Bottle feeding...?

[Chel]

I dont know how to put this, please understand I ask from the point of veiw of ignorance, not from someone trying to create a debate.

I dont understand why someone would choose to bottle feed. I totally understand if you've had difficulty getting started, or if there is pain or for whatever reason its simply not an option, but I cant imagine why someone would choose ahead of time to bottle feed - it just seems like so much more work and effort for a less quality product (as in, breast milk is better than formular, isn't it?)

Anyway, please please take this as a genuine question, at the end of the day I whole heartedly agree that what you choose to do with your body and your baby is perfect for you. I'm just curious.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think some people just want to - simple as!! My sister was certain that she wanted to bottle feed. I was her labour partner so when the MW suggested putting her baby on the boob I encouraged her to do it - just once. So she did then she went to bottle feeding. she doesnt think its disgusting or anything silly like that - it just wasnt for her. Personal choice and I supported her all the way.

I breast feed - my sister encourages me with my choice too.

I think asking this kind of question will always provoke a debate and usually a heated one even if you dont intend it to as people have strong views on emotive subjects. I have a strong view that people should be able to choose

 

[Serene123]

I will be bottle feeding next time. I looooooooove breast feeding but I want to get into a routine next time. I couldn't have all these sleepless nights with Caitlyn already.

 

[nikky0907]

I chose to bottle feed Lola,decided on it before she was born for various reasons.
I think its great when moms breastfeed but it just wast for me.

FF really isnt that much work as people think.Im sure you will agree that BF also isnt a walk in the park.
There are both ups and downs to each choice and the decision is on te mother.

Hopefully this wont turn inro a big debate and I just want to remind all posters of a rule in this section which is to "Respect a mothers decision on how to feed her child"

xxx

 

[clairebear]

at the end of the day its what suits u and ur baby.

bf is not alwys easy and the early days after my section were hard and painful but we got there x

 

[XKatX]

I thought I was going to end up FF, as the thought of something dnagling off my nipple really made me cringe. I didn't have aproblem with FF, but a turn of events lead me to BF.
Even though it is natural to BF, I think it jst doesn't suit some people. I don't think there is an answer to why not - it just is.

 

[ryder]

Each to their own... I did not really want to BF... I did however try. It was simply too hard, I had a long labour and BP issues, so I was constantly being bothered in the hospital, I felt sick and lightheaded constantly, and never got to sleep because of all the doctors and nurses...

So that ruined the first few days. I did try and got her to latch and feed with the help of a nurse. But she sucked way too hard for me, one nipple ended up bleeding.

I pumped and she got some colostrum.

I went home and my boobs engorged for days and I couldn't even use the pump.

After that I tried to BF and got her to a couple times but she was quite colicky by that point and it was hell. I pumped and she got BM for the first couple weeks anyways.

There is nothing wrong with chosing bottle feeding. It did come in handy when I was frustrated and needed time to myself, I could give her to my OH and he could feed and look after her.

I honestly dont think I could handle getting up constantly in the night to feed.

Each method has its ups and downs. I dont think either is easier then the other. BF you have to feed constantly, Bottle you need to spend an extra few minutes a day preparing bottles.

 

[lollylou1]

i had my baby last sunday and had intended to breast feed, midwife tried latching her on straight away and she wouldnt, then a few hours later and she wasnt latching correctly and both my nipples ended up really cut and sore, my midwife has tried 2 times since and it hasnt worked, im not formula feeding and it seems to suit our household better, i agree with that its nicer to share with OH at night too

Lou
xxx

 

[Vickie]

I don't know that there really is a concrete reason, there are many different reasons rolled into one. It's kind of like choosing to breast feed I think, you don't just do it for one reason, you have several reasons.

For me one was I'm not comfortable breastfeeding. Not saying there's anything wrong with it but it's just not for me. Especially in public, just don't think I could have done it. For another I wanted Stan to be as involved as possible. And it's been wonderful to watch him bond with Hannah through feeding her. And though people talk about all the extra work I really don't see it as such. Yes you do have to prepare and make bottles but it really doesn't take that much time, especially after you've made a few dozen of them.

 

[bambino]

i gave my baby 5 feeds from the breast in hospital and was fully intending on BF afterwards. After an horrific night in the hospital with a BF baby opposite demand feeding from her mothers breast and her mothers frustration at having been emptied out, the baby screamed all night.... i was slightly traumatised by this and thought ;this is the reality of breast feeding'... i was also so exhausted and found it hard getting LO latched on properly. Furthermore, I was extremely concerned as to the amount he was actually getting and decided that bottle feeding provided the solution to my anxities about all the above. I do wish that i had not experienced that night on the ward with the screaming hungry baby as maybe i would have perservered with BF - i was just really anxious of doing the right thing for both me and baby and have to say that i am completely happy with my choice now.

 

[ryder]

The situation Bambino just posted about is once reason why I have a hard time with understanding the appeal... The infant was obviously hungry and screaming... yet a determined BF mom would refuse bottles... I cant see how letting her baby scream in hunger for sometimes up to 5 days while the milk comes in is appealing...

Just me though.

I also didnt even get to really hold/see my baby for over 7 hours after birth, that is one thing which is not condusive to easily being successfuly. I told them to bottle feed her while she was in the nursery as I am not comfortable with letting them be hungry.

 

[ChloesMummy]

I decided to FF Chloe before hand as i just was not comfortable with the idea of breasfeeding and im still not, it just would not feel like the natural thing for me personally to do, even although i know it is.

 

[Chel]

Thanks for the feedback, I do appreciate it! I just didn't really understand, i guess how i was brought up and what i've been exposed to in my environment, bfing wasn't so much a 'choice' for me as it was something i was always going to do, so i didn't even consider there was an alternative... if that makes sense.

so thank you... it makes i can see it a little better now.

 

[Rachiebaby24]

I intended to bottle feed as i thought i wouldn't like it but an hour after birth she latched on and it was great. The next day she fed from me three times but then after that she wouldn't latch on. She would scream and scream. After a whole day and night i was scared she was starving and we were still at the hospital so i hand expressed my colostrum and gave her that and formula. When we got home i continued to try but she just didn't want my boobs. I still feel guilty but i know in my heart i tried to bf.

 

[Jem]

I knew from the offset with both my children that I wanted to FF. I did have a go once BF with my daughter when she was born but I didn't like it, don't ask me why but I just didn't and continued to FF. For me I enjoy the fact other people can feed my baby and I can have a break from it so to speak. I know you can express milk but I honestly just feel for me it was easier to FF than BF. Plus the formulas these days are very good and I feed Ollie Aptamil which is very close to breastmilk, although I appreciate it's not the "real" thing x