Formula

[beth_terri]

How many of you have gone from breast to formula in the first few weeks? Did you have any trouble with it? My eldest son was awfully sicky with it and at first had full on projectile vomit. He went on being a very sicky baby until we introduced solids around 6/7 months. He also struggled with constipation. I also struggled with serious guilt after switching to formula. I felt like such a bad mum for not feeding my own child.

I don't want to put my baby through that, but breastfeeding is seriously getting me down. I feel like a failure for wanting to give up but I don't know what's more important, breastfeeding or being a happy good mum to my baby and 3 year old. Atm I just feel like crap. I want to enjoy my baby's first weeks not wish the time away to when the feeding might stop hurting in a few weeks.

 

[xx_Clare_xx]

Hey, I'm just starting to switch from BF to formula.. Felt guilty for a wee while but I figure she got the good stuff for the 1st 7 weeks.. Plan on combi feeding for the next few weeks but will miss the closeness with her I'm sure.
It's just so draining at times

You've got to do what's best for you and your family.. xx

 

[Borboleta]

I did combi feeding with my son from day 3 on. Breastfeeding for me was a nightmare. I never had the milk let down and my boobs just hurt like never before! I associated him coming to feed to pain. Eventually after 2 1/2 months I gave up. Felt bad about it but he could care less if I was breastfeeding or formula feeding him. As long as he had his milk he is a happy camper. He is 4 1/2 months now and a happy and strong little man.
Do what is right for you and your family.

 

[jessicatunnel]

I breastfed at first and had no problem switching. She did seem confused at first and wouldn't take more than half an ounce which had me feeding her constantly, like I was still breastfeeding! Haha. I did feel guilty for switching but breastfeeding just wasn't for me. I didn't want to do it as much as I thought. And now were both healthy and happy and she loves the bottle.
Don't feel like a failure. You deserve to be happy and if you're not happy breastfeeding then stop.
I hope you figure things out!

 

[patch2006uk]

Your LO is only 1.5 weeks old! Give it time, you're still very newly post partum. BFing is hard in the early weeks, but it will get easier.

 

[Lollipopbop]

Hey Beth! Sorry to hear you're feeling down BF'ing didn't go the way we planned either and I started expressing after a week and now we're exclusively FF. We're using hipp organic and MAM bottles after trying aptamil and every other make of bottle. Johnny's not a sicky baby at all and he took to formula really well. Don't feel bad about making a decision if it's going to make you happier. I was so down when we were BF'ing and Johnny was so stressed too cos we couldn't get a latch and he wasn't eating enough so formula was the right decision for us and I don't regret it. xoxo

 

[beth_terri]

Your LO is only 1.5 weeks old! Give it time, you're still very newly post partum. BFing is hard in the early weeks, but it will get easier.

I know but I don't know how much more feeding from a cracked nipple I can take. And having my 3 yo asking me what's wrong because I can't hold in the tears is so hard!

 

[beth_terri]

I wrote this in baby club because I wanted support from a forum that gets used regularly.

 

[Kim91x]

Don't feel bad! I unfortunately had to give up BF and I felt awful for two days, refusing to give him his bottle & crying everytime he had one.. I soon realised he didnt notice the different and fed so much better with a bottle. I had an EMCS, and now have a uterus infection which with antibiotics still isn't clearing up.. Aswell as sore & cracked/blistered/bleeding nipples.. I was getting upset & frustrated before every feed which was affecting my LO too. BF doesn't work for everyone, every baby is different & I really think that feeling guilty will only make things worse. I now don't regret giving it up. My baby is doing just as good xx

 

[patch2006uk]

Your LO is only 1.5 weeks old! Give it time, you're still very newly post partum. BFing is hard in the early weeks, but it will get easier.

I know but I don't know how much more feeding from a cracked nipple I can take. And having my 3 yo asking me what's wrong because I can't hold in the tears is so hard!

Your hormones will be all over the place for a little time yet, BFing or not. If you're not sure whether to give up BFing, then why not ask on the BFing forum for how ladies have coped with 2? Do you have much support? Have you got anyone qualified to check how feedin is going? An actually cracked nipple might be a sign of poor attachment, which could be an easy fix with the right support.

It's such early days for you and your children. You will settle into a pattern. But remember that your LO is only 11 days old. That's so tiny! No wonder you're feeling all over the place

 

[Boo44]

Beth I replied to this in the constipation thread that I started too.

Jack genuinely had no issues with the switch he took even the first bottle like a trooper. We do have some sick but not much and he was doing that on the breast too! He's not pooped for 2 days but over all is so much more satisfied and doing so great. I know not all babies will take to it like that but this is our experience

Just do what makes you and your family happy. Don't feel like you have to do anything

I went to a BF group when I was considering the swap as I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thjng. They checked our latch which was perfect (I didn't have pain so I thought it must be fine) and I described how awful it was and how Jack seemed to be suffering. I was reassured it was all normal. Now that's great but if that was normal then that helped me decide that it wasn't for us as I couldn't watch him go on like that.

PM me if you want to. Don't forget whichever way you go, this won't last forever and everything will come right in the end xxx

 

[skunkpixie]

All babies are different and if you did decide to switch to formula then chances are he will not be like your older son and take to it fine. Maybe try a different brand than you did last time? Ive heard Hipp Organic is quite gentle on tummies.

I EBF my eldest daughter, but EFF my second. I did this for the reasont that I didnt want to go through the things you are going through now. I didnt want my older daughter seeing me chained to the sofa, contantly feeding, crying from sore nipples and her getting jelous of me and the new baby....I thought it would be better for us as a family to FF DD2, and for us it was. DD2 is a very happy, intelligent, lovely tempered baby, who has hit all her milestone beofre her sister did (although this is probably due to her watching and copying her older sister).
Before ppl get on my case Im not saying you should FF or that it would defo suit you, your baby and your family, Im just telling you my experience hoping it can help. xxx

 

[beth_terri]

All babies are different and if you did decide to switch to formula then chances are he will not be like your older son and take to it fine. Maybe try a different brand than you did last time? Ive heard Hipp Organic is quite gentle on tummies.

I EBF my eldest daughter, but EFF my second. I did this for the reasont that I didnt want to go through the things you are going through now. I didnt want my older daughter seeing me chained to the sofa, contantly feeding, crying from sore nipples and her getting jelous of me and the new baby....I thought it would be better for us as a family to FF DD2, and for us it was. DD2 is a very happy, intelligent, lovely tempered baby, who has hit all her milestone beofre her sister did (although this is probably due to her watching and copying her older sister).
Before ppl get on my case Im not saying you should FF or that it would defo suit you, your baby and your family, Im just telling you my experience hoping it can help. xxx

Thanks for this

I have gone with formula. Didn't even think to consider a different brand to last time so I'm so far using sma. He's already puked up loads . Then pretended he wanted more!! The hv was here at the time and said not to give any more just to see how he settles and keep winding him. He's now asleep

Xx

 

[Boo44]

Jack does that Beth! Acts all hungry after his bottle but once I put him on his play gym or distract him with a dummy he isn't hungry after all. Cheeky boys!

We're on SMA gold. It's been fine for us. Jack brings up bits here and there but nothing major. Apart from once actually when he projectiled all over his Moses basket and I had to wash the whole thing haha!

Hope it goes ok for you xx

 

[HellBunny]

I stopped for similar reasons, i was starting to reject my LO and i just felt awful, i couldn't stop crying and my eldest was wondering what the heck was up with me, i couldn't hold it together. If you want to stop don't feel guilty, happy mum = happy baby x

 

[beth_terri]

Thanks everyone it helps knowing others are in the same boat. Xx

 

[HellBunny]

I'm not sure if it'd be worth trying but Jayden was sicky on SMA, once we changed to HIPP he kept it down alot better (even though its thinner) he just seemed alot more settled xxx

 

[bubbles123]

I mixed fed for a month with Aptamil and have never had any issues with formula. Both mine took BM and Aptamil just the same. I've also never had any issues with constipation - both mine poo like troopers! If baby is possetting the formula right back up again it maybe that they are drinking too much too quickly or taking in too much wind. Maybe use a smaller teat and if you are already using the smallest (newborn teat) try offering smaller amounts of formula more often. Anti wind bottles (like Dr Browns) are also really good. It's much less effort for a baby to feed from a bottle than the breast and they can gulp it down too quickly which makes them sick. Good luck with whatever you decide X

 

[lauraemily17]

I'm thinking of switching to ff fully. Was happy bf & accepted the constantly being stuck to the sofa but due to having a couple of scans as i've beeb poorly I've had to bottle feed for a few days. Ive been expressing as fully intended to go back to bf but lo has done really well on formula, he really seems to be eating more & has lots more play time as its not taking him an hour to get his fill from me. (I seem to have a really slow let down) I tried bf this morning & after 3 hours on & off feeding i topped him up on a bottle, he guzzled 2 ounces & was then a calm happy baby. I'm also still feeling poorly & the psyical strain of breast feeding is getting to me, not just sore nips but getting stiff from sitting in the same position, holding lo to the breast.

I haven't fully made the decision yet or even spoke to DH about how I feel but it seems to me ff has a lot of benefits. I plan to combi feed I think for now but by 6 weeks I really want to be exclusively ff.

By now you've given him the best milk & I think a happy healthy Mummy is really important & often overlooked in the great bf debate. Do what's right for you. Also, we found the new avent bottles were great, they have to work a little harder so take it a little slower & don't through up so much.