To quit breastfeeding now?

[hipsalips]

I have a three month old and have been EBF, and while a lot of the time its nice to breastfeed I am getting a bit worn down from it.

I'm debating stopping but feel very conflicted. On one hand I like it (sometimes), I know its good for my DD.

On the other hand I hate the clothes I need to wear, I find all the nursing clothes well dowdy, and would feel more like me if I stopped.

I'm planning to wean her at 6 months, would it be worth swapping to formula until then or would you stick with it, or combination feed to get the best of both worlds?

If you want to keep going then keep going. I only lasted 8 weeks because I hated everything about it and my mental health nosedived in a big way. Formula feeding doesn't have to be a faff at all. Perfect prep machine, no messing about cooling water and bottle ready in 2 mins. Out and about take the little ready made bottles and just empty into a bottle. If you get MAM self sterilizing bottles they're done in the microwave in 3 mins.

Breastfeeding just isn't that important in the grand scheme of raising a child. Sorry, it just isn't.

I'm not a breastfeeding evangelist, but it sounds like you aren't struggling with latch or pain or supply or weight gain or any of the multitude of reasons why breastfeeding is hard. If it's really just clothes that is the main drive of wanting to stop it does sound a bit superficial. I suspect it's not just the clothes though. The suggestion of 'Can I breastfeed in it' group is a good one for fashion conscious bf mums. I personally never wore breastfeeding specific clothes, I just wore a cami vest under everything so I didn't have to expose my tummy. Things to consider, breastfeeding for longer than 3 months reduces your chance of breast and ovarian cancer and osteopetrosis later in life. It burns calories, it's free, and quite a significant amount of babies are allergic to cows milk protein. Also it transfers immunity and we just don't know what is in store for the oncoming autumn and winter, with lockdown are we going to see norovirus and other bugs spreading like wildfire? Who knows. Breastfeeding seems the safest as it doesn't upset tummys when ill like cows milk and is the best way to keep them hydrated.

@MillyMollyFarmer

Sorry, do you have anything important to add?

Do you? Apart from calling people names? My intention isn’t to insult anyone, it’s to challenge the behaviour.

The point of the thread is to discuss feeding infants. Even if someone’s opinion is misinformed or unkind, they get to share it without being called names.

That's your opinion, my differs.

I don't agree with you, you don't agree with me.

Why you can't accept that and just shuffle along I've no idea.

[quote coffeeandgin26]@Phoenix21

Increased risk of obesity
Increased risk of diabetes
Increased risk of SIDS
Increased risk of childhood cancers

We have changed the narrative to describe breastfeeding as reducing these, but as bf is the biological norm, using formula is actually increasing these risks.

There's no judgement from me. I have formula fed two out of four of my children - one through lack of support and knowledge and one because I didn't want to. And that's fine - if someone doesn't want to breastfeed they don't have to justify to anyone, but it is important that any decisions are informed.[/quote]
I wasn’t aware of that. Is it safer to have my toddler on cows milk?

OP, your body, your choice. Stop if you want.
I FF from a day old. I found it great, dp could be heaps more help. Didnt find bottles a stuff around. My mental health didn't suffer as much (I found out I was pregnant at 27 weeks and when dd was born I still hadn't come to terms with it)
I could sleep, have a day out, have a few drinks, regain some of me that pregnancy stole, was free to wear what I wanted, when I wanted.
Never underestimate the value of feeling like you.

Maybe the fact breastfeeding is better for your baby than milk made for calves
The whole 24hr I attempted bf I felt like a literal cow. I hated it, would have resented dd if I kept going.
Dd was much better off with actual cows milk formula.

Breastfeeding is like giving your child colourful stir fry veg with a dash of olive oil and Lobster.
Formula is like giving them McDonald's, it won't hurt them but won't nourish them in the same way.
Maccas won't cause me to have an allergic reaction, lobster would.
Bf would have mentally destroyed me, like eating lobster would physically.

I wasn’t interested in the overall statistics which cover the whole population. My concern was only for my DC’s and decided that ff was the best for us. DC’s haven’t had any of the problems which are attributed to ff - I think the % is minuscule?

OP - you only need to do what is best for you and your DC. No one else’s opinions matter. Enjoy your baby.

Why you can't accept that and just shuffle along I've no idea.

The same applies to you. You’re carrying this on despite your posts being removed, and the comments you objected to. You were in the wrong, feel free to stop any time and perhaps get back to the OP, as I have.

@MillyMollyFarmer

Why you can't accept that and just shuffle along I've no idea.

The same applies to you. You’re carrying this on despite your posts being removed, and the comments you objected to. You were in the wrong, feel free to stop any time and perhaps get back to the OP, as I have.

It is your opinion that I was in the wrong. Others will agree with you, other won't.

What is actually going through your head I've no idea.

Very bizarre behaviour.

We have changed the narrative to describe breastfeeding as reducing these, but as bf is the biological norm, using formula is actually increasing these risks.

I’m not sure what you’ve written as increased risks is totally accurate? Where is that from?

ScarMatty, just let it go and get back to the OP! You were in the wrong! Your comment got removed.

@MillyMollyFarmer

ScarMatty, just let it go and get back to the OP! You were in the wrong! Your comment got removed.

Now you're really make me chuckle.

I stand by what I said. I agree with what I said.

I have lots of time on my hands today so please do carry on.

Although what you're trying to achieve I've no idea.

You're quite new around here, maybe that explains it.

You're quite new around here, maybe that explains it

I’ve been a member since it started

Now, seriously, move on. You’re being silly.

@MillyMollyFarmer

You're quite new around here, maybe that explains it

I’ve been a member since it started

Now, seriously, move on. You’re being silly.

Oh now you are getting exciting!

Once again, you feel your opinion is superior to others.

I need a laugh for the day and my word you are giving it.

Increased risk of obesity
Increased risk of diabetes
Increased risk of SIDS
Increased risk of childhood cancers

I think these claims should come with a reference? I really don’t think there’s a significant increase but happy to be corrected. If they’re wrong it might alarm people

Hello there OP

I am the mum of a 7 month old. He was ebf for around 8 weeks. We then added in a night ff Confined eith expressed so dad could take over the eve and I could rest and make dinner. However I had to go back to work early due to Covid and massively reduced my breastfeeding from 3.5 months - at a certain point Around 5 months or so baby started only to want the bottle and refused breast. I felt terribly guilty about this. Had I known then what I know now I would have protected my supply by pumping whenever I replaced a feed with formula. He still suckles in the morning and that’s lovely- though he does have teeth now so it’s a bit hazardous!! Anyway he is perfectly happy and healthy on FF and it has democratised feeding in our house. I also got an elvie hands free pump which made a massive difference as I found being trapped under a pump very depressing.

Hope that all helps.

Getting back to the OP - you have done the hardest bit getting feeding established! I am 3 months in (ff my first) and it’s finally starting to get easier. So much less faff not having to sterilise etc. But as Pp said a) try 2 top method and b) it’s your choice x

@Parker231

I wasn’t interested in the overall statistics which cover the whole population. My concern was only for my DC’s and decided that ff was the best for us. DC’s haven’t had any of the problems which are attributed to ff - I think the % is minuscule?

OP - you only need to do what is best for you and your DC. No one else’s opinions matter. Enjoy your baby.

The percentages are not miniscule. The NHS think that hospital admissions for babies would be reduced by 50% if all women bfed their babies for the recommended time. Formula is fantastic for many women and their babies for a multitude of reasons, but it's better to fully understand the difference in health outcomes.

The NHS think that hospital admissions for babies would be reduced by 50% if all women bfed their babies for the recommended time

I didn’t know this. That’s significant

The NHS think that hospital admissions for babies would be reduced by 50% if all women bfed their babies for the recommended time
Would it really or would that be made back up by women seeking mental health care? Every women ive known, who gave up, did so for their mental health ultimately or they couldn't be off certain medication any longer

It’s 100% up to you but I do have to agree with others, you’ve made it through the hardest bit.

I really sympathise with the clothes thing. You just want to feel like you again and nursing clothes and nursing bras do NOT help. But nursing clothes aren’t necessary. I see others have recommended ‘can I breastfeed in it’ and the B-shirt. Also, I follow someone on Instagram called ‘MyBumpPay’ who did a ‘dressing for confidence while breastfeeding’ feature.

Lots of people have recommended Perfect Preps, I feel like I read they weren’t safe at one point? Or have I got completely outdated information?

You may be like me and have a bottle refuser, so this whole discussion may all be moot anyway...

@squeekums

*The NHS think that hospital admissions for babies would be reduced by 50% if all women bfed their babies for the recommended time* Would it really or would that be made back up by women seeking mental health care? Every women ive known, who gave up, did so for their mental health ultimately or they couldn't be off certain medication any longer

That's an exceedingly good point and one which is I completely agree with. The mental health of mothers is also vitally important and affects the welfare of their babies.

I breast fed until my DS was 8 months old and bit me!!! So blooming painful!

I decided that was enough and he went on to formula from a feeding cup. I could never get him to take to a bottle...

I'd stick with it, it's going to get so much easier soon!

Just wanted to say OP do what’s best for you and your family. I suspect the clothes thing is far more about body autonomy and choice than clothes themselves if you are anything like me. Combo feeding works for us BF with 1-2 bottles per day of formula and that keeps everyone happy and has worked for us since day 3. Personally I think the all or nothing approach to BF we have here is part of the reason for such low BF rates if parents were educated about all the options rather than having EBF only rammed down their necks I suspect things would be different.