Have BF'd for 4 weeks but considering FF - any experience?

[eeyore007]

Feel rotten for even writing this, but not sure if it's because of the BF is best brigade (I'm sure it is) or because it's for selfish reasons.

I've managed for 4 weeks so far. Had c section, so proud that I've got this far and with only one FF in hospital as her and I were knackered. Saved the BF and gave us both energy to continue.

However, I'm finding it very very restrictive. Had very bad night last night (well, bad by our standards and realise many have it worse) but said to OH - my life is sh*t. Feel like a cow, as in milk machine not a bad person! LO likes the breast so no real reason to move away from it. Just feel it would give me more freedom, but not so sure as the sterilizing preparation etc must be time consuming, whereas breast is simply pop out boob - feed.

Have tried expressing with very little success - 4 days and I may get a total of 4 oz. Not enough!!

So really my question is did any of you feel this bad with BF (not for the actual BF but the restrictiveness and feeling rotten about considering FF?), if you did it, and if you were BF'ing, when did you move over to FF? Or could you combine?

Or does it get easier??

 

[ryder]

I did after a month. But we were struggling alot with even getting her to feed.

TBH I would have probably continued if it had been easier. Not because I think it is necessarily "better", I hate hearing the bf babies dont get sick, bf babies have a better bond crap too.

BF is obviously more convenient, cheap, and helps some people loose weight.

Have you thouht about combination feeding? If your LO is so good at nursing then that may be something to consider...

What is it about nursing that makes you feel restricted? Are you afraid to nurse in public? (I am!!!!) or is it more the sleep issues?

If you can substitute the odd feed with a bottle of bm or formula so your OH can feed while you enjoy some time to yourself or you can get a bit more sleep I see nothing wrong with it.

Of course the choice on how you decide to feed is entirely up to you and YOU are the only one who can make the decision. I understand how you feel with the breast feeding brigade. Its unfortunate the people are made to feel this way and even more unfortunate the actual bfing moms feel that way too.

 

[eeyore007]

Thanks Ryder. I don't know what it is to be honest. Yes, I'm not happy about feeding in public, and yes the sleep issues too, but really don't think they will really be resolved by FF. I'm just down and sad at the moment and I suppose FF seems the magical solution to everything, whereas as you rightly point out there are advantages to BF like it's free easy and the weight loss thing. I do like the idea of the occassional FF bottle for when it all gets too much - that is a very good idea and for some reason one I hadn't really thought of. I think that's the route I'll take for the moment and get some formula milk in ready so I've got a plan b in place for when it gets tough.
Thanks again ! x

 

[jamielou]

I was going to say you can try combi feeding if you're finding it hard but don't feel too pressured either bubs won't suddenly have a mysterious illness pop up from forumla and you need a happy baby AND mummy. Please dont think too much of the ff babies get more ill, a lot of studies so show that but at the same time it's not always true, my boy has never been ill and his ff not even a sniffle and my friends baby who is bf and is 3 weeks older has been ill 3 times. BFing is defintely best still just don't feel too pressured and like i sai its worth maybe combi feeding!

 

[ryder]

I agree Jamie... Jasmine is never sick luckily... but SIL's 2 girls are constantly sick with something, ear infections, flus, colds etc... So I dont buy it.

I think every kid is different, I dont put much faith into whether bf or ff is the cause of illness.. Too much other things play a part in it.

Good luck eeyore glad you made a decision you are happy with. Its nice to get a break, even if its just so you can go out shopping with a girlfriend while hubby looks after bubs, or so you can have a relaxing bath. Those little things now and then are so good for you.

 

[MrsSixx]

Hi Eeyore,

I had a shaky start to my BFing, mostly because I didn't have a clue what I was doing and I received a bit of duff advice from my MW and was only ever offering one boob at a time. In turn Beth was never settled and I am sure this affected my milk supply. I think most breastfeeding mums would be lying if they said it wasn't restrictive for them in the beginning. I still find it restrictive at nearly 6 weeks and have many times thought about moving over to FF. My own stubborness has stopped me so far and also knowing that once BFing is established, it then becomes much easier than formula feeding.

Like you if I did decide to switch it would be to combination feeding. I have been lucky though, thanks to some persistent pumping (did 2 hourly pumps for about 4 days, then moved to 3 hourly) I have built up a good supply and am currently feeding Beth a mix of breast and bottle with plenty of success. A hospital grade double pump has really helped us get this far.

 

[Love Bunny]

Awww I just wanted to give you a big hug! i know for alot of people it must be really hard to switch to FF from the guilty feelings etc etc but you shouldn't hun cause if its not for you its not for you - happy mommy happy baby! theres no point in beating yourself up about it and upsetting yourself otherwise you won't be able to enjoy being a mummy! I decided not to try breastfeeding because of the whole milk machine thing you mentioned so completly selfish I guess but at the end of the day i know im completely happier FF as it means my OH can have a bond when feeding too and we can spread the weight alot better between us doing stuff for baby plus I'm not stressing how much she's drinking cause I can keep an eye on it ! whatever you feel you wanna do hun, don't feel bad - you're only doing whats best for you AND baby - and if FF is best for you then that is all!!! xX

 

[Bee-Jeweled]

i tried BF'ing with my DD and had LOTS of problems right off the bat ... ended up pumping for 3 weeks and finally gave up and switched to formula after getting 3 mastitis infections. i had horrible guilt (and still do!) but i know it was the best decision to make for both myself and my LO. not everyone is cut out for BF'ing - and i agree that there is a LOT of pressure out there to do it because "breast is best". you do what you have to do - you'll make the right decision. good luck!

 

[eeyore007]

Thanks everyone!! Funny how it's the guilt that gets to you the most. Thing is I have no problems feeding her, which is why I feel it is very selfish and hemce why I've decided to keep going and have some ready made things of formule to hand in case it becomes too much. I think just having a plan b in place has helped me in my head - if that makes sense? Feeding is actually no problem so would be unfair to her to change now, she's a happy feeder and isn't clingy. Wakes eats, sleeps and has moments of ineraction. Now though after all your comments I can really say that I feel not half as bad about formula as I did.

Interestingly there was an article in the Daily Mail that said that the key to healthy babu is the time in the womb, not the breast feeding!

 

[ryder]

Im glad you are happy with your decision... and you are right... Most of the anti-bodies babies get are received while in the womb.

I think alot of the BFing benefits are for the mother now. Because it has shown to help prevent breast cancer, it does help contract the uterus and for some people the extra pregnancy pounds.

Babies need to feel secure, loved and have a full tummy. As long as those needs are met how their tummy gets full doesnt matter.

 

[first alien]

i had the same dilema. i did continue bf but in a way now wish i had combi fed as now i'm trying to get him to take a bottle is a nightmare!

 

[henry0510]

Hello,

I have a 3 week old and have been b/f and now also want to introduce ff as I feel so restricted as to when I can get out as I have to time it between feeds as not happy feeding in public. How is the best way to intoduce this feed?

 

[eeyore007]

Hi Henry0510,
I initially put this post up, but have to say that I'm very glad that I stayed with BFing. The time between feeds has improved considerably. I like you was considering introducing a FF in the evening before bed, but LO hated it, and I felt like I'd let her down. I'm not advocating either way, but BF does work well and by introducing a bottle you could run the risk of them prefering it. 3 weeks is still very young and the BFing does get easier. I get away generally on a saturday. LO (6 weeks) feeds at 3 ish, then sleeps from about 4 until 6/7 ish. I can then pop out and have some free time to myself. Although I tend to rush back because I find I miss LO.
Re feeding in public, I now look on the websites of shopping centres etc to find where they have that you can feed. Most have a room where at worst you'll be with other mothers doing the same. I also fed at the baby group, although in the corridor because of better chairs. Use a light scarf to hide yourself.
Remeber that bottles are a whole lot less convenient. Yes, you can make up a batch, but you still have to heat them up. Boob is simply pop bubba on - nothing more!
Having said all that - by all means, perhaps try expressing some milk (although eaiser at week 4) and see what bubba thinks of a bottle. Like mine they may scream!
However restrictive, it's not permanent and will be over before you can blink! Good luck whatever you decide to do x

 

[daniellestark]

Yes I felt like I was going to go nuts! But around 3 months it all fell into place a lot more. And I had attachment issues, hard to latch baby on etc but I was determined and now I can feed pain-free and it's nice! but hang in there because i have done exclusive expressing and it can be so tedious, and why bother when you just pop out the boob. thin kof it asan investment in the relationship with your child dont worry you will get your life back again, at 8 months I started to feel pretty normal all round again, seems like for ever to just get to one month two months etc but it will get better! i promise! don't give up it's so worth it to see a big baby calm down for a feed, so satisfying that only you can do it !

 

[Poppy7]

Post deleted as I realised I was replying to an old thread so my info would have been irrelevant.xx