BreastFeeding Vs bottle

[0400772]

I know this is a bit premature but me and partner want to look into everything while we TTC.

We can't decide what would be better for us and our baby.

I dont mind breastfeeding so its not like a choice of i dont want to. My partner would prefer bottle.

I prefer breastfeeding beucase as i have asthma and this can help them fight it as well as other infections and can also help mother in a number of ways. It can be a bonding time for mum and baby and obviously you can express. However it says on net that you have to wait 2-3 weeks to express. Is this true? i think that obviously partner would like to be involved in feeding but if i cant express then he cant feed. Is it possible just to express into a bottle and feed that wayrather than natuural latching?

My partner has said bottle feeding becuas obviously if it natural feeding then i will have to do all the feeding which means NO way for me to catch up on sleep. He wont experience that bonding time until alter and also becase of the infections that i can develop.

Can someone pleaase help/ What would you do and what are the terms around breastfeeding?

Is it also harder to weane children off breast milk?

Lyndz x

 

[OmarsMum]

Hi hun. It seems that u want to BF. What I suggest is to start with BFing, then when u start having ur milk u can express in addition to BFing so that ur OH can help with feeding.

My advise, go with the flow & give it a try & dont think ahead if u'r open to both ways. I wanted to BF but didnt have any milk to start with. I was prepared to FF & BF, & was open to both.

Good luck xx

 

[MrsRabbit]

I've done both. Breastfeeding has a higher learning curve - just because it's natural doesn't mean it comes naturally. I would suggest getting some books from the library and reading them so you know the basics and attending a breastfeeding class if they are offered in your area. It's also nice to have support in your area from other mothers so look for a breastfeeding mothers group in your area.

Once your supply is established you can offer bottles instead of nursing although you may have to pump while dad is feeding the bottle as to not feel overly full and to not mess up your supply. Once the baby is older you can do this without worrying so much.

You could also combination feed from the get go - so your baby would get both. My daughter was combination fed and it was nice to have the option to choose do I want to nurse\pump or fix a bottle.

Bottle feeding is more expensive - some babies don't handle some formulas well and you have have to go through several kinds to find the right one. My daughter went through 4 formulas before we found the right one -but- typically most babies handle a regular milk based formula well. Also buying bottles, washing bottles, buying the water or using tap water etc all have to be considered.

I have exclusively breastfed and exclusively formula fed and I have to admit I like bottle feeding more. I slept in this morning and Dad got up with the kids. That couldn't happen when DS was small because he hated bottles.

 

[BabyHaines]

I think if you're asking what's best for you and best for baby, then (as you've said yourself) BF is always going to come up trumps.
However, if you're looking from a lifestyle view, then it sounds as though you like the convinience of FF?
As a breastfeeder (and BF supporter) who combination fed after my GA C-Section, I can assure you that once established, BF is much easier. You have instant milk, with no need for sterilising or boiling kettles etc.
As regards the partner part of it; yes, you can express, and yes, dad can be involved, but IMHO (please don't jump on me people...!!) if you choose to BF, there are loads of other ways Dad can be involved. For example, my hubby will often have a bath with George, so it's something they do. He wants to make sure he's water confident, so whilst I'm making sure he's fed, hubbys job is to develop him in other ways IYKWIM??

I do think it is a very, very important thing for you to discuss. Read up on both, talk to your OH. Explain the benefits of breastfeeding, and see how he feels.

I think that you always need to focus on one thing though, and that's what's best for you and bubba. If you want to BF (and I hope you do consider it honey) then make sure you do, don't be swayed by your OH feeling left out, because that's really not the case sweetie.

Oh, and just to mention, sometimes you can be lucky & bubba will take breast or bottle, but often this isn't the case. Once lo gets used to an artificial teat, it can often create havoc with their natural latch. Bottles flow completely differently to a breast and babies can become lazy in their sucking and prefer to take a bottle, due to the quicker flow rate.

HTH, and I really, really hope that I haven't offended anyone.

xxxx

 

[Laucu]

It's great that you are weighing up the options, and never too early to do this!! Like others have said, ultimately you should do what works best for you and baby. You may not know what that is until the time comes though.

There's definitely nothing to lose by giving BFing a go if you feel up to it. Even if you only do it for a week or two, your baby will still benefit. However, if for whatever reason you don't BF at all, the main thing is DO NOT feel guilty!

HTH x