Decisions Decisions

[CSweets]

So I know for sure that I want to breastfeed but I kind of wanted to bottlefeed to for 2 reasons.

1. OH can feed at night too
2. I heard it was easier to wean

Is that true that it's easier to wean if you mix breastfeeding with bottlefeeding?

Also, I heard that it can be bad to mix breastfeeding with bottlefeeding because the baby's body isn't used to having milk and formula and they will have either bad diarrhea or spit up a lot. Is that true?

Does anybody mix or what does everyone recommend?

 

[Croc-O-Dile]

Olivia is fed both by breast and by bottle and the only problem she has is with gas. But that's normally my fault cause I'll eat something without thinking and it'll hurt her tummy.
But other than that, I've never had a problem with doing both.

 

[18singlemom2b]

i want to breastfeed so bad but im scared ill fail miserably at it

 

[jenwigan]

elow, i was the same with my 1st i chose to bottle as of easyness with oh helping out with night time feed. now i do regret a little not trying brest feeding, this time round im defontly going to try xx

 

[bbyno1]

i regret i didnt stick to breast feedig now so badx

 

[rainbows_x]

Your OH could still feed at night time if you express hun.

I breastfed in hospital but then switched to formula feeding, breastfeeding just didn't seem right to me at the time, also the MW's were really pushing me to breastfeed her.
I was so tried after the birth, was put under pressure to have stitches and I ended up bawling my eyes out after I fed her twice, I was just exhausted so asked for a bottle, I wish I stuck to it now, but I am glad I at least tried it and gave her the colstrum. x

 

[amygwen]

Just like rainbows said, you can express your milk so your OH can feed him at night or whatever. I breastfeed and also express so that when I'm working or out I can give Kenny a bottle. I've given him formula here and there but not all the time. Either way it's your choice. Just know if you breastfeed and give formula at the same time, the more you give formula, the less milk you will produce. The more you breastfeed or pump the more milk you will produce. So, if you want to breastfeed, your best bet would be to pump so you can keep up your milk supply!! I don't know about the weaning thing though. I have nooooo idea about that.

I would recommend breastfeeding only because it's so easy and you don't have to wash bottles or anything. But if you strictly breastfeed (from the breast) if you're not comfortable feeding in public it can be a bit hard.

I would recommend breastfeeding & bottle feeding because you can always take a nap while someone else feeds and you won't have to worry about a baby constantly being on your breast esp at first because after birth you are sooo tired!

But breastfeeding & bottle feeding can cause nipple confusion. Thankfully that didn't happen to me, but then it can happen the other way and some BF babies can't take bottles.. so it's really up to you!

 

[Desi's_lost]

My mom breast fed me for 2 and a half years and my sister for only six months. My sister has allergies, she gets sick so much more often and generally is just less healthy. For that reason I personally plan on breastfeeding exclusively, no formula. So my advise would just be to pump a bottle or two so your OH can feed her at night.

 

[Tanara]

I exclusively breast-fed for the first six months of Tayes life, then P/t breast-fed Since he was on solids by that point. We introduced a sippy cup with either expressed milk or water to him at 6 months, I NEVER had a problem with him taking a sippy cup, there were a few times i expressed so i could go out and he took a bottle fine.

And no you are not suppose to feed them breast milk and formula, babies who are fed both are known to be more gassy and are more likely to have colic.

There is no downside to breast-feeding, you are providing your baby with antibodies and nutrients, You can build an amazing bond, you lose weight alot faster since your burning so many calories.

this is a great video i think she nails almost all the benefits.

---> Breastfeeding Benefits <---

Do not get me wrong i have nothing against anyone who choices to formula feed at all, I just personally loved breast-feeding! Breast-feeding is not always easy, and I completely understand that it isn't for everyone but it is defiantly worth trying. xxx

 

[ablacketer]

actually, its easier to feed in the night because its instant food. you or your oh dont have to get up in the middle of the night to warm a bottle. My DH is helping me at night by getting Ducky and changing his diaper and bringing him to me.

Neither of you are going to want to go through the hassle of making a bottle at 2 am Good luck with what ever you choose, and if you want support from someone who solely breast fed for 18 months, feel free to ask a way

 

[NewAtThis]

i also weary about breatfeeding!!!

I've done so much research and i believe its the right thing to do. My mom breast fed all three of us as babies and i feel its my duty as a mother too. I don't want to feel selfish by not providing all that nutrience for my baby.
I just hope that when it comes time for me to breast feed, im mature enough to handle it. I've heard that it hurts really bad at times and you get really sore. I also want my boyfriend to share the experience of getting to feed the baby.
Its so scary to think about breastfeeding, but i think i can do it and so can you!

 

[ablacketer]

it only hurts if you arent latched on correctly. try nipple shields, it helps keep your nipples from getting cracked and/or sore. the only problem I ever had with Gavin was from feeding him in the same position every time. His tooth made a hole from rubbing. switched positions and it went away.

 

[debsxhim]

Its always worth a shot, its free, natural, and if your interested in it then it doesn't hurt.

You can express breast milk, that way you and OH can take turns feeling the baby. You can get certain bottles with special nipples that resemble a breast too. It may be harder to wean but you can slowly start incorporating more expressed milk then breast, and switch to formula later on if you want too.

 

[Tanara]

Just one other thing to add, Personally i don't feel its an overly big thing for my OH to feed her, he's fine with me wanting to breast-fed, Its no problem for me to express milk so if i want to nap and what not he can feed her, Or if i have a night out with the girls, but I'm honestly not to worried since I know how sleep deprived I was with my son, and I did it myself all the time.

OH doesnt feel he needs to feed her to bond, there is many other things he can do with her. He told me he feels since boobs are made to make milk, obviously naturally woman feed the baby most the time, and he feels doing what is naturally intended is what is best for us and our family. He doesnt feel left knowing he wont really feed her much, I'm sure he will be busy with diapers and cuddles he wont even notice.

And as for it hurting, look at it this way nothing hurts as much as labor (not to scare you my labor was amazing and i'm stoked to do it again) I had Mastitis and yes it did hurt but it wasnt anything i couldnt fight threw, and when i got really sore I would pump and he would just take a bottle. If your dedicated to it you can do it.

ALSO the first week is imo the hardest, once you get threw that you will do fine!