Anyone else planning to bottle feed (don't shoot me please)

[camerafairy]

Anyone else planning to bottle feed and what are your reasons? Mine are because I have to work very quickly after the birth as I have my very busy own business and need my mum and partner to be able to share feeds with me. I will not be breastfeeding at all, please don't come on here to shout at me! It doesn't mean i'm putting my business before my baby

Thanks hightrees I appreciate that, it's very hard trying to keep a hectic career and have a baby, you sound like you did marvellously well better than me!! I went back to work on the 6th august, 10 days after the birth, and worked twice when I was overdue, must admit I wasn't too well on the 6th but I managed, just!

Well it's been a while since I last posted, ended up 2 week overdue and induced on 26th July, I laboured very quickly and had massive contractions starting after the second pessary, babies heart kept dipping, forceps, tear and episiotomy, but it was over in four hours so swings and roundabouts! I had a blood transfusion afterwards as fainted just after the birth and twice afterwards as I became very anaemic, then once home I became allergic to diclofenac, discovered after blood tests and an ECG as I had been so unwell and had palpitations and an increased heart rate!

With hindsight I wish I bf for the first 48 hours at least but I had no chat or support re this decision, I was kinda expecting at some point on the ward that someone might come and discuss events with me but I was given a few leaflets and different midwifes popped in every couple of hours to check me but the care was shockingly vague, no one even asked me what I planned to do so I didn't get the chat I was hoping for and me being the idiot I am didn't want to trouble anyone as they were all so busy.... As I fainted straight after the birth Cato was given straight to my OH with a bottle and no discussion took place that I was aware of anyway!

Anyway, we have had a lot of tummy troubles, colic and constipation, from 2 weeks Cato was very hard work and cried a lot, slept little, I kinda blame myself for my choice, we are getting somewhere now but it's been very very hard.

camerafairy What I find most interesting about this thread is how you were adamant from the start that bottlefeeding was for you yet seem to feel ever so slightly guilty for not breastfeeding. This was your choice and it was a choice you made rationally - you have no reason to feel guilty. You DC will be perfectly fine.

Congratulations on the safe arrival of your DC. The care you received in hospital doesn't sound good but in fairness in a busy ward you do have to ask and make a fuss if you want help. Never take the view of "I wouldn't want to bother anyone" when it comes to your child!

Remember that the colic and the sleep problems may have still occurred had you BF (constipation maybe not however) but it is more important that your provide for your child. I have BF my DD for the last 5 months and would encourage anyone else to do the same as I feel it is a truely amazing thing but I think providing for your family is even more important and if you feel like you have sacrificed the breastfeeding experience then remember that you did it for a good reason!

Good luck.

Congratulations!

It sounds like you expected the ward staff to try to change your mind.
If so,can I ask why?

Congratulations on the arrival of little Cato!

I breastfeed (now at 12 weeks) but it is very, very hard work. DD regularly eats every two hours, through the night and sometimes settles in for 3 hour cluster feeds! I am quite shocked at the amount of time and effort bf takes and the only reason I can work is that I work from home and I can bf in front of the computer. DD is also quite hard work, especially since week 7 when all the wind started (!!), so I think that's just babies for you, it has nothing to do with bf vs ff.

Thanks all for your support. I have been told bf is hard work and I know how hectic my job is so I guess I just knew from the off it wasn't viable for me at this time of year, but I wish I'd had a bit more support from healthcare providers as expressing would have been an option, however it wasn't discussed and I feel a little confused noone really sat down with me to discuss it at any point but perhaps it was naive of me to expect it and i shouod habe gone about it in a different way, the illness and fainting after the birth didnt help matters i guess as i was out of it for the first 2 days! Anyhow I do feel a bit guilty when I see Cato in pain and wonder how different it could have been, in some respects I stand by my choice but it does nag at me somewhat. Cato is a big and hungry baby so I wonder how much more tired I could be than I already am though! As it happens business is going very well though and we have national exposure coming up next month so that's good. Have to say that aptimil comfort has been a godsend! Mixed feelings all in all really.

So are you saying that you may have been swayed?

Don't you think you may have resented the staff if if they tried to change your mind?

But this is the biggest problem with the NHS they promote breast is best, then there is shocking little support for any type of feeding. Be it mixed, just the first few days or formula feeding afterwards. It's a big failling in the whole system (some hospitals are better then others) .

You shouldn't feel guilty you made the best decision for your family. It's understnadable to be anoyed with the health care system though if you don't feel you got the support you need in every way after a difficult birth.

BF is hard work initially, but after the first few weeks, it is the feeding method of choice for the LAZY person! (ME!!)... We now feed lying down (and co-sleep), and I just need to position the boob close to his mouth (5m.o) when he looks for food in the night, and i doze back to sleep almost immediately. honestly couldn't tell you how many times he feeds a night, and i get a full nights sleep, and he never fully wakes up / cries and stays asleep from 7pm-7am. My hubby is a happy man too! May be worth considering it for the night time feeds, and using formula during the day.

Hi, cameragirl - if you are ambivalent about your decision to ff, then there is nothing to stop you putting your baby to your breast now, and just seeing what happens :)

If you decided to switch to bf, then you could, but it would be hard work and time consuming, and my guess is your life is busy enough without that...but a little 'flirtation' with breastfeeding is fine, and your baby and you may well enjoy the physical closeness and find it comforting.