For those that tried bf

[Delamere19]

Hi ladies,

I bf for 5 days but had to stop due to having supply issues because I was very aneamic. I would def like to have another baby in the future and I was wondering if anyone who tried bf but gave up would try again with another baby? I am torn between trying or just going straight to bottle. I am a bit scared of having a nightmare like I did this time. X

 

[bubbles123]

Yeah, I never managed to BF this time due to a tongue tie that took us over 6 weeks to get sorted. If I have another LO, the first thing I'll do after seeing if it's a boy or girl is to look for TT and I have the phone number of a private doctor who will snip as soon as I can get LO to him, so will get it sorted ASAP. So yeah, I will try BF once any TT issues are resolved (as it's genetic so chances are another baby might have it too). I think having seen LO thrive on formula I am much more relaxed about the whole thing now though. I beat myself up so much about using formula and now I see there was really no need to worry at all. So I will try BF next time but if it doesn't work out or I'm not happy I will switch to FF quite happily. I would say every baby is different, just because it didn't work out with one doesn't mean it won't work out with another.

 

[marie73]

We had problems with bf as our lo had a tongue tie which was snipped in hospital but did not resolve the problems. My lo was getting more and more stressed each time staff were forcing her on to my boob. I expressed for nearly 5 weeks which was a nightmare - my supply was rubbish despite domperidone and I was supplementing with formula. I'm now formula feeding and do feel better about things although still feel a sense of failure and disappointment about not being able to bf. I would say it has probably detracted from me fully enjoying those early weeks which makes me feel sad. I also feel I have to justify myself to other people. If I had another baby I would try bf again but would know when to make the decision to give up especially when I'll have an older child to care for too.

 

[JayeD]

I would always try and BF before switching to formula like I had to with LO. Even if you can only get a couple days or a couple weeks out of BF, it's better than none at all. Even if my next baby refused to BF, I would try and express so that they still receive the benefits of breast milk. That's just my opinion.

 

[stephmum2be]

Ive had problems with BF as my little girl has slight tongue tie and she couldnt latch on properly and just wasnt feeding. We tried BF for 6 days but she was so hungry and stressed that i gave up and went to formula so that she could get some food inside her and were both much happier now I would try again with my next one though, id rather try than go straight to formula

 

[Eala]

I would try, but it'd have to be on the understanding from the midwives that I'd need a hell of a lot more support than I was offered with my daughter. I think I'd be a lot more vocal second time around about getting them to support me. A lot of the issues which led to us switching to formula were down to totally inadequate support. Some of the issues could have been addressed before the birth, if the midwives I'd spoken to had actually listened to me rather than just giving me the "breast is best" party line.

If I didn't think that I'd get the right support, then honestly, I don't know if I could put myself and my husband through that sheer living hell all over again.

 

[Dream.A.Dream]

I would try, but it'd have to be on the understanding from the midwives that I'd need a hell of a lot more support than I was offered with my daughter. I think I'd be a lot more vocal second time around about getting them to support me. A lot of the issues which led to us switching to formula were down to totally inadequate support. Some of the issues could have been addressed before the birth, if the midwives I'd spoken to had actually listened to me rather than just giving me the "breast is best" party line.

If I didn't think that I'd get the right support, then honestly, I don't know if I could put myself and my husband through that sheer living hell all over again.

Same xx

 

[purpleblond]

I would try, but it'd have to be on the understanding from the midwives that I'd need a hell of a lot more support than I was offered with my daughter. I think I'd be a lot more vocal second time around about getting them to support me. A lot of the issues which led to us switching to formula were down to totally inadequate support. Some of the issues could have been addressed before the birth, if the midwives I'd spoken to had actually listened to me rather than just giving me the "breast is best" party line.

If I didn't think that I'd get the right support, then honestly, I don't know if I could put myself and my husband through that sheer living hell all over again.

Well said. My eldest daughter wouldn't latch on so I gave up after 4 days and switched to formula (asked for help, didn't get it then made to feel guilty when we switched to formula). With my second I was determined to give it a go but again had latching problems. Instead of actually giving useful advice on how to help her latch all I got was the lecture on 'breast is best'. I've ended up expressing all her feeds and will carry on for as long as I can, not ideal but that's the way it goes) All I can say is just go with what feels right for you at the time, don't put yourself under any pressure.

 

[Jellyt]

Yeah I will try again. With LO I breastfed her painfully not knowing that she had a low palette. It was okay until she had a mega growth spurt and actually ripped a bit of my nipple off in frustration. When the midwives came around to help, they just shoved my boob in her mouth, said that she was doing it right and suggested I just carry on (which I did until she ripped my nipple)! I had no idea it wasn't supposed to be agony until the doctor told me her palette was too low so despite what happened this time, I know that if we're lucky enough to have another baby, they might breastfeed perfectly so I will give it another go but i'd definitely try to get better support.