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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

breastfeeding or bottle feeding?

56 replies

Meplusyouequals4 · 09/02/2015 19:43

NO JUDGEMENTS PLEASE!

which are you planning on doing and why?

I'm planning to breastfeed, but have had trouble in the past so I've got everything I need to bottle feed just in case.

OP posts:

Report

Dogsmom · 09/02/2015 19:49

You wont get any judgements from me, each to their own.

I'm going to bottle feed from birth which is what I did with dd1 as it was always a positive experience.

It worked really well for us and there hasn't been a single downside, she's gained weight from day 1 and followed the 97th centile for 2 years plus slept like a log from birth we've genuinely never had a bad night, no illnesses other than chicken pox, no sensitivities, allergies, intolerances etc

It was very convenient on days out, my husband could also take his turn feeding and from a selfish point of view I was never restricted by feeding her, plus my boobs look exactly the same as they did before having her.

Bunnychan · 09/02/2015 19:50

Breastfeeding hopefully, I feed DD1 until 5 months, mixed fed her when I went back to work then went back to breast when she was on just morning & night feeds until 11 months. It wasn't easy but I loved it and I'm hoping to be able to bf this next one too x

dillydollydarling · 09/02/2015 19:50

I'm planning to breastfeed. This will be my first child so I have no idea if I'll be able to or how hard it will be etc. Just feel its the best option for me and the baby. And the fact that its free is a bonus!!!

Bondy83 · 09/02/2015 19:52

I'm bottle feeding this my 3rd baby I've never felt the urge or want to breast feed with any of them. I know it's natural and technically that's what they are for but the thought of something hanging off me sucking really puts me off. Also I think the benefits of bottle feeding is that you know how much milk they're taking and also dh or grandparents etc can enjoy the feeding/bonding. My other 2 children were both good sleepers and in a good routine from very early on taking regular bottles, my perception of breast feeding (this may be wrong ) is that especially in the early days I'd be forever undressed with a baby hanging off me.

BreeVDKamp · 09/02/2015 19:53

Each to their own! I am going to try breastfeeding but refuse to feel guilty if it doesn't work out. Im worried it might feel weird breastfeeding, I'm not mad at the idea of breastfeeding in public either. I'm way into the idea of formula, especially with a perfect prep machine, it looks so easy for both me and DH. So there we go! Will happily try breastfeeding but have a very open mind.

BigCatFace · 09/02/2015 19:54

Mixed feeding for us if possible (ie if I can breastfeed)

Zsazsabinks · 09/02/2015 19:55

I planned to breastfeed the first (obviously, after NCT you'd be the devil incarnate if you didn't), hit some problems and ended up angry, upset and combo feeding for over a year.

Planned to bottle feed the second but she was like a text book baby and did breast crawl and everything. Breastfed her for over a year as she wouldn't take a bottle anyway.

This one I'd like to be able to do both as I found ebf quite limiting in a lot of ways but in other ways convenient, I don't know, I think combo is the best of both for me.

BreeVDKamp · 09/02/2015 19:55

Ooh also to add, I was BF for about 3 months, and was much happier when my mum switched to formula. I also suffer with thrush and if there are any issues with the baby getting it I will switch to FF straight away instead of struggling for weeks trying to get rid of it. As long as I am happy and the baby is happy, then any form of feeding is good with me :)

Hotpotpie · 09/02/2015 19:55

I tried to breastfeed my DD but it never really happened, I expressed for a while and then swapped to bottles, this time I plan to try again

Meplusyouequals4 · 09/02/2015 19:57

dogsmum thank you. bottle feed DS (he need to be in a incubator when he was born cos of his size) and he is fine health wise too.
DD1 I tried to breastfeed but got blocked ducts so was unable to continue due to pain.

that's why I'm planning on breastfeeding DD2 but may not be able to if same thing happens

my hospital don't supply any bottles for formula feed babies, so wouldn't it be hard to bottle feed in hospital if your in a while? (I'm having a ELCS)

OP posts:

Meplusyouequals4 · 09/02/2015 19:59

I agree each to their own and to do what is best for both you and baby mentally and physically

OP posts:

monkeyfacegrace · 09/02/2015 19:59

I'm bottle feeding from birth, same as with my last 2.

I've bought loads of those ready made sma bottles to take into hospital with me. Easy peasy.

ToriB34 · 09/02/2015 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dogsmom · 09/02/2015 20:16

My hospital don't provide it either so I'm taking my own in, they will store it/warm it for you and clean the bottles so it's just like being at home.

They may even provide it if you are HAVING to stay in, from what I understand they have to promote bf'ing and the powers that be thought that by providing it they weren't following guidelines. They do still have formula there though, they wouldn't allow a baby to starve if the mother couldn't bf.

sleepybee · 09/02/2015 20:18

I'm planning to BF/express & hope to for the first 3-6 months, although I'm aware it doesn't always go to plan so I've collected some things for expressing & bottle feeding plus a friend reccommended to take SMA ready made bottles with me to hospital in case baby doesn't feed & needs formula.

HazleNutt · 09/02/2015 20:21

BF'd the first, found it easy and convenient, so planning the same with this one. I do hope DC2 is not a bottle refuser though, that was a massive pain.

NickyEds · 09/02/2015 20:23

DS was ebf for 10 days then we had to give f due to weight/tongue tie/shredded nipples. Devastated at the time as I intended to ebf but he was mix fed until 6 months. Loved mix feeding so I intend to mix feed this one. Ebf is just not for me, even if it's painless (which with ds it most certainly wasn't) I don't want to be in sole charge of feeding. I'll do my best to establish bf whilst DP is on paternity but if it doesn't work out I'll switch to f. I'd rather baby was eff than ebf (with bottle refusing) so I guess I'll have to see how it goes.....

LollieLoves · 09/02/2015 20:27

Planning to breastfeed if I can, but won't be beating myself up if for some reason I can't. I watched a good friend go through hell with PND that was triggered by the fact she was unable to breastfeed, having had it drummed into her by her NCT teacher that it was selfish to formula feed and that her child would be disadvantaged for life if she had a drop of formula.

Whateverittakes3 · 09/02/2015 20:37

Hoping to bf number 3 but will have bottles on standby. Managed 6 months with number 2 (combo feeding from 4 months) and 6 weeks with number 1 who had horrendous reflux and vomited up everything I gave her. Soul destroying. Do what's right for you. I'm a great believer in happy mum, happy baby

dillydollydarling · 09/02/2015 20:42

Guess I should also add that although I plan on just breastfeeding, I'd like to use bottles too eventually to allow OH and others to feed baby too. Just with expressed milk rather than formula. I definitely agree that you have to find what works for you. An unhappy mum is not going to have a happy baby!

GingerCuddleMonster · 09/02/2015 21:23

I bottle fed DS from birth. It's quick, convienient and a positive experience. I like other PP's couldn't handle the thought of a baby hanging off me for days on end, I enjoyed rest and me and DP can alternate night shifts meaning a well rested household and a happy family.

I personally think mums who breastfeed are amazing, I couldn't do it. I like my sleep and my independence, I also coudnt imagine feeding a baby in public from the boob. it just wasn't for me.

weeblueberry · 09/02/2015 21:29

I'm hoping to breastfeed. I did with DD1 but genuinely didn't enjoy it very much - I'm hoping this time round I find it easier both mentally and physically. If I don't I don't think I'll put as much pressure on myself to continue as much as last time. I just won't have the headspace to put myself through the strain of it with a newborn and a toddler.

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SparklyReindeerShit · 09/02/2015 21:36

Bf dd1 for 2 years and now at 5 months with dc2. Genuinely not bothered what others do/think, this is what works for us. I'm lazy and see this as the easiest way. Feel comfortable feeding in public and it suits us.

mariomadmum · 09/02/2015 21:37

I'm planning in breastfeeding. I bf my ds for the first 4 months, I can't wait it's such a lovely feeling (may be looking back with rose tinted glasses lol)

ILiveOnABuildsite · 09/02/2015 21:41

Another who will be bottle feeding from birth, it's what I did for dd and it worked so well for us.

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