer then bf babies, or at least mine didn't. Daddies can still help with the feedings for mommy by getting the baby, changing the baby and bringing the baby to bed so mommy can feed. Plus, if anyone is like me, your going to wake up at the slightest sound your baby makes whether you want to or not. I bf in public and felt comfortable doing it... I had nursing clothes and a cover so it was easy...actually easier then prepping bottles because I always had food with me.


Good luck with whatever choice you make. I just wanted to let you know how bfing went for me with my first.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

I have always felt that I wouldn't BF.
But had changed my mind when I got pregnant saying I would try it but secretly I am scared that I will be grossed out by it.
Because of my "lack of commitment" I went to a BF class. I learned so much and I am now pretty excited to at least try. I am still realistic that it may not work and I am ok with formula.
But I know overall it is the best for the baby, there are benefits that you cannot get with formula so I feel its important to try.

I think if you are on the fence a BF class might be worth the time, its very informative adn the one I went to was very low pressure.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

I didn't BF with DD and I have so intentions of BFing with DS. Just not my thing.

I wasn't BF, nor was my DH and we turned out healthy.

Nobody has really given me slack about it though. People ask me, but for the most part, I think most already know what my answer is going to be.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

So much helpful information- thank you, ladies.

Regarding the colostrum, and BFing for just a few days:
Is it an easier transition to switch to formula/ bottles after only afew days of BFing?
The switch is a big concern of mine- I will only be home for about 6 weeks, and after that, he/she will be in day care with my mom- she simply won't have the time or energy to fight to feed a child- I need to have this baby on a schedule by then, KWIM?

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by curliegirl

Butting in here--but your baby will still have to eat every 2-3 hrs whether you BF or not That said-do what you feel comfortable with.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

I think if you don't want to BF, then that's your decision and more power to you!

I'm gonna give it a go. Hopefully it works out, but if not, no biggie. I was formula fed and was a healthy baby.

As for making the transition to formula, my friend's baby nurse had her bottle feed the baby at night (with breast milk). When the baby was really hungry and she was producing enough BM, she would supplement with formula. The baby seemed to be fine with both. The big thing was getting the baby comfortable with the bottle and the breast.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by stephanief


You will still need to feed the baby every 3-4 hours

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Naun...I think its hard to make that decision right now...you might change your mind once you're holding that precious little child (YOUR child) in your arms and you're going to want to give him/her the best nutrition you possibly could...not that formula is bad or anything bc I think its great (I even supplement a couple of feeds) but I think its more of a mental thing...you get that milk and you think that its there for a reason and that it has all the nutrients and vitamins your baby needs and you might just give in. The thing about BF is that it is NOT easy...it takes a lot of patience, strength and persistence...but in the end, at least for me, it was all so worth it...nothing makes me more happier than BF or giving my son expressed BM in a bottle...and oh by the way, BM tastes WAAAAY better than formula.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

I also feel that my breasts are a sexual thing. I am planning to pump, and bottle feed...DH really insisted I bf, but I just cant do it. I was going to formula feed, but for totally selfish reasons I decided to pump. I hear I will lose weight really fast, and its free.

Message edited 11/2/2007 12:12:09 PM.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by MST9106

BM tastes WAAAAY better than formula.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

There's NO WAY that I can do this exclusively. I just won't have the time once I go back to work to pump and leave bottles.

I'll do it for the three months that I'm home for the colostrum and bonding, but after that it will be formula and bottles.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by MST9106

BM tastes WAAAAY better than formula.

DH totally wants to taste it.

I think, after reading all this- my main concern is the weaning off the tit.
IF I BF, it needs to be done after a month. I don't know- I guess I could pump. It all sounds so painful and annoying. I'm definitely open to changing my mind though.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by stephanief


You will still need to feed the baby every 3-4 hours

exactly- that is far preferable to the 1.5- 2 hour feedings I have been told about.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by MST9106

Melted vanilla ice cream...

Its all going to come together for you...whatever you decide to do...weaning off the breast is not hard...eventually your baby will prefer a bottle anyway bc its easier to suck down.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by jacquig

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by stephanief


You will still need to feed the baby every 3-4 hours

exactly- that is far preferable to the 1.5- 2 hour feedings I have been told about.

My nephew was never breast fed and he ate every 2 hours on the dot like a breast fed baby. I think every baby is different so it depends

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by jacquig

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by stephanief


You will still need to feed the baby every 3-4 hours

exactly- that is far preferable to the 1.5- 2 hour feedings I have been told about.

My nephew was never breast fed and he ate every 2 hours on the dot like a breast fed baby. I think every baby is different so it depends

VERY interesting.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by MST9106

BM tastes WAAAAY better than formula.

DH totally wants to taste it.

I think, after reading all this- my main concern is the weaning off the tit.
IF I BF, it needs to be done after a month. I don't know- I guess I could pump. It all sounds so painful and annoying. I'm definitely open to changing my mind though.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by MST9106

BM tastes WAAAAY better than formula.

DH totally wants to taste it.

I think, after reading all this- my main concern is the weaning off the tit.
IF I BF, it needs to be done after a month. I don't know- I guess I could pump. It all sounds so painful and annoying. I'm definitely open to changing my mind though.

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

OK, so my new "option", shoudl I change my mind once I meet the baby- is to BF for 2 weeks, then switch to the bottle- perhaps some BM, some formula, for 2 or 3 weeks, then stop pumping, and be exclusively formula.
Is this an absurd plan?

Re: Anyone NOT BFing?

Posted by Preguntas

Posted by stephanief


You will still need to feed the baby every 3-4 hours

exactly- that is far preferable to the 1.5- 2 hour feedings I have been told about.