Any mums here who were formula fed from birth? Did you choose to breast or bottle feed your LO?

[Jackie7527]

Feel so close to giving up breastfeeding my LG. My nipples are on fire because they are cracked

I did. It was my preference. No medical reasons...I just didn't want to.

Mine are 16 and 12 and both healthy and fit.

I was ff from birth but I bf.

if I’ve interpreted the question correctly

Sorry your nips are hurting, mind did too I used to cry. Lanolin? Nipple shields whilst they heal? Leave them to air dry? Set those tits free as much as poss during the day.

Congratulations too

I breast fed for 4 days but due to horrific emergency section my milk was late and I went to the bottle as poor baby was out of her mind not getting anything.... don’t feel pressured to do it formula is absolutely fine xx

I was ff from birth, breast fed both my boys my eldest was premmie and I only managed until 5 months as I was worried about his weight gain but my youngest I bf until he was nearly 3. Both times I found it very easy. I think it's just one of those things that either works for you or doesn't.

I was formula fed and I chose to formula feed my three children. My best friends all breastfeed so I have no problems being around breastfeeding, it just didn’t seem right for me and dd’s were in nicu for a week after birth, which was the final nail in my breastfeeding coffin

I was formula fed from birth, the only one of my siblings that was funnily enough.
When I was pregnant with DD1 I kept an open mind & tried breastfeeding. I'll be completely honest, I didn't enjoy it one bit & gave up after 5 days.
With DD2 I formula fed from birth.
Please do what feels right for you & don't panic about it. I cried so much when I gave up but it was the best decision I ever made. There's a lot of emotional blackmail over breastfeeding but I ignored that & did what was right for me & we never looked back. Both my DDs have grown up very healthy & happy.
You'll get a lot of different views on here but it's only your own views & opinions that matter.
Just remember, while it feels massive now, nobody will think to question you about breastfeeding in a couple of years. Good luck with whatever you choose.

I was ff. I bf my son and wouldn't do it again. Next one will be fine.
I wish someone told me how hard bf would be, my son wouldn't take a bottle so it all fell on to me and I had awful 1st 6 months of motherhood because of it.
If you're having a shit time. Stop. Your child will be fine ff x

I ff. Hadnt planned to but did not produce any milk at all.

Do whatever you want or need to do.

I was FF but bf my DC's (still bf my 2 year old). Similar to pp I generally found it easy, especially DC 2, but if you want to stop and change to FF it's absolutely fine - it's not poison, it's life saving!

I was breast fed and have a terrible relationship with my mother! I hated bf and was in agony so stopped and ff my DS. He is thriving and we have a wonderful relationship.
Being able to BF doesn’t determine if you are a good mother or not. X

*formula fed (not fine!)

I BF all four of my babies for over 12 months. I remember with my first my nipples were so sore it felt like I was attaching myself to a stapler every hour. I persevered as I really wanted to bf, and after a few days I was 100% pain free. If that pain hadn't gone after another day or two I would have called it quits.

I was exclusively formula fed.
I also exclusively formula fed. I always knew I never wanted to even try breastfeeding or expressing, so I didn't. It wasn't for me at all

Thankyou for all your replies ladies 😊
Atm I'm using lanolin religiously but it's not really helping 😔. I'm hating every minute of breastfeeding because I'm in so much pain. I have tried consulting my midwives and health visitor but they all say she is latched on just fine. Clearly not otherwise my nipples wouldn't be sore and cracked!
I'm wearing a bra constantly too as I am leaking milk. Not sure if this is making things worse

I was ff exclusively and bf DD alongside some formula. I found it really hard and painful at first but it did get better. Don't force yourself to continue if you're really struggling though

I FF DC1 but BF DC2 and it was the BEST decision I ever made... in the long run.

The first month was just sheer pain and like you I thought I couldn't do it. But after about 4 weeks my nipples just got used to it and I stoped using lanolin all together at about 7 weeks, just occasionally.

How old is your LO?? Xx

3 weeks x

I was ff. I bf my eldest, and experienced cracked nipples- oh, the pain! Managed to get through it with some spray (Rotocept??), but this was over 30 years ago, so I don’t know whether it’s still sold. Once the pain was gone, I loved bf.

I ff my youngest because we fostered him from birth. I felt guilty that I couldn’t bf him, so I bought organic milk to make myself feel better. He’s a healthy 6’2, young man, who has barely had any illness in his 20 years.

I’ve always had stomach issues that my mum put down to me being fed on carnation milk (the norm in the 60s), but I suspect formula milk is so much better than that!

I did notice that my youngest had constipation when he was on the formula that SS sent with him; that went when I moved him onto HIPP.

Good luck.

My DM thinks BFing is "disgusting". I BF all three of my children, it's one of my proudest achievements as it is hard work.

Congratulations on your baby.

Me. I'm 45. DS is 16. I chose bottle as I wasn't comfortable with BF. It was never a consideration for me x

I was formula fed.
I have 4 dc, I formula fed 2 of them, combi fed 1 and breastfed 1. I did what was easiest for me at the time.

Echo what PP have said. What I would say is if it’s important to you - try to get help. Maybe an IBCLC? I had the same and found HV/ midwives didn’t actually really know much about Bf. First 9 weeks were a battle and it was painful, I had feed anxiety and I hated it. Baby now 22 weeks and I love it.

However if it’s not that important to you, which is totally fine, then don’t feel bad for stopping. I was FF, as where most of my generation and we are largely fine!

What I think is really really sad is people who would have wanted to continue stopping because of lack of support or information.

I was formula fed from birth

I exclusively breastfed my son for 2years and intend to do the same with my child due in may

I had a tough time at the beginning. Milk wasnt coming in fast enough, sore nipples, baby had tongue tie too which didnt help. Struggled till about 4 weeks then it got remarkably easier

Just seen your baby is 3 weeks - this is peak cluster feeding time. But also if it’s still very very sore, likely the arch isn’t right. My baby had a high arched palate which effected it. Nobody checked that tho. Also tongue tie could be a possibility. I’d try to get advice from an IBCLC. Good luck

I was formula fed from birth and I formula fed both my children from birth. I was very healthy always, and my children are also very healthy and active.

Do what is right for you - don't let anyone pressure you either way.