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

Breastfeeding is so hard, so many women have issues trying to. I really wish there was more support in the UK for women who breastfeed. There’s even less support now we are in lockdown.

Breastfeeding wasn’t easy for me, low supply and baby that wouldn’t gain enough weight (according to the charts). I really didn’t want to FF because I’d been taught breast was best. I worked myself into a right state about it and put way too much pressure on myself to BF (don’t think the hormones helped). I ended up combi feeding then back to EBF with the help of a lactation consultant. I wish I’d been more relaxed about it and enjoyed the early months more, without all the anxiety. However, ultimately breastfeeding became something I really enjoyed and ended up doing for nearly 2 years!!

If breastfeeding is something you want to do and important to you, try and preserve for a week or two more. Get the nipple shields on and lanolin out & air them when you’re not feeding. It’s tough but you can get through it, there will be rewards on the other side. But don’t put yourself under too much pressure. If it’s too painful and stressful stop. All that matters is the baby is fed & full, how that is achieved isn’t important.
Incidentally my sister who was EFF, has a far better constitution than those of us who were EBF.

I was ff but my mum always said she wish she had bf..I bf it's not the most natural thing it was fucking hard...in fact the hardest thing I've ever tried. Ds esp I was mentally and physically draining and the guilt of wanting to stop yet persevering. I pumped sometimes and gave a bottle of breast milk for a break and still remember the catty comments of some mums in a north London cafe " I could never ff a baby" horrible.

I was FF but I bf from birth. I didn't struggle with it in the begining (thankfully) but towards the end I found it very draining. I'm now expecting again and will bf again if all goes smoothly.

Thankyou for all your replies ladies xxx.
I now feel less guilty for formula feeding my first 2 kids, knowing that they can be happy and healthy individuals despite them not having any breastmilk.
I'm going to try my absolute hardest to power on with breastfeeding for at least 6 weeks. Hopefully my baby will learn how to latch properly then.
I really dont want to give up but if my nipples are damaged or if she isnt gaining enough weight I will have to supplement with formula.

I was FF but I BF both my DC for 2 years and 5 years much to my mother's dismay

I was formula fed from birth. I breastfed. It didn’t really occur to me to do anything else so somehow it must have been normalized for me.

If it had been too difficult or uncomfortable or just not working well I would certainly have formula fed. I like living in a country where formula and a clean water supply are both readily available.

I tried breastfeeding dd, i lasted 3 days.
To be honest i underestimated how hard it would be, she wanted to suckle constantly and the pain was unbearable.

However, i wish i would have persevered, using a dummy in between feeds (even though midwife advised against it).

I gave up after ten days of painful bloody hell. I enjoyed every single feed with a bottle that I did after that. Pure joy.

I was pleased I gave the first milk and gave it a go. Feeding milk lasts such a short time- it isn’t worth fretting over. Don’t feel bad for switching.

I was born in the 60s when formula feeding was the norm. My mother thinks breastfeeding is revolting and totally unnecessary, as did my MIL. My decision to breastfeed my DC in the 90s was met with extreme disapproval, but I'm a stubborn mare at the best of times so I was absolutely determined to do it. I got great support from my maternal grandmother, who'd breastfed her DC in the 1930s, and also from DH.

I've breastfed the whole time and had the same problem with sore nipples initially and wondered if it would ever end. Strangely I was given the tip of some Savoy cabbage leaves that had been put in the fridge. Pop them on your boobs and they ease it more than cream would. Obviously you run the risk of smelling like boiled cabbage but I'd take that over the nipple pain.

I was ebf and still nursing at 4. I ff from the beginning. Different women in different circumstances, there’s no right or wrong. Your value as a mother is not dependent on whether you breastfed or formula fed.

I was ff but bf my 5 DC.
You need to do what's right for you.

Really hope it works out for you OP but even if it doesn't, be proud knowing that you gave it your best shot! If the latch is an issue, google the flipple technique- that can help baby to get a deeper latch which might help. It might still take a little while for your nipples to heal if they're already damaged so try some of the suggestions from PP if you can.

Three weeks is a difficult point. If you can, set yourself a target of six weeks as this is when it gets easier. If it doesn't then you'll know for sure. Here are some links that may help:
abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/low-milk-supply/?fbclid=IwAR0p6zDJMo2DSNRHfnZT7pXhL_fgSA4gNbt0XQ3FVb1N6FL2JfvP-QNmIIg

globalhealthmedia.org/portfolio-items/attaching-your-baby-at-the-breast/?portfolioCats=191%2C94%2C13%2C23%2C65