Solely Expressing

[user1465146157]

I've just had my 2nd baby.

With first baby I wanted to BF but as I have inverted nipples it didn't work and after much frustration I went to 100% formula

I was happy. Baby was happy. There was absolutely no effect on our closeness or any of the things I was made to feel guilty about.

So going into the second pregnancy and knowing I'd have the same issue I just decided months ago to formula feed and happy with that.

The baby is 2 days old and my boobs are getting bigger - I've tried not to touch them much to avoid engorging and I was at least expecting some leakage but there has been no colostrum which is a shame as id have liked to capture that

I'm just thinking now if initial milk came in it would be a shame to waste it but don't want to pressure the breasts too much in case it encourages more when I won't be feeding from them.

Unless - I expressed solely so the baby can remain purely on a bottle with breast milk.

What are your thoughts - I know breast is best I get it. I'm not being lazy I'm being practical - is it possible to get milk initially and then stop without risking infection?

I hope this made sense please say if there's detail I've missed

Thank you

Hi OP, I'm no expert at all, but if you're on Facebook I'd recommend the group Exclusively Pumping UK mums - they might be able to answer your questions

I couldn't breast feed for the same as you
I expressed until my DS was 7months old, it was difficult and took hard work but I did it. I didnt get any infection or anything, I gradually began to cut down as my milk supply start to drop and now he is formula fed. It is possible to exclusively express but dont put any pressure on yourself

Hey, I have inverted nipples (they are flat but when cold can invert) I have been breastfeeding dc2 for 5 weeks with they help of this www.amazon.co.uk/Lansinoh-70170-Latch-Assist/dp/B00112EIWW?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
Just before latching on, I use this it basically sucks your nipple out and baby can latch on. I breastfed dc1 with the help of nipple shields but this little thing is amazing I wish I had it before (promise I don’t work for them)

@Iheardit I wish I knew about this. I struggled for so long, trying nipple shields and everything else that others told me. Going to buy one ready for when I decide to have my next DC

My baby is 3 weeks old tommorow. I struggled to get him to latch on his first few days of life and have found it impossible to get face to face support with it apart from like 5 mins with the community midwife (thanks covid). He had lost too much weight by his 3 day weigh in so had to go on a feeding plan and long story short I have basically been expressing since then, with occasional tries in the boob and one bottle of formula a night.

It's a bit of a drag being married to the pump at least 5 times a day but I figure it's saving me money in the long run. But what ever you decide to do its important to remember that fed is best.