A liitle plee for help with an education project

Gomesmum · 31/08/2010 15:36

Hi,
I breastfed all three of my children until they were 4 months, I then did a mix of bottle (formula) and breast until 6 months, I stopped due to returning back to work, and then fully bottle fed them with formula until around 18 months and then they went onto cows milk.
The advantages of breast feeding from my experience is how close it brings you and your baby, it's the best bonding moment and much easier to do night feeds as the milk is ready so the baby doesn't fully wake up and have to wait around for formula to be prepared, you can just feed on a low light and before you know it they are back asleep, I find it gets them used to night time routine a lot quicker, all mine where going through the night from 10pm to 6am from 6 weeks.
Breast milk of course is best for the baby and cheap.
I did experience pain but that was due to dodgy milk ducts in one of my breasts otherwise a little discomfort until you get used to it, you do get pain in your abdomin but I used to like feeling that as i knew it was my muscles contracting back and that it would make give me back my figure quicker.
Hope I answered all you needed

DefNotYummyMummy · 31/08/2010 15:42

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
EBF.
If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
N/A
If you fed exclusively, how long?
14 months
In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
Advantages - no sterilisation of bottles, just wip it out whenever the baby needed it. Obviously health benefits too.
Disadvantages - still feel quite embarassed to feed in public. Usually feed in the loo or in the car when I am out and about. Made to feel bad about feeding my own 9 month old in a cafe once and since find it hard to feed in public without worrying about what people may think (I have a 4 week old now).
Did you experience any pain?
Just for the first 2 weeks. Then it settled down.
What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding? 14 months.
Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
I stopped feeding. It just took one night though as they were down to just a night feed by then.

DefNotYummyMummy · 31/08/2010 15:46

Forgot to say...
babies never slept through the night until I weaned them. Woke up every 3 hours until I stopped breastfeeding. I couldn't let them cry it out.

Also people seem to be different, but I got down to my lowest weight ever after feeding my last one, and I was eating whatever I wanted ! The disadvantage to that respect bwas floppy boobs. I went from a C cup to an A cup with the same surface area. Not pretty.

DefNotYummyMummy · 31/08/2010 15:51

And also, they are definitely less ill than their friends who haven't been breastfeed (in particular tummy bugs). My boy and girl are 4 years and 2 years and go to day care too and, touch wood, neither have had a tummy bug yet. (The boy did have one runny poo once that went through his trousers, but that's it). They do get colds, but have only been on antibiotics twice (ear infections).

Original poster

mrspir8 · 31/08/2010 15:58

Thank you for those who have replied so far!

OP posts:

RonansMummy · 31/08/2010 16:10

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
mostly breast, occasional bottle
If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
expressed breast milk, NEVER formula
If you fed exclusively, how long?
he is nearly 5 months old
In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
advantages: I could never be bothered with the hassle of making bottles and if there wasn't one ready baby would have to wait. I don't even have to get out of bed for night feeds!
disadvantages: I am the only one who can feed him, but I actually like that.
Did you experience any pain?
At the beginning I had shooting pains at the beginning of each feed, and my nipples were tender for the first few weeks. But it wasn't unbearable and there is no pain at all now.
What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
n/a
Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
n/a

neverquitesure · 31/08/2010 16:45

Hello,

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both? My first baby (now nearly 2) had a mix of expressed breast milk and formula until 3 weeks, then just formula. My second baby (now 4 months) is exclusively breastfed with the odd bottle of expressed breast milk when I have to go to a meeting etc.

If you fed exclusively, how long? Still exclusively breastfeeding baby number 2 (4 months) with no plans to stop any time soon (other than to offer solid food at 6 months)

In your experience what were the advantages and problems? Advantages were mainly: 1) Health. By 3 months old baby #1 had developed the family eczema, plus has a number of (minor) food intolerances despite not weaning onto food until 6 months. Baby #2 has so far avoided eczema and has beautiful skin. 2) Convenience and more sleep! After the first month I found breastfeeding much easier than bottle feeding. It also means you don't have to get out of bed for night feeds and, with a bit of practice, you can pretty much do it in your sleep. 3) I have found that a quick breastfeed will solve most parenting problems. If baby is over tired, over stimulated, hungry, in pain, etc a quick feed will generally solve the problem. You don't have to try and work out what's wrong or pace the floors with a crying baby like I had to with my formula-fed baby.

Did you experience any pain? Yes. Numerous problems including double mastitis and a breast abscess with my first. I had no specific problems with my second but did still experience quite a bit of nipple pain in the first 2-3 weeks.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding? Baby #1 - 3 weeks, baby #2 - still going at 4 months, no plans to stop anytime soon.

Some general advice I would give to anyone considering breastfeeding is 1) Do not be put off by a previous bad experience and/or the bad experiences of family and friends - every baby is different. 2) The hard work you may end up putting in in the early weeks will pay off further down the line. 3) Although breastfeeding a newborn is generally a very time-consuming process, they do get very fast very quickly. My baby takes a lot longer to drink a bottle of expressed milk than she does to take a full breastfeed - she can empty a whole breast in a matter of minutes (greedy little devil!).

Good luck with the project!

WoTmania · 31/08/2010 16:47

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
breastfed all 3

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?

If you fed exclusively, how long?
exclusively til 5.5 months (he grabbed and swallowed so I figured he was ready), 6 months, 7 months

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
Problems usually involved HCPs lack of knowledge rather than any actual BF problems. I have oversupply though which is a PITA.
Advantages - I am the only one who can feed them :) . I can't forget my boobs. Less faff especially when going out and about. No getting up at night. I lose loads of weight while BF (back down to 8 st 2lbs).

Did you experience any pain?
Yes, a little, with DS2 but a little work on the latch sorted this.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
1 year 3 days, the other two -18 months a 3 years are still going

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?

Sort of. I was pg (17 wks) again and the only liquid I could keep down was peppermint tea which, in the volumes I was drinking it, works as an anti-galactogue. So, while DS1 had lost interest, it was probably more to do with the lack of milk.
The other two I plan to let self wean.

hildathebuilder · 31/08/2010 16:48

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?

Both, and also tube fed as DS was prem so he came home breast fed, bottle fed and tube fed! He would never have got home (or not for a while longer if we hadn't mixed)

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?

EBM

If you fed exclusively, how long?

24 weeks, tried formula he hated it, so back to EBM. Now weaning

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?

Of Breast feeding, major problem was a 29 week baby can't suck and needed to be taught. Bottles are easier. Other problem is that he fed/feeds contantly. I'm knackered in growth spurts, and the gaps between feeds are only just back up to 3 hours.

Advantages don't have to faff with formula. Don't pay formula companies anything.
Did you experience any pain?

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?

n/a

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?

n/a

neverquitesure · 31/08/2010 16:48

Ooooo - almost forgot! I would also add that in my personal experience what I have fed my baby (breast milk/formula milk/solids) has no effect on how long they have slept at night. Baby #1 woke just as many times on breast milk and formula milk (at the same times too!) and no difference at all to sleeping patterns when solids were introduced at 6 months.

WoTmania · 31/08/2010 16:48

oh, another advantage - cost

slug · 31/08/2010 16:50

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Both

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
Both. DD spent the first week of her life in intensive care. As a result breast feeding and my milk supply never properly established. I tried to give her the best of both worlds.

If you fed exclusively, how long?
Until it became obvious that exclusive breast feeding was resulting in a baby who was losing weight dangerously fast.

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
The advantages of breastfeeding are the portability and the (not quite in my case) constant supply. No need to wash or steralise bottles, no need to make up formula and no running out on Christmas day when all the shops are closed.

Did you experience any pain?
Made my toes curl over the first couple of weeks. DD had a suck like a vaccuum cleaner on full

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
5-6 months

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
Partly it was the development of her first tooth and her experimenting with biting and chewing my nipples and partly it was her definite interest in food other than the breast or bottle.

domeafavour · 31/08/2010 16:59

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Both
If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
formula and BM

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems? I was very self conscious so was not comfortable in public. expressed enough to have a little bit extra, but not enough to take out say 2 or 3 bottles. So formula came in handy.
He also had formula in the neo natal unit when he was first born.
Did you experience any pain? slight pain first couple of weeks, cracked nipples
What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding? 7months
Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding? He kinda did it himself, just became less and less interested. Just morning and evening, then just morning.

hmmSleep · 31/08/2010 17:10

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Dd - exclusively breastfed
Ds - Breast and bottle

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
EBM for 4 months, then formula

If you fed exclusively, how long?
Dd - 11 months, until I became pregnant with Ds

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
Breastfeeding was far less hassle than steralising bottles, warming milk, packing to go out etc. It's there immediately when you need it, ready to go! Also better for baby but more difficult for me to leave baby with someone else if you need a bit of time to yourself.

Did you experience any pain?
Yes lots and lots of pain, firstly the engorgement when your milk comes in, felt like I was going to burst! I then suffered cracked bleeding nipples, I have very sensitive skin. Also suffered from thrush and mastitis. Didn't put me off doing it with my second baby though, and plan to breastfeed again with dc3 due in October.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
Dd was 11 months, Ds around 8 months

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
Dd pretty much self weaned, not sure if my getting pregnant effected my milk supply, but it coincided with that. With Ds I stopped, he was a very slow feeder, a good hour at a time and I wanted to be able to give Dd a bit more attention.

QueenofDreams · 31/08/2010 17:47

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Breastfed

If you fed exclusively, how long?
just shy of 6 months when he decided to start stealing solid food

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
advantages: no faffing with making up bottles, feeding at night was quick. Didn't have to take anything with me to feed him out and about as boobs are handily attached
Disadvantages: I was the only one who could feed (but DP wouldn't have done night feeds ANYWAY so it was better to bf than do bottles at night) Difficulty accessing support I only ended up succeeding because I was so determined to do it.

Did you experience any pain?
YES! the first 8 weeks were hell. Had cracked nipples and every feed was agony. We cracked it in the end though and it was worth it.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
16 months. I stopped feeding as he was still feeding loads and I just didn't want to do it any more. If he had been down to 2-3 feeds a day I would have carried on longer but he was all about the boob plus eating loads of solids.

TruthSweet · 31/08/2010 17:54

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
DD1 was bottle fed ebm & formula till 8 w/o then EBF till 6 m/o. DD2 was EBF till 23 w/o. DD3 was EBF till 26 w/o.

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
See above for DD1.

If you fed exclusively, how long?
DD2 = 23 w/o
DD3 = 26 w/o

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?

EBF advantages were it was very quick and easy to feed anywhere once bfing was established (about 4 weeks for DD2 and 2 weeks for DD3 [DD1 was very difficult to establish as was ill as a newborn so was bottle fed]), health reasons (atopic illnesses on both sides so wanted to minimise risk), DD1 had reflux so needed to feed a lot and it would have crippled us financially if she was ffed. My favourite reason - I'm a mammal - lactating is one of my defining characteristics.

No advantages for mixed feeding as the whole family hated it!

Disadvantages for EBF- Drs being difficult about meds/bfing unnecessarily.

Disadvantages for mixed feeding - so time consuming/expensive (pump hire & formula costs)/labour intensive (took two people to do a feed - me pumping whilst DH fed DD1 ebm/formula then DH sterilising whilst I settled DD1). Not easy to do whilst out & about . DH also feels that bottle feeding DD1 has 'damaged' his bond with her as his time with her wasn't being 'Daddy' but a mummy substitute IYSWIM. He never fed DD2 or DD3 when they were small and he has a much better bond with them than with DD1.

Did you experience any pain?
Lots with DD1 as had terrible latch but soon eased up with practice (about 2 weeks after EBF started). Some with DD2 (about 5 days). None with DD3. Also had pain when I had ductal thrush before it was treated.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
DD1 was 3.6 y/o. DD2 is 2.9 y/o and DD3 is 10 m/o and they are both nursing now.

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
DD1 self weaned and I plan to let DD2 & DD3 do the same.

Reesie · 31/08/2010 22:31

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Both dd's have been exclusively breastfed

If you fed exclusively, how long? DD1 14 months, dd2 still BF at 16 months. Both started eating some food when they were approx 6-7 months.

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
I've always hated the smell of artificial milk, it actually makes me gag. I couldn't imagine making one up! Also, breastfeeding just seems normal, I'm not one for faffing about with bottles and powder.

Did you experience any pain?
I had a breast abcess on dd1 which was a tad sore! I've also had some mastitis.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
DD1 - 14 months - she happily went to cows milk. DD2 - I think will be a tricky customer, she's obsessed with it.

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
I thought I would let dd2 self wean but honestly think she never ever will She just seems far too keen on it

MrsBadger · 01/09/2010 04:41

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Breast
If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
n/a
If you fed exclusively, how long?
BM alone till 6mish, then with solids, then from 12m dd had cows' milk while I was at work but bf the rest of the time.
In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
Advanrages: free, easy, no kit or prep, can do it anywhere, comforts cgild, helps me sleep after nifgt feeds
Problems: slight difficulty getting them to accept occasional bottle, onus is on me for all night wakinfs
Did you experience any pain?
nope
What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
18m
Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
I stopped as it was stopping me conceiving

tbh for me it was by the easiest part of the whole baby thing. DH and both our families were hugely supportive which helped.

MrsKitty · 01/09/2010 07:49

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?

Breastfed two children

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?

No formula. Very occasional bottle of expressed milk

If you fed exclusively, how long?

DS was exclusively BF until 27 weeks when we introduced solids.

DD was exclusively BF until 24 weeks when we introduced solids

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?

Advantages: Convenient, no sterilising etc, or worrying about having milk/bottles when going out. Easy way to comfort/settle baby. Health benefits - DS & DD have rarely been ill. Free.

Disadvantages: More tricky to get time away from baby/have an evening out, although it is do-able. Time consuming in early days - not a problem first time around, but harder when you've got another child.

Did you experience any pain?

sometimes get pain when a new tooth is on the way/just come in, but goes away quite quickly, once the latch has been adjusted.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?

DS was 13 months. DD is 11 months - currently wondering whether or not I will carry on once I return to work when she's 14 mths.

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?

DS - I stopped feeding him by gradually switching him on to cows milk from 12 mths as I was going back to work shifts.

DD - I had planned to stop similarly to DS, but I am wondering whether to continue, even though I will be working shifts as DD seems rather more flexible about her milk than DS ever was .

stressedHEmum · 01/09/2010 08:09

Did you bf or ff
BF all 5 kids.

How long?
17 years from start to finish, all the children overlapped

Pros?
BF is free; there isn't the hassle of making bottles, sterilising or anything and you don't have to take any bottles out and about with you. ALso the babies are less prone to things like upset tummies, colds, throat and ear infections etc. than their little friends, at least in my experience. It definitely makes it easier to settle a baby or toddler and, as my midwife used to tell me, it's a reason for a pregnant and nursing mother to sit down for a while.

Cons?
No one else can do it, so it can be hard to leave them while they are small and it's always you who has to get up in the night. I coslept, though, so that wasn't a problem, mine just latched on at will during the night. It takes up a lot of time when babies are tiny, but then, I would imagine bottle feeding does as well.

Pain?

I've had mastitis a few times, but it's easily treatable and once I learned to recognise the signs I was able to deal with it before it got serious. There was a bit of biting while the children were teething, but they soon stop that and engorgement is a bit painful but that's easy to deal with, imo.

All in all the advantages far outweighed any discomfort or inconvenience for me.

WHat age was child when you stopped?

Youngest child was just over 5 when we stopped. Others were,2 x round about 3 1/2yrs, 1 x 4yrs or so, 1 x 5 and a bit.

All self weaned. I know it seems a bit bizarre but it was right for my children and there was no trauma when we stopped, they just gradually wound down.

StealthPolarBear · 01/09/2010 08:38

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
breastfeed

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?

If you fed exclusively, how long?
23weeks with DS, 24 weeks with DD, then started solids

In your experience what were the advantages
and problems?
Advantages - health benefits over formula, cuddly, easier, can be less organised
Problems - have had a blocked duct, a sore breast which I worried was the start of mastitis (it wasn't) and supply issues after a hospital stay

Did you experience any pain?
A little bit when DS was tiny when he latched on. Pain when feeding DS when pregnant with DD. Pain when both were teething.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
DS is 3y4m and DD is 11m, both are still breastfeeding

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
Hope to let them both self wean, but will wean if I feel I need to.

Original poster

mrspir8 · 01/09/2010 08:47

You ladies are super-thank you so much. i have plenty here to work with.

It may be that some of these stories will help some young parents to make more informed choices about feeding thier babies

Personal experience is so useful for helping make these choices.

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 01/09/2010 09:19

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
I breastfed, DS had a bottle of expressed milk if we ever went out in the evening. We didn't go out that much, more because I didn't want to leave him!

If you fed exclusively, how long?
I fed exclusively until about 5 months when he began to have his first tastes of food. I did baby led weaning and would really recommend it. If we'd weaned using spoons and purees I would have waited until 6 months.

In your experience what were the advantages and problems?
Advantages were many - it's always there, you don't have to make it up, warm bottles, etc. It's free. No cleaning of bottles, sterilising, remembering to buy formula. You don't have to worry about how much they are getting, because you can't see - if they are hungry again you just stick them back on for more! I liked being able to do it at night lying down in bed as well. I couldn't imagine having to sit up and feed several times a night, even if you could share feeds that way.
No problems that I experienced, some friends reported they felt their babies didn't sleep as well. For me the trade off with the other benefits was worth it. I suppose it was a bit of a pain if we wanted to go out, but you could always give an occasional bottle at these times and carry on breastfeeding the rest of the time.

Did you experience any pain?
Very briefly in the early days. I was told if you count to 10, the pain should stop, if it doesn't then something is wrong and you should seek help. Even this 10 second initial pain only lasted a few weeks.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
I am still breastfeeding DS at 23 months. It's not a case of if you start you have to do it forever though! Even one breastfeed will make a difference to a baby's health. The only reason I haven't stopped is I don't see a reason to at the moment. It still gives lots of health benefits, like immunity, too.

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
I will probably let DS self-wean, but if I get really fed up of feeding before that happens then I will try to wean him off gently. We had to go into hospital recently though and I was so glad I was still feeding him as I was able to comfort him in a way I don't think I'd have been able to, otherwise.

LaTristesse · 01/09/2010 10:45

Did you breastfeed or bottle or both?
Exclusively breast fed

If you mix fed was it formula or EBM?
N/A

If you fed exclusively, how long?
6 months and counting...

In your experience what were the advantages and problems?
Advantages - BF is free, portable, (never had to plan ahead or curtail our activities), sterile, tailor-made for my baby's needs, adds protection for us both against future diseases, great opportunity to take time out being close and quiet with baby several times a day.
Personally I don't think there are any problems for us - things other people moan about (time-consuming, other people can't help out, embarrassing etc) have never bothered us.

Did you experience any pain?
Initial soreness as baby and I learnt how to do it properly - latch was established properly around 5 weeks (plenty of Lansinoh helped us no end!) And we had a 3 week bout of thrush at 2 months which was excruciating, but being a stubborn cow I refused to give up, we eventually got treatment despite having a crap GP and managed to shake it. Otherwise no pain.

What age was your child when you gave up breastfeeding?
Still going - he's 6 months... I'm aiming to continue doing a bedtime feed as long as he wants it.

Was this your child self weaning or did you stop feeding?
N/A