Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

how did you come to this decision? I never thought I would even consider breast-feeding, but now I'm thinking about it although I think I'd be more comfortable with formula feeding. I keep thinking about the financial perk of BF though

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

i had the decision made for me. i was put on more drugs after birth than the entire yankees team. I am STILL weening from the steroids and am STILL taking more than 9 meds a day....

it's a very personal decision - and know that WHATEVER decision you make - as long as it's right FOR YOU - it's right for your baby. There is no right or wrong.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I didnt go in thinking i would FF, but when DS was born, he was severely jaundice, where I was discharged without him so he had to be supplemented until my milk came in. THEN he was tongue tied and was unable to latch.

Needless to say, he was FF. Overall, I was very happy with my decision. It gave DH a chance to bond with DS at feeding time. It gave me a much needed break bc I wasnt solely responsible for feeding. I didnt have to solely get up in the middle of the night which was a blessing bc I had complications healing. I found for me, it was easier to go out, bc I would not have been comfortable BFing in public. I could go where I wanted, when I wanted as long as I had a bottle with me. DS and I were both happier for it and he is not damaged from not being BF (hes almost 2 now). Lastly, the cost of FF isnt AS bad as I had suspected. I went the powdered formula route instead of the RTF and we spent about $60/mo on formula, definitely buy at Costco or Sams or BJs. As for bonding....you can remove or lift you shirt and hold you DC skin to skin to "bond". I didnt really do this but you can, and DS and I arent any less bonded then my mom friends who BF.

Its a personal decision, but it does have it benefits, IMHO. I just wanted to share what was positive about FF for me.

Good luck whatever you decide!

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

When I had DD last year, she was in the NICU for 8 days. I pumped BM and it was given to her via bottle in the NICU. When we got home she could not get the hang of latching and I could not take her screaming in hunger so I pumped. I did this for about 6 weeks and then stopped. When I started her on formula, I was a lot more relaxed and it helped that DH could feed her as well, not to mention I no longer had to do double duty- feed her and then pump. It was exhausting. I am 95% sure that with DC#2 coming in Dec. I will FF from the get-go. With a then 14 month old and a newborn, I need as much help as I can get. FFing will give me a bit more freedom.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

when i had DS i planned on trying.. he did NOT latch on and the process was painful...

so this time around i said i didnt want to do it.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I honestly just feel that FF is the right thing for me. At least at this moment, I don't think i'd feel comfortable breast feeding my child.

I know many people that do, and i know it's the more healthy way but I just can't see that being the way for me.

It's just my personal view. I'm sure i'll get crap for it from friends and family, but it's my decision. I was FF and I turned out just fine! lol

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

i will give BF another go, with the hope that my supply will be greater this time around. last time i didn't get off to a great start, and then my body didn't respond to the pump. and i wasn't a super milk producer to begin with. so it was sort of a recipe for disaster and i only made it 5-6 months, with supplementing for the last 2 of those months.

having said that, i don't see a thing wrong with FF. it's a perfectly good way to feed your baby, and i don't see ANY difference whatsoever in bonding between mother and infant... i think that's just something pro-BFers say to discourage FF (but that's JMO, please no flames!!!).

but i digress. bottom line - if BF doesn't work out, i will have no problem using formula.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I am planning to FF because the thought of BFing just grosses me out. Sorry!

I have already gotten too many opinions from some well-meaning members of the BF Army and, frankly, it is none of their business. I don't agree with every decision that other people make with their children and they don't have to agree with mine. Simple as that.

As for it being healthier, I am sure DD will do just fine. DH is 6'2" and I am 5'9"; clearly our growth was stunted by not being BF.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I will say that if you are on the fence, give BF'ing a try

if you don't like it, at least you can say you tried and not have any regrets

either way, the baby will be healthy and well cared for, that is all that matters

I BF'd and supplemented my dd with formula from day 1

this time, I am going to TRY to bf and pump for at least 6 months...we'll see how that works

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by alexlynn7

i don't see ANY difference whatsoever in bonding between mother and infant... i think that's just something pro-BFers say to discourage FF (but that's JMO, please no flames!!!).

.

just want to give my perspective here, no flames to you at all

I did both, bf and ff and YES, from my experience, the bond with the baby is different when they are feeding off of you as opposed to when they are feeding off a bottle

that is not to say that ff babies do not bond with their mom but it is a different experience and I am in no way anti-ff as I did both

....

Message edited 3/7/2013 2:52:26 PM.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

i just wanted to comment on the 'bonding' issue.

while i had no hope of breastfeeding and have no prior experience - i do NOT feel any less bonded to Emma. She looks into my eyes while I feed her the bottle and i always make a point of looking right back at her and singing to her and talking to her, etc...

there is also something called 'skin to skin contact'....where you can take off your top (or simply wear a tank) and allow the baby to be on your skin - to allow the baby to 'learn' your smell. your husband can also do this and i do feel that THAT helps the bond form as well...

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I formula fed with DD and plan to again with this child.

BF is just not for us and I just didn't want to do it and that's that. DD is very healthy, smart and just a lovely little girl and I have not regrets.

As for the bonding thing-I didn't need to breast feed to bond with my child, and every bond with every child and mother is different regardless of how you choose to nourish your child.

There is no way anyone who breastfed can understand the bond between a mother and child who formula feed; just like there is no way that I could understand the bond between a mother and child who breast feed.

And Steph-This is not a flame at all: I know you say you understand because you did both, but that in itself is a different perspecitive from a person who only formula feeds. It might have been a different bond for you because you have something to compare it to but that doesn't mean it's different for someone who only FF's.

I digress-do what works for you. If you are up in the air, give it a shot. Maybe it will work out for you. If you are not up and the air and know you don't want to but feel pressured-stand tall and do what it right for you and your child-no one but you knows what that is.

Message edited 7/8/2009 10:39:09 AM.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by alexlynn7

i don't see ANY difference whatsoever in bonding between mother and infant... i think that's just something pro-BFers say to discourage FF (but that's JMO, please no flames!!!).

.

just want to give my perspective here, no flames to you at all

I did both, bf and ff and YES, from my experience, the bond with the baby is different when they are feeding off of you as opposed to when they are feeding off a bottle

that is not to say that ff babies do not bond with their mom but it is a different experience and I am in no way anti-ff as I did both

I think everyone has a personal experience/perspective on it. I actually felt LESS bonded/connected with my DD when I was BFing. It wasn't until I stopped and started formula feeding that I started to feel that mother/baby bonding thing everyone always talks about.

BFing stressed me to no end, and I hated every single second of it, I would sit there and just watch the clock wondering when she was going to be done eating instead of feeling that "connection" BFing moms talk about.

Anyway, that was MY own personal experience.

Everyone is different. I only wanted to BF and didn't want to have anything to do with FF, but it didn't work for me. I will not even attempt BF when I have #2.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by alexlynn7

i don't see ANY difference whatsoever in bonding between mother and infant... i think that's just something pro-BFers say to discourage FF (but that's JMO, please no flames!!!).

.

just want to give my perspective here, no flames to you at all

I did both, bf and ff and YES, from my experience, the bond with the baby is different when they are feeding off of you as opposed to when they are feeding off a bottle

that is not to say that ff babies do not bond with their mom but it is a different experience and I am in no way anti-ff as I did both

I think everyone has a personal experience/perspective on it. I actually felt LESS bonded/connected with my DD when I was BFing. It wasn't until I stopped and started formula feeding that I started to feel that mother/baby bonding thing everyone always talks about.

BFing stressed me to no end, and I hated every single second of it, I would sit there and just watch the clock wondering when she was going to be done eating instead of feeling that "connection" BFing moms talk about.

Anyway, that was MY own personal experience.

Everyone is different. I only wanted to BF and didn't want to have anything to do with FF, but it didn't work for me. I will not even attempt BF when I have #2.

Exactly! Me too!

As for the OP, I know you didnt mean it to be offensive and meant no harm, but it is a little hurtful to say you will have or had more of a or a better bond with your DC if you BF for those of us who did not/could not. I dont think that is the case at all. Im sure it was for you and thats really wonderful, but I was no less bonded with my DC bc I didnt BF him.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I appreciate all the feedback!

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

Posted by CrankyPants

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by MrsRbk

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by alexlynn7

i don't see ANY difference whatsoever in bonding between mother and infant... i think that's just something pro-BFers say to discourage FF (but that's JMO, please no flames!!!).

.

just want to give my perspective here, no flames to you at all

I did both, bf and ff and YES, from my experience, the bond with the baby is different when they are feeding off of you as opposed to when they are feeding off a bottle

that is not to say that ff babies do not bond with their mom but it is a different experience and I am in no way anti-ff as I did both

I think everyone has a personal experience/perspective on it. I actually felt LESS bonded/connected with my DD when I was BFing. It wasn't until I stopped and started formula feeding that I started to feel that mother/baby bonding thing everyone always talks about.

BFing stressed me to no end, and I hated every single second of it, I would sit there and just watch the clock wondering when she was going to be done eating instead of feeling that "connection" BFing moms talk about.

Anyway, that was MY own personal experience.

Everyone is different. I only wanted to BF and didn't want to have anything to do with FF, but it didn't work for me. I will not even attempt BF when I have #2.

Exactly! Me too!

As for the OP, I know you didnt mean it to be offensive and meant no harm, but it is a little hurtful to say you will have or had more of a or a better bond with your DC if you BF for those of us who did not/could not. I dont think that is the case at all. Im sure it was for you and thats really wonderful, but I was no less bonded with my DC bc I didnt BF him.

I see these comments too, and as a FF mom, I get what you are saying but, I just want to add that I don't think Mikismom is trying to offend. When she FF her DD it was "different" from when she BF her. It doesn't mean one is worse or better. It was just her experience.

And, just because this is Stephanie's experience does not mean it will hold true for anyone else and I don't think she is trying to say that.

As I said above-I exclusively FF and I am extremely bonded to my daughter.

I don't think that bond has anything to do with how I fed her-it comes from how much I wanted her, from carrying her for 9 months, from nourishing her and loving her and getting up with her at all hours of the night and rocking her and just watching her and probably a million other things.

If others think that BF helped them bond with their child, I won't judge that. But when I say that not BFing my child didn't lessen my bond with my child one iota, I expect others not to question that either (and I don't think Stephanie did)-as neither of us can possibly know the extent of the other's bond.

Message edited 7/8/2009 10:54:09 AM.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I am 95% sure I will FF. I was never really comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding, but was going to give it a shot because of the weight loss benefits for me.

Anyway...I think that the stress of a new baby is enough without having to worry if they are getting any milk, how much they're getting, having incredibly painful nipples, having to be the sole nourisher at all times, not being able to go out without pumping first, having leaky boobs, having to watch what you eat/drink/meds you take, ect.

I get stressed out just thinking about it.

Dh is 100% on board with FF and would actually rather I do it that way. He wants to be able to wake up and feed and let me sleep so I don't get completely exhausted and go nuts He also wants the "bonding experience" for himself, too. I feel like it's just easier on everyone.

ALSO, I have a few medical issues that MAY prevent me from even being able to BF. Not too sure, but i've read alot about it, so we'll see.

ETA: I don't think the way I feed my child makes any difference whatsoever in the bonding experience I will have with him/her. As long as I AM feeding her- i'm sure she'll love me all the same.

Message edited 7/8/2009 10:59:03 AM.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

Posted by eddiesmommy


I definitely dont think she was trying to offend either, hence the "I know you didnt mean it to be offensive and meant no harm". Im not flaming her by ANY means, just saying that I think her statement doesnt necessarily apply to all FF moms vs. Moms who BF.

Re: Question for ladies who are planning on formula feeding...

I want to try BFing, but due to a medical condition (I can't say what it is because I will totally out myself) and medications I might need after birth, I might not be able to. We are going to play it by ear. I was FF and I came out just fine! I think it probably helps because daddy will have a chance to bond with the baby. JMO though!