Constant Dilemma.. To BF or FF?!

[kiwii]

Well I'm early on in my pregnancy at 11 weeks, so I still have some time but this has been on my mind constantly. It honestly gives me a headache... do I breast feed or not? Now i know this is a choice only I can make, but I'm looking for some insight. I know the benefits of breast feeding, but I've also seen all the struggles some people go through trying to BF their little babies. I also know that I want to go back to work after having my little one which makes breast feeding a little more difficult yet. I've never been comfortable with the idea of breastfeeding and they say the majority of women do it, but I don't know anyone who has! Honestly, I want to formula feed but I know breast feeding is best for baby as well as being the cheaper option. I'm so terrified of trying and failing, then struggling to make the transition into formula. Has anyone else delt with this difficult decision or did you know you wanted to FF from the start? Did you start off natural and give it up? What helped you decide? What are some benefits to feeding formula?

 

[BethHx]

Im currently dealing with this situation! I have 4/6 weeks left. & i know i want to FF but my heart is telling me i should BF. Im going to go in open minded & see what happens once Daisy is born, if i FF i will be proud, if i BF i will be proud.
You have a while to think about it yet though xx

 

[kiwii]

Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one lol. That's true, I can take it how it comes and see what works. I just wish I had a strong passion for one or the other to make this decision easier! Best of luck to you in whatever you decide.

 

[BethHx]

Same here, i always said i would breastfeed but now after writing a list of pro's and con's to both FF is obviously right for me, i do feel guilty for wanting to choose formula but i think as long as i give BF a go (even if its only once) i will know i have done whats best for me & her.
Thank you, same to you too

 

[baby_mama87]

I wanted to BF but didn't educate myself at all and just assumed it would be easy and I didn't need classes etc! I was very wrong and gave up after 10 days, I did feel very guilty at first but I love FF now and me and LO are much happier. Obviously it's a personal choice and I think your doing the right thing reading up on both options early, have a look in BF section as well. GL

Xxx

 

[tina3747]

All I'd say is have a go!!!
Read read read on all things 'normal' in breast feeding , at least then you'll be prepared for any worries and niggles along the way. Some people (or babies!) find it incredibly easy, others do not. Some mums battle through every obstacle in thier way and others can't.
You'll not know if your one of the lucky ones if you don't try!!
There's tons of horror stories to read but for everyone of them there's another who it just works so well for!

I gave up after 6 weeks for certain reasons, but I'm glad I did it with both my boys. Formula is food for babies at the end of the day, it's ok to use so don't feel guilty in choosing it if you decide to but we produce milk for our babies through our pregnancies so why not use the tools were born with to feed our LO's!

Hope you come to a decision and good luck if you go ahead with breast feeding!

 

[Emzywemzy]

Why not give it a try and see how you feel? If you don't like breastfeeding then you can always stop and start formula feeding instead

 

[Liesje]

They both have their advantages, that's why I just do both.
If we're out, I formula feed, if we're home and I'm too lazy to make a bottle I breastfeed.
I'd suggest start out breastfeeding, then add formula if you don't like it. Switching them to formula is not hard at all. Just go online and order samples from all the companies and you'll have lots of different product types to try out like powder, ready to feed, concentrate, etc.

 

[BethHx]

I was considerinv doing both . Dio you havw to exprress? Sorry about spellinv ib my phone

 

[sweetpeaxo]

I wanted to BF but didn't educate myself at all and just assumed it would be easy and I didn't need classes etc! I was very wrong and gave up after 10 days, I did feel very guilty at first but I love FF now and me and LO are much happier. Obviously it's a personal choice and I think your doing the right thing reading up on both options early, have a look in BF section as well. GL

Xxx

Same here - I assumed BF would come naturally and be a piece of cake. But nooo, it's far from it. It's painful and stressful, at least from my experience. My son was being too fussy and I was crying in pain when feeding him. So I just made the switch to bottles. I'm currently combi feeding so at least he's getting SOME breast milk. So combi feeding is definitely a good option as well

 

[kecie]

I personally think you should give it a go but whatever you're more comfortable with, stick with that

 

[Frooty]

It comes across that you want to FF and there is nothing wrong with that. Good luck.

 

[mitchnorm]

I totally wanted to FF...i went to a bf session as part of my nct course and it made me even more sure that i just didnt fancy the idea....would it hurt, not wanting to do in public, feeding every 1-2 hours!!! And after 9 mobths...really wanting to eat and drink what i.wanted with no worries (selfish i know).....so what happened to me???

I knew in hospital they are not always pushy but are keen for you to try bd'ing so i got formula in at home and took.ready to.go bottles to.hospital planning to bf first off so baby could get colostrum and get midwives off my back ha ha...then switch when i got home. What actualky happened is that my LO was such a good latcher and my mulk came easy i.exclusively bf for the first 10 weeks!!!! It makes such a difference to habe a baby that takes but i.also know some women struggle and in those situations it is easy to.switch to.ff. Dont put pressure on yourself....just go.with the flow.

It did knackered me out...i didnt drink.enough water etc etc....i.nearly gabe up several times but.the next day was a breeze so.i.just carried on. At the moment i am combi feeding with the view to stopping bf by 3 months. I have expressed so hubby can give bottle early on and i can have a night out and glass or two of vino) so the move to.bottles is easy. I would recommend introducing bottles a little earlier so she does reject.

Anyway final point is that if you really 100% want to ff...you do that...its more flexible for sure, alllows hubby more bonding, you more freedom and not just seen as a milking machine....but if you.have any doubts...give bf a go and see what hapoen. It may really suit you and lo....if it doesnt you can go to.ff with no.regrets

at the end of the day...your body...your baby. Happy mum equals happy baby x x

 

[Noelle610]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm attempting to breastfeed right now and having a hard time of it. That said, I have some serious anxiety and many women do say it gets easier after the first few weeks, so I may not be the best example

Why not try it and see how you feel? I have been expressing milk and giving it to my baby in a bottle. I've actually found it works well for me. Yes, it's time consuming and kind of a pain (and you have to do it in the evening too if you want to keep up your supply), but so is trying to breastfeed a baby if you're struggling.

Whichever you choose, remember, you're a good mom and trying your best! I've been so hard on myself these past two weeks and it doesn't help anyone - you or LO.

 

[StranjeGirl]

If you are undecided I would start with bf and then switch to ff if you don't like it. It's much easier to switch form bf to ff then from ff to bf! I had a terrible terrible time, even though I had taken classes and hired a lactation consultant etc etc. I wish it had worked out for many reasons, one being that once you get the hang of it it is soooo much easier! No buying formula, washing and sterilizing bottles (unless you pump) no preparing bottles. But for me I had to combi feed after a week, and lo stopped bfing at 7 weeks and I was getting nothing with the pump. However, some people have no problem at all and produce a ton of milk...you might be one of those and it might be very smooth for you!

 

[kiwii]

Thank you all for your helpful responses. I'm still researching and still feel more comfortable with formula feeding. But, I think I'm going to try to open my mind and see how breast feeding goes first. I believe I'd feel so much better at least knowing I tried, and I think it becomes easier to accept and be comfortable with once you try it or at least become educated on it. I like the idea of formula when out and about but breast feeding when you're at home, maybe that would be more comforting. I've at less become more confident in the fact that neither choice is wrong and I can't let anyone pressure me into one or the other.

 

[Housewife83]

You have to do what feels best for you and don't let anyone make you feel bad for one decision or another.

I am breastfeeding and I have found it really easy. No sore nipples or leaking. I'm not trying to brag, just wanted to point out that not everyone has a difficult time and you might be one of the lucky ones. For me the benefits have been that it is free. Also it is easier then preparing bottles and so on. It's great at night when you only have to whip a boob out!

 

[doggy121]

i went 8 days over and ended up being induced so i blame that firstly for my milk not commeing in, at the time i dwindled on bf and expressing till my poor dh gave me a stern talking to for being a bf martre.... 10mth on and i look back at those first few dreadfull bf weeks and shake my head at why on earth i put myself thro that pain and emotional mess, i thought i was giveing my son the best i could and that somehow i was harming him by not being able to bf properly but now i know it wasn't for me...the first day i soley ff my lo was soo happy and content, gone was the screaming and i had the first best nights sleep ever... i still remember now how much happier in myself i was xxx

 

[Sarachka]

My advice is give it a shot. You've nothing to lose and it's easy to switch to FF from BF but you can't do it the other way round. I always planned to BF and then it's been so difficult I've wanted to switch to FF every day. I've always just said to myself to get to the end of the day and I always have. If you want to give it a go, especially to give the colostrum, then just take it a day at a time.

 

[charleosgirl]

You can do both. However with combi feeding prepare for it to lead to ff only. I combi fed for 3mths and now my supply is garbage now and she only bf at night