Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Did anyone regret their feeding decisions?

37 replies

quesadillas6 · 25/09/2015 15:21

I'm currently having a bit of a horrible time breastfeeding, after having a relatively easy time breastfeeding my first. I'm thinking through what's best for me and my family, but unsure yet how I'll proceed long term. I just don't want to give up and regret it.

I was wondering if anyone regretted their choices, regardless of how you fed your babies. Did you breastfeed and regret it? Or vice versa? Or switch from breast to bottle and wish you hadn't? I breastfed my first for nearly 7 months total. I agonised for ages about introducing formula at bedtime, which I eventually did at nearly 5 months, realised it wasn't such a big deal and wished I'd done it sooner.

OP posts:

blacktreaclecat · 03/10/2015 19:29

FF, no regrets. I think when you have a small baby, the milk thing seems a big deal. Once they are a toddler you realise it makes very little difference one way or the other.

Tftpoo · 03/10/2015 19:32

I have twins too and started breastfeeding them and expressing right from the beginning. After 8 weeks of low weight gain and general stress, I switched to exclusively expressing and bottle feeding EBM, topped up with formula as necessary. I did this for 10 months and I reckon over that time they got about 75 percent breast milk and 25 per cent formula. It was hard to start with but I kind of got used to it and my supply was good. However, I'm pregnant again now (singleton this time) and I've already decided that if BF doesn't work, I will formula feed without guilt. I will give it a few weeks and see how it goes. I think everyone's situation is unique - your baby(babies), how much help you have at home, how easy is to access Bf help, how your baby sleeps etc etc mean that no-one can make the decision for you and no-one should judge you for it.

Good luck, twins is hard work but so totally worth it and it's not long before you don't think about how you fed them at all (mine are 20 months and it already feels irrelevant).

Bohemond · 03/10/2015 19:36

Was planning to ff but was encouraged to bf ds immediately he was born. All went well until 9 weeks when both he and I were ill. Switched to formula overnight with no regrets (I tend to be pragmatic and rarely regret anything though).

Katsite · 03/10/2015 19:37

OP, is everything else ok? Is it actually the feeding that makes you heading for depression? Are there other issues were you might need more support?

It's not a life and death question which milk your babies drink - both are good options and as pp have said in a few years time you will probably not think what if, but why did I fret so much.

Ragwort · 03/10/2015 19:45

I mix fed and am sorry that I didn't insist on allowing DS to have formula in hospital - we had a horrible time after an EMCS and then DS having a serious medical condition - looking back it was no wonder that I found it difficult to get breast feeding established but the midwives were very militant about insisting I breast fed (this was 15 years ago) - DS was rapidly losing weight & in the end DH had to shout to get some formula - we weren't allowed home until DS put on weight.

Once we got home I found it much easier to breast feed but continued with on formula feed most days - so DH could get involved or I could get out and leave DS. . I really wish mixed feeding was more popular - it always seems to be breast or formula with nothing in the middle.

ohthegoats · 04/10/2015 08:26

I breastfed for 8 months, and worried about introducing formula etc. Once I did, I had weaned her off the boob within 4 weeks... even though I didn't like breasfeeding that much, I hadn't realised just how claustrophobic it made me feel. The freedom once I'd stopped was brilliant. I was back in control of my diet, my appetite, my wardrobe.. and to a degree, my sleep. If we have any more, I'll feed for 6 weeks if I can, then start to mix it up a bit to give myself more freedom.

Chelsea26 · 04/10/2015 09:19

I didn't breastfeed at all and have never regretted it. I have a lovely bond with both my boys, neither of them have ever been sick and they are strong strapping lads. I loved that my DH was able to feed his babies, I loved being able to sleep through the night occasionally and it made me a much happier more relaxed mum. You need to do whatever works best for you and don't feel guilty - a happy, calm, rested mum is about the best thing a child can have!

May09Bump · 04/10/2015 09:33

I wonder how many mother's face mental issues because of the pressure to breastfeed or continue to breastfeed beyond their capabilities (for whatever reason). I think it's shameful the approach in hospitals - it should be balanced, if you can and your happy then breastfeed. If not, then formula is there, no pressure or judgement. I think some research is necessary, feeding experiences to at least 1yr old and an update to maternity NICE guidance following that.

I was amazed at my midwife booking - it was just taken that I was going to breastfeed (Its my second pregnancy and previously breastfed, not known to the midwife).

This pregnancy I am wiser and stronger, I will take advice but follow my own decision without bowing to pressure from anyone.

Topseyt · 10/10/2015 11:00

I exclusively formula fed my three and have never regretted it at all.

The only slight regret I have is that I ever allowed myself to be pressurised into trying breastfeeding with DD1. It was every bit as horrendous as I feared and it totally ruined our first few days.

Breastfeeding wasn't for me, though hat off to those who made it work.

slightlyconfused85 · 10/10/2015 11:08

I had real trouble feeding dd1 and gave up after 3 weeks and switched to formula. I felt terrible about but now she is 3 I can see that she's a perfectly healthy, happy, bright child and I don't feel bad at all. I have baby DS now age 12 weeks- he's had expressed milk and formula in bottles from day 1 and I don't feel bad about it at all- once again a healthy happy baby and dh enjoys being part of feeding

FattyNinjaOwl · 10/10/2015 11:09

All 3 of mine have been/are exclusively ff. I don't regret it at all. I think you should feed how you want and everyone else needs to mind their own. Whatever works for mum is what's best for baby.
Getting worked up, agonising over the problems you may encounter, feeling guilty. None of that is good for your mental health. And you are still important. You still matter. So do what you want and don't feel bad about it is my way of looking at things.

cabbageleaf · 12/10/2015 19:08

OP, would it be possible to go on bf the twin that is a good feeder, and ff the other one?

Flip

1 2