Did anyone choose to exclusively bottle feed from birth?

[lawyer81]

Hi,

DH and I were discussing the pros and cons of breastfeeding over bottle feeding this morning. I hope I don't get shot for saying this but I just don't see myself breastfeeding. It's not something I feel comfortable with and having seen many friends and family members getting upset and aggitated when they baby doesn't get enough milk, I feel that it would be better for me, DH and baby to bottle feed from birth. I have also had alot of experience with family members who have exclusively bottle fed from birth and have very healthy happy babies.

Has anyone else made this decision? How have you overcome the pressure from midwives and family to breastfeed for the first few weeks/months?

Can I just say that I don't want to start a huge debate about bottle feeding vs breastfeeding! I'm just interested in why people chose to exclusively bottle feed.

 

[Hollys_Twinny]

I chose to formula feed from the word go!! It sounds stupid but I just didn't want to breastfeed! I wanted OH to help me out more with feeds etc. And I wasn't sure when I'd be returning to work when Morgan was born. Me and OH were both bottle fed, it was just the right choice for us. I was ready for any midwife that tryed to pressure me into it, but luckily nobody did!

X

 

[dom85]

I didn't choose to FF Brady from birth, in fact I had my heart set on BF, but if I have another one then I think I will FF from birth.

I had gestational diabetes and had to be induced early, the whole process was very long and traumatic for me and resulted in an emergency c section which made BF very difficult for me as I was in a lot of pain. I felt so guilty at the beginning and if I have another one and have gestational diabetes then I want an elective c section, I never want to be induced again, and in this case I would FF so that I can concentrate on recovery and getting to know my baby which I feel I couldn't do with Brady in the beginning because I was stressing so much about getting him to feed and how much he was getting etc.

If you do decide to FF from birth be prepared for the MW's and HV's to question you and try to get you to give it a go, if you're firm in your decision just let people's comments go over your heads.

 

[dom85]

I didn't choose to FF Brady from birth, in fact I had my heart set on BF, but if I have another one then I think I will FF from birth.

I had gestational diabetes and had to be induced early, the whole process was very long and traumatic for me and resulted in an emergency c section which made BF very difficult for me as I was in a lot of pain. I felt so guilty at the beginning and if I have another one and have gestational diabetes then I want an elective c section, I never want to be induced again, and in this case I would FF so that I can concentrate on recovery and getting to know my baby which I feel I couldn't do with Brady in the beginning because I was stressing so much about getting him to feed and how much he was getting etc.

If you do decide to FF from birth be prepared for the MW's and HV's to question you and try to get you to give it a go, if you're firm in your decision just let people's comments go over your heads.

 

[OmarsMum]

I was planning to do both, but I had an emergency CS & it was difficult to breast feed with all the pain & my LO couldnt latch. I decided to FF from day 2. Now I don't regret it as I dont have to worry about what I eat to satisfy my LO. It's ur body & ur decision, and dont worry about what others think Just remember that midwives will keep arguing & might even refuse to give u formula when ur LO is born (happened to me). Good luck

 

[dizzyspells]

I formula fed my 2nd from birth due to BF issues with my 1st.Best decision I made for us all and I was supported 100% by the hospital too which did suprise me as I was expecting to have to give my reasons etc!x

 

[expecting09]

I formula feed from the word go, just didn't like the idea of breastfeeding, it wasn't for me. My MW kept trying to 'persuade' me, I felt it was more pushing me to breastfeed but I didn't have any of it, I just grined and beared it whilst she would wittle on about it. At the end of the day they can't make you do something you don't want to do

 

[Vickie]

I FF from birth. I had one pediatrician question me and the doctors questioned me while I was giving birth but that was it. If you feel it's what's best for you than that's all you have to tell them

 

[aimee-lou]

My husband and I decided that we would FF from birth. It seemed like the best thing for us as my hubby wanted to be as involved as possible, we were both bottle fed and we did one heck of a lot of research. I didn't come accross a lot of problems. My MW on;y asked for the paperwork after Earl was born. The HV just asked so she could give me the right leaflets lol. My only 'Have you considered BFing?' was in the birth centre. They specialise in 'natural parenting' so I had expected it....just not while I was in the birthing pool, 8cm dilated and on g&a lol. Thankfully hubby was on hand to field it for me and while she did try a little to convince us, I think she could tell we were adamant.

As it happens Earl is a big lad and he ate well from the beginning and my HV told me that in her experience mum's who have babies like Earl, can have trouble keeping up supply.

It really is personal choice. You can give it a go and see.....I was told that even 1 feed can make a difference and I was in hosp wit a woman who had on her birth plan to BF for 24hours then switch. She had done this with both her previous children and the MW's were really supportive. You can decide EVERYTHING about bringing up your baby. Yes they will argue what they believe is in your interest, but ultimately it's your baby, your decision.

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I didn't choose to, but Ruby wouldn't latch so I had to FF pretty much from the start. She's done fantastically on formula. HOWEVER - some of the posts above do contain myths about breastfeeding. It is not true that a big, hungry baby won't get enough milk - BF works on a supply and demand basis. If you feed on demand, LO will get enough, you don't need to worry about how much they're getting, you can trust them...which personally I find a downside of FF, I can see if she hasn't had much, and see if she's taken more than she's 'supposed to' and worry. I am not trying to persaude you, far from it, just wanted to clear up some myths in the interest of you being well informed! Good luck

 

[hellohefalump]

I'm probably going to this time because I'm on medication I can't breastfeed on.

It'll be strange and new for me, because I breastfed my daughter until she was nearly two - she didn't touch a drop of formula until she was 18 months!

 

[angelae36]

I have bottle fed all 3 of mine from birth and not once did I get any MW or HV questioning me or trying to persuade me otherwise.
If they do pester you just tell tham it's none of their business!!!

 

[ChloesMummy]

I chose to FF both my babies from the word go. I never wanted or intended to BF as I personally just don't feel comfortable with it one little bit. I have no problem with BF in general, just me doing it ifkwim?

None of my midwifes or HV questioned or pressured me to BF. They asked if I was going to and I firmly told them no I had made my mind up and I was FF an dthey accepted it! Good luck with whatever decide x

 

[jolou]

I started bottlefeeding 24hours after sophie was born more or less, i didnt fancy breast feeding at all but with the pressure at the hospital and me being weak at the time gave in and tried breast feeding, cant say i enjoyed it but in the end i wasnt producing anything anyway because of the stressful labour so sophie went onto formula. I think it was the best thing for us to be honest, she was a hungry baby so if she was breastfed i think i would have been feeding her forever lol the HV didnt query why i was ff she could see sophie was happy and growing etc. Ive already pretty much decided i will FF this time around and will stand my ground at the hospital this time.

It is a personal choice, like others have said you might get people giving their opinion (i already have by OHs mum) just let it go over your head.

 

[Callie1000]

I tried BFing but my LO ended up back in hospital when she was 3 days old with dangerous sodium levels having dropped 1lb in weight. My MW who referred us to the PAU told me not to let them give her a bottle! However me and OH decided straight away that no way were we going to continue with me attempting to BF, our LOs health was at risk. I expressed for a while but soon had to top up with formula. In the end my HV said to stop expressing as I was tired and stressed out with it! She said there is nothing wrong with FF! I would think twice about BFing if I have another baby. My LO has gained weight spot on and is thriving! And is also a happy girl, and a good sleeper!! Plus OH can do his bit with feeds...bonus!

 

[mum2b2009]

no i wanted to bf but my baby would not latch on no matter how hard i tried! in the end he had nothing to eat for 24 hours! not good! so i ff him and he was well away lol

 

[Janidog]

Sorry to high jack the thread

I can't decide whether to BF or go straight to FF - i really don't want to have LO attached to me night and day feeding when i want to take my baby out and about etc....... I also will only get about 3 weeks off once LO is here, and then will be taking LO to work with me part-time, and really don't want to have clients walking in on me BF. But my hubby is concerned that the baby won't get all the nutrition from FF especially in the first few days, so what formula is best to use for the first few weeks of the babys life?

 

[AP]

We started with expressing breast milk because we had to, as LO was premature and in hospital for the 1st 12 weeks, until her 'due date'.

Going home, we decided to put her on formula. The nurses thought this was a good idea to help her put weight on better than breast milk did. I dont understand any debate to be honest, I've seen both points now, both formula and breastmilk have its good points and I guess its just choosing what works for you!

Expressing/and/or/breastfeeding would never have worked for me, looking back. I was far too stressed out and broken and I would have made myself worse. Even my HV said - if you cant, just stop - why waste your time stressing and doing all that when you can be having time with baby?

I'm proud I did express, but that was for medical reasons, not because they 'say its best', but if I had gone full term I'm sure I would have went straight to formula.

 

[oct-bump]

I FF from birth. I never wanted to BF. I did a lot of research and found formula just as nutritious. And babies have their mothers antibodies for their first month anyway and they start building their own within the first two weeks.

Two things I thought were bonuses. 1) OH was able to help with the feedings - it was very nice to alternate night time feeds 2) I was able to eat whatever I wanted

My doctors didn't seem to care what I did. They only asked to make sure they had the correct supplies in the hospital room.

 

[ryder]

I basically FF from birth. I attempted nursing, but it just didn't work for us.

Im not sure why people get so hung up on how much or how little they are eating though LOL... I used to make big bottles, enough that she had over an oz left, if she drained it I made more and made bigger bottles. It never really concerned me, she ate every 2-3 hours during the day and slept well from the beginning at night.

I never missed out on bonding or snuggles, which is also a myth. Apparently people who bottlefeed are nasty mums and dont cuddle or comfort their babies too. Which is totally wrong.

Jasmine has always been healthy and happy. She is rarely sick. And she didnt suffer badly from colic. She did get relux though, but that is something common in infants which BF babies get too.