Breast/formula

[Iolaus84]

I've just had my second child a few days ago and planned to breastfeed as I did with my other child, until he was 12 months. She has latched on well it appears but I am in so much pain that I've just given her a small amount of formula after trying to express on both sides. I guess there is no aibu but more of reassurance that I've made the right decision. I have been dreading her waking to feed because of the pain as when she was bottle feeding it was the first time we really looked at each other without me sobbing. I have had problems bonding as I didnt want to hold her in case she wanted to feed. I just don't know why it's so much harder this time. My dh thinks it's the right decision (he's worried about the bond too as I don't feel for her what I do for my boy yet). I just feel so guilty but also relieved. If my milk comes in tomorrow I might try and express and mix feed. Has anyone done this successfully?

Meant to add that honestly, I feel like HCPs can't win sometimes.

Don't give any advice on bottle feeding and get accused of pushing a BF agenda/BF nazis/Breastapo

Give evidenced based advice re:correct technique for bottle feeding and get accused of patronizing parents

I wanted to echo lanisoh cream - it's the bollocks. The one in a purple tube was my favourite and I used to be constantly slathered in the stuff. You can use it literally before you try and latch which helps enourmously as does having a hot shower/bath.

Do take up any and all support offered so have her checked for tongue tie (again) and the latch.

I found YouTube great for latching help in the beginning when I just couldn't wait and needed immediate advice. You can work your way through suggestions and techniques at your own leisure.

Try not to overthink it too much, I mixed fed (till 6 month old dd got snobby about a bottle ) and I don't really know why it isn't talked about more. Provided you keep your milk up (which is perfectly possible, you can look at dietary changes which were all I needed) mixed feeding is pretty good all round.

If bf doesn't work out then that's okay. You don't have to do it, formula is more than your baby will need to thrive. It's 2018 - take advantage of living in the modern world!

Oh and if you want to avoid 'nipple confusion' you can use a cup or syringe. We used to use a calpol syringe to top up dd.

Oh yes lansinoh cream!!!! Forgot about that! I used to slather it on constantly, really helped

I still use lansinoh now- it makes a great lip balm and healing agent for grazed knees.

@ Absofrigging

I’m sure you personally didn’t mean to patronise but the tone of the article is. She is a lactation consultant so she is qualified (not a high qualification either) and only in breast feeding. Not bottle feeding. And the tone of the article strongly suggests bottle feeding is done by everyone in the same way but ‘dont worry bottled feeders, it’s not your fault you didn’t know you were forcing it down their necks’

I think it’s a very emotive subject and unless someone specifically asks for either breast feeding or bottle feeding advice it’s best not to offer it. Feeding our babies is too closely linked to our emotions and every one, bottle and breast feeders have come to feel judged.

OP just wants to know it’s ok. And I think most of us agree, fed is best however it’s done. (Unless of course you are balancing that bottle and buggering off down the pub)

Can anyone recommend a store bought breast pump to help increase of milk supply I'm currently hiring a hospital grade pump but can't get myself out of bed to pump on a night so could do with a portable one for bed time?? T.i.a