Breastfeeding or Bottlefeeding?

[Undecided]

Gah so many messages out there on this and wld really like peoples thoughts who have done one or the other to help us decide.

Lots of ppl seem to say they start then stop for one reason or another.. any clues or experience would be helpful

 

[xJG30]

I wanted to breastfeed but my son wouldn't latch on etc so had to bottlefeed

 

[XKatX]

She needs to do whatever makes her happy and comfortable. I'm breastfeeding, but spent my whole pregnancy saying that the thought of it freaked me out! I had everything ready to formula feed, just in case. But I gave it a go and loved it - and luckily, so did Oliver!
Some people opt to go straight for formula feeding for various reasons, and some struggle with breastfeeding, so have to go to formula. Everybody is so different, that you can only go with what is best for you and baby.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[ryder]

I tried bfing and it wasn't for us so we went to formula and are much happier. She is just as healthy as any bf baby.

 

[Hevz]

I have breastfed all of my children. My 1st till she was 1year, 2nd till she was 14months, 3rd till he was 9months (only stopped coz I was pregnant and was getting severe cramps when breastfeeding) and I've been feeding Erin since she was born last Tuesday.


I haven't always found it easy at 1st...in fact I really struggled at first with my 1st and 2nd children, I got tonsillitis when my eldest was a few weeks old and breastfeeding drained me completely but I perservered as I had made my mind up and am a very determined person. Once you get past the struggling stage it really is the easiest option especially when out and about...I can't imagine having to lug bottles and powder around, trying to get someone to warm it etc, gawd I have enough stuff crammed in my changing bag as it is.



The decision is entirely yours babe of course and this is just my experience.
Well worth having a try though....and hey....it's FREE

 

[Pyrrhic]

Basically, do what makes you happy! The important thing is to not get stressed out, you have enough on your plate with a new baby!

I BF, but had lots of problems initially and my daughter is only successfully BFing from me now at 6 weeks and we're still using 2 formula bottles a day so I can keep up with her. I'm guessing in another 2 weeks we'll be totally BFing, but again that's 8 weeks of perseverance and not everyone wants the stress!

 

[ryder]

Everyone says its only 6-8 weeks of hard work in the beginning... but then I read about when babies go through growth spurts later and BFing mums have to sit there all day and feed... so it really can be more then just hard at just the beginning.

 

[AC81]

I'm breastfeeding, and I did find it very difficult to begin with - I'm not quite sure how I managed to stick at it. I really enjoy it now (its a lovely excuse to sit down with a magazine and a cuppa) and its free!!

do whatever you are comfortable with - your baby will thrive on either bottles or boobies xx

 

[Serene123]

This is all about MY situation, I won't judge anyone elses and EVERYONE should do what THEY feel comfortable with.

I breastfeed now, but I have given her bottles in the past. I regret ever giving her a bottle but that's just what I feel about my situation because I wanted to exclusively breastfeed and I couldn't because I wasn't given enough information/help. Basically I wanted to bottle feed when I was pregnant, so much so, I didn't know ANYTHING about breastfeeding but when my daughter was on my chest, nuzzling at me, I wanted nothing more than to nurse her. I wasn't given any information AFTER she was born, so I knew nothing and her screaming for hours to me, seemed like a bad thing, but it wasn't atall. I wish I knew that. We had a long battle to get off bottles and it was so hard.

Breastfeeding is hard. It takes alot of determination but if you want to do it you CAN. I'd say 80-90% of women can breastfeed if they give it their all. However, there are exceptions to every rule and not everyone can. Breast is best, no one can dispute that, but your baby doesn't love you any less if it's bottle fed and you will still have a bond.

Pros of bottlefeeding, for me:
Daddy can feed.
No horrible screaming all day / night during growth spurts.
Other people can feed so baby can stay with other people.

Pros of breastfeeding, for me:
I don't have to make up bottles, wash bottles, sterrilise bottles.
I don't have to think about bottles before I go out, my boobs are always with me.
I have a bond with Caitlyn that I wouldn't have had if I bottle fed. (That doesn't mean to say bottle feeding mums don't bond with their babies atall. That's not what I'm saying in the slightest. It's just different.)
I don't have to get up in the night and sort bottles out.
I co-sleep so it's alot easier for me.
She still wakes up in the night and 8 months on I couldn't imagine getting up and making bottles in the night!

 

[Poppeteer]

My little Halle is just over two weeks old and we've been bfing from day one. It took a few days for my milk to come in and she had probs latching on in the beginning and as a result I had a very unhappy baby in the beginning and she lost 8% of her birth weight in the first few days.

My nipples were actually bleeding and red raw, and I'd sit in hospital watching some of the other mums ff'ing with their content quiet babies and I'd wonder if I was being selfish insisting I'd bf. I'd sit there with a syringe all day in the hospital trying to collect the 1-2 mls of colostrum I could and feed my little girl the little I could provide her.

BUT about 5-6 days after her birth, suddenly my milk came in, by the gallons (or so it felt) and suddenly her latch improved overnight... and now there's no stopping us. My nipples have healed and she's put on the weight she lost and more.

It is very tiring, and she's waking to feed every 1.5-2 hrs day and night for a feed, and I wish I could just give her over to someone for a few hours so I can catch up on some much needed sleep, but bf'ing, for me, is one of the most rewarding things ever. The way she looks at me while feeding, and when I see how she's growing purely on my milk... plus the health benefits and ease of feeding makes it all worthwhile......... and cheap!

 

[rekha]

hi....i found this on a website...maybe it will help you...

Breast Feeding vs. Bottle Feeding

To breastfeed your baby or not. Most women probably have very definitive views on the merits and benefits of breast feeding a baby vs bottle feeding, and many women will likely have been influenced by what they have seen and read, by their culture and undoubtedly by their family and friends. The breast feeding vs bottle feeding debate is a very emotive topic with advocates on both sides of the fence vehemently defending their positions. One thing is clear however and that is that, in the majority of cases, health professionals the world over would recommend breast feeding over formula feeding where ever possible.

Of course, not all women will be able to breast feed their baby, and so the decision will have been made already for them, and some women may find that although they started out breast feeding their baby, they are unable to continue to do so for any number of reasons (chronic discomfort, lack of milk etc.).





At the end of the day, despite the protestations from either side of the fence, there is no right way or wrong way when it comes to the breast feeding vs bottle feeding debate as both have their advantages and disadvantages, some of which we’ll explore now:

Advantages of breast feeding:

• Undoubtedly mankind has found it difficult, if not impossible, to improve on Mother Nature in many facets of our lives, and breast milk is no different. A mother’s breast milk therefore has all the nutrients, vitamins, and, probably most importantly, the anti-infection antibodies that the newborn baby requires to get a good start in life.

• Breast fed babies have fewer infections and illnesses according to a whole host of studies that have been published. This is not to say of course that all breast fed babies are healthy, and that all formula fed babies are at an obvious disadvantage, but, taken as a group, breast fed babies tend to suffer from fewer medical problems than their formula-fed counterparts.

• There is also an acknowledged closer bond between the baby and the mother when breast feeding. The warmth of the mother’s breast coupled with the skin to skin contact helps to provide a comfortable and safe environment for the child that is simply impossible to replicate with a bottle.

• There are a number of studies that suggest that breast feeding is beneficial for the mother in the areas of weight control and even as a cancer preventative.

• While formula milk certainly provides the infant with a good range of necessary vitamins and other nutrients that are needed for the infant’s development, a mother’s breast milk simply has everything that the child needs in one convenient package.

• Mother’s milk is more easily digested by the infant than formula milk. Remember that a baby’s digestive system is still somewhat immature, so it is much easier for the baby to break down and absorb the minerals and nutrients contained in mother’s milk over formula milk. Because breast milk is easier to digest, your baby will suffer less from constipation and diarrhoea.

• Mother’s breast milk reflects what the mother eats, and the taste of breast milk is often affected by the types of foods that the mother has recently eaten. This provides the baby with subtle differences in the taste of the breast milk and, as they say, variety is the spice of life.

• Breast feeding is free and the milk comes in a convenient, easy to carry, container! While saving money should not in any way solely influence your decision to breast feed or not, there’s no escaping the fact that breast feeding can save parents significant amounts of money over the first few months of a baby’s life, and is infinitely more convenient. Breast feeding is also much more convenient insofar as there is no need to clean bottles, warm the milk or any of the other activities associated with bottle feeding and there is very little danger of the food running out.

Disadvantages of breast feeding:

• Not all mothers feel comfortable with the concept of breast feeding from the start. Many mothers need time to grow into the role and to master the techniques for comfortable breast feeding. As a side note, there is nothing wrong with this, and it is important that mothers who aren’t comfortable breast feeding take their time and go at their own pace. Bottle feeding will provide a good alternative until the mother is ready to breast feed.

• Undoubtedly breast feeding is more demanding physically for the mother than bottle feeding. Factor in to this that the baby may require feeding every two or three hours and for some women the physical effort can take a toll on their own well-being.

• Pain. Small babies have an astonishing ability to suck with great force which can take many mothers by surprise. This can lead to sore breasts (in some cases bleeding) and a great deal of discomfort for the mother.

• Because breast milk is easier to digest for the baby, it is often the case that the baby will want (or need) to eat more frequently than if they were bottle fed. In turn this can lead to more diaper

• Self-consciousness. While some mothers have absolutely no problem with breast feeding in public, or semi-public, places others are not so comfortable with the idea. The decision to breast feed will often mean that both mother and baby will have to ‘dine out’ in some less-than-ideal locations and it might take a while for some women to overcome any embarrassment or self-consciousness.

• Lifestyle. For many women, getting pregnant in the first place meant a change of lifestyle and the imposition of restrictions (limited tea or coffee, no smoking, no alcohol etc.). If you decide to breast feed then these restrictions should remain in place as long as the baby is breast fed.

 

[Hevz]

My little Halle is just over two weeks old and we've been bfing from day one. It took a few days for my milk to come in and she had probs latching on in the beginning and as a result I had a very unhappy baby in the beginning and she lost 8% of her birth weight in the first few days.

My nipples were actually bleeding and red raw, and I'd sit in hospital watching some of the other mums ff'ing with their content quiet babies and I'd wonder if I was being selfish insisting I'd bf. I'd sit there with a syringe all day in the hospital trying to collect the 1-2 mls of colostrum I could and feed my little girl the little I could provide her.

BUT about 5-6 days after her birth, suddenly my milk came in, by the gallons (or so it felt) and suddenly her latch improved overnight... and now there's no stopping us. My nipples have healed and she's put on the weight she lost and more.

It is very tiring, and she's waking to feed every 1.5-2 hrs day and night for a feed, and I wish I could just give her over to someone for a few hours so I can catch up on some much needed sleep, but bf'ing, for me, is one of the most rewarding things ever. The way she looks at me while feeding, and when I see how she's growing purely on my milk... plus the health benefits and ease of feeding makes it all worthwhile......... and cheap!

You're doing an amazing job babe....it's worth it in the long run



Erin feeds approx 3 hourly but goes 4-5hours in the night (mostly).


Someone mentioned growth spurts being draining....this is very true although with my others, the growth spurt and constant feeding times rarely lasted more than a day....two at the most so not too bad. Also if it's your turn to say....wash up etc you can quickly shove baby on the breast and say awwwww sorry but I'm feeding....I do this all the time

 

[Vickie]

I bottle feed, and always have. I never wanted to breast feed, it just didn't feel right for me. I know that some say the benefits of bottle feeding are that you can hand the baby to anyone to feed, but this isn't always the case, and certainly isn't in ours. Yes my husband can and does help out with feeds but with the exception of the two grandmothers (who both tried once each without much success) no one has fed Hannah but the two of us. She's used to us being the ones who feed her, she's comfortable with us feeding her but not others.

I don't mind making up bottles. Yes it took some practice in the beginning to get a system down but it's gotten easier and really doesn't take much of my time.

I don't make up feeds when we go out, I use the ready made stuff so I don't have to worry about it and carry a sterilized bottle.

Maybe my bond is different with Hannah but that's okay. She and I are still extremely close (spent the first 3.5 months of her life holding her constantly even though she was bottle feed because she didn't want me to put her down). And I like that she and her daddy are extremely close (not saying BF babies can't bond with their daddies but as Toria said it's different--to me it gives them this special bond)

 

[polo_princess]

I bottle feed Brooke and it works best for us and our situation.

Do whatever you feel is right for you and your baby, nobody will look down on you because you pick one or the other, if they do, well shame on them.

 

[greenkat]

I've Breastfed from the start and it was REALLY hard at first, as previously said, - so much so that she's had a few formula feeds when I've been at a loss what to do and tired out of my mind. But I'm so glad I breast feed - I feel it is the best for my baby.

My LO's luckily always had a good latch - it's just knowing when she's hungry or just tired that's been a problem for us. I highly recommend finding someone to support you if you decide to BF (or rather your missus does). I went to an NCT class when I was pregnant to discuss issues to do with bf and it was really helpful - no demonstrations or anything, lol.

One piece of advice I'd have is NEVER pull your LO off if they have a bad latch - always make sure you break the suction with your finger first or else you are going to get super sore nips and aim your nip to the roof of their mouth not to the back (throat).

 

[nikky0907]

I bottlefeed and have so from the very beginning. It is most definitely the best choice for me... it's a choice I am comfortable with and we are both happy.

Lots of factors went into this decision and it wasn't made lightly, but in the end of the day my daughter is a perfectly happy content baby.

 

[KissTheFairy]

I think you need to do what you are comfortable with. Yes BFing is better but in the long run do what makes you and your LO happy. There are pros and cons to both. The best thing to do is educate yourself.

 

[Sarah88]

I wanted to breastfeed but my son wouldn't latch on etc so had to bottlefeed

Savannah would latch on either. I just syringe fed her for a couple of days and then had a lactation consultant come out and help.

 

[lollylou1]

i really wanted to breastfeed but Annabelle wouldnt latch correctly, i have lots of help from midwifes who were very supportive but she just wouldnt do it properly, she would happily suck my nose off and still does, she was happy just to use my nipple as a comforter and sit with it resting in her mouth but wouldnt suck, she is much happier on a bottle and i feel better knowing the amount she has, daddy can do it too which is fun.

i think either way all that should matter is that everyone involved is happy and not getting stressed out and are comfortable about what choices they make.

good luck with making a decision but mummy needs to do what she is happy with

Lou
xxx

 

[leeanne]

I breastfed my first two children and bottlefeed my third.

Awhile ago I made a thread about my choices and the pros and cons of each way of feeding:

https://www.babyandbump.com/breast-bottle-feeding/86232-been-there-been-here.html