Breast or bottle??

[katietateypot]

I'm just wondering which of us are planing to breastfeed and which are planning on formula feeding??

I really want to breastfeed but am rather nervous about doing this don't really know why though. I'm not worried incase Ava doesn't take as that just means its not what she wants which is fine and if this happens i wont have any issues with going to fomula.

Just wondering what everyone thinks they will choose and why if there is a particular reason.

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

Breastfeeding, no question - forever how long I can do it, last time my milk disappeared at 4 months but I know that Rosie had the best start, my antibodies and a boost to her immune system. Its up to the individual and no-one can tell you what is best for your baby, only you can decide that

 

[inky]

same here, never even doubted that I will want to breastfeed, it just seems so natural to me plus I've read it's better for baby too

 

[serenitylove]

im def bottle feeding cant bear the thought of breast feeding but i will express for as long as i can although with my first i didnt get milk for 5 days so didnt get any choice

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

My milk took 5 days to come in last time too - I have a feeling this was down to all the drugs and my C-section but I could be wrong!

 

[MrsR]

I'm not in here yet (not til weds!) but just wanted to join in! Lol. I didn't breastfeed DD, didn't even attempt to. Everyone whinged at me about her being more susceptible to illness and allergies because of this but she's never been a poorly child, she's had a cold once or twice but that's it, and has no allergies. However this time I'm really torn! I just can't decide whether to breastfeed or not! Aaagh! x I think I'll probably try to but I'm so undecided! x x

 

[katietateypot]

I was origionally going to bottle feed with formula, i don't like the thought of a baby being on my boob BUT...i have had a long think and want to try it, Ava's my first so would be good to know i had tried it at least and i never know i might enjoy it afterall. My mum breastfed me and my sisters for the first 3 months just for a start and she loved it so that is my aim if we both take to it well.

I've heard it can take a good few days for milk to "come in".
Do you still try and breastfeed while your waiting or use an alternative? That sounds so stupid when i read it back but i really don't know.

 

[MrsR]

The 'milk' you get before proper milk comes in is packed full of antibodies etc for baby. Alot of mw's advise that even if you're not going to continue to breastfeed that you give baby this colostrum as a health boost x x hope this make sense x

 

[Rowesb]

breast definately, not for only the health benefits but cost too...

 

[Mervs Mum]

Hey hun. Your mature milk takes a few days for a very good reason. When your LO is born you produce colostrum which is rich in antibodies and effectively lines the baby's gut ready for the milk coming in. My milk came in yesterday properly but he's been getting the colostrum in the meantime. Babies tummies are teeny tiny and dont need ounces of milk in the first instance (see link pic below) so the colostrum is gentle enough not to over stretch their little bellies too soon. If you think about it your body has known exactly what to do to nourish your baby since it was a tiny speck of nothing to a full term healthy baby - why would it suddenly stop for 3-5 days when he or she is born? It wont - what is produced is exactly what's needed. You just have to get out of the thinking we have about ounces and timings between feeds which is a bottle feeding thing and we have lived for many years in a bottle feeding culture. I was bottle fed so it was hard for my mum at first to see that I didnt need to know measurments abd timings - I just need to see he is weeing and pooing and gaining steadily to know he's getting everything he needs

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

I agree with ^^^^^^ so much! Formula is so expensive and what a pain in the ass doing all that sterilising, boiling, making up feeds - boobs are ready to go and free!

 

[MrsR]

Reading this is really making me lean toward breastfeeding. I've worried about things like how to know baby's getting enough to eat etc but I guess it makes perfect sense that we're made to provide everything bubba needs! I feel so thick now! Lol x I actually dreamt last night that I breastfed baby (also dreamt it was a boy!). Thanks so much for this thread.

 

[katietateypot]

DON'T FEEL THICK!!!!
No-one knows everything if they have done it before or not.
it is good to know our bodies are made for this and there is nothing to worry about when it comes to the milk.
makes me feel a lot more positive and ready for when the time comes.
Thank you for all the advice girlies.

 

[Rowesb]

I agree with ^^^^^^ so much! Formula is so expensive and what a pain in the ass doing all that sterilising, boiling, making up feeds - boobs are ready to go and free!

I'm not even going to bother getting bottles and a steriliser I don't think initially, I have already got a breastpump, and got a couple of bottles with that, I figure that if I desperately need them I will boil sterilise them, while whoever goes to fetch the formula, if I have the 'kit' in it will make it easier for me to think there is an 'easy option' or that I have to switch cos it isn't happening.... (just the way my mind works), obviously I have to do what is right for LO so if it isn't happening fair enough.... but I want to give BF my best shot first

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

I so wish I had had the advice and support of everyone on here during my first pregnancy. All you first timers are so lucky to have this resource IMO! xx (well so am I this time around!)

 

[Rosie's Mummy]

I didnt know that the colostrum was all baby needed in the first few days, the midwives on the ward didnt tell me anything, just to keep feeding and feeding. I had to syringe the drops of colostrum off of my nipples and give it to her like that on their say so. Rosie didnt stop crying and I asked for her to have cup feeds of formula as I reasoned her crying to her hunger. Looking back I had no help at all. After my radiation scan for suspected lung clot I was unable to feed her or touch her for 12 hours, the midwife (one who I reported) made me use an electric breastpump for half an hour to get rid of all colustrum that was contaminated from the scan - I went home with blistered nipples from the pump. I wanted to go back and skin that midwife I can tell you..
So I would recommend anyone who is unsure about any aspect of breastfeeding, to ask to speak to a breastfeeding counsellor or someone who is trained. It goes a long way to have a little bit of help in the beginning xx

 

[MrsR]

I completely agree Rosie's mummy, although this is my second baby I feel as though it's my first all over again! x I wish there had been this support with DD. Thank you so much guys!

 

[Mervs Mum]

Rowes - you're right that having it there means if you are having a wobble (like we all do) then it's easy to resort to it. This time I havent even unpacked the steriliser or pump or anything for that reason. I made the mistake of doubting myself last time and started 'topping up' with formula when I really didnt need to. I then spent 2 days stopping again!

 

[Mervs Mum]

I am a trained (Association of Breastfeeding Mothers) Mother Supporter so you can always ask me anything girls

I should put it back in my siggie actually.....

 

[Toonlass]

I breast fed my two lads for 7 days. I never intended on doing it for any longer if i'm honest but i might have stuck at it had i not come across problems with latching on. Both of them sucked their top lip in while feeding so i worried about them getting enough food.

This time i intend to breast feed again but my goal is 2 weeks, then if all is going well 3 weeks and so on. I don't want to put myself under any pressure but if i manage a week again i will be happy enough knowing that they all had a good start at least. xx