Anyone else just plan on BFing for the colostrum then switching to formula?

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

I hated bfing dd and stopped on day three. I was totally happy to make the switch to formula, no guilt, no stress etc.

Im.now pg with number two (dd will be just shy of three when her brother comes along), and I fully intend to ff him. However, I feel odd bypassing those early newborn days where (1) the colostrum will be what he needs most and (2) it just feels like I should naturally bring him to the boob?

Has anyone else just bf'd in those initial couple of days maybe while still at hospital and then, as planned, made the switch onto formula?

[bonzo77]

I didn't plan to. But NiCU wanted DS2 to have colostrum. So I expressed it for his NGT. If I have another I would plan to do what you are planning to, but realistically would do a repeat of last time (the events leading to DS2 being prem and in NiCU are likely to recurr).

[CroydonFacelift]

If I ever have another child (unlikely) I will do this.

Breastfed for 6 weeks with DC1. It was hard and painful and awful from day 1, had constant mastitis, bleeding and pain. Stopped after being hospitalised with a breast abcess.

Breastfed for 2 weeks with DC2. It was lovely for the first few days, then the same problems in the same breast came back. Hospitalised again for mastitis.

Next time I think i would just BF for the first 4/5 days for the colostrum and bonding/cuddles, and then switch to FF. Couldnt ever go through the rigmarole again!

[beccajoh]

I did this second time round. Not entirely intentionally to be fair. IBF DD for 7 months and hated it but the muddle of hormones, PND, my birth experience and well-meaning HCPs made me feel that not breastfeeding was a criminal offence. She was very easy to breastfeed. We both got the hang of it very quickly and never really had any problems, other than me hating it.

I REALLY didn't want to bf DS but decided I ought to give it a go so he could have the colostrum if nothing else, but also to see how I felt about it second time round. It was a nightmare! Awful problems with latching, his mouth was very small (6lb baby), it was agony, I felt miserable and sobbed frequently. I could feel the gloom of PND descending again, so I stopped after two weeks and sent DH out to buy a perfect prep machine.

I don't feel especially guilty about it. My children need a happy mummy not a sad tearful one.

[purplemurple1]

Forgot to say last time I bf for 10days and then mixed fed until 6 weeks. All was fine no nipple confusion problems, no pain etc when I stopped bf.

[purplemurple1]

I'm planning to do this as well. I'll be back at work 50% after 2 weeks so doubt I will bf for long but may mix feed if things are going well.

[HerrenaHarridan]

Before this thread gets out of hand I would like to agree and disagree with the point about painting bfing as super easy for all.

While it's true it can be super easy particularly for later children. I think if there were more openness about the potential difficulties people would feel less like they were failing due to insurmountable problems and would be better equipped to deal with some of the hurdles that can occur.

For me the first 8 weeks were ridiculously hard, I started a bfing support group and was able to anticipate and diagnose problems for the next ten months (which were super easy)

[gamerchick]

I think it's the perfect compromise between the two. Your milk comes in anyway and colostrum is like liquid gold. Little tummy aren't designed to get milk for a few days after birth anyway, they get a couple of tablespoons of colostrum per feed if that

The babies don't get confused, nipper pain takes a few days to kick in and milk comes in anyway.. no reason at all to let colostrum go to waste.

[combust22]

I am another one who had no pain at all. I found breastfeeding really easy, straightforward and totally pain free right from the start. Never used formula ever.

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Those first feeds are a great boost for the baby if you want to do them, whether or not you continue. Will save faff with bottles in hospital and, as you say, your milk will come in regardless. Sounds like a plan.

[Mouthfulofquiz]

Same as the poster above, I found it straightforward and painless the second time around so why not just wait and see how you feel. I do think it's less faff to breastfeed, especially when you have a toddler and want to be out and about - no packing up bottles etc, but that's just my opinion.
I don't think a three day old baby would be confused so I would at least give the colostrum before switching.

[deepbluetr]

"I agree that the bf advocates do no favours by pretending it is painless and easy. I hurts everyone for the first couple of weeks. Then it often is pretty easy."

Sorry but I disaree. I found it totally painless and easy right from the start with my babies.

[deepbluetr]

I think it's a great idea. I don't think your baby (or your boobs will be confused at all) Colostrum is packed full of antibodies and even a couple of days will give immunity for months to come.
I am a big breastfeeding fan, but if you do intend to formula feed then it's certainly worthwhile giving your baby this shot of colostrum. Some call it "liquid gold".

[fledermaus]

That first feed just after your baby's born is the best one, and you're right - it does feel natural. I think a baby needs that comfort just after the shock of being born too!

Why not just take it one day, or even one feed, at a time? Formula will always be there, you can switch any time, so just see how it goes and don't put any pressure on yourself.

[MuscatBouschet]

I agree that the bf advocates do no favours by pretending it is painless and easy. I hurts everyone for the first couple of weeks. Then it often is pretty easy.

I'm another one who is unexpectedly bfing dc2 because it worked out to be easy this time round. No need to make firm plans... Just see how you feel from one hour to the next after the birth.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Glad im not getting faces and that it may be possible. I never imagined a three day old baby would get confused with the switch and as my milk wont come in til day three or so anyways I wasnt wprried about that.

I was "sold" bfing by everyone (prior to joining MN) that bf involved whopping the baby on the boob every three hours. I know now that that is not at all what it is like, I just wish id had a realistic idea in advance so I wasnt so overwhelmed.

[StrangeGlue]

Sounds sensible and then if you turn out to have one of those wonder babies who just do bf right immediately you can choose whether or not to do a little longer.

[FoxtrotOscarBackToEconomy]

I was planning to switch to formula after getting home from hospital with DC2 following a terrible time getting DC1 to BF. However DC2 has surprised me and taken to BF much better than DC1 ever did (easy to latch) so I'm continuing longer with BF.

If you start with the intention of BF the colostrum you have the option to carry on BF if it goes better than expected

[tiktok]

Neither breasts or babies get confused with a switch from bf to ff in these v early days.

Mothers may have individual reasons for deciding to discontinue bf, but that one is not one that stands up to logic :)

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

Yes, we all took so well to bottle feeding. I never found it a faff or anything - like you say, dh loved being able to feed dd. In contrast at home (I was in the hospital for three days), bfing saw me in tears at two am in agony tryong for the zillionth time to get her to latch.

[Millie3030]

I breastfeed for 3 days exclusively in hospital but my LO Never latched well so after 3 days (in with c section) they recommended I gave him formula, his lips were dry and getting cracked which meant he was dehydrated. My milk hadn't come in so I had no choice, and he was so happy after a big bottle of formula. I pumped for a month but eventually switched to formula and it was great. Hubby loved being able to help, and do night and late feeds, and we had a long discussion about if we had a mother whether to go through all the tears and guilt again, and I don't think I will.
I may breastfeed for a few days to feel both DC had the same start, but formula works for us, my family loved helping out and giving bottles and it meant I could have a shower/earlier night when the hard night feeds are still happening.

[Hobby2014]

I'm pregnant with first and plan to FF but thought about doing this. I think I've decided not to, thinking i won't confuse baby and I'm not sure if it'll confuse my boobs? Thinking they are BF then stop?
I'm not sure if what I'm thinking is right or not, hopefully someone else will know more as I'll be interested to know. Good luck with whatever you do.