Page 2 | Any mums here who were formula fed from birth? Did you choose to breast or bottle feed your LO?

Jackie7527 · 2021-01-07T14:27:15+00:00

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

Suzi888 · 07/01/2021 15:21

I was ff and I fed ff. if you don’t want to do it just stop. My MW told me only the first week or so is the really good stuff in any case.

1980sMum · 07/01/2021 15:22

I was FF as a baby because my mum had serious issues (she really wanted to BF). I did a lot of research and was aiming for BF but also kept an open mind as, strangely, my mum had / has lots of allergies but I don't (and I was fully FF virtually).

I tried really hard (including expressing) but moved to FF after a couple of months. For me, having a baby that was full and sleeping was more important to me/us. I think it has to come down to the mum, but ultimately, I also know mums who almost went crazy with the stress in trying to make BF work; not sure that is healthy either.

Interestingly, I once spoke to an eminent allergy specialist focused on nut allergies. Before she started her research work she worked in an allergy clinic and she always advises her friends etc to go with what they're comfortable with as in all the years she was a doctor there, she did not ONCE meet a child with allergies that was purely FF (basically she didn't believe BF protects in terms of allergies). Basically, all the kids with allergies she had met had all been BF partly or fully so please don't worry too much if it doesn't work out for you.

Good luck!

DreamingInColours · 07/01/2021 15:24

I was FF from birth, but this had no impact on my decision to BF my DS. Not sure why it would?
Congratulations on your baby!

willowsmumsy · 07/01/2021 15:26

I was FF as it was assumed that was what my mum wanted to do in the early 70's- and it probably was!
I BF my 3 because I could and because I found it easier than FF- I LOATHE sterilising everything!!
If I hadn't been able to BF I'd have switched. I have the strongest constitution of anyone I know so FF did me absolutely no harm!!😂

AliasGrape · 07/01/2021 15:26

I was ff (adopted sort of - complicated situation). I very much wanted to bf but after a difficult labour, sepsis, EMCS and high blood loss I did not produce any milk at all despite trying for weeks. Baby is fine and thriving but I’m still struggling to accept it.

Lampzade · 07/01/2021 15:26

I mixed fed
Breast fed during the day and at night bottle fed my dc.

1980sMum · 07/01/2021 15:27

@1980sMum

I was FF as a baby because my mum had serious issues (she really wanted to BF). I did a lot of research and was aiming for BF but also kept an open mind as, strangely, my mum had / has lots of allergies but I don't (and I was fully FF virtually).

I tried really hard (including expressing) but moved to FF after a couple of months. For me, having a baby that was full and sleeping was more important to me/us. I think it has to come down to the mum, but ultimately, I also know mums who almost went crazy with the stress in trying to make BF work; not sure that is healthy either.

Interestingly, I once spoke to an eminent allergy specialist focused on nut allergies. Before she started her research work she worked in an allergy clinic and she always advises her friends etc to go with what they're comfortable with as in all the years she was a doctor there, she did not ONCE meet a child with allergies that was purely FF (basically she didn't believe BF protects in terms of allergies). Basically, all the kids with allergies she had met had all been BF partly or fully so please don't worry too much if it doesn't work out for you.

Good luck!

Oh, should add that I went to FF earlier with DC2, probably after 3-4 weeks. Neither have allergies and are very healthy (as have I been through the years).

1990shopefulftm · 07/01/2021 15:27

I was formula fed and I m using formula for my son.
Breastfeeding wouldn't have been the right fit for me as I have a coordination disorder that gets worse with lack of sleep, 4/5 hours a day is fine for me which bottle feeding gets me as my DH is able to feed DS too but being the only source of food and the getting up every couple of hours with cluster feeding times would be dangerous for me looking after a baby.

I knew pumping could be an option to have help with feeding but as my mum BF my sister for 2 years who refused bottles most of the time, i knew there was no guarantee that would work so decided it wasn't worth trying that for minimal gain.

If you want to carry on BF them ask for all the support you can but your mental health is important so if it's damaging it by carrying on then remember babies do thrive on formula.

NeurologicallySpeaking · 07/01/2021 15:35

I was formula fed. I chose to breastfeed my LOs but unfortunately that choice didn't work out so ended up expressing them formula feeding. They both had plenty of colostrum and early milk.

It really doesn't matter in the long run. It feels like your whole life depends on making the right feeding choice when they are newborn but then weaning and toddlerhood comes and it is all ancient history!

Indecisivelurcher · 07/01/2021 15:35

I was ff from birth. I bf my first child for v5m. I found the first month talky hard. Actually that's a lie, I found out all really hard. We were in hospital 5 days as Dd wouldn't latch. I had pain and cracked nipples. Who knew that suction blisters were a thing?! But that did pass! As Dd grew and her mouth got bigger, it did get easier. The reason for stopping at 5m was entirely related to sleep. Dd would only sleep in 1hr stretches and after every feed it took me 40m to get her back down, leaving me about 30m to sleep before I was up again... I broke. With my second, ds, I bf for 4wks then had a total panic about sleep and switched to ff. In hindsight I wish I'd stuck with bf and I feel irrational guilt. However they are 6 & 3 now and happy healthy smart kids - although Dd is a bit more awkward than I'd like... Same as me 😉😉😉

NeurologicallySpeaking · 07/01/2021 15:36

Oh also check all the things if you are in pain. Between my two babies I had bleeding nipples, cracks, lumps, tongue tie but the worst of all was breast thrush. That was off the scale painful

autumncountryleaves · 07/01/2021 15:41

I was FF, and FF my daughter after a horrific c section/sepsis meant my milk didn’t come in for days and my daughter was going mad!

Due another baby in March and going straight to FF, the mental anguish last time was too much for me to attempt BF again

RiverMeadow · 07/01/2021 16:08

Honestly give it another 2/3 weeks and you won't look back. The first month was so bad so I completely sympathise with you. I went through 6 tubes of lanolin in 6 weeks!

RiverMeadow · 07/01/2021 18:54

If you want to, I should add! Don't feel pressure to BF it's really getting you down or hurting too much x

AdultHumanFemale · 07/01/2021 19:12

I was ff as spent first 2 wks in incubator. Nurses apparently spoonfed me, and when I came out, it was difficult to get me to latch or suckle.
I must have loved my bottle though as I have a very early verified memory (less than 18 months) of bottle feeding and feeling amazing in that moment.
I bf my DC, DC1 to 2 years and DC2 to almost 4.
I had some minor issues at the newborn stage, but not enough to put me off. I am really sorry you are having a difficult time, and just want to say that whatever decision you make will be the very best one.

squeekums · 08/01/2021 02:55

I FF from a day old
I hated even trying to BF, made me feel like a cow.
I wanted my body back
DD is 10, happy, healthy and our bond was better as a baby cos i FF. I could feel pangs of resentment for feeding as soon as i tried
Everything in my being said it wasnt for me, no matter how people tried to guilt me into it or force her onto me like the midwives did

KatieKat88 · 08/01/2021 10:05

I combi fed until 7 months and then dropped the evening bottle for breastfeeding as DD had dropped day feeds down and it felt manageable. Breastfeeding is bloody difficult (literally at times). But now still breastfeeding at 14 months first thing and before bed and I'm so pleased I carried on. I had great support though (as well as a stubborn streak) and knowing that DH could give a bottle if I needed him to made me feel a bit less stressed. Are you in England? Ask to be referred to your local infant feeding team, mine were amazing. There is nothing wrong with formula but only you will know if it would be a relief to move to that or if you think you can give it a go for a bit longer - for me personally it would have upset me more to stop than continue until it got easier. I'm a huge fan of breastfeeding when it works but it has to work for you and baby. No-one else's opinion matters so do what you think is right and that will be the right decision.

KatieKat88 · 08/01/2021 10:06

Also hydrogel breast pads on Amazon - worth every penny!!

MaryJayneSarah · 08/01/2021 10:22

FF from birth, BF my daughter for 13 months.

It's a personal preference.

Sheleg · 08/01/2021 11:58

I was FF from birth (given up for adoption), and I EBF. It's hugely important to me, mostly from a psychological viewpoint. It was very physically painful and difficult at first but I pushed through.

steppemum · 08/01/2021 12:03

My brothers and I were all ff.

I bf my 3 until they were about 15 months.

But for me is was easy. I didn't have cracked nipples, they fed well, they wereeasy relaxed babies and I had a supportive dh.

We were also livign in a place where it was hard to buy a consistant supply of formula and where all the mums bf, and I was in a friendship group of mums where we were all pregnant bf or dealing with toddlers!

Don't compare yourself to others, do what is right for you and your baby. All our circumstances are different.

Horehound · 08/01/2021 13:29

I was FF from birth apparently it was the done thing back then (1986)

I have breastfed my boy.

daimbar2030 · 08/01/2021 20:16

I was ff.
I tried so hard to bf my LO but he just wouldnt latch. I expressed for 5 weeks but found it to be unhelpful for my mental health. Moved to formula which has been brilliant, my dp can also help with night feeds etc. I also use kendamil organic formula which is brilliant!
I wouldn't hesitate to go straight to ff if we ever had another baby xx

TerrifiedOfTrying4No2 · 08/01/2021 20:24

I was breastfed and so we’re all of my siblings. I (was) before having my daughter a very pro-breastfeeding person and couldn’t understand why anyone would want to formula feed given the evidence.

Then I had my daughter - she was 4lbs 13oz born at 37 weeks after my placenta failed, my milk didn’t come in, my daughter struggles to latch, she lost more weight, was 4lbs
3oz when we left the hospital and lost again when home. Start supplementing with formula to get her weight up and was pumping relentlessly getting maybe 15ml after an hour pumping. It just wasn’t working. There was tears, stress and emotions I can’t even describe now.

It wasn’t until one midwife said would I rather risk post-natal depression and carry on stressing and trying or would I like to formula feed because I need to be as mentally fit as I can be to care for my daughter.

So we switched, I still latched her most evenings after a bottle or just before for the skin-on-skin and bonding.

But I just couldn’t breastfeed; and there’s no shame in that - whether it because you can’t make milk or because it’s just too much, too stressful and too sore. It’s your body and there’s a just as decent alternative so if you know you’ll be mentally better off forums feeding then do so. - anyone who doesn’t support you on either route isn’t a person who’s opinion should be valued.

TerrifiedOfTrying4No2 · 08/01/2021 20:26

If it’s just the soreness that putting you off at the moment - have you tried the silicone nipple shields? They did absolute wondering for me to when I got sore and they helped DD latch and she would stay on longer and much less painfully. Still had w bit of a sting for a second when first latching on but then all fine.

Highly recommend the MAM nipple shields.